Literature Paper 4:
Pride and Prejudice:
Contextual Information:
Historical Context
Key Points:
1. Regency Era (1811–1820) → A period of aristocratic dominance,
economic change, and gender restrictions.
2. Social Class & Marriage → Women relied on marriage for security
(e.g., Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins for stability).
3. The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) → Reflected in the militia’s
presence in Meryton (e.g., Wickham’s opportunistic behavior).
4. Industrial Revolution → Rise of self-made wealth (e.g., Mr. Bingley vs.
aristocratic Lady Catherine de Bourgh).
5. Women’s Rights & Entailment → Property laws favored men; women
had no legal inheritance rights.
Terminology & Quotes:
● Entailment: Legal inheritance law favoring male heirs.
● Landed gentry: Upper-class landowners (e.g., Darcy, Bennet family).
,● "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." – Charlotte
Lucas (suggests marriage as economic survival).
📖 Critical Reception & Viewpoints
1. Contemporary (19th-Century) Critics
● Sir Walter Scott → Praised Austen’s realism and irony.
● Charlotte Brontë → Criticized its lack of passion and emotional depth.
2. 20th & 21st Century Criticism
● Feminist Criticism (Sandra Gilbert & Susan Gubar) → Elizabeth Bennet
as an early feminist.
● Marxist Criticism (Raymond Williams) → Class struggles (Bingley vs.
Lady Catherine).
● Postcolonial Criticism (Edward Said) → British wealth was linked to
colonialism (Austen ignores this).
● Psychoanalytic Criticism (Juliet McMaster) → Subconscious desires in
Elizabeth-Darcy’s attraction.
Terminology & Quotes:
,● Irony: Social satire (e.g., "It is a truth universally acknowledged...").
● Free Indirect Discourse: Blending narration with character thoughts.
● "I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine." –
Elizabeth (Psychoanalytic reading on pride vs. prejudice).
Social Context
1. Class & Social Mobility
● Aristocracy (Lady Catherine) vs. Gentry (Darcy, Bennets) vs. Middle
Class (Bingley)
● Marriage = Social climbing (e.g., Wickham’s pursuit of rich women).
2. Gender Roles & Women's Status
● Women’s dependence on marriage (Charlotte Lucas’s pragmatic
choice).
● Limited education & rights → "Accomplished" women expected to
master music, art, and manners.
3. Courtship & Reputation
● Lydia’s elopement → Social disgrace for the entire family.
, ● Elizabeth’s independence → Defies expectations by rejecting Mr.
Collins.
Terminology & Quotes:
● Patriarchy: Male-dominated society.
● Dowry: Money/property brought by a bride.
● "The business of her life was to get her daughters married." –
Narrator (on Mrs. Bennet’s view of marriage).
Political Context
1. The Napoleonic Wars & Military Presence
● Wickham as a symbol of social opportunism rather than military
heroism.
2. The Regency & Class Power
● Prince Regent (later George IV) → Corrupt and extravagant (opposite
of Elizabeth’s values).
● Parliament controlled by aristocrats (Lady Catherine symbolizes
political elitism).
3. Women’s Political Exclusion
Pride and Prejudice:
Contextual Information:
Historical Context
Key Points:
1. Regency Era (1811–1820) → A period of aristocratic dominance,
economic change, and gender restrictions.
2. Social Class & Marriage → Women relied on marriage for security
(e.g., Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins for stability).
3. The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) → Reflected in the militia’s
presence in Meryton (e.g., Wickham’s opportunistic behavior).
4. Industrial Revolution → Rise of self-made wealth (e.g., Mr. Bingley vs.
aristocratic Lady Catherine de Bourgh).
5. Women’s Rights & Entailment → Property laws favored men; women
had no legal inheritance rights.
Terminology & Quotes:
● Entailment: Legal inheritance law favoring male heirs.
● Landed gentry: Upper-class landowners (e.g., Darcy, Bennet family).
,● "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." – Charlotte
Lucas (suggests marriage as economic survival).
📖 Critical Reception & Viewpoints
1. Contemporary (19th-Century) Critics
● Sir Walter Scott → Praised Austen’s realism and irony.
● Charlotte Brontë → Criticized its lack of passion and emotional depth.
2. 20th & 21st Century Criticism
● Feminist Criticism (Sandra Gilbert & Susan Gubar) → Elizabeth Bennet
as an early feminist.
● Marxist Criticism (Raymond Williams) → Class struggles (Bingley vs.
Lady Catherine).
● Postcolonial Criticism (Edward Said) → British wealth was linked to
colonialism (Austen ignores this).
● Psychoanalytic Criticism (Juliet McMaster) → Subconscious desires in
Elizabeth-Darcy’s attraction.
Terminology & Quotes:
,● Irony: Social satire (e.g., "It is a truth universally acknowledged...").
● Free Indirect Discourse: Blending narration with character thoughts.
● "I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine." –
Elizabeth (Psychoanalytic reading on pride vs. prejudice).
Social Context
1. Class & Social Mobility
● Aristocracy (Lady Catherine) vs. Gentry (Darcy, Bennets) vs. Middle
Class (Bingley)
● Marriage = Social climbing (e.g., Wickham’s pursuit of rich women).
2. Gender Roles & Women's Status
● Women’s dependence on marriage (Charlotte Lucas’s pragmatic
choice).
● Limited education & rights → "Accomplished" women expected to
master music, art, and manners.
3. Courtship & Reputation
● Lydia’s elopement → Social disgrace for the entire family.
, ● Elizabeth’s independence → Defies expectations by rejecting Mr.
Collins.
Terminology & Quotes:
● Patriarchy: Male-dominated society.
● Dowry: Money/property brought by a bride.
● "The business of her life was to get her daughters married." –
Narrator (on Mrs. Bennet’s view of marriage).
Political Context
1. The Napoleonic Wars & Military Presence
● Wickham as a symbol of social opportunism rather than military
heroism.
2. The Regency & Class Power
● Prince Regent (later George IV) → Corrupt and extravagant (opposite
of Elizabeth’s values).
● Parliament controlled by aristocrats (Lady Catherine symbolizes
political elitism).
3. Women’s Political Exclusion
