Literary Techniques in Pride and Prejudice

1. Literary Techniques in Pride and Prejudice By: Madison Ross-Levy

2. Irony • “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1). • In the novel, Pride and Prejudice, Austen shows how women want to be married to wealthy men. Many times in the novel it is not the man seeking a wife, but the other way around. The entire novel is centered around marriage and the theme of love between two social classes that do not go together.

3. Characterization • “She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married…” (Austen 7). • “Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners” (Austen 11) • Austen’s use of characterization gives the reader a clear perception of their different characteristics. It also allows the reader to get to know the characters and ways they might react to situations soon to come.

4. Imagery • “Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush” (Austen 235).

5. Motifs • “To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whenever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone… I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, that this adventure has rather affected her fine eyes” (Austen 36). • In Pride and Prejudice, journeys are reoccurring elements that most commonly represent a change in the novel. Most scenes take place indoors instead of outdoors, but when characters are outdoors it is most likely for a change to happen. In the scene above, after Elizabeth’s long journey Darcy’s emotions have begun to change and he is beginning to like her.

6. Themes • One of the most present themes in the novel is love. The entire story is tied to the love between characters