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Hailey Schoenberger & Nelly Garayan
Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion
Table
of Contents
1.
Title Page
2.
Table of
Contents
3.
Jane Austen
Biography
4.
Pride and
Prejudice Overview
5.
Persuasion Overview
6.
Overview/Identification
of Pride and Prejudice
7.
Overview/Identification
of Persuasion
8.
Overview/Identification
of Persuasion Cont.
9.
Societal
Analytical Comparison
10.
Societal
Analytical Comparison Cont.
11.
Feminist Analysis
12.
Feminist Analysis Cont.
13.
Reader Response
14.
Historical
15.
Biographical
16.
25 Question Quiz
17.
25 Question Quiz Cont.
18.
Works Cited/Bibliography
19.
Works Cited/Bibliography Cont.
20.
Extra Links
Jane Austen Biography
On December 16, 1775, one of the best-loved English
novelists was born in Steventon, Hampshire, a small rural village located in a
winding valley ("Austen, Jane" 892). It was in this village that Jane Austen
would reside for the first twenty-five years of her life. She was the seventh of eight children
born to Reverend George and Cassandra Austen (Ross). Although the Austens were not wealthy,
Mr. Austen’s teaching skills provided enough income to afford a stable
education to all the children in the family. Therefore, Jane was educated at
home, where there were plenty of books and she was encouraged to read and
write. Mrs.
Austen was another intelligent role in Jane’s
life, integrating strong common sense with a lively imagination, and frequently
articulating herself in writing and in discussion (Austen-Leigh).
As
a child, Jane Austen immensely enjoyed writing, performing plays, and
charades. Her first novel was
written at the age of fourteen; Love and
Friendship. The novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice,
and Northanger Abbey were all
written in her early twenties and were inspired by the pleasurable
countryside life of Steventon. When Jane’s father died abruptly in 1805,
the family relocated and she wrote scarcely. However, when the family moved four
years later to Chawton, Jane found the time and space to resume writing. Although the growth of her fame was
slow, the testimonies in support of Jane Austen’s works have become
recurrent and nearly undisputed (Ross).
Jane
Austen was very attractive; tall, slender, bright hazel eyes, and brunette hair
that curled naturally around her face.
Her voice was charming, both in singing and discussion and she read
French and some Italian. Although
Jane never married or had children of her own, it was clear that she had an
innate amiable disposition and was wonderful with children; her nieces’
and nephews’ written accounts speak volumes, “Her first charm to children was great sweetness of manner.
She seemed to love you, and you loved her in return (…)” “She
could make everything amusing to a child (…)” “She was the
one to whom we always looked for help (…)” “Aunt Jane was the
general favorite with children; her ways with them being so playful, and her
long circumstantial stories so delightful” (Austen-Leigh).
Toward
the end of Jane Austen’s life, she lost her usual vivacity. Her habits around the house ceased and
she rested often. However, while
her bodily strength deteriorated, her mind was still just as active, and she
went forward with producing the novel Persuasion. In May of 1817 she was
persuaded to move to
Pride
and Prejudice Overview
The tale of the five Bennet sisters, Jane,
Collins ends up marrying her
best friend, Charlotte, and
They
become closer, but
Persuasion
Overview
The story of a young woman, Anne Elliot, who at the
age of nineteen broke off her engagement to, Frederick Wentworth, the man she
loves. Lady Russell, a family friend, persuades her to not marry him because of
his status in society. Both heartbroken, they live separate from each; however,
Anne still loves him. Eight years pass, and Anne and her older sister,
Elizabeth, are unmarried, while their younger sister is, to a Charles Musgrove.
Their father, Sir Walter Elliot, gets in the way of his daughters’ lives,
and he is a selfish and vain man. Anne occasionally stays with her sister Mary,
and her family, and the family is close friends with a Navy Admiral, Croft, and
his wife. One day, Charles’ family visits and Wentworth returns from sea
wealthier, and befriends Charles. Anne at first is excited to see because she
still loves him, but Wentworth does not act the same way and pays more
attention to Charles’ family and younger sisters, Henrietta and Louisa.
Anne feels miserable and thinks she has lost his love forever.
While
they are all spending time together, Anne’s cousin, Mr. Elliot, who once
was in a dispute between Sir Walter Elliot, falls for her and tries to stop Sir
Elliot from getting married or falling in love. Wentworth becomes jealous of
Anne’s relationship with Mr. Elliot and writes a love letter confessing
his love to her. Anne becomes very happy and they become engaged. Both
Henrietta and Louisa are engaged as well, and Mr. Elliot runs off with Mrs.
