Irony is a literary device that involves a contrast or incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs. In Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice," irony is used to great effect in order to highlight the flaws and follies of the characters and to create humor and tension.
One of the most prominent examples of irony in "Pride and Prejudice" is the use of situational irony. This occurs when the outcome of a situation is unexpected or incongruous with what was expected. For example, Mr. Darcy's initial pride and haughty behavior towards others, particularly those of a lower social class, leads him to believe that he is superior to them. However, his actions and words often reveal his true character as arrogant and selfish. This is ironic because his actions and words contradict his belief in his own superiority.
Another example of situational irony can be seen in the relationship between Mr. Bennet and his wife. Mr. Bennet is a man of wit and intelligence, but his wife is foolish and shallow. This ironic contrast is used to humorous effect throughout the novel, as Mr. Bennet's dry wit and sarcasm serve as a foil to his wife's ridiculous behavior.
Verbal irony is also present in "Pride and Prejudice." This occurs when a character says one thing but means another. For example, Mr. Bennet often makes sarcastic comments about his wife and daughters, implying that he finds them ridiculous. However, he also deeply loves and cares for them. This use of verbal irony adds depth to Mr. Bennet's character and reveals the complexity of his feelings towards his family.
Irony is also used to highlight the flaws and follies of the characters in "Pride and Prejudice." For instance, Mr. Collins is a pompous and ridiculous character who is oblivious to his own absurdity. His ironic lack of self-awareness is used to humorous effect, as he tries to win the favor of Lady Catherine de Bourgh with his sycophantic behavior. Similarly, the character of Mr. Wickham is initially presented as charming and likable, but it is later revealed that he is deceitful and manipulative. This ironic contrast serves to expose the superficiality of the characters' initial judgments and highlights the danger of making assumptions based on appearances.
In conclusion, the use of irony in "Pride and Prejudice" serves to highlight the flaws and follies of the characters, create humor, and add tension to the story. It also serves to reveal the complexity of the characters and their relationships, and to expose the dangers of making assumptions based on appearances.
Jane Austen's Use of Irony in Pride and Prejudice Free Essay Example
She knows that human nature and human situations are often too incongruous and contradictory. He had been asked to intervene by a mortified Elizabeth who was afraid Mary was going to sing all night. In Much Ado About Nothing, Benedick, and Beatrice, the witty hero and heroine, who hate each other at the beginning of the play, end up marrying each other. This, however is not to suggest that her comic is not rooted in any sense of responsibility. It is definitely possible to deduce from her works a scheme of moral values. In this exchange Mr.
Use Of Wit And Irony In The Novel 'Pride And Prejudice'
Darcy also thinks, were it not for her inferior connections, he might fall in love with her — which is exactly what is happening. They were in fact very fine ladies; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of being agreeable where they chose it, but proud and conceited. This moment highlights the ways that Elizabeth and Darcy provoke each other, each at this point unwilling to let go of prejudices they have of the other. Collins is about to enter the record books for making the worst marriage proposal in English literature. Shakespeare employs them to underscore the tragic plight of a man, while Dryden and Pope use them to mock at human follies and foibles. Elizabeth also uses irony as an indirect means of showing people like Wickham what she thinks of them. Since the quality of good sense is so important for the characters, we shouldknow what it specifically is.
Pride and Prejudice Irony Quotes
But in the facts of sense, Darcy is a reasonable person like Elizabeth. I think that this attitude is almost close to condescension, but he is too good-humored a person to think in that way. Her father is also aware of the follies around him. The subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect he protested that he had never in his life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank — such affability and condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine. We, the readers are often the object of her ridicule, and Austen makes the readers view themselves in a way that makes it easy for the reader to laugh at themselves. The principal user of such ironies among the characters is Mr. Needless to say she casts her vote in favor of sense.
Irony in "Pride & Prejudice" Essay on
Sir William holds it up as one of the great examples of civilized society. But she sees not deride this aberrations with the cruelty of a Dryden or a Pope,her irony is always gentle and sympathetic. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary. Darcy, that you hardly ever forgave, that your resentment once created was unappeasable. Lydia wants her neighbors to see the ring because it means that she has earned something important—a romantic partner along with financial security.
Irony in Pride and Prejudice
They are contradictory and the supreme irony is that intricacy, which is much deeper, carries with it grave dangers unknown to simplicity. Darcy has to stoop to conquer his pride before he becomes worthy to be happy and Elizabeth has to get over her prejudice in order to enter into a life of bliss. The narrator serves to represent and speak for Jane Austen, enabling her to aim her criticism not only through the characters, but also in a more direct fashion. Nevertheless, the descriptions of the goings-on in that society are so lively and sparkling with irony that most people cannot help but like the novel. Irony is her very forte;it is in fact the very soul of her art. Austen presents the high-society of her time from an observational point of view, ironically describing human behavior.
Jane Austen's Use of Irony in Pride and Prejudice. Essay Example
The first ball was held at the Meryton house- which is owned by an educated middle-class family- and the second one was held at the Netherfield- which is owned by a high-class wealthy family. As the two of them come to develop romantic feelings for each other later in the novel and move toward marriage, these moments of biting verbal irony decrease in frequency. Collins that she is not the type to reject the first proposal and accept the second but does exactly this when Darcy proposes a second time. The second eldest of five daughters, with passions for reading and walking in the countryside as well as dancing and laughing, Lizzy Bennett is wise, witty, fun-loving, beautiful and kind. Collins to have a wife and Charlotte to have a secured future. I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding.
