Alexander B. Johnson
Beverly Goold
MYP English 10
22 April 2008
Written Commentary: Chapter 45
Jane Austen鈥檚 distinctive skill in her writing is demonstrated in Pride and Prejudice. In chapter forty-five Austen demonstrates her diverse writing style by using several literary devices that give the story flavour. They are also used to give the story a humourous background through the use of satire which is used to poke fun at the socially absorbed characters such as Miss Bingley, a vivid nature through the use of imagery which describes many things in detail such as the Pemberly Estate, and a varied sentence structure and vocabulary through her choice of diction. Austen also develops dynamic characters through characterization. These devices create a coherent and structured pattern that promotes understanding to the reader making the story of Pride and Prejudice appealing and comprehensive.
Chapter forty-five is an imperative turning point in Pride and Prejudice. It marks where Mr. Darcy lets go of his pride which caused Elizabeth to reject his proposal. Darcy no longer posed an insulting nature towards Elizabeth nor was he overwhelmed with self-importance. This becomes clear when Miss Bingley insults Elizabeth, saying she has 鈥渟elf-sufficiency without fashion鈥?(Pg.229) Mr. Darcy responds 鈥渟he is one of the handsomest women I have ever met鈥?(Pg. 229). Elizabeth began to let go of her prejudice towards Mr. Darcy because she found Mr. Darcy was an amiable man. Elizabeth had always heard hideous things about Darcy from Wickham showing that prejudice leaves room for miscalculation. Mr. Darcy鈥檚 proposal marked where he showed Elizabeth how he felt, thus Elizabeth slowly began to admit her own feelings towards him causing the two to move closer towards finding love.
The central device used throughout Pride and Prejudice is satire: a literary tone used to make fun of human vices, with the intent of correcting or changing the subject of attack. Satire allows Austen to poke fun at things she disapproves of, such as Victorian England鈥檚 social structure. Austen satirizes Miss Bingley, a character who demonstrates her disdain for Elizabeth. Miss Bingley continues to attack Elizabeth and it becomes quite humourous, becoming a primary source for entertainment in Pride and Prejudice:
Her face is too thin; her complexion has no brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome. Her nose wants character; there is nothing marked in its lines. Her teeth are tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes, which have sometimes been called so fin, I could never perceive anything extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do not like at all; and in her air altogether, there is self-sufficiency without fashion, which is intolerable. (Pg. 229)
Miss Bingley persistently attempts to bring out the negative aspects to Elizabeth; however, Darcy sees the opposite. Darcy sees a compassionate woman. Miss. Bingley attempts to make Elizabeth Bennett appear inferior and beneath her when all she is doing is making herself appear ostentatious and rude. Satire makes the story ironic when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett move past social structure to find love because it is so clear how many people oppose their love.
Imagery gives realism to Pride and Prejudice because it appeals to human senses: sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste. Imagery is demonstrated in Austen鈥檚 attempt to set the scene and create meaning.
Its windows opening to the ground admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn. (Pg. 225)
Imagery is used to give the reader a sense of presence by appealing to the sense of sight. The imagery used in this chapter to describe the Pemberly Estate is used not only to give the reader sense of reality, but to form a connection between the building and its master. As Elizabeth views how beautiful and the Pemberly Estate is Elizabeth seems to fall deeper for Mr. Darcy. This shows how imagery allows the reader to develop a deeper understanding of the characters in the text because you can easily understand feelings or emotions the character might have due to imagery.
Jane Austen鈥檚 choice of diction is important in outlining the structure of the chapter. Austen uses a variety of vocabulary and sentence structure that allows the paragraph to flow. The length of sentences varies and creates rhythm. Austen鈥檚 vocabulary seems to be archaic which demonstrates the time period in which it was written.
They were noticed only by a curtsy; and on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable looking woman, whose endeavor to introduce some kind of discourse, proved to be more well-bred than either of the others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. (Pg. 226)
Vocabulary choice from this excerpt seems archaic because in modern English words like 鈥済enteel鈥?and 鈥渁greeable鈥?aren鈥檛 often used. The vocabulary, archaic or not describes aspects that Austen tries to make us see. The choice of diction becomes of crucial importance because it gives personality to the story influencing the reader鈥檚 mind. Also, the two sentences from the excerpt are different lengths. The first is short while the other is quite wordy. This sentence variation gives structure, if short sentences are used excessively then the writing becomes choppy, however, excessive use of wordy sentences becomes distracting. The sentence length allows the reader to flow if various sentence lengths are used. Austen鈥檚 varied sentence length鈥檚 show how diction was carefully constructed to create patterns from the sentence structure and use of vocabulary which allow the chapter to flow nicely.
