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English literature

hey I would be so grateful if some could give me advice on how to improve my paragraphs for a pride and prejudice question. there are so few resources online and i find this book so hard to analyse.
the question is explore how austen presents the ways female characters treat each other

Firstly in chapter 8, Austen portrays how prejudice that forms as a result of social class, can negatively impact relationships between female characters. This is illustrated through Miss Bingley’s hostile and disapproving attitude toward Elizabeth. This is highlighted when Miss Bingley states “Why must she be scampering about the country because her sister has a cold?”. The use of dialogue and the rhetorical question will trigger thoughts in people’s minds as well as provoke negative prejudice and opinions against Lizzy. As a result, this signifies how Miss bIngley tries to cunningly paint a negative picture of Lizzy in the minds of the people around her. The verb “scampering” gives Lizzy animalistic qualities which juxtaposes people’s expectation of women in the regency era as elegant and gentle. This further assists to create a negative image of Lizzy in the minds of others. The fact that Miss Bingley has interpreted Lizzy’s kindness and love for her sister as unlady-like and unfavourable, illustrates the underlying prejudice she has for Lizzy. Someone could argue that Miss Bingley’s stubborn and disapproving view of Lizzy is a result of Lizzy’s lower social class. During the regency era society was divided into classes,with the lower class being poorer and therefore have less opportunities in life compared to the wealth of the upper class. This therefore shows the prejudice that arises due to social hierarchy means that female characters, especially of different classes, treat each other with hostility. The fact that Miss Bingley is portrayed as an antagonist throughout the novel could suggest that Jane Austen is criticising society and its attitudes towards social class.




Constrastingly, Austen also portrays that some characters who are not closely accustomed to each other can have respect and approval for each other, which is highlighted through Mrs Hurst’s opinion of Jane in Chapter 8. This is demonstrated when she says “I have excessive regard for Jane Bennet she really is a very sweet girl”. The use of the adjective “excessive” and the words “really” and “very” help to emphasise the heightened extent to which Mrs Hurst perceives Jane as pleasant and likeable” despite not being very familiar with her. Mrs Hurst then states “I wish with all my heart she were well settled”. The use of hyperbole “I wish with all my heart” portrays how passionately Mrs Hurst wants to see Jane do well, which could be seen as a consequence of her positive perception of Jane. The use of imagery in “very sweet girl” juxtaposes Miss Bingley’s disapproving attitude towards Lizzy earlier on in the extract. Austen may have chosen to present Lizzy and Jane as contrasting characters to highlight the positive prejudice that can form against due to their appearance, as Jane was conveyed as the most beautiful Bennet sister.

Reply 1

Original post by grey_cloud
hey I would be so grateful if some could give me advice on how to improve my paragraphs for a pride and prejudice question. there are so few resources online and i find this book so hard to analyse.
the question is explore how austen presents the ways female characters treat each other
Firstly in chapter 8, Austen portrays how prejudice that forms as a result of social class, can negatively impact relationships between female characters. This is illustrated through Miss Bingley’s hostile and disapproving attitude toward Elizabeth. This is highlighted when Miss Bingley states “Why must she be scampering about the country because her sister has a cold?”. The use of dialogue and the rhetorical question will trigger thoughts in people’s minds as well as provoke negative prejudice and opinions against Lizzy. As a result, this signifies how Miss bIngley tries to cunningly paint a negative picture of Lizzy in the minds of the people around her. The verb “scampering” gives Lizzy animalistic qualities which juxtaposes people’s expectation of women in the regency era as elegant and gentle. This further assists to create a negative image of Lizzy in the minds of others. The fact that Miss Bingley has interpreted Lizzy’s kindness and love for her sister as unlady-like and unfavourable, illustrates the underlying prejudice she has for Lizzy. Someone could argue that Miss Bingley’s stubborn and disapproving view of Lizzy is a result of Lizzy’s lower social class. During the regency era society was divided into classes,with the lower class being poorer and therefore have less opportunities in life compared to the wealth of the upper class. This therefore shows the prejudice that arises due to social hierarchy means that female characters, especially of different classes, treat each other with hostility. The fact that Miss Bingley is portrayed as an antagonist throughout the novel could suggest that Jane Austen is criticising society and its attitudes towards social class.
Constrastingly, Austen also portrays that some characters who are not closely accustomed to each other can have respect and approval for each other, which is highlighted through Mrs Hurst’s opinion of Jane in Chapter 8. This is demonstrated when she says “I have excessive regard for Jane Bennet she really is a very sweet girl”. The use of the adjective “excessive” and the words “really” and “very” help to emphasise the heightened extent to which Mrs Hurst perceives Jane as pleasant and likeable” despite not being very familiar with her. Mrs Hurst then states “I wish with all my heart she were well settled”. The use of hyperbole “I wish with all my heart” portrays how passionately Mrs Hurst wants to see Jane do well, which could be seen as a consequence of her positive perception of Jane. The use of imagery in “very sweet girl” juxtaposes Miss Bingley’s disapproving attitude towards Lizzy earlier on in the extract. Austen may have chosen to present Lizzy and Jane as contrasting characters to highlight the positive prejudice that can form against due to their appearance, as Jane was conveyed as the most beautiful Bennet sister.

Your essay is really good, the analysis' are really detailed but i would say try and embed ur quotes when u can and instead of saying someone could argue say it could be argued
idk about a mark but it's really good

Reply 2

This is highlighted when Miss Bingley states “Why must she be scampering about the country because her sister has a cold?”.
have i embedded my quotation here?

thank you so much, your feedback is so helpful.

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