Write your abstract
here.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice recently topped a uk
poll
as the nation's favourite book and it's not difficult
to
see why. Set during the Napoleonic war, this historic,
romantic novel resonates with the universal and
timeless
themes of love, passion and betrayal.Decades of new
readers
are constantly amazed at the frighteningly accurate
depiction of human nature and matters of the heart
regardless of class, gender or time.
In the character of Elizabeth Bennet we find a women
independent, articulate and discerning. She appreciates
that her position in society will ultimately depend on
who
she marries,yet, uncharacteristically compared to the
expectations placed on women at that time, she chooses
to
shun potential wealth and security favouring honesty,
integtity and love. Thankfully and happily, in the end
she
manages to achieve all of the above!
In the character of someone like Charlotte Lucas we see
an
example of the conventional wisdom of young women at
that
time; to marry for security and social status even
though
she can barely tolerate Mr. Collins, her fawning yet
feckless husband.
Marriage is a strong theme in this novel and we see
many
examples. In some cases we see marriage based on real
love
as with Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy.
However
the reality of arranged marriages is also cleverly
depicted
through the revelations of Lady Catherine de Bourgh to
Elizabeth that there had been an understanding from
birth
that Darcy would marry his cousin; a marriage that
thankfully never materialised.
The comforting thing about this novel and the reason
for
it's widespread appeal, is that in the end, despite all
the
wrong reasons why two people end up together, Jane
Austen
demonstrates that love can conquer all and that
foundations
based on truth, honest and respect, will survive and
successfully stand the test of time.