Pride And Prejudice Rhetoric Analysis

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I chose the novel because I found it interesting how Austen shows the ideals and beliefs of the era throughout the narrative (implicitly). I chose to analyze how she shows contrasting views on marriage, an integral part of a lady’s life, through the response of two of her characters to the same proposal. I will be exploring the progressive vs. traditional rhetoric and what each signifies in the context of Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen's 1813 novel “Pride and Prejudice” heavily revolves around the theme of marriage, and with its female protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, we are quickly introduced to its importance in the high-class society she is part of. Elizabeth Bennet’s Proposal: What is the Proposal Paraphrase scene Elizabeth is undoubtedly a progressive character. Her values put happiness in marriage over connections and political ascension, and she tells Mr. Collins as much when she declines his proposal: “[He] could not make [her] happy” (Austen 105). Elizabeth’s emphasis on the possessive pronoun “her” shows the reader implicitly how she puts herself above all other factors when it comes to marriage. In that way, she could be called selfish. This is further enforced …show more content…

The Lucases and the Bennets are neighbors of the same status as the lowest of the high-class families. They, too, would greatly benefit from a marriage with Mr. Collins. Charlotte, having received his proposal, fulfilled her duty as a daughter and did what was best for her family. In this case, that means she diligently accepts and expresses “satisfaction in being useful” (Austen 119). To her parents, “Mr. Collin’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, [...] and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair” (Austen 120). Their interest is shown to be focused on the long-term benefits and the change of circumstances that marriage will

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