The Vicar of Wakefield

Pride and Prejudice Essay Questions

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1. 1

In which ways is Elizabeth different from the rest of the Bennet family? What
does the contrast reveal about her character?

Elizabeth is one of the only characters in Pride and Prejudice who changes

significantly over the course of the story. Her distinctive quality is her extreme
perceptiveness, which she uses to assess others at the beginning of the novel and
understand her own flaws at the end. Most of the other Bennets are stuck in their
ways - Jane is eternally optimistic, Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are frivolous, Mr.
Bennet is sarcastic and cynical, and so on - but Elizabeth regularly reflects on the
events in her life. She learns to question herself whereas most of the others act as
though they have settled on a certain worldview. Elizabeth is therefore a true
individual who adapts to the world around her, and seeks constantly to better
understand her desires so that she can find happiness.

2. 2

Overall, do you believe Austen has a conservative or radical approach to the

issue of class? Why or why not?

Ultimately, Pride and Prejudice takes a moderate stance on class differences.

Austen never posits an egalitarian ideology. However, she does criticize the
society's over-emphasis on class instead of individual moral character. Darcy's
journey from extreme class-consciousness to prioritizing manners over money is
the best example of Austen's criticism. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is affected upon
visiting Pemberley. The grand estate does have an impact on her already changing
feelings towards Darcy, which is one example of Austen justifying the appeal of
the upper class. Overall, Austen accepts (and even appreciates) the existence of
class hierarchy, but also offers a warning about how class-based prejudice can
poison society.

3. 3

Explore Austen's portrayal of the women in the novel. In what ways does she
sympathize with their plight, and in what ways is she unsympathetic?

Austen's attitude towards women is quite complicated. Generally, Austen is critical

of the gender injustices present in 19th century English society, particularly in the
context of marriage. She is able to voice this criticism through characters like
Charlotte Lucas (who marries Collins because she needs security) and even Mrs.
Bennet (who, though ridiculous, is the only one to speak out against the entailment
of Longbourn). Furthermore, Austen's caricatured portrayal of the younger Bennet
daughters is evidence of her disdain for frivolous women. Her opinion was perhaps
more in line with Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, or even the dour Mary. While Austen
seems to accept the limitations of her gender, she criticizes a society that forces
women to emphasize their least flattering characteristics.

4. 4

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 The Vicar of Wakefield

Elizabeth has a markedly different attitude about marriage than other

characters - notably Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet - have. To what extent is she
unfair in her assessment of their attitudes, and to what extent might they
benefit from employing her perspective?

Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet both believe that marriage is a business transaction in
which a woman must be the active party in securing a good match for herself. This
pragmatic assessment stands in stark contrast to Elizabeth's more romantic
worldview. However, at this period in history, at least in certain higher classes, if a
man chose not to marry, he only risked loneliness and regret. Meanwhile, a woman
in the same situation could lose her financial security. Therefore, it is
understandable why Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet believe that a woman must
consider employing manipulation for the sake of her future. Charlotte deliberately
draws Mr. Collins's attention in order to secure a proposal. However, Jane does not
follow Charlotte's advice and nearly loses Bingley's love in the process. Lydia
takes a drastic action that forces her marriage to occur. It is only Elizabeth who
operates entirely outside the societal norm, but Austen makes it clear that her
situation is quite unique.

5. 5

Some critics applaud Austen's ability to craft psychologically complex and

believable characters, while others believe she mostly creates well-drawn
comic stock characters. Which argument do you support?

Though this question asks for an opinion, a strong thesis would be that Austen
straddles the line between comic stock characters and psychologically complex
ones. Elizabeth Bennet has a magnetic and singular personality, as does Darcy.
They are arguably one of the most beloved literary couples of all time. On the other
end of the spectrum, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine are almost trapped in their
exaggerated personality traits, which Austen often uses for comic (and satirical)
effect. However, Austen reveals a keen perception of human psychology, even
through these supposedly two-dimensional characters. Mr. Collins, for instance,
reflects the truth of a class-obsessed society. Mrs. Bennet embodies the desperation
of women to find a good marriage. Therefore, Austen does create unique stock
characters that emphasize certain aspects of human psychology while also
providing comic relief.

