Name ______Date _____
Avallone 12 AP Period _____
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published: 1813 - Originally titled First Impressions
This period is historically referred to as the Regency Period, however, it does not define a literary school and in fact, scholars have had difficulty placing Austen into one school or another. She wrote her works during the turn of the century though she was not terribly influenced by romantic ideals and therefore, her works incorporate 18th century neoclassical elements and emphasize the proper behavior and manners later associated with the Victorian period in the 19th century.
Neoclassical Elements: Irony, satire, social criticism, restrained, formal, symmetrical style (antithesis, parallelism)
Romantic Elements: development of the themes of freedom and individualism, expression for natural vs. artificial beauty
Questions for discussion:
1) British society during this period was very class conscious; consider how each character’s “class” is revealed in the novel and how it motivates or affects their lives and behavior. (For example: Why does Austen call Elizabeth by her first name and Mr. Darcy by his last name throughout the novel? What are its social implications?) Use the attached chart to track class and Elizabeth’s perceptions of each individual.
2) Pride and Prejudice has often been referred to as a novel about manners. Do you agree with this assessment? What do the behaviors and traditions reveal about the society as a whole? (Compare to The Great Gatsby and its depiction of the Jazz Age.)
3) In the novel marriage serves many functions. It is a romantic union, a financial merger, and a vehicle for social regulation. Scholar and writer Mary Poovey said that Austen's goal "is to make propriety and romantic desire absolutely congruent." Consider whether all the marriages in this novel fit these criteria – which do and which do not? Is marriage today still a convention of social regulation?
4) Elizabeth is furious with Darcy for breaking up the match between Jane and Mr. Bingley. Although he initially defends himself, she changes his mind. Later when Lady Catherine attempts to interfere in his own courtship, he describes this as unjustifiable. What has changed?
5) Is Jane Austen a feminist? Consider the role of Elizabeth in the text and the other women in the novel. (Consider possible foils.) Is Elizabeth an anomaly among women in this period? With such a protagonist, what is Austen’s perspective on women and their rights?
6) What is happening historically during this period? Review the background notes and note clues in the text that refer to international and domestic events. Is it unusual that Austen does not spend more time discussing social and political issues? Why has she chosen to de-politicize her text?
7) Consider the final resolution of the novel. Is the ending a fairy tale one ("and they lived happily ever after")? How does the novel expand upon and complicate this ending? Does the ending play up the romance, or the social satire? What is the final message, of the novel?
8) “The truest test of comedy is that it will awaken thoughtful laughter.” Does Austen’s use of comedy in the novel “awaken thoughtful laughter”? What purpose does the comedy serve in the text? Cite specific examples and explain its effect on the audience.
Pride and Prejudice Vocabulary
· Chapters 1-21:
caprice, emphatic, disconcert, gallantry, censure, folly, synonymous, impertinent, fortnight, indignation, insipid, draught, countenance, assent, eminent, stout, prevail, odious, deceitful, expostulation, reprehensible, infinite, civility, novelty, willful, propitious, felicity, rectory, amends, deference, affability, abode, tête à tête, parsonage, deign, contemplation, esteem, degenerate, proxy, procure, probity, exultation, humility, discernment, bestow, insolent, persevere, injunction, patroness, condescend, coquetry.
· Chapters 21-40:
abound, simpleton, desponding, solicitation, trifle, composure, incredulous, boisterous, rapturous, abhorrence, inclination, circumspect, canvass, solemnity, perverse, entail, thwart, assert, duplicity, defection, conciliate, alacrity, indisposed, controverted, sally, derive, peruse, impute, avowal, endeavor, remorse, suppress, disapprobation, verdure, refute, pecuniary, abhorrence, insolence, perusal, profligate, benevolence, contrivance, approbation, fervent, affront, vindication, encumbrance.
· Chapters 41-50:
lamentation, vexation, frivolous, impute, impropriety, acquiesce, bestow, perverse, cordiality, tincture, repugnant, impetuous, consolatory, elopement, lamentation, villainous, fretful, infamy, dilatory, sanguine, licentiousness, conjecture, exuberance, folly, connubial, felicity.
· Chapters 51-60:
vestibule, abash, impertinence, scruple, inducement, sedate, vex, dupe, pretension, incessant, sagacity, closure.
Manners / Success (How successful are they at achieving their goals…) / Elizabeth’s opinion
(quotes please!)
Elizabeth Bennet
Mr. Darcy
Mr. Bingley
Miss Bingley
Mr. Collins
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Mr. Wickham