Literary devices and style in pride and prejudice

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Sound effects connect the 2 words in the title ?Pride and Prejudice? right from the start of the novelv(also used in Sense and Sensibility). This connection between Pride and Prejudice helps define the 2 main characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, and participates in the development of the plot. Mr. Darcy is perceived as extremely proud and prejudiced against provincial families, and Elizabeth is shown with the same faults, which are manifest in different ways.

Extraits

[...] - Also rouses D's interest, and as such takes part of the plot. Northrop Frye, Anatomy of Criticism: The comedy of manners the portrayal of a chattering-monkey society devoted to snobbery and slander. In this kind of irony the characters who are opposed to or excluded from the fictional society have the sympathy of the audience. Wit Wit = satiric, intellectual ability to associate ideas in a brilliant way. Associated to dialogue, it is part & parcel of the comedy of manners. [...]

[...] ( Many reminders of previous episodes that clarify the present situation. A certain number of significant narrative elements are scattered in the story to be used in later developments. ( need of retroactive reading. a. Evolution of Wickam: should be no surprise for the reader his words are not always in keeping with his attitudes: is not for me to be drivenaway by Mr refuses to go to the Netherfield ball. Another example: “Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him.” later enjoys criticizing D in public: ( ) had better not meet - that to be in the same room, the same party with him for many hours together, might be more than I could bear, and that scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself.” 93: The whole of what E had already(Wickham's) claims on Mr Darcy, and all that he had suffered from him, was now openly acknowledged and publicly canvassed; and everybody was pleased to think how much they had always disliked Mr D before they had known anything of the matter. [...]

[...] End of the novel: literary convention + social convention create a picture of harmony. Coonvention in Austen's books is not an obstacle but a means to reach real happiness. Letter writing Writing letters is central in the novel, and is part of its general economy. Letters have to be written: - when they are letters of business ( writing them = the duty of men: “Letters of business, too! How odious I should think of them” (32). - To keep contact with others ( D writes to his beloved sister. [...]

[...] Style By the standards of her period, Austen's style is rather natural and simple. Influenced by 18th C writers and essayists (Dr Johnson) - use of abstract expressions or rhetorical devices (epigram): It is a truth universally acknowledged - repetition: How despicably I have acted ( ) How humiliating is this discovery ( ) How just a humiliation ( ) (137) - balancing different parts of a sentence: business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.” - Rhetorical questions: “What praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant?” (162) - Rhetorical progression: a brother, a landlord, a master” (162) - Hyperbole: the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?” (233) - Understatement: his wife he was very little otherwise indebted, than her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement.” (155) - Antithesis: are charmingly group'd, and appear to uncommon advantage.” 1st letter sent by Collins = example of what should be avoided Austen pokes fun at those who delight in pomposity (Collins, Mary): - useless repetitions: “promote and establish” - heavy sound effects: “bounty and beneficience” - long subordinate clauses: mind, however, is now made up on the subject ( ) by the Church of England” (en tout: 8 lignes) - overworked metaphors: olive-branch” Style is used in keeping with the different characters - Collins, Mary: way of writing / speaking reflects self- importance and bookish attitude. [...]

[...] - 63: sir Lucas mentions the future marriage b/w Jane and Bingley ( D is made aware of sth he had not suspected. Conversely, revealing secrets, either willingly trusts E the secret of his sister's near elopement) or unwillingly reveals D's presence at her marriage; LC's visit confirms D's interest in E and vice versa) contributes to the final resolution. As usual: what is at 1st a literary device finally brings the thematic content of the book = ignoring others, being blind to truth, discovering oneself and the others. [...]