The Importance of the Letter in Austen's Pride and Prejudice

The Importance of the Letter in Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 35 in Pride and Prejudice presents a major turning point

within the novel. The letter within the chapter exposes Darcy's true

feelings towards Elizabeth as well as informing the reader on new

developments and truths.

Darcy's letter begins a humbling process for both Elizabeth and him,

which results in a maturation of each of their attitudes toward the

other. In Darcy's case, the rejection of his proposal strikes a blow

to his pride and compels him to respond to Elizabeth's anger. The

resulting letter reveals to Elizabeth how she misjudged both him and

Wickham. With the extent of her mistaken prejudice suddenly apparent,

she is humbled enough to begin to look at Darcy in a new light.

In letters, as opposed to conversation, things can be written and

explained that could never be spoken in a social situation. Darcy's

letter conveys his character to Elizabeth in a way in which his speech

did not. Letters can be studied and re-read and the attitudes to the

writer can mature and change." She was in a fair way of soon knowing

it by heart, she studied every sentence". Darcy comment that he was

not sufficiently "master" of himself to reveal in conversation what he

has put in the letter, He asserts that his "character required it to

be written and read" Darcy may not be much of a conversationalist, but

he writes a strong and intelligent letter, to which Elizabeth is

surprised.

Darcy uses the letter to expose his true feelings towards Elizabeth.

It is the first real time that we see the honest Darcy, who is not

masquerading behind his arrogance. This would suggest tha...

... middle of paper ...

...its uncharacteristic nature. Regardless of its

realism, the letter serves its purpose, it reveals the truth about

Wickham's relationship to Darcy and consequently shifts sympathy from

Wickham to Darcy.

The letter presents an opportunity for Darcy to explain himself and it

is clear this is what Austen has used it for. We now no longer see

Darcy as such an obstacle, but instead we now see the potential for a

real love to develop, not a one sided relationship that leaves one

character chasing another. The first time we see a new perspective

that isn't that of Elizabeth, whether it is internal speech or

narrated thought we begin to question her reliability. We are now,

although still focussed on Elizabeth's views and thoughts, open to

accept other views and interpret them in our own way, not through

Elizabeth's eyes.