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Distortion Within Pride and Prejudice In Classical Literature, there are few works which can boast having a huge societal impact upon their publication, yet still cause a modern reader to sit at the edge of their seat turning the page in anticipation of what happens next. Jane Student’s Pride and Prejudice is one of these evident pieces. In Pride and Prejudice, the life as a middle-class English woman in the 19th Century was portrayed so astutely that the world around her was forever altered. The novel Is also not only readable, but stimulating, with each page alluring the reader to find out what appends next to the unforgettable characters.
But how is Austin able to accomplish this? What is the quality that makes her work stand out from the rest? It is evident through textual analysis that Jane Austin uses distortion as a device to aid not only in her plot development, but also in order to express her views on societal issues within Pride and Prejudice. This distortion is most prominently seen in the amplified characters, exaggerated circumstances, and the misrepresented Interactions. Although distortion Is seen throughout the novel, It first becomes most apparent with he introduction of Mr..
Collins. Austin has exaggerated his personality, distorting his character into a source of comic relief and humor. This has a profound impact on the novel as it creates the first tension between Elizabeth and her family seen in the novel. The distortion of Mrs.. Bonnet’s character is also seen here when she threatens Elizabeth that “l (She) will never see her If she does not accept. This bold declaration certainly shows conflict and creates drama within the novel. The entire proposal scene Is also fraught with social commentary. For example when Mr..
Collins ruddy declares “My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergy man in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. “(1 9) Here, in Just one simple sentence Austin has spelled out the several key problems that existed within the institution of marriage in this day; the feeling of responsibility rather than love, the ever present consideration of what your peers may say. By distorting the characters of Mr.. Collins and Mrs.. Bennett, Austin perfectly shows her own beliefs while making the novel entertaining.
The expression of the distortion device is not exclusive to the characters themselves. One of the biggest places it is seen is within the context of the character’s circumstances themselves. Character’s problems are often amplified or misrepresented in order to move along the story. The biggest perpetrator of this is seen within the Bennett household Itself. To the reader, the Bennett appear embarrassingly poor and their lack of Inheritance makes finding a husband a far more dire task than simply flying love. Again we see that with perspective, they misrepresented and distorted wrought this novel.
Few modern readers would consider the Bennett truly poor. When Mr.. Collins attempts to compliment the Bennett on cooking a fine meal he is met with a rude response “Mrs.. Bennett who assured him with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do In the kitchen” (14) The Bennett have servants yet they are not portrayed In this layered. On one hand, it creates dramatic tension and provides character’s motivation, as creates an imperative for the sisters to be married.
The distortion gain is used by Austin to communicate her satire on society. She is using black humor in a way, causing the reader to become so worried of this family’s poor situation, while they are actually very fortunate. This causes the reader to step back and realize that they too fell into the trap of always wanting more even when they are already fortunate. Finally, the distortion throughout the novel is again highlighted by the perceptions of the main characters. The reader is led to believe one thing about a person yet in the end they discover that they were completely rang.
This is no better seen than with Elizabeth and Dairy. After their first unfortunate meeting she grows to detest him and his hate is projected to the reader. Her hate seems to come to an apex at the ball when she declares to herself that ‘Attention, forbearance, patience with Dairy, was injury to Hickman. ” (18) However, the reader is offered no proof of his maliciousness. By the end of the novel the reader knows that Mr.. Dairy is kind-hearted and good and even his servants boast that “He is the best landlord, and the best master… Hat ever lived. (43) The reason that Austin distorts the reader’s view of Dairy for so long before revealing the truth is so that they can experience the emotions of Elizabeth. This process also creates dramatic tension and intrigue. The reader know that something is different about Mr.. Dairy but they never know why until his unexpected secret is revealed; that he is a DOD, kind, man. This distortion also lets Austin express her views towards the Judgment of others (which lends itself to the title of the novel). We can see from the distortion of Mr..
Dairy that one should not Judge people based solely on first impressions or the gossip of others. Pride and Prejudice is an enduring work Noose story will forever live on. This is based in large part because of the ingenuity of Austin employing distortion to this extent. At each use, distortion is able to build dramatic tension within the reader and also enlighten them on a social issue. Perhaps today Student’s message would not have differed; people still struggle with finding happy marriages, money, and harsh Judgments. It is certain that the work will persist for much longer.