Irony in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Essay - 3430 Words

Irony in Pride and Prejudice Critics have examined Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, since its creation. In this novel, Austen uses and irony to produce a masterpiece. Austen opens the novel with what appears to be a sarcastic sentence. She writes, IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife (Austen 5). Most readers think of this as humorous and quite laughable. It does not necessarily follow that a man with a large fortune is searching for a wife. However, by the end of the first page, the reader may find himself asking, Was Austen being sarcastic or was she simply stating a fact? In Pride and Prejudice, the opening sentence is merely a fact.†¦show more content†¦Bennet, replied his wife, how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them. Is that his design in settling here? Design! nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes. (5-6) In this way, Austen buttresses her thesis while expressing Mr. Bennetts sarcastic personality. Mr. Bennett knows the moment his wife mentions that a young man of large fortune (5) has rented Netherfield Park, dreams of marriage have already infiltrated her head. Yet he continues humoring himself by asking her rhetorical questions. Austen describes Mrs.Bennett as a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper...The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news (7). This relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennett is another way Austen brings forth irony. Austen writes that Lydia and Catherine, could talk of nothing besides but the officers; and Mr. Bingleys fortune, the mention of which gave animation to their mother (27). Mr. Bennett coolly observed that Lydia and Catherine must be two of the silliest girls in the country (27-28). Yet Mrs. Bennett is no more than an older version of Lydia. She becomes excited at the insignificant reference to Mr. Bingleys fortune. Furthermore, Mrs. Bennett reprimands Mr. Bennett for his assertionShow MoreRelatedIrony in Pride and Prejudