How Does Jane Austen Use Letters In Pride And Prejudice

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A significant feature of Jane Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice,” is the utilization of letters, which were the prevalent form of communication in the nineteenth century. There is a sum of twenty-one letters included in the content and many occasions where letters or letter composing are mentioned. Letters function as a dramatic device in the novel to further the plot, expose character and benefit in the composition of theme in “Pride and Prejudice.” Through the use of letters, and discussions about letters, Austen creates an intriguing plot. At first, an invitation to the Netherfield ball, and a letter declaring a visit from Mr. Collins, causes a whirlwind in a household of unmarried daughters and their solicitous mother. Further letters…show more content…
This letter illustrates that Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth are the most sensible ones about family and finances while Mrs. Bennet is the foolish one considering she is consumed by the desire to see her daughters marry and seems to care for nothing else in the world. Jane Austen uses letters to endorse her characters to speak beyond the boundaries of the novel’s dialogue and to distinguish themselves from other…show more content…
For example, pride and prejudice are the two main obstacles preventing a relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy (Moschella). Since “Pride and Prejudice” takes place in England during the early nineteenth century and “the British class system during the nineteenth century was a complex hierarchy of social and economic occasions with an intention to emphasize the differences between individuals and groups” (Aleksic); Darcy’s high ranked social position leads him to disdain anybody outside his own circle, while, Elizabeth’s pride in her powers of discernment prevent her from seeing beyond Darcy’s indifference and Wickham’s attentions. After Elizabeth refuses Darcy’s first proposal, he sends a letter to her. However, Darcy’s letter forces Elizabeth to realize she has truly misinterpreted both men and Elizabeth grows ashamed, concluding that she had been “blind, partial, prejudiced and absurd” (Austen 137). These two discover satisfaction by helping one another to conquer his/her pride and prejudiced judgements once Darcy's letter to Elizabeth is revealed. Austen states that “Pride and Prejudice is about people who learn to recognize good in others, and therefore they themselves become better people” (Austen preface). This letter can be viewed as the turning point of the novel and expresses the

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