Determining an Author’s Philosophy Pride and Prejudice Chapters 32-40

Philosophy The most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group.

Philosophy Essential philosophical elements are centered on beliefs, concepts or ideas, and attitudes. Simply asked: What is your approach to living your life?

Elements Suggesting an Author’s Philosophy The author’s statements, both explicit…

…and implicit: What characters is the reader encouraged to admire and support? What do those characters say, and how do they act? Are those actions rewarded or punished? Elements Suggesting an Author’s Philosophy

“He was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority – of its being a degradation – of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.” “Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd.”

Elements Suggesting an Author’s Philosophy What people or institutions does the author choose to describe? What importance does the author assign to them?

Elements Suggesting an Author’s Philosophy The reader’s response to the text How do you feel after reading the author’s work? What do you think about? What do you want to change?

Elements Suggesting an Author’s Philosophy The response of critics and the reading public to the text

Historical and social context of the text Contemporary events (Napoleonic Wars, Industrial Revolution) Social, technological and cultural changes Elements Suggesting an Author’s Philosophy

What philosophy does Austen express? On marriage? On love and romance? On relationships between men and women? On social class and status? Find examples that support your statements.