Assignment - 3: Comparison of "Pride & Prejudice" with "Sense & Sensibility"
This blog is part of an assignment for the paper 103 - Literature of The Romantics, Sem - 1, 2023.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:-
❍ Personal information
❍ Assignment Details
❍ Abstract
❍ Keywords
❍ Introduction
❍ Jane Austen ❍ Sense & Sensibility ❍ Pride & Prejudice
❍ A Comparative Analysis of "Sense & Sensibility" & "Pride & Prejudice
❍ Conclusion
❍ Work Cited
PERSONAL INFORMATION:-
Name: - Priyanshiba Kanaksinh Gohil
Batch No: M.A. Sem 1 (2023-2025)
Enrollment Number: - 5108230018
E-mail Address: - priyabagohil7126@gmail.com
Roll Number: - 25
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS: -
Topic: - Comparison of "Pride & Prejudice" with "Sense & Sensibility "
Paper & subject code: - 103 - Literature of the Romantics & 22394
Submitted to: - Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar.Date of Submission: - 01st December, 2023
About Assignment: - In this Assignment, I try to compare Jane Austen's two famous novel Pride & Prejudice with second one Sense & Sensibility
Date of Submission: - 01st December, 2023
ABSTRACT: -
KEYWORDS:
INTRODUCTION: -
Jane Austen, a celebrated English novelist of the 19th century, left an indelible mark on the literary world with her insightful depictions of love, social conventions, and the challenges faced by women in Regency-era England. Two of her most beloved works, “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice,” offer rich portrayals of complex female protagonists navigating the intricacies of romance, societal expectations, and personal growth. This comparative analysis explores the themes, character dynamics, and narrative techniques employed by Austen in these two seminal novels, shedding light on their similarities and distinctive qualities. Both novels focus on the romantic affairs of a family of women, in which a father figure is to all intents and purposes missing. Mr. Bennet is of course alive, but disastrously abdicates any involvement in his daughters’ romances, until in Lydia’s case it is too late. In both novels the families’ inheritance situation is precarious – if Mr. Bennet dies the family will have to leave longbourn; Mr. Dashwood’s death leaves his second family in a position where they have to leave their home and take a cottage donated by a charitable family member, taking at the same time a large step down the social ladder.
Jane Austen:
Jane Austen (born December 16, 1775, Steventon, Hampshire, England—died July 18, 1817, Winchester, Hampshire) English writer who first gave the novel its distinctly modern character through her treatment of ordinary people in everyday life. She published four novels during her lifetime: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). In these and in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (published together posthumously, 1817), she vividly depicted English middle-class life during the early 19th century. Her novels defined the era’s novel of manners, but they also became timeless classics that remained critical and popular successes for over two centuries after her death. These works reflect her enduring legacy. The earliest of her novels published during her lifetime, Sense and Sensibility, was begun about 1795 as a novel-in-letters called “Elinor and Marianne,” after its heroines. Between October 1796 and August 1797 Austen completed the first version of Pride and Prejudice, then called “First Impressions.” In 1797 her father wrote to offer it to a London publisher for publication, but the offer was declined. Northanger Abbey, the last of the early novels, was written about 1798 or 1799, probably under the title “Susan.” In 1803 the manuscript of “Susan” was sold to the publisher Richard Crosby for £10. He took it for immediate publication, but, although it was advertised, unaccountably it never appeared.
Sense & Sensibility:
Jane Austen (born December 16, 1775, Steventon, Hampshire, England—died July 18, 1817, Winchester, Hampshire) English writer who first gave the novel its distinctly modern character through her treatment of ordinary people in everyday life. She published four novels during her lifetime: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). In these and in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (published together posthumously, 1817), she vividly depicted English middle-class life during the early 19th century. Her novels defined the era’s novel of manners, but they also became timeless classics that remained critical and popular successes for over two centuries after her death. These works reflect her enduring legacy. The earliest of her novels published during her lifetime, Sense and Sensibility, was begun about 1795 as a novel-in-letters called “Elinor and Marianne,” after its heroines. Between October 1796 and August 1797 Austen completed the first version of Pride and Prejudice, then called “First Impressions.” In 1797 her father wrote to offer it to a London publisher for publication, but the offer was declined. Northanger Abbey, the last of the early novels, was written about 1798 or 1799, probably under the title “Susan.” In 1803 the manuscript of “Susan” was sold to the publisher Richard Crosby for £10. He took it for immediate publication, but, although it was advertised, unaccountably it never appeared.
Sense & Sensibility:
Sense and Sensibility tells the story of the impoverished Dashwood sisters. Marianne is the heroine of “sensibility”—i.e., of openness and enthusiasm. She becomes infatuated with the attractive John Willoughby, who seems to be a romantic lover but is in reality an unscrupulous fortune hunter. He deserts her for an heiress, leaving her to learn a dose of “sense” in a wholly unromantic marriage with a staid and settled bachelor, Colonel Brandon, who is 20 years her senior. By contrast, Marianne’s older sister, Elinor, is the guiding light of “sense,” or prudence and discretion, whose constancy toward her lover, Edward Ferrers, is rewarded by her marriage to him after some distressing vicissitudes.
Pride & Prejudice:
Pride and Prejudice describes the clash between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich and aristocratic landowner. Although Austen shows them intrigued by each other, she reverses the convention of “first impressions”: “pride” of rank and fortune and “prejudice” against the inferiority of the Bennet family hold Darcy aloof, while Elizabeth is equally fired both by the “pride” of self-respect and by “prejudice” against Darcy’s snobbery. Ultimately, they come together in love and self-understanding. The intelligent and high-spirited Elizabeth was Jane Austen’s own Favorite among all her heroines and is one of the most engaging in English literature.
A Comparative Analysis of "Sense & Sensibility" & "Pride & Prejudice":
1. Themes and Social Commentary:
Both “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice” address central themes that resonate throughout Austen’s works, including love, social class, societal expectations, and the importance of personal integrity. While the novels share common themes, they approach them from different angles and with varying emphasis.
In “Sense and Sensibility,” Austen explores the contrasting qualities of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. The novel delves into the tension between reason and sensibility, as Elinor embodies the former while Marianne represents the latter. The story examines the consequences of excessive emotionalism and impulsive decisions, advocating for a balance between the two traits.
“Pride and Prejudice” focuses on the theme of prejudice and the transformative power of self-reflection and personal growth. Through the characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Austen dissects the social prejudices that inhibit authentic connections. The novel critiques the superficial judgments based on class, appearance, and societal expectations, ultimately championing the triumph of genuine love and understanding.
2. Characterization:
3. Narrative Techniques:
Austen’s narrative techniques contribute to the unique charm and social commentary in both novels. The use of free indirect discourse, irony, and subtle humor enhances the storytelling and provides insights into the characters’ inner thoughts and societal expectations.
In “Sense and Sensibility,” Austen employs a third-person omniscient perspective, allowing readers access to the inner musings and emotions of multiple characters. The narrative style effectively conveys the contrast between Elinor’s measured restraint and Marianne’s passionate nature, heightening the tension and highlighting their individual journeys towards self-discovery.
“Pride and Prejudice” also employs a third-person perspective, but it is more focused on Elizabeth’s point of view. The use of free indirect discourse allows readers to intimately experience Elizabeth’s thoughts and perceptions while adding layers of irony and social commentary. Austen’s wit and satire shine through her masterful dialogue and observational skills, offering astute critiques of social norms and revealing the absurdities of the upper-class society.
4. Feminine Identity and Societal Expectations:
Both novels examine the constraints placed upon women in Regency-era England, illustrating the limited choices available and the societal expectations that governed their lives. Austen portrays female agency and the search for personal fulfillment within the confines of societal norms.
In “Sense and Sensibility,” the Dashwood sisters navigate the challenges of restricted inheritance laws and the societal pressures to marry well. Elinor’s quiet strength and emotional resilience allow her to navigate these obstacles, ultimately finding a suitable partner who appreciates her qualities. Marianne, on the other hand, undergoes a transformative journey, learning the importance of balance and self-awareness.
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