Pride and Prejudice quotes & analysis

Introduction - marriage, society, gender

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife

Analysis

- Sets scene

- Satire

- Ironic; use of 'universal' suggests that this is true for everyone, when it is limited to their era and the upper social class

- Offers a miniature sketch of the whole plot

- Ironic; the opposite is more true

- Criticism of society

- 'universal': suggests that their story is not unique, but representative and typical

Mr Bennet - Character description

Mr Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve and caprice

Analysis

- Starkly contrasts his wife

- His humour is similar to that of Elizabeth's

Narrator - Mrs Bennet's character description

She was a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper

Analysis

- Contrasts her husband

- Lacks complexity

- Power of 3 to highlight the negative connotations of her character

- No positives given by Austen; suggests her dislike of Mrs Bennet's character and values

Narrator - Mrs Bennet & marriage

The business of her life was to get her daughters married

Analysis

- Lack of complexity

- Context: Highlights the necessity and urgency of the need of marriage for women of the Georgian era

- Context: Women have little to do in their free time, other than run the house

Narrator - Mr and Mrs Bennet's marriage

The experience of twenty-and-three years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character

Analysis

- Use of number emphasises the failure of their marriage

- Lack of compatibility

- Contrasting characters

- Austen stresses the need for compatibility in marriage

Narrator - Mr Bingley's Character description

Mr Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners

Analysis

- The importance of manners

- Simple character, unlike the complexity of Darcy

- Faultless

- Context: The ideal marriage prospect

Narrator - Darcy's money

in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year

Analysis

- Highlights the importance of money

- Everyone initially thinks highly of him purely based off his wealth

Narrator - Darcy's character description

He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world

Analysis

- Indirect free speech: the voice of Merton as a whole

- Use of hyperbole is different to Austen's usual language

- Context: though money is valued, manners are needed too

- Almost satirical tone suggests that this is not true, and that the reader should be doubtful

Darcy - Pride, prejudice, first impressions of Elizabeth

She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men

Analysis

- Highlights Darcy's pride

- The importance of reputation

- Italics of 'me' emphasises his sense of pride and superiority

- Catalyses the plot, as it forms Elizabeth's prejudice against him

- Emphasises the importance of a woman's looks

Narrator - Elizabeth's character description

She had a lively, playful disposition

Analysis

- Makes light of the situation, like her father

- Austen uses Elizabeth to contrast typical roles of women in 19th century literature

Elizabeth - Pride

I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine

Analysis

- Exemplifies Lizzie's pride

- Hold prejudice against Darcy due to her hurt pride

Mr Bennet - Relationship with Lizzie

Lizzy has more of quickness than her sisters

Analysis

- Adjective used to describe them both; highlights their similarities

- He is particularly fond of her

Elizabeth - Rejection of Mr Collins & view on marriage

You could not make me happy

Analysis

- Elizabeth's independence is highlighted

- Though it would be economically logical to accept his proposal, Elizabeth stands by her morals and rejects his offer

- Believes that a marriage requires compatibility

Mr and Mrs Bennet - Conflicting attitudes to marriage

Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do

Analysis

- Mr Bennet values Elizabeth's happiness, and compatibility in marriage

- Holds these beliefs due to the failure of his own

- Mrs Bennet is used to present the desperation women of their era faced in order for a secure future

- The juxtaposition of their views show the failure of the marriage, as they fail to see eye to eye

Elizabeth - Journey to Netherfield

jumping over stiles and springing over puddles

Analysis

- Highlights Elizabeth's independence

- Her ability to defy societal standards

Elizabeth - view on pride

I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good

Analysis

- Ironic, as Darcy turns out to be 'wise and good'

Elizabeth - Wittiness towards Darcy

Mr Darcy is all politeness

Analysis

- Elizabeth is able to remain polite and follow social etiquette whilst taking a dig at Darcy

- Emphasises her intelligence

Elizabeth - Wickham

There was truth in his looks

Analysis

- She is blinded by her prejudice: positive to Wickham and negative to Darcy

- Austen comments on society's belief that appearance and manners were more important than emotions

- Poor judgement

- Ironic

Elizabeth - Charlotte's engagement

Engaged to Mr Collins! My dear Charlotte - impossible!

Analysis

- Holds Charlotte to a different level of accountability in contrast to Wickham

- Highlights there contrasting views on marriage

- Suggests Austen's personal views

Elizabeth - Pride & prejudice, rejection of Darcy at the dance

I have not the least intention of dancing

Analysis

- Prioritises character over wealth

- Fails to acknowledge Darcy's interest in her, as she is so prejudiced against him

- Darcy shows special interest in Elizabeth

- She refuses his offer, going against social expectations, shining light on her independence

Darcy - View on pride

But pride - where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation

Analysis

- Ironic; Darcy doesn't acknowledge his own pride

- Feeds Elizabeth's prejudice

- Almost proud to be proud

Darcy - Stubborness

My good opinion once lost is lost forever

Analysis

- Underlines his sense of superiority

- Similarity with Elizabeth - they are both stubborn

Darcy - Prejudice and class

He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger

Analysis

- Darcy is so prejudiced against Elizabeth's social class that he rules out the possibility of him gaining attraction towards her

- The only obstacle is her class

Charlotte Lucas - Views on compatibility in marriage

Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance

Charlotte Lucas - Love and marriage

I'm not a romantic as you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home

Analysis

- Almost cynical view of marriage

- Marriage is plainly for economic stability

- Pressure for women to marry

Analysis

- Doesn't believe in love

- Acknowledges she does not have good marriage prospects

Charlotte Lucas - Views on marriage for Jane

There are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement

Narrator - Description of Mr Collins

A mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility

Analysis

- Use of oxymorons to describe Mr Collins to highlight his ridiculousness

Mr Collins - Proposal to Elizabeth

"Singled you out"

"before I run away with my feelings"

Analysis

- Ironic: Mr Collins neither 'singled out' Elizabeth, nor is emotional

- He has made a proposal based on a logical decision

Mr Collins - View of marriage

Set the example of matrimony

Narrator - Elizabeth with Mrs Bennet at Netherfield Ball

Elizabeth was in agonies.