JANE AUSTEN: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Essay -- English Literature

JANE AUSTEN PRIDE AND PREJUDICEA Critical AnalysisThe opening chapter of the novel gives us a brief introduction to thelives of the white avenss. Mrs bennets sole purpose in life is to marry ofher daughters to wealthy young men. It begins with Mr and Mrs Bennethaving a conversation ab appear marrying of their daughters as soon aspossible. Mrs Bennet tells her husband virtually a young man who has takenpossession of Netherfield and about how they should make it a point tovisit him and introduce their daughters to him so he can marry one ofthem. Mr Bennet is seemingly uninterested and is sarcastic about theidea, which partly angers his wife.The use of humour in the opening chapter is brought out by Mr Bennetthrough his responses to his wife, and also through Austens owncomments. This is outgrowth outlined after Mr Bennet says to his wife,You want to tell me, and I cede no objection to hearing it., Austencomments This was invitation enough. This is a funny statement andin its humou r Austen manages to bring out character trait of both Mrand Mrs Bennet. Mrs Bennet is shown to be very enthusiastic,talkative, and ultimately a bit of a gossip. Mr Bennet, on the otherhand, is shown to be a passive person. When Mr Bennet says, for asyou are giving as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the bestof the party., it shows him to be a humorous person and has theeffect of bringing life to the text. Towards the end of the chapter MrBennet one time again brings out the aspect of humour when he says, Ihave high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I haveheard you character them with consideration these twenty years atleast.. This once again brings out his wifes character, as arelativ... ...en also creates tension in the first chapter bynot introducing Mr Bingley. We are simply made aware of his existence.This makes the curious about his character. Many aspects of the book,for example any ideas that the reader might have about how the storywill unfold, are not confirmed by Austen, thus creating tension andleaving the reader curious if the story unfolds the way they thoughtit would.Austen manages to appeal the reader in the first chapter. Shemainly uses humour and sarcasm to achieve this effect. In this chapterwe are shown the importance of Mr and Mrs Bennet to each other. MrsBennet needs her husband to keep her from going out of hand, and heneeds his wife to add humour to his life through her being ridiculous.The firs chapter of Pride and Prejudice is extremely good written andmakes the reader not want to put down the book.