Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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.
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Jane Austen does use letters in Pride & Prejudice to convey lots of information. I, personally, think that this is an effective way of communicating information in the story because information that cannot be told directly to someone’s face (due to not knowing what to say, shyness, or what have you) can be relayed via a letter. A perfect example of this would be the letter Darcy gave to Elizabeth after she had accused him of ruining her sister’s happiness with Bingley and “allegedly” taking away Wickham’s rights in the will. In his letter, after explaining himself, he said, “You may possibly wonder why all this was not told you last night. But I was not then master enough of myself to know what could or ought to be revealed” (vol. II, XII, 197). When they were face to face, he merely said, “You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and I have now only to be ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness” (vol. II, XI, 188-189). He did not put in the effort to explain himself, perhaps because he didn’t know what to tell her or because of his shy nature, all he did was avoid confrontation and leave. Letters are a better way to communicate in Pride & Prejudice because the people have time to think about what they are going to say and how they are going to relay the information. I believe that Darcy expressed himself better in his letter than he could have to her in person because he had his thoughts planned out without the pressure of her standing right in front of him expecting a reply.
ReplyDeleteIn Response to Devon:
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Due to the time period and lack of availablity to directly communicate with one another a letter would truly be the best way.
In the case of Darcy I also agree. Because of his character and ineffective communication skills to someone he cares about letters work more effectively. I also think all the letters he writes to his sister must also help his case when potraying his feelings better to Elizabeth. Letters help to clafiry many problems throughout the story.
Devon,
ReplyDeleteI agree that often times letters can be easier to convey emotions in (I think that you can see that even in today's world when people use texts rather then just face to face). However, I thought that sometimes it was a little bit dull that the whole book was TALKING about something that had happened rather then Austen EXPLAINING what had happened. Nevertheless, I think that letters were very important in that time period and therefore they were important to include in the plot.
Eva dearest,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point in the comment above mine,
“However, I thought that sometimes it was a little bit dull that the whole book was TALKING about something that had happened rather then Austen EXPLAINING what had happened.”
This is a book of very little action and although it would be nice to not read everything in a letter, it’s just how this particular book is written. Jane Austen throws a lot of important information in her letters and it is a theme seen in all three volumes.
I totally agree with what Devon, Alexis and Eva have to say about letters being an effective way to communicate in Pride and Prejudice because sometimes when a person blows up on you like Elizabeth did, it's harder to say what you want to say back to that person because you don't want to get that person mad more than they already are.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, I would like to add that sometimes letters portray the actual feelings or emotions of the writer. For example, when Jane writes her letter to Lizzy, Austen states, "The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister, will prove what she felt." (II.iii.145)
Veronica, you mentioned the letter from Jane to Lizzy on page 145, and I wanted to touch a little more on that subject. This letter does show all the things that Devon, Alexis, and Eva talked about. I think this letter also shows a lot about Jane's character that we don't necessarily see in any of the dialogue. I think that it also serves as a turning point for Jane in the story, as the letter from Darcy to Lizzy serves as a turning point for them.
ReplyDeleteLetters are an interesting form of communication; you cannot take back what you've written down, but you also have more time and the ability to revise what you do say. Reinforcing what the others have already stated, letters, or any written form of communication, allow you to re-read or reflect on what you have read.
ReplyDeleteThis is an important aspect of the novel; not only was this the only way to communicate over long distances, but it proves an effective way to truly communicate complex emotions that might not be expressed otherwise. Furthermore, the letters seem to be a way for the writer to be heard without argument or objections; it seems as though the reader must really try to understand the writer's purpose.
In response to Devon:
ReplyDeleteI agree that the letters served a purpose where the characters could really think of what they were saying and if they could change their mind if they had not sent the letter yet. Also, the letters serve the purpose that the writer can speak freely without having to worry about the objections of the listener, or reader, to be able to fully explain what they want to say. But what hasn't been considered is that at this time, letters were about the only way of communicating without having to intrude into a home as a visitor. If you wanted to tell somoene just one thing without having to go out of your way to their house, it was very effective to have a messenger send a letter.
Devon,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your example about Darcy's letter to Elizabeth. I felt like Jane Austen put in the letter to catch the reader's attention. She needed the reader's attention because she wanted the reader to feel really bad for Darcy. If Darcy had said what was written in the letter to Elizabeth it would've carried a different impression on the reader. The scene between Darcy and Elizabeth would have been more like a argument. Since Darcy replied back in the letter it made Darcy seem like a gentleman and made the reader feel even worse for him. It was all part of Austen's plan to further develop Darcy's character.
Letters in Pride and Prejudice, in my opinion, are more of where interpersonal relationships are formed. While dances and other public get togethers introduce people its not like you get to know them better in these settings. Therefore I think that for Austen letters are where her characters came to life. Even though, as Devon said, they can sometimes be dull and like a retelling of something that just happened.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Devon:
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that letters were one of the only forms of communications during this time period. I am also happy that Austen didn't explain the letters more because I already felt that the book moved too slow from one plot to the other. The letters allowed Austen to make numerous points in just one letter instead of writing a whole new chapter for each of the points that were made.
The letters also helped the reader to shake off any first impressions that they still had about any character. For example, through Jane's letter we are able to see more into her actual character and realize that she is effected by the whole Bingley situtation, instead of the soft front that we first perceived her to be.
The letters of Pride and Prejudice due serve as a way to relay information. Yet, in a twist of irony, they also highlight miscommunication.
ReplyDeleteThe letters that Elizabeth and Jane write to each other seem only show their side of events. For instance, when Jane sends Elizabeth the letter regarding Bingley she cues it to show her side of things. The letter doesn't convey all of the events that happened. Also, instead of writing letters to eachother, Elizabeth and Jane could be telling their respective suitors. There are multiple times in the story when Jane and Elizabeth could tell Bingley and Darcy how they feel, yet they write letters to each other.
In response to Kenna:
ReplyDeleteThe letters do serve as a type of communication but they also show the little bit of attraction between certain characters. The letters are the only way to communicate the true feelings when you do not want to meet in person and talk about them. They also serve as proof like in Much Ado About Nothing.