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Pride and Prejudice is among the most eminent literature pieces produced by Jane Austen in 1813. Her novel shows that love can appear completely unexpectedly: she depicts in detail the revival of hostility, even hatred, in contrast to the purest and most sublime feeling – love (Normandin 7). Some scholars argue that Pride and Prejudice belongs to the epistolary genre because it consists of letters’ exchange between different characters, regardless that others claim it insignificant. The paper will include the explanation of the letters’ primary function and the analysis of letters. Austen resorts to using letters as a primary literary device in Pride and Prejudice – the characters communicate through them during the whole story. Even though some readers do not find mail in the novel significant, they help highlight characters’ feelings, explain their behavior, and portray individuals.
The author chose letters as a device to emphasize the characters’ feelings and demonstrate the lessons they learned. The reader sees a constant correspondence between Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Additionally, it helps identify the attitude of individuals towards each other. For instance, Lizzy states that Jane and Mr. Wickham eloped and “she has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to – she is lost for ever” (164). Elizabeth was enraged to witness Mr. Darcy leaving her and Mr. Wickham in poverty. Hence, it should be stated that the primary ideas of the letters are to highlight people’s emotions, advance the plot, introduce characters’ tempers and phases of their relationship.
It is vital to analyze Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s correspondence that helps describe changes in behavior between them. One of the letters becomes the story’s turning point where Elizabeth justifies herself for blaming Darcy for all the wrongdoings he presumably did to her family while he explains his standpoint. He admits his participation in the Jane-Bingley affair but claims his good intentions. In the letter, Darcy attempts to demonstrate as much honesty by proving he was only trying to help the couple as possible to prove to Elizabeth he is worthy. The protagonists’ relationship starts to develop from that moment – Elizabeth’s coldness is gone and she begins trusting him. Darcy’s pride melts, and Elizabeth’s prejudice towards him begins to dissipate as she plunges into the details of his letter. After reading it, she admits to having been “blind, partial, prejudiced and absurd” (Austen 201). The letter helps Lizzy to recognize her own blindness about Darcy and makes her look at him in a new light – as if he has never been a person of malice. Thus, it is observable that the letters help characters improve their relationships and reveal hidden traits.
Furthermore, Mr. Collins’s genuine behavior and inclinations are perfectly revealed in a written message. Even though he is not one of the novel’s protagonists, he connects the families as the plot unfolds. This pompous and polite man helps Mr. Bennet when Lydia elopes with Mr. Wickham (Kies 30). She advises on how to treat such young ladies when they misbehave. The letters depict him as a heartless man who is fortunate not to have a family.
There is also correspondence between Jane and Elizabeth, who discuss the ominous deed of Lydia, which proves that the letters communicate how individuals share emotions. This mail is a reflection of the shame and disgrace the family experiences when their young daughter escapes with her lover. It stands as a crisis point in the novel because The Bennets’ attitude to Lydia starts to change (Kies 28). Jane writes: “dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you – be assured that we are all well” (Austen 162). Hence, the letters serve as an exchange of thought which brings drama to the family life. It serves as proof that mails are aimed to reflect age, class, gender, decorous or indecorous behavior among their writers (Austen and Cavanaugh 17). The social differences are recognized: one may observe different education levels of characters, their views on societal recognition, and others. Therefore, letters describe different kinds of characters’ conduct in the novel.
Another appearance of the letters occurs between Darcy and Lady Catherine. It is a poisonous mail that could ruin a nephew’s relationship with his aunt. She does not believe Lizzy is a match for him by saying that she is “a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family” (Austen 231). Her character is best depicted through their correspondence, especially when she attempts to sever ties with Darcy. In turn, he tries to preserve their connection by sending her posts because he wants her to accept a marriage with Elizabeth. This letter again points to the character’s traits by emphasizing Lady Catherine’s stubborn nature.
As stated, the letters serve as a turning point of the story because they alter relationships or attitudes to a specific character. A mail from Mrs. Gardiner to Lizzy is significant in a way that it changes the latter’s perception of Darcy. The young lady writes her letter, too, explaining the relationship between the lovers (Normandin 15). This proves that the notes are one but important aspect of the society of that time. They were useful for sharing plans, memories, and apprehensions. Ultimately, they provide a reader with a unique opportunity to contemplate and reflect on some issues raised there.
In conclusion, it is observable that Pride and Prejudice are full of meaningful letters significant because they help reflect the flow of the relationship between the characters, highlight their feelings, and reveal hidden personality sides. In general, Austen’s choice of literary device is wise because it transmits all the spectrum of emotions and events people in the novel experience. The letters add beauty to the writing and make it pleasant to read.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice: An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds and Sources, Criticism. 4th ed. Edited by Donald Gray, Norton & Co, 2016.
Austen, Jane and Cavanaugh, Terence W. Pride and Prejudice: Annotated with Reading Strategies. Secondary Level Resources, 2021.
Kies, Bridget. “Literary Culture Inside and Outside Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.” International Journal of the Book vol. 10, no. 3, 2013, pp. 27-32.
Normandin, Shawn. Jane Austen and Literary Theory. Taylor & Francis, 2021.
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