World Literature Essay

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World Literature Essay

“The Jane Austen novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is basically concerned

with the education of a young heroine”

The statement “The Jane Austen novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is

basically concerned with the education of a young heroine” raises many

questions. The term education in this context means a journey of ones

self rather than a formal schooling education. From the beginning

pages of the book the idea of Elizabeth being the heroine is

established. Since there are other themes of the novel, themes of

love, reputation and class, it can be questioned as to whether the

novel is centred on the education of Elizabeth. Darcy is also a major

character to the plot of the novel and contains the same faults as

Elizabeth so the book could be centred on his journey as well as hers.

However, Elizabeth’s education in overcoming her obstacles is a very

long one compared to that of Darcy’s

In the first three pages of the novel the character of Elizabeth is

depicted as a very intellectual character by her father.

‘ “..they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has

something more of a quickness than her sisters.” ’[1]

It is clear that Austen introduces and forms such an impression of

Elizabeth early in the novel in order to promptly get the reader into

the plot and communicate the heroine of the novel. No other character

commands the same interest as Elizabeth. Even though Elizabeth is

depicted as the heroine, she possesses faults which are very set. The

character’s biggest issues lie with pride and prejudice, each one in

the way of her conquering the other.

Whether the novel is basically concerned with the education with

Elizabeth can be questioned as there are other major...

... middle of paper ...

...enguin Books, London 1996.

* Williams.M, Jane Austen: Six Novels and Their Methods. Macmillan,

London 1986

* Lambert. J, A Text Response Guide to Jane Austen’s Pride and

Prejudice. Wizard Books, Ballarat 1993

* Curtis.T, Get Smart Study Guide: Pride and Prejudice. Science

Press, Australia 1999

* Handley.G, Brodies Notes on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice,

London 1990.

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[1] Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp 7

[2]Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp 36

[3] ibid.,pp33

[4] ibid.,pp57

[5] ibid.,pp309

[6] Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp21

[7] Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Penguin Books, London 1996. pp 89

[8] ibid.,pp94

[9] ibid., pp 202

[10] ibid., pp 295

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