Croft. At the end, Lady Russell, who did not like Wentworth and vice versa,
gives her approval for his marriage to Anne and everyone lives peacefully.
Overview/Identification
of Pride and Prejudice
Symbolism:
Pemberley,
the estate where Darcy resides, geographically reflects the person who Darcy
is, “It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising
ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; -and in front, a stream of
some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial
appearance. Its banks were neither
formals, nor falsely adorned” (Austen 341-342). Darcy, similar to Pemberley, is handsome
and tall. The “ridge of high
woody hills” that back Pemberley represent Darcy’s stable and
reputable background and social status.
The stream “swelling” foreshadows Darcy’s growing
affections for Elizabeth Bennet.
Imagery:
Jane
Austen’s imagery is precise, especially when describing the setting, “On
reaching the house, they were shewn through the hall into the saloon whose
northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows opening to the ground
admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and
of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were scattered over the
intermediate lawn” (Austen 354).
The reader can imagine the scene.
Characterization through Dialogue:
Upon Mr.
Darcy proposing to Elizabeth Bennet for the first time, Elizabeth’s choice of words speak
volumes of her character, “From the very beginning, from the first moment
I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with
the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of
the feelings of others, were such as to form that ground-work of
disapprobation, on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike;
and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the
world whom I could ever be prevailed to marry” (Austen 316). Her words only show that she is one that
is not afraid to speak her mind and will not be submissive to the roles of
society.
Characterization through
Narration:
After Lady Catherine interrogates
Elizabeth Bennet about her educational background, the narration makes it clear
that
Personification:
“[
Overview/Identification
of Persuasion
Imagery: The
description of characters and their actions hint that the story does occur in
the early 1800’s. Not only does it describe the characters, but the
characteristics of the era and setting. It does not directly state this, but
clearly shows that Anne Elliot is witty and clever. This element creates a visual
perspective for readers to see in their minds, but in the end it the same idea.
For example, “[b]ut Anne, with elegance of mind and sweetnes of
character, which must have placed her high with any people of real
understanding, was nobody with either father or sister” (Austen 1094)
Symbolism:
- The nut to which Wentworth states, “[t]o
exemplify, a beautiful glossy nut […] not a puncture, not a weak
spot anywhere … while so many of its brethren have fallen and been
trodden under foot, is still in possession of all the happiness that a
hazel-nut can be supposed capable of” (Austen 220). This nut,
represents his idea of a cheated mind and his disappointment of
Anne’s decision. He believed that Anne was not strong to get over
the dissaproval of few people
- True love is and important factor that not only
exists in this book, but in many novels and in life as well. Anne’s
and Wentworth’s love stays stronger after 8 years of not seeing each
other and even after Wentworth meets younger women. This proves that they
were meant to be and are both truly in love.
- Walking is done a lot in the novel and
represents character development, such as Anne’s and
Wentworth’s growing relationship, as well as the others progressing
in the story; this happens throughout the whole novel.
Literary Devices:
- Foreshadowing is evident in the story, during to
Mrs. Croft and Mr. Elliot relationship and how they become closer
foreshadows Anne’s and Wentworth’s love and how they are going
to get back together.
- Irony is device seen, for example, the Crofts
have an ideal marriage, to which everyone is satisfied with because their
marriage is perfect with society’s approval; however, at the end,
Mrs. Croft runs off with Mr. Elliot.
Dialogue:
- “I have always heard of Lady Russell, as a
woman of the greatest influence with everybody! I always look upon her as
able to persuade a person to anything! I’m afraid of her
…” (Austen 1148)
- “And indeed,
Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband. Nursing does not belong to a man,
it is not his province. A sick child is always the mother's property, her
own feelings generally make it so”
Theme/Motifs:
- Class and social mobility play an important
role; Anne doesn’t marry Wentworth at first because of the class
structure, but at the end gets the approval because Wentworth has a higher
class value due to his wealthier rank. Class traditions pop up since most
of the characters end up getting married and Anne does end up with the man
she loves; Elliot and Mrs. Croft run off together for their self-absorbed
manners.
