Revisiting the Pride and Prejudice Essay

The Prompt: “The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter.” Choose a scene that or character who awakens “thoughtful laughter” in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is “thoughtful” and how it contributes to the meaning of the work.

What you needed to do… Decode the prompt: Which scene or character? (pick one) What does “thoughtful laughter” mean? (define your terms) Why/How is this laughter thoughtful? Answer part 2 of the prompt (HINT: DO THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN WRITING) : Austen uses the humor of this scene/character to show WHAT?? (it’s good if there’s more than one idea) Be specific as to which lessons/themes/ideas you wish to explore through this character/scene.

Common Mistakes Listing or simply describing funny parts without connecting to overall meaning Spending way too long defining thoughtful laughter or showing why the scene is funny w/o connecting to overall meaning Not being able to get past characterization: ie. Lizzie is stubborn & prejudiced and Darcy is prideful

Common Mistakes Parroting back to me class phrases w/o showing any new ideas or insights (like, Austen shows that first impressions need to be re-examined or Darcy and Lizzie are blinded by their first impressions) Saying the same message over and over w/slightly different phraseology (see above)

Common Mistakes Being way too general/generic when getting to how it contributes to meaning, ie. Overgeneralizing: - Austen shows her hated of the institution of marriage (really? All marriages, the end?) - Austen shows her criticism of social class (what about it?) - Austen shows a satire of society and class hierarchy (yes, she does, but what exactly in society is she satirizing?) Note: the above examples are fine in an intro ¶, but not in the body ¶’s b/c they are too general

Intro Paragraph Samples In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, many characters serve the purpose of awakening “thoughtful laughter” in the reader, such as Mr. Bennet’s witty remarks towards Mrs. Bennet, or Mrs. Bennet’s embarrassing behavior while trying to find husbands for her daughters (this implies the definition of TL, but could do better) A scene where many of these characters’ flaws and tendencies are revealed is the first ball, where Elizabeth first encounters Darcy. (yay, you identified a scene) In this scene, Austen invokes “thoughtful laughter” (stop repeating this!) in her reader by using subtext, dramatic irony, and presenting uncomfortable situations. (good b/c specific, but you didn’t add the key idea that she invokes this IN ORDER TO SHOW WHAT?)

While the word “laughter” connotes humor or a sense of comedy, the modifier “thoughtful” imparts a sense of deeper meaning. Thoughtful laughter cannot be brought about by a simple gag or one liner, but rather is the result of many elements, such as irony, or even pity. (nice defining the term) In Jane Austen’s P and P, TL is awakened numerous times by the unfortunate character of Mr. Collins (IN ORDER TO SHOW WHAT????)

Jane Austen’s P and P is brimming with ridiculous figures, witty remarks, and at times, painful irony. As such, the novel may not produce vocal laugher, but it certainly inspires “thoughtful laughter.” One scene especially, Lady Catherine’s confrontation of Elizabeth, reveals the absurd affectations of social status, the universal nature of human failings, and the endearing hope and humility that springs from love. Now THAT’S what I mean when I say be specific rather than use general terms like social class. It’s only 2 sentences, but it gets to all parts of the question.

Supporting characters are usually ones who serve no other purpose than to propel the plot forward, or otherwise characterize the main hero or heroine. Yet in P and P, Jane Austen takes those characters and uses them to point out the faults in 19th century England. Mr. Collins’ awkwardly funny scenes allow Austen to criticize the absurdity of the class hierarchy, as well as ridicule those who follow it devoutly. This answers the 2nd part, tho’ I hope it will be much more fully developed, and implies definition of TL (“awkwardly funny”)

These next two intros are from the highest scoring essays from years past Subtle comedy is discreetly woven throughout the entire novel to allow Jane Austen to poke fun at individual characters or certain aspects of English society. Pervasive throughout the entire novel is the criticism of pompous, hierarchical society and of those characters who act strictly according to the rules this society dictates. To point out the flaws in these aspects, Austen embroiders “TL” in each scene, a type of comedy that requires the analysis of perfectly typical, realistic behaviors of the time in order to point out the humor that can be found in it. The next ¶ identifies a scene I like the definition of TL and the overall meaning part.

Jane Austen instills her novel P & P with numerous humorous qualities deriving from its satirical nature. Austen avoids crude humor and derives the lightness of her novel though the practiced employment of wit and intellect in order to assert a position on a subject. The TL that this intelligent playfulness invokes leads the reader to understand the stark contrasts between some characters and the similarities between others. It also expresses how this free expression of wit was not a commonly accepted way to conduct oneself at the time. Austen continually entertains through Mr. Bennet’s numerous taunts to Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth’s playful banter with Mr. Darcy, and her naivete in refusing to acknowledge that Mr. Darcy fancies her.

Yes, I know that last one identified 3 scenes, but look at all the other stuff it did well. And that’s how this works; they are first drafts, and the rubric says reward students for what they do well…as long as they answer the prompt.

Intro paragraphs from this year! P and P, a light-hearted satire of social class and marriage, follows the lives of five sisters as they struggle to find their identities and self-worth ironically through marriage in a world where class stratification (and the vanity that ensures) is an inevitable obstacle to be overcome. Woo. Good first sentence. What is it doing?In this society, Mrs. B is in many ways the unknowingly comical character whose fretful and excessive measure highlight the prejudices of misguides perspectives as well as the morality of marriage as a financial motive. Her volatility, a contrast to the mother archetype, and prideful hypocrisy contribute to Austen’s message that marriage should be of love rather than desperate practicality.