Irony in Pride and Prejudice Essay - 2389 Words

Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular novels written by Jane Austen. This romantic novel, the story of which revolves around relationships and the difficulties of being in love, was not much of a success in Austens own time. However, it has grown in its importance to literary critics and readerships over the last hundred years. There are many facets to the story that make reading it not only amusing but also highly interesting. The reader can learn much about the upper-class society of this age, and also gets an insight to the authors opinion about this society. Austen presents the high-society of her time from an observational point of view, ironically describing human behavior. She describes what she sees and adds her own†¦show more content†¦She uses this unspecified person, who is outside of all the novels action and gives explanations, as a medium of communication to present her own opinion in an allusively open way. This narrator is the first means of making i ronic remarks. Through the narrator a certain mood is created that prevails throughout the novel. The very first sentence of the novel shows this with the following sentence, It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife (Pride and Prejudice, p. 3). The irony of this statement is the universal validity with which assumptions are made in that upper-class society. It is assumed that there is nothing else for a man of high rank to want but a wife to complete his possessions. Along with his money, land, riches etc. she acts as nothing more but another piece of property, which was a common attitude in those days. Austen manages to make the attitude towards matrimony upheld by this upper class look rather ridiculous and incredible. Another ironic description is given, for instance, when Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst take care of the sick Jane, who stays at their house. They present themselves as very affectionate and cari ng friends to Jane. However, that does not stop them from talking very bad about Janes relations. The real ironic comment is that theShow MoreRelatedIrony in Pride and Prejudice995 Words   |  4 PagesIrony in Pride and Prejudice Irony forms the alma mater of Jane Austen’s novels. Likewise, â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† is steeped in irony of theme, situation, character, and narration. Austen uses it to establish the contrast between appearance and reality. As one examines â€Å"Pride and Prejudice†, one discovers the ironic significance of how pride leads to prejudice and prejudice invites pride. Importantly, the novel elucidates how both â€Å"Pride† and â€Å"Prejudice† have their corresponding virtues bound upRead More Essay on the Irony of Pride in Pride and Prejudice1262 Words   |  6 PagesThe Irony of Pride in Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚  Ã‚   Jane Austen uses the elements of both pride and prejudice to develop the satire in her novel. Austen presents pride as both a vice and a virtue. Austen first introduces pride as a vice of arrogance and prejudice, but as the characters in the novel develop so does the concept of pride. Towards the end of the novel pride becomes the vehicle for many of the noble actions taken by the main characters. 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She writes, IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife (Austen 5). Most readers think of this as humorous and quite laughable. It does not necessarily follow that a manRead MorePride and Prejudice Narrative Style Essay1285 Words   |  6 PagesJane Austen the author of Pride and Prejudice a novel where irony is considered the foundation for this novel. Irony, humour and the extensive use of dialogue complement each other to create an inviting novel for potential readers to lose themselves in. Irony is used to show the difference in truth and the way things may seem. Austen uses irony to create deeper emotions and laugh and characters perceptions in the novel. Humour is also used to show relationships but to guide the reader to understandRead MoreJane Austens Influence in the Romantic Period958 Words   |  4 Pagesdevelop the first draft o f three of her novels. 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Even now they are often important in business and social situations. But in the eighteenth century, manners