- The
transformation of Wentworth; he goes from average middle-class man to a
wealthy Captain. He is still a traditional and caring man, but turns
“flawless” and his status changes, since he is seen with more
of a superior view, he returns “as a wealthier man from sea”
(Austen)
- Parents get in the way of their children’s
lives and decision, and they are forces to put up with their parents
different characteristics. Sir Walter is selfish and vain, and this exist
in his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. He is unable to properly take care
of the family
- Marriage is a key element because marriage
allows one to easily change or approve their status, via wealth, power, or
just love. “Marriage thus serves as a kind of social yardstick to
measure and compare the characters in the novel” (Austen). It
displays people’s ranks in society ad the process allows society to
place their opinions to those in it. Anne’s engagement was not
approved, thus, she broke it off. The Croft’s marriage is
“ideal” because everyone praises of it; however, it does not
result in the same way of Anne’s marriage to Wentworth.
- Men and Women’s supposed actions; the
public and home, with how life should be ideally. Men are to go out and
work and women to take care of families. Austen does this theme in her
other novels as well. The women are to only focus on getting married and
raising their children, etc, such as Anne’s sister, Elizabeth and
Mrs. Musgrove; unlike Mrs. Croft, who goes with her husband to sea, and
her husband helps with the chores at home.
Societal
Analytical Comparison
“In
vain I have struggled. It will not
do. My feelings will not be
repressed. You must allow me to
tell you how ardently I admire and love you” (Austen 314). Suppose a person you were in love with
but could not have the courage to confess their love, whispered these words to
you unexpectedly? Jane
Austen’s novels are affluent with affectionate words such as these. In fact, her books center on romantic relationships, particularly the dynamics of
courtships between men and women in early-nineteenth century, English,
middle-class societies. In the
novels Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion by Jane Austen, the social
mores of an acceptable class, love, and marriage are established.
Jane
Austen writes stories that deal with the social classes of civilization;
reputation, for example, is an imperative factor in marriage. In both Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion
it becomes clearly apparent that in order to marry, a young woman is
expected to wed a gentleman with a reputable background and social status. Mrs. Bennet, the main character’s
mother in Pride and Prejudice,
displays this concept when responding to the discovery of Mr. Darcy and
Lizzy’s engagement, “Oh!
My sweetest Lizzy! How rich
and how great you will be! What
pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have” (Austen 416). Mrs. Bennet’s words show that she
is more focused on the external merit, or rank and possessions, and material
wealth of Mr. Darcy than that of her daughter’s happiness. In Persuasion, the theme of social
connections are greatly emphasized in matters of marriage as well,
“Anne Elliot, with all
her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw herself away at nineteen;
involve herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young man, who had nothing
but himself to recommend him, and no
hopes of attaining affluence, but
in the chances of a most uncertain profession, and no connections to secure even his farther rise in that
profession’ would be, indeed, a throwing away (…)” (Austen
1106).
This passage proves how both
novels portray that people were very conscious of their own and others’
“social standing” during this time period. Because of such harsh expectations, Anne
Elliot’s first engagement to Captain Wentworth is cancelled due to the
lack of his ranking in the social order. She forces herself to break off their
engagement for the wrong reasons in order to please society’s
expectations of her.
However,
Jane Austen’s novels also project the message that in society, true love
will outlast and be able to conquer all obstacles. In Pride
and Prejudice, despite all complications and misunderstandings, Elizabeth
and Darcy marry. At first,
Marriage
is a key role in society and one of the most prominent topics in both
novels. It is the gossip, the
excitement, the core of what their lives revolve around! Everything that matters is an issue
because of its connection to marriage.
The courtship or engagement allows time for the family and society to
provide their judgments on the pair and if it is respectable and appropriate
for them to be bound in holy matrimony.
Marriage is also so crucial because of its power in one’s life; it
can change a person’s life in either one of the two extreme ways: to be
the way to social progression or the downfall to social rejection; via
marriage, it can change one’s status in society, and for that reason,
many people marry for the wrong reasons.
Jane
Austen’s novels portray these social mores repetitively. However, each main character goes
through their own process that leads them to the conclusion that they must
follow their heart’s desire.
For class, love, and marriage may be crucial in a society, but in the end,
one must reflect whether it truly should define how one decides to live their
life. Should people marry based on what society correct decisions? Should society have such a powerful role
on the choices people make in whom they decide to spend the rest of their lives
with? Like Elizabeth and
Anne, people must step outside the “barrier of conformity that society
builds” to find their own way of living.
Feminist
Analysis
Visualize a young woman in the 19th
century- proper, well poised, elegant, and inferior to men. Society expects her
main focus to be getting married and raising a family. If she is not married,
she might be looked down upon or lower her family’s status. Take a look
at Elizabeth Bennet. Her family’s aspiration for her is to be married off
as quickly as she can; if she were lucky, her groom would be a wealthy man.
