Complete a literature analysis essay on one of the following
Pride and Prejudice prompts.
1)
Satire and Social Status:
Social class is an important marker of the characters’ conditions and the
quality of their relationships in Pride and Prejudice. Austen seems to reserve
her satire and wit for her critical treatment of wealthier characters. Choose
one or more of these characters and compare how Austen treats the characters
from other social statuses. Explain whether the outcomes of the novel support
an overall statement with respect to Austen’s opinion about the wealthy.
2)
Wedding Bells:
Examine the various female characters and the marriages they become a part of
(Charlotte, Elizabeth, Jane, or Lydia). Analyze how these characters approach
their role in society and their expectation to wed. (For example, you can
discuss the ways in which they challenge, or don’t challenge, the strict social
roles that have been assigned to them as women expected to wed). What
ultimately were Austen’s motives in presenting these female characters in these
particular ways? (For example, through these characters, what is Austen trying
to say about marriage?)
3)
Best Friends Forever: In
a literary work, more minor characters will often possesses traits that
emphasize the distinctive characteristics and qualities of a main character.
For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to
highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. In Pride and
Prejudice, Bingley serves as a foil to Darcy and Jane serves a foil to
Elizabeth (especially when it comes to the two main characters’ of pride and
their prejudice against others). Pick one of these pairs and write an essay in which you analyze how the
relation between the minor character and the major character brings to light a
message of the novel (such as the importance of overcoming one’s own prejudice
or pride, or becoming more independent in 19th century British
society). For what purpose is Austen using this particular pair/ foil?
4)
So Typical:
Although literary critics have tended to praise the unique in literary
characterizations, many authors have employed the stereotyped character
successfully. In a well-written essay, show how the conventional or stereotyped
character or characters in Pride and Prejudice (ex: Mrs. Bennet or Mr.
Collins) function to achieve the
author’s purpose.
5)
Man vs. Society: Choose a character from Pride and Prejudice and write an
essay in which you a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society
in which the character exists, and b) show how the character is affected by and
responds to those standards. Do not merely summarize the plot and make sure to
incorporate thematic purpose in the essay.
6)
Awkward Times:
Compare two or three of the proposal scenes that Elizabeth experiences (for
example, the successful one with Darcy and the unsuccessful one with Darcy).
You can choose to focus on Elizabeth and Darcy’s personalities and demeanors in
the first proposal and how they have transformed by the last one. Decide on
what purpose you want to incorporate into the essay (For example, what message
might Austen be sending about human relations, reciprocity of love, or marital
expectations?)
7)
Free Choice Prompt: If
you believe that you can think of a prompt for the novel that can cover the
three P’s of an essay’s argument, tell me about it and I might approve it!
Requirements:
·
At least 3 complete
pages.
·
MLA Format and
Citations.
·
Use formal voice (no
“I,” “me,” or “us;” do not refer to the reader either).
·
Final Draft Due Friday
12/19 at 3:00pm to Turnitin.com (Turn in hard copy that day if you want written
feedback).
·
Optional read-through of
intro paragraph on Monday or Tuesday 12/15 & 12/16
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