- This is a unique work of Austen's because it indulges all of our wishes and fantasies, and in granting happiness to Darcy, a figure of power (who in comparison to similar figures in other novels lacks significant faults), Austen reaffirms social arrangements without challenging the status quo of the upper class. In other words, lack of satire regarding Darcy's character.
- Some have said that happy ending of the novel is a surface solution that does not address the real problems with society that Austen has uncovered; however, we shouldn't undervalue what Austen achieved for her time by showing the two protagonists in mutually improving debates
- This, like many Austen novels, is about happiness. The characters are shown to us so that we may assess their behavior and choose a desired outcome--and then even to judge the way in which they end up seeking happiness
- Confrontation between Elizabeth and Lady Catherine: decisively progressive, because Elizabeth does not allow the interests of the ruling class to bind her. She places her happiness in the hands of her own moral compass and no one else's--Elizabeth is not awed by mere "money or rank".
- Note: Elizabeth becomes enamored with the fact that Darcy holds so many people's happiness in his hands, despite the fact that he is usually unconcerned with other people's happiness (the way he treats those in his company at balls, etc.)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Claudia L. Johnson: "Pride and Prejudice and the Pursuit of Happiness"
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First off, I like the bullet points! The idea that I find really interesting is that Pride and Prejudice is the only of Austen's novels that has a completely happy ending. I don't know if I can agree with that statement... Is Lydia's fate a happy part of the happy ending, even if she's not our favorite character? On a separate note, I liked the part describing Darcy's apparent control over others happiness and how that seems to draw Elizabeth. He has so much control yet he does not seem to care, perhaps a reason why she admires him so?
ReplyDeleteNicole, I really agree with Zoe on the bullet points idea. It's a great idea and an effective way to divide up the main topics of discussion Johnson's criticism raises. Zoe covered a lot in her response, so I won't repeat that, but I would like to add to the last sentence Zoe makes in her response. Maybe Darcy realizes that he has so much control and does care but just masks it. He seems to be a character that does not show all of his emotions in many cases, which can be confusing to the reader as well as the other characters in the novel. Overall, great work as always, Nicole!
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