Austen鈥檚 method of characterization is effective because characters are dynamic with distinct personalities. Mr. Darcy developed quite a lot in chapter forty-five due to his sudden shift in character. In previous chapters Mr. Darcy had been very disagreeable towards Elizabeth by being overtly prideful. Mr. Darcy became compassionate and caring towards Elizabeth, demonstrating his strong feelings of affection causing Elizabeth to rethink her prejudice. Austen demonstrates how the two are drawn to each other and are destined to fall in love. As the chapter goes on these tensions increase and it becomes clear how the characters were developed to complement each other in an overall perspective. The two characters were written to be perfect opposites because in the end both give up their prejudice鈥檚 that prevent them from seeing how perfect they were for each other. This shows how Austen carefully constructed these characters because of the fact that they complement each other and always had.
Many themes develop throughout Pride and Prejudice; however, the main theme in chapter forty-five is love and what Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett do to overcome the obstacles preventing them from being together. Elizabeth and Darcy move past their preconceived notions to find out that they have feelings for each other. Elizabeth realizes Darcy is not so prideful. Darcy also moves past his initial prejudice towards Elizabeth鈥檚 social class in this chapter that allows him to see Elizabeth鈥檚 virtues that he was blind to. However, both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth find difficulty in establishing this relationship that they desire because others, such as Miss Bingley resent it, attempting to break any chance of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy through her snobbish nature. Her disapproval is demonstrated when she says: 鈥淧ray, Miss Eliza, are not shire Militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family鈥?This implies her and Wickham鈥檚 relationship which was brought up to harm Darcy and push him away from Elizabeth. However, as the two overcome these obstacles their relationship shows how nothing can stop people who are truly made for each other.
Throughout chapter forty-five many literary concepts are introduced to present ideas, meaning, flow, and structure. No matter what these elements do they collectively work together to make a functional and understandable piece of literature to convey the central idea that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth move closer towards finding love and happiness. Not only does it show how the two will find love, but it shows how the two move past the social structures and boundaries that prevented them from being together. Chapter forty-five works to provide the central meaning and ideas that make Pride and Prejudice such a compelling love story that shows the significance and power of love. Overall It's good. I've seen college graduates write with less style and flair.
However there's always room for improvement. So take or leave the following comments as you see fit.
You're footnotes (page citations) aren't done in the standard form. You might like to investigate footnoting styles as I'm sure future assignements will require them.
Try to make your opening statement more of a strong thesis and be sure to end on a similar note. It's considered good form and helps drive home your main point.
As your current thesis, you say that she uses many literary devices. Perhaps your second sentence should list them. Then when you cite them later they tie in better.
Finally a minor point... Your sentence "Darcy no longer posed an insulting nature towards Elizabeth " The tense seems incorrect when compared to the other verbs you use. perhaps it should be present tense. Personally I'd change "posed" to "assumes" as it's more in keeping with what you're saying. You are repeating yourself at the risk of redundancy! And you're rambling...GET TO THE POINT!!! Observe:
We know Jane Austen is a 'her'. OMIT. Start your essay like a story... NOT A FACT FINDING MISSION!
...In Chapter 45, (you didn't have a comma) 'she' demonstrates diversity by the use of several literary devices to give the (plot/story/storyline/work) flavor (no 'u' in flavor) and an interesting mix of background humor using satire as the inspiration for characters such as Miss Bingley. Perberly Estate is described in broad, vivid detail with the diction used as an exercise mastered by the sentence structures and vocabulary that makes Pride & Predudice appeal to your sense of understanding this timely classic. When you read the essay of a great endearing story, you must exude what the story made you feel to read it. Are you writing to tell us the facts (I'd give you a C+) OR... can you take my imagination to the predipice of the story to inspire me as if you had wrote it yourself? Quit trying to use big words in the wrong structure of your essay. Your words lack passion. I write anything I do like I'm in love with what I'm saying and I don't hold back true feeling. A smart person doesn't have to say a lot to convey his thoughts... (A+) |
