Marriage

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." ( 26)

Austen makes it clear in "Pride and Prejudice" that marriage is not about happiness. Austen illustrates this through the words and thoughts of Mrs. Bennet. Wanting her daughters to marry into money was her only concern: not caring about either one of their happiness. Again this ties back into first impression. Happiness in marriage was expressed as luck, not as it is in today's world. Although a first impression can attract one's attention, it is no longer what most people base their marriage off of.

Marriage, Information about Marriage." Internet FAQ Archives - Online Education. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. .

Foreshadowing

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." (1)

Austen not only includes this line to foreshadow a piece of the plot, but also to arose curiosity and to force readers into having their own opinion. If a man already were to have good fortune, what would be so appealing of having a wife? Austen uses irony to help readers see a point she is trying to make. In most cases a man of good fortune is not longing for a wife: a woman simply wants a man of good fortune, no matter what their personality might be. Elizabeth's mother wants her daughters to each find a rich man who can provide for them. This is just another example of how Austen includes first impression and stereotypes.

Shakespeare Allusion

"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy." (46)

"Food of love" is a line from William Shakespeare's "Twelfth night". Austen uses this reference because like Elizabeth, the Duke in "Twelfth Night" is too only concerned with looks and first impression. Throughout the novel Austen uses references to illustrate the importance of the theme of first impression/prejudice.

Twelfth Night: Entire Play." The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. .

Title Analysis

"Pride and Prejudice" originally known is "First Impression".

Austen could not picked a better name for her novel. Pride and prejudice are the underlying catalysts for what happens throughout the whole novel. Both attributes that hold so much power, make it difficult for characters to overcome them when building relationships.

Originally published under the title "First Impression", Austen picked two completely suitable titles. First impressions in Austen's novel are what characters completely evaluated others on. This set up boundaries for relationships. Instead of furthering their knowledge of people, characters like Elizabeth only touched the surface upon who people truly were. However, as readers get deeper into the novel, they see Elizabeth (and others) let down their guard and also look past their first impressions of others.

Photo:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Pickering_-_Greatbatch_-_Jane_Austen_-_Pride_and_Prejudice_-_This_is_not_to_be_borne,_Miss_Bennet.jpg

Prejudice

"And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?" (94)

Being prejudice is making assumptions before you get to know them. Jane Austen makes may of her characters prejudice. This is a wall built between Darcy and Elizabeth that eventually is torn down. "Pre-judging" someone because of their social class is something that happened not only back in the early 1800's, but something that still takes place in today's world. Not only can people be prejudice about social class, but in race, religion and sometimes gender. By including this theme, people today can still relate to Austen's work which makes Pride and Prejudice a well thought out piece of literature.

"Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice -- Notes on Education, Marriage, Status of Women, Etc." Jane Austen | The Republic of Pemberley. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. .

Allusion (2)

"Fordyce's Sermons" (69)

In 1767, Fordyce's Sermons was published. Directed towards woman, this particular sermon painted a picture in black and white how women must act. If they were to abide by these rules, they would be socially accepted which was of the utmost importance during this time. Jane Austen includes this reference for several different reasons. Mr. Collins choice in reading this book to the girls illustrates why they are not fond of this man. Austen also included a reference to this sermon to build upon the theme of social class and how woman, the minority, should act during this time.

"Fordyces Sermons; Mr Collins Favorite Book - My Pride and Prejudice." - My Pride and Prejudice. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .

Allusion

"...to take possession before Michaelmas." (1)

Michaelmas day, September 29, is celebrated by the Church of Rome as well as the Church of England. More importantly than the day, is the man the day was named after: St. Michael. St. Michael was known as the chief of angels to Christians all over the world. Jane Austen included this biblical figure so readers could relate a character in her novel to him. Mr. Bingley can be compared to this figure in the sense of his caring nature towards others. Biblical figures are known for doing good for others. Throughout the novel, Mr. Bingley dealt with social class/money problems with families. He helped familes become at ease with their problems just as the "chief of angels" did.

September 29th." The Hyperlinked & Searchable Chambers' 1869 'The Book of Days' Web. 24 Mar. 2010. .