Pride and Prejudice, a popular novel by Jane Austen, was written between 1796 and 1797. Set in the nineteenth century, the book explores various themes beyond just pride and prejudice. It delves into topics like upbringing, marriage, moral ethics, and love. Austen’s work mainly focuses on aspects of life that held importance during that era, including marriage and social class. The author skillfully employs irony to express her perspectives on these subjects.
The novel is narrated through free indirect discourse, providing readers with a more in-depth explanation and better description of events. The first line of the novel, ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man of possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife’, is ironic as it means the opposite of what it says. This line sets the novel in motion and quickly introduces the arrival of Mr. Bingley to Netherfield. Austen employs this linguistic technique throughout the novel to create an intriguing and imaginative storyline.
During the nineteenth century, women had restricted financial autonomy and were expected to wed at an early age. Conversely, men enjoyed greater job prospects and were regarded as heads of households, granting them more liberty to follow their aspirations. Additionally, in this era, it was imperative to have formal introductions when interacting with upper-class visitors or citizens; failure to comply would lead to exclusion from social gatherings and discussions.
During the 19th century, naming and marriage customs were influenced by high expectations and social status. The eldest daughter in a family was commonly referred to as ‘Miss’ followed by their last name. For example, Jane, being the oldest, was known as ‘Miss Bennet’, while her sisters were called Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Lydia Bennet, and so on. Additionally, it was customary for the eldest daughter to be expected to marry before her younger siblings. In Pride and Prejudice novel, Mr. Collins initially intended to propose to Jane; however, since she was already anticipated to marry Mr. Bingley, he turned his attention towards Elizabeth.