She, however, chooses to go against that custom by rejecting proposals. Another
female protagonist is Anne Elliot; she gives up her engagement and society
views her a little differently after she lives for years as a single woman.
Jane Austen, the creator of these two heroines in her two famous novels, Pride
and Prejudice and Persuasion, displays female’s
actions and roles in society and how they are treated towards others supposedly
“superior” to them. She does this so via women’s hypothetical
responsibilities, the feminist viewpoint, and the character’s actions in
the story.
Elizabeth
Bennet is a rebellious and intelligent lady in Pride and Prejudice.
Unlike other girls, she has more courage and respect for herself and wants to
marry for love, rather than wealth, power, or even royalty. Not only does she
choose this path to follow, many despise her for her independent actions.
Austen points out how
When
Anne Elliot was nineteen, she was engaged to man to whom she was in love with;
however due to her sovereign expectations, she breaks off her engagement and
becomes single for years in front of society. It seems unlikely for a lady her
age to make a drastic deed, especially during the 19th century. As
years go by, Anne becomes the only unmarried women in her late twenties. Some
view her unlucky while others respect her greatly. She is not completely
isolated, since men around her age fall for her, but she keeps her distance
away from them. Men at the same time question Anne and her gender, because of
her actions around others. Austen writes, “Do you claim that for your
sex” (Austen 230). To this Anne replies yes, and that “We certainly
do not forget you, so soon as you forget us” (230). She is the only one
to actually admit this and how women live during this period of time. From her
independent behavior, it causes anger to many because they believe all females
are to behave in a certain manner, to which Anne mentions that to men it is a
profession and to women, they are restricted and not allowed to do anything.
Both
Anne and Elizabeth play prominent roles that have changed audiences’
viewpoints on the feminist role.
These two heroines show the importance of their gender and how their
actions cause uproar but at the end it directs them to where they wish to be.
It is evident that females did not have many privileges during the 19th
century, but Jane Austen alters that idea by establishing two females and their
rebellious actions that occur in society. The behavior of these two courageous
women presents the essential ability of women in our world. These ladies went
against the rules and took actions of following what they wanted to do.
Jane
Austen does a tremendous job of displaying females’ roles in society
versus females going against the roles in society. Women were supposed to
behave properly and to only be a wife and mother, but Austen proves that that
is not the only thing they can do. She does this so via her novels and by
showing female’s actions and roles in society and how they are treated
towards others supposedly “superior” to them. She does this so by
women’s hypothetical responsibilities, the feminist viewpoint, and the
character’s actions in the story. It may have changed over the past
hundred years, with women's roles being more equivalent to men, Austen's words
and stories continue to greatly influence readers everywhere.
Reader
Response
I find that I can associate with Jane Austen’s
variety of relationships in her books Pride
and Prejudice and Persuasion. The
father-daughter relationship in Pride and
Prejudice between Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth correlates to the one between my
father and me. Mr. Bennet replies
upon discovering
Also
in Pride and Prejudice, the main
character, Elizabeth Bennet, reminds me of my sister.
In Persuasion, I feel that I relate to Anne
Elliot. She is described as
“feminine while possessing none of what Austen clearly sees as the
negative characteristics of her gender; Anne is neither catty, flighty, nor
hysterical” (Schonmuller). I
feel that my personality correlates Anne’s because I tend to be more
mellow and sensible in complicated circumstances. I weigh the problems by their importance
and I try to focus on what is necessary.
Like Anne, I “balance passion and practicality”
(Schonmuller). Anne also seems to
enjoy walking in nature, “Her pleasure
in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the
last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves (…)” (Austen
1137). I personally enjoy walks and
appreciate nature. Also similarly
to Anne, I tend to use walking outside as a way to escape when something is
bothering me, “(…) Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to
the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her flushed
cheeks; (…) she walked along a favorite grove (…)” (Austen
1105).
Historical
Jane Austen’s Persuasion is about the relationship between two people and how the
rules of society breaks off their engagement, but not strong enough for their
love. This story takes place during the early 1800’s
lifestyles (Eichman 1). This time in
The historical elements in Pride
and Prejudice occurred during the Industrial Revolution and also during the
Napoleonic Wars, late 1700s to early 1800s. This involved Napoleon's French
Empire invading
Elizabeth Bennet's younger sisters,
Biographical
Since
Jane Austen’s family had such a strong bond, the relationships that she
had with her family members influenced the creation of her stories. Her acquaintances with her neighbors
also formed the class which she created her fictional characters
(Austen-Leigh). However, the plot
and setting of her novels were not just based around her environment, but Jane
Austen’s personal life and characteristics correlates with those of the heroines
in her novels Pride and Prejudice and
Persuasion.
In Pride
and Prejudice, Jane Austen relates to the character of the main
protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet. Like
Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen goes against the traditions of society, that
respectable women marry to improve their station in life, and rejects a suitor
(Merriman). When Mr. Collins
proposes to
In Persuasion, Jane Austen relates to the
character of the main protagonist, Anne Elliot. Like Anne Elliot, Jane is quite aware of
the social mores and both are nonconformists as they stand up for their
feminist beliefs. Anne rebuts
Captain Harville’s statement about men having the stronger body and
feelings, “Your feelings may be the strongest, but the same spirit of
analogy will authorize me to assert that ours are the most tender. Man is more
robust than woman, but he is not longer-lived (…)” (Austen
1220). Jane and Anne choose to
follow what they believe is right based on their individual opinions.
25
Question Quiz
1)
______ ___ _________ is the author of Pride and Prejudice
and Persuasion.
2)
The setting for
both novels is during the ________________.
3)
The protagonist
in Pride and Prejudice is _________ __________.
4)
is the protagonist of Persuasion.
5)
is one of
the settings in Persuasion.
6)
The character
who persuades Anne to not marry Wentworth was __________ ___________.
7)
One common thing
between Anne and Elizabeth is that there is no _________ _________
_________ to their fathers, since they have sisters only.
8)
Elizabeth
Bennet’s reasons for not marrying Darcy are that he is ______________.
9)
Anne
Elliot’s reason for not marrying Wentworth is due to the __________.
10)
____________ is the man who was engaged to Anne Elliot.
11)
The two main
literary devices found in Persuasion are ________ and _____________.
12)
The nut in Persuasion
represents the idea of being ____________.
13)
A double wedding
occurs in the novel ______________.
14)
Anne Elliot
broke off her engagement at the age of ______________.
15)
Wentworth comes
back as a ___________ captain.
16)
Jane Austen was
born in __________________, __________________.
17)
Although she
never married, Jane Austen’s novels have the similar theme of __________
___________.
18)
Jane Austen
wrote her first novel at the age of _____________.
19)
Austen passed
away at the age of ______ in _______ of a long battling illness.
20)
The students in
charge of this project are Hailey ______________ and Nelly ____________.
21)
Darcy’s
estate is called _______________.
22)
23)
24)
Darcy has a
____________ and ____________ background.
25)
Works Cited/Bibliography
Austen, Jane. Persuasion.
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice.
Austen,
Jane. Pride and Prejudice.
Austen,
Jane. Persuasion.
Austen, Jane and Patricia Ann Meyer Spacks. Persuasion:
Authoritative Text,
Backgrounds, and Contexts Criticism.New
York : W.W. Norton, 1995. Pp. 1-316.
Austen-Leigh,
J.E.. "A Memoir of Jane Austen by her nephew." A Memoir of Jane
Austen (Table of Contents). 2001. P.J. LaBrocca. 10 Apr 2008
<http://labrocca.com/ja/index.html>.
Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation.
1993. Pp. 1-949.
Collins,
K.K.. "Austen, Jane."The World Book Encyclopedia. 1995. P.
892.
Collins, Mary. The Industrial Revolution. United States: BT Bound,
2000. Pp. 1-30.
Douthat,
Ross. SparkNote on Pride and Prejudice. 3 Apr. 2008
<http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pride/>.
Eichman. "
Feldman, Paula R. British Women Poets of the Romantic Era: An
Anthology.
Johns
Fullerton,
Susannah. "About Jane Austen - her life & her novels ." Jane
Austen
biography.
09 Mar 2008. Jane Austen Society of
<http://www.jasa.net.au/jabiog.htm>.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Adventures in English
Literature.
Kelly,
<http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/austenbio.html>.
Merriman,
C.D.. "Jane Austen." The Literature Network. 2006. Jalic Inc..
11 Apr 2008
<http://www.online-literature.com/austen/>.
Morrison, Robert. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice: A Sourcebook.
Routledge, 2005. Pp. 1-58.
Nokes, David. Jane Austen: A Life.
Printing, 1997, Pp. 1-590.
Ross, David. "Jane Austen."
2008 <http://www.britainexpress.com/History/bio/austen.htm>.
Schonmuller,
Beth. SparkNote on Persuasion. 3 Apr. 2008
<http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/persuasion/>.
Extra
Links
For more
information on Jane Austen, go to these websites…
http://www.sauguscenturions.com/maghakian/authorprojects.html