PRE-VICTORIAN FICTION: JANE AUSTEN

The first important woman novelist, she stands above the classical and the romantic
movements; in a sense she bridges the gaps between the 18 th and the 19th centuries, but she
cannot be assign to a specific group or period – she is unique. Her novels present us an 18th
century world in its habits, tasks and appearance, the rural people of middle/upper classes.
This world she portraits was a small corner of England society as it was in her day: a world of
social pretension and ambition, of balls, visits and speculations about marrying and giving in
marriage. Jane Austen’s primary interest people, not ideas, and her achievement lies her the
meticulously exact presentation of human situations, the delineation of characters who are
really living creatures, with faults and virtues mixed as they are in real life. Her prose flows
easily and naturally, and her dialogue is admirably true to life. Her style is precise and
vivacious. Some of her novels: “ Sense and Sensibility”, “Pride and Prejudice”, “Mansfield
Park”, “Emma”, “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion”.

“PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” – it is the story of Elisabeth Bennet, a witty and high
spirited young-lady who eventually marries Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wealthy gentleman. At the
beginning, Elizabeth, as well as everyone in her social sphere, views Darcy as being umplesant
and arrogant. The episode of Darcy’s first proposal to Elisabeth and her refusal, marks the
turning point in their relationship because Darcy gives her a better explaining of his acts and
attitude, which makes her realize she could be wrong. Eventually, she finds out his real
personality and kindness, and realizes she also loves him. They got married.

Themes: LOVE, MARRIAGE, REPUTATION, PRIDE, CLASS, ENVY, PREJUDICE,

GREED.