6. 6

Austen's original draft of this novel was titled First Impressions. Explain why
this title makes sense, as explore the reasons why Pride and Prejudice is more
apt.

First Impressions describes the main romantic conflict - will Elizabeth and Darcy
end up together despite their first impressions of one another? However, Pride and
Prejudice suggests a much deeper psychological struggle, more fitting to the
complexity of Austen's novel. Whereas First Impressions only implies a story of
corrected perceptions, Pride and Prejudice describes a story where the characters
must investigate themselves, addressing the unconscious impulses that work to
prohibit self-awareness. Finally, the final title is all-encompassing, reaching
beyond just Elizabeth and Darcy. It offers a comment on the novel's larger themes
like class and the role of women.

7. 7

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 The Vicar of Wakefield

Darcy is initially attracted to Elizabeth's "fine eyes." Analyze this symbol, and
explain what it shows about both Darcy and Elizabeth.

Despite Elizabeth's obvious coldness toward him, Darcy finds himself increasingly
attracted to her, particularly her beautiful dark eyes. The darkness of her eyes also
represents Elizabeth's main weakness‹: the pride and prejudice that cloud her
perception. Elizabeth prides herself on her ability to judge others and uncover their
motives. However, her prejudgment of Darcy makes her blind to his admiration. In
the conversation about Darcy at Netherfield, Elizabeth offers that Darcy's defect is
"a propensity to hate everybody," while Darcy perceptively replies that hers is
"Œwillfully to misunderstand them." Indeed, while Elizabeth judges Darcy for
over-valuing his first impression of her, she exhibits the exact same shortcoming.
Ultimately, the darkness of her eyes reflects the complexity of Elizabeth's
prejudice, but that complexity is very much what draws Darcy towards her in the
first place.

8. 8

In what ways does Austen portray the family and community as responsible
for its members?

Though Pride and Prejudice is largely a story about individuality, Austen portrays

the family unit as primarily responsible for the intellectual and moral education of
children. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's failure to provide a proper education for their
daughters leads to Lydia's utter foolishness. Elizabeth and Jane manage to develop
virtue and discernment in spite of their parents' negligence, though it is notable that
they have other role models like the Gardiners. Darcy shares both his father's
aristocratic nature and the man's tendency towards generosity, while Lady
Catherine's daughter is too frightened to speak. This attitude extends to the larger
community, as well. Lydia's time in Meryton and Brighton bring out her worst
impulses. Similarly, the community around Pemberley respects Darcy's generosity
and follows his lead in being kind and trustworthy.

9. 9

Though undoubtedly a comic character, Mr. Collins reflects some rather

unattractive qualities of his society. Explain this statement.

Mr. Collins is defined by his rambling speeches of excessive formality and his
boorishness disguised as faux-politeness. And yet, Mr. Collins is also a reflection
of a society obsessed with class, a monster engendered by this singular pressure.
Mr. Collins comes from modest means and likely always dreamed of a respectable
position. When he attracted an aristocratic patroness like Lady Catherine, he saw
only her rank, which made him blind to her harsh and condescending attitude. He
compensates for his insecurity by pretending to act like Lady Catherine and those
of her class. In this way, Collins and Lady Catherine are examples of the societal
acceptance of class without manners but not the opposite.

10. 10

Explain why Austen ends her novel with a line about the Gardiners, even
though they are minor characters in Pride and Prejudice.

The Gardiners are important because they are a middle-class couple that behaves
reasonably and virtuously. Mrs. Gardiner is a great role model for Elizabeth,

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 The Vicar of Wakefield

though she reveals little unique personality of her own. Mr. Gardiner proves to be
instrumental in saving Lydia from her scandalous elopement. They both
acknowledge the importance of class and education, but place a greater emphasis
on personal conduct. The Gardiners also externalize Darcy's inner struggle. When
Darcy treats the Gardiners well at Pemberley and then later works with Mr.
Gardiner to rescue Lydia, it indicates that he has internalized Elizabeth's view of
personality and class. The novel thus ends on the Gardiners because is offers a final
illustration that Elizabeth and Darcy have reached a happy medium between class
and behavior beyond the barriers of pride and prejudice.

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