Marriage in Jane Austen´s Pride and Prejudice

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Throughout the history of literature there have been many connections made between writers and their reoccurring styles of writing found in each of their literary works. Jane Austen is only one example of this type of author who exemplifies a style of repetition by using repetitious themes. Theme is a very important literary element in any piece of literature. Themes teach the reader a life lesson, often times lending advice or a point of view. In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, she uses themes which can also be found in other pieces of literature written by Austen. These themes deal with the subjects of; marriage, good breeding and appearances, social rank and morals, and happiness. In the novel Pride and Prejudice Austen uses different literary elements including; satire, irony and humor in order to support these themes. In addition to using these elements Austen also supports her themes through the actions and opinions of different characters. One very prevalent theme found in this novel is marriage which can be shown through the characters of; Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Bennet, Mrs. Bennet Charlotte Lucas and Lydia Bennet.

In using different characters to support themes Austen allows the reader to get a sense of what a character is truly about and at the same time make a theme a more realistic life lesson. In the novel Pride and Prejudice there are many different views on marriage presented. Elizabeth Bennet is one character who speaks her mind when it comes to the topic of marriage. Elizabeth Bennet is a strong-

willed, independent and intelligent young woman who lives based on her own values and morals. When it concerns marriage, Elizabeth Bennet is completely against society’s idea that marriage during th...

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...ydia Bennet all provide their own point of view on marriage in order to contribute to this theme. Jane Austen uses the theme of marriage in many of her pieces of literature however interestingly enough never ends up marrying. Austen is a talented writer who knew how to present a theme in a way that the reader could take something from the piece of literature they just read. In using satire, irony and humor in her writing Austen was able to capture a reader and hold their attention to the very last word in her novels, which in itself is something to be applauded.

Work Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Ed. Donald Gray. Norton Critical Editions. 3rd ed. New York: Norton, 2002.

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