Proposals

Pride and Prejudice has several marriage proposals within the storyline (not all of them successful). However, the only ones that Austen describes in depth (indeed, the only ones she really allows the reader to witness) are the ones where the women do not accept. Consider the following:

-Collins proposes to Lizzy; she does not accept; described in detail

-Collins proposed to Charlotte; she accepts; we hear about it through word of mouth

-Darcy proposes to Lizzy (the first time); she does not accept; described in detail

-Wickham proposes (kind of) to Lydia; she accepts; we hear about it through letters and word of mouth

-Bingley proposes to Jane; she accepts; we hear about it from Jane

-Darcy proposes to Lizzy (the second time); she accepts; Austen basically glazes over it

Why do you think that Austen only describes the proposals that fail in depth, while the reader is not allowed to witness the others firsthand? Is she trying to say something about marriage? Proposals? Maybe she doesn't like writing lovey-dovey scenes? What do you think?

Title "First Impressions"

This novel was originally entitled “First Impressions”. Are first impression always true? What role do first impressions play in the story line? Which characters eventually learn from their previous prejudices and which characters don't? What first impressions did you have about the characters? Use textual evidence that supports your opinion.

The Opening Statement

Analyze the opening statement. What does it mean? From who's point of view is it written? Can it be written for more than one character? What is your opinion about the opening statement? How is that statement view today? Do males and females have the same attitudes toward marriage in the novel?

Jane Austen's Style

Austen has an interesting style that broke away from many of her peers' writing techniques. Using dialogue, satire, irony, free indirect speech, and humor, Austen is able to develop story and characters without a huge amount of detail and description. Do you find Austen's style to be effective? How are her characters developed--and are they believable? Is her use of satire and humor still relevant today?

Pride and Prejudice: Must one marry to be happy?

Often the women in Austen's Pride and Prejudice, as well as the women of her era, believed that prudent and advantageous marriage was the only way women could be truly happy. Much of this belief had to do with financial/economic security, but also with social standing, raising a family, and personal happiness. Do you think Austen is making a social criticism of this type of belief in her novel? Use examples (like Charlotte Lucas, Jane, Elizabeth, Mr. Collins, Bingley, Darcy, and/or Lady Catherine) in your answer.

Dancing

Both Much Ado About Nothing and Pride & Prejudice have a variety of dances/balls throughout their stories. Why (or why not) are these dances significant to the stories? How do the character's relationships change through their interactions at the dances? Please cite specific examples from the text(s) to prove your point.

Minor Characters in P&P

Even though most of the story focuses around Elizabeth and Darcy (and Jane and Bingley), there are several interesting minor characters. What do you think Austen is saying about these characters and what they are to represent? Why did she choose depict them the way she does? Choose any of the characters from the following list.

Mr. Bennet

Mrs. Bennet

George Wickham

Lydia Bennet

Mr. Collins

Miss Bingley

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner

Charlotte Lucas

Generational Conflicts in P & P

In Pride & Prejudice the Bennet and the Darcy families (including the de Boughs) show a variety of generational conflicts between the older and younger generations. Choose one conflict that you find interesting from one of the families, and tell us about it as well as well as who you think most embody the conflict (on each opposing side) Share any other thoughts you have on this conflict.

Pride & Prejudice: Letters

Austen uses letters in Pride & Prejudice to convey lots of information to the reader. Is this an effective way of communicating information in the story. Why or why not? Describe what kind of information is relayed. Please reference at least one of the story's letters in making your point.