1. Unit 1 A01 and AO2 Theme of marriage Development of Darcy and Lizzie
Pride and Prejudice
Unit 1
A01 and AO2
Theme of marriage
Development of Darcy and Lizzie

2. Early 19th century fiction – brief context
Pride and Prejudice published in 1813
Other romance writers were writing about ‘marvellous and exciting events in exotic locations’
Ann Radcliffe / Mary Shelley / Walter Scott / Henry Fielding
Austen instead wrote within the genre of social realism
Austen’s ‘shrewdly complex understanding of
marriage as an economic and social institution’ Susan Fraiman
The Regency period ( ) when Price of Wales ruled as Price Regent. More loosely describes when Victoria took the throne

3. Some interesting facts about Austen and P&P…
She was only 21 when it was first published under title ‘First Impressions’
She didn’t identify herself as the author.. ‘by a lady’
 In a letter Jane Austen jokes that a young woman’s negligence in writing may stem from the distraction of a new set of officers in her town. Many men in uniform feature in the novel

4. More factoids…
One trend at the time of the novel was an increased emphasis on “accomplishments” for young women. Sometimes this could take superficial forms: Miss Bingley praises a suitable outward air and manner of walking as particular mark of accomplishment, and a fancy London school attended by Jane Austen’s sister-in-law included in its curriculum the art of getting in and out of a carriage gracefully. Mr. Darcy reveals a different attitude when he calls “the improvement of her mind by extensive reading” the pinnacle of female accomplishment.
Elizabeth reconciles with Darcy while on a holiday tour with her aunt and uncle. Tourism had emerged as a major activity during this period, at least for the wealthy elite
The number and type of carriage one owns is a critical marker of social status in Pride and Prejudice, just as one’s automobile is now. One character, Lady Catherine, shows her pretentiousness by owning three expensive carriages solely for herself and her daughter.

5. Exam style question
Is Pride and Prejudice just a novel about marriage? Could it also be about: Social class? Self-knowledge? Could all three be considered inextricably linked?

6. Video clips – some key moments in Darcy and Lizzie’s relationship
It would be a punishment to dance…. ch.3
Netherfield ball – not much small talk going on here (1 min in)
The worst proposal ever (maybe except for Mr Collins’) ch.34
The second proposal ch.58

7. Elizabeth and Darcy AO1 and AO2
How does Austen show us Elizabeth’s changing feelings for Darcy?
How does Austen show us Darcy’s changing feelings for Elizabeth?
How do the two characters interact when they meet?
Is it possible to tell Austen’s attitude to what happening?
Comment on language/structure/form – purpose and effect?
What is your reaction to this chapter?
Chapter 3 – Meryton Ball
Chapter 6 – Darcy begins to admire Lizzie- she is not interested.
Chapter 10 – Netherfield, some flirtatious tension
Chapter 11- Netherfield, more flirtatious tension
Chapter 18 – Netherfield ball
Chapter 31 – Rosings piano playing /flirting
Chapter 34 – proposal one
Chapter 58 – proposal two

8. Elizabeth’s growing maturity
Another development which shapes the book is the growing maturity of Lizzy. Show how this takes place, by tracing Lizzy’s attitude to the following:
Mr Collins’ marriage to Charlotte Lucas
The character of Wickham
Her Father

9. Elizabeth: Relationships
One way in which Elizabeth’s character is defined is through her interaction with other characters. How does she relate to each of the following?:
Mr Bennet (ironists)
Mrs Bennet (contrasts)
Charlotte (attitudes to marriage/frienship/foil)
Lydia/Kitty/Mary (39)
Lady Catherine De Bough (29/37)
(Page references and key quotes needed for the above)

10. Marriage
“My dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in every thing a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each other” (Mr Collins on his own marriage)
“Jane will be quite an old maid soon, I declare. She is almost three and twenty! Lord, how ashamed I should be of not being married before three and twenty!” (Lydia)

11. Marriage
“And do you really love him quite well enough? Oh, Lizzy! Do anything rather than marry without affection” (Jane)
“Where does discretion end and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary” (Lizzy, defending Wickham to Mrs Gardiner)

12. Is P&P just a novel about marriage? An essay plan…..
Form – social satire & romance; marriage is subject of both. Ironic first sentence. Structure – narrative resolution achieved through marriage; chapter 35 and Darcy’s letter signal turning point for Lizzie and the relationship Characterisation: character development of the protagonists D&L as they move from pride and prejudice to understanding and affection – ultimately a marriage rooted in love. Literary foil / contrasts: pragmatic relationship of Charlotte and the frivolous marriage of Lydia are used to contrast the union between Darcy and Lizzie (respect and friendship) Narrative viewpoint: 3rd person narrative perspective using Lizzie as focaliser ; this over-the-shoulder narration shows us marriage from the perspective of a character who wants marriage to be more than just economically and socially beneficial Setting – Pemberley as place where Lizzie discovers Darcy’s charm. It is grand but also natural – here she considers marriage as a possibility.

13. Some useful/ entertaining links
Jane Austen thesaurus
What books were on Jane Austen’s reading list?
Lots of P&P info