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Personification
Definition of Satire
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of satire, but satirists can take... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians... read full definition
Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Prideful People:
Though the “pride” mentioned in the title of the novel most often applies to Elizabeth and Darcy, Austen makes it clear by the end of the book that they have both reflected on their behavior and come to change their ways. Unlike the central couple, however, there are several prideful and wealthy characters who Austen includes in the book in order to satirize the ways that wealth and over-the-top pride tend to go hand-in-hand.
Charlotte’s father—Sir William Lucas—is one example of this. In Chapter 5, the narrator describes him thus:
Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the king […] The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly.
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Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Mrs. Bennet:
With the character Mrs. Bennet, Austen satirizes a particular type of unmannered mother who, in the class-stratified society of England in the early 1800s, unabashedly sought “advantageous” marriages for her daughters. Through her use of satire, Austen is critiquing the ways that some landed gentry were willing to do anything to hold onto their class position (or move up in status), including sacrificing their own daughters to any well-off man who expressed interest in them.
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Chapter 24
Explanation and Analysis—Collins:
Like Mrs. Bennet, Collins is an intentionally exaggerated character. His ridiculous behavior is Austen’s way of satirizing the worst-case scenario for arranged marriages—though Elizabeth marrying him might be “advantageous” (to use Mrs. Bennet’s words), it would also make her miserable because Collins is not an appealing partner. Austen hopes that readers will agree with Elizabeth when she shares her view of Collins:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Mr. Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man; you know he is, as well as I do; and you must feel, as well as I do, that the woman who married him cannot have a proper way of thinking.”
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Chapter 29
Explanation and Analysis—Prideful People:
Though the “pride” mentioned in the title of the novel most often applies to Elizabeth and Darcy, Austen makes it clear by the end of the book that they have both reflected on their behavior and come to change their ways. Unlike the central couple, however, there are several prideful and wealthy characters who Austen includes in the book in order to satirize the ways that wealth and over-the-top pride tend to go hand-in-hand.
Charlotte’s father—Sir William Lucas—is one example of this. In Chapter 5, the narrator describes him thus:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the king […] The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly.
Related Themes:
Chapter 49
Explanation and Analysis—Mrs. Bennet:
With the character Mrs. Bennet, Austen satirizes a particular type of unmannered mother who, in the class-stratified society of England in the early 1800s, unabashedly sought “advantageous” marriages for her daughters. Through her use of satire, Austen is critiquing the ways that some landed gentry were willing to do anything to hold onto their class position (or move up in status), including sacrificing their own daughters to any well-off man who expressed interest in them.
Unlock with LitCharts A+
Related Themes:
