Pride & Prejudice Journal: Analysis of Satire
While reading P&P you will keep adialectical journal focused on Austen’ssatire/high comedy.
What is Satire?
“Satire is writing that ridicules or criticizes individuals, ideas, institutions, social conventions, or other works of art or literature.” – From Prentice Hall Literature, 2007
You must keep in mind that satire is not just about ridicule; it is ridicule with a purpose. The writer of satire may use a tolerant, sympathetic, witty, and/or tongue-in-cheek tone (Horatian Satire) or an angry, bitter, condemning tone (Juvenalian Satire). Austen primarily employs the former.
Important Note: There are 3 Volumes in the book but the Dover Edition does not reflect this, so make note of it in your text:
Volume I: Ch. I-XXIII (pp. 1-91)
Volume II: Ch. XXIV-XLII (pp. 91-163)
Volume III: Ch. XLIII - LXI (pp. 163-end)
Journal Requirements: For each Volume of the novel, you will select 4 quotations from that part of the text that reflect the ideas of high comedy/satire and write them on the left side of your journal; your analysis of the quotation will be on the right side.
Choose interesting quotations and do a "close reading" so that your analysis is engaging and insightful and reflects an understanding of Austen's satiric purpose and use of language. You are required to analyze only 12 total quotations (4 per volume x 3 volumes) so put your energy into choosing quotations that speak to you and analyzing with depth of thought.
This will be graded as an analytical essay (AP 9-Point Rubric). Each paragraph must include context and the importance of the quotation, along with Level 3 analysis of Austen’s satiric purpose. I have framed part of the paragraph below.
L3 Frames (use if helpful):
Frame A: Austen (employs/ utilizes/ uses/ includes) (satirical strategy: hyperbole /understatement /overstatement/ irony/ incongruity/ absurdity) (in this quote/ here/ in this situation) in order to (satirize WHAT? make WHAT point about her society?). Don’t forget to elaborate/explain!
Frame B: By including details such as (pithy quote or paraphrase), Austen effectively (employs/utilizes) (satirical strategy: hyperbole/ understatement/ overstatement /irony/ incongruity/ absurdity) to convey her satirical purpose (of/ which is) ___. Don’t forget to elaborate/explain!
Frame C: Austen’s purpose here is made clear: ___. Don’t forget to elaborate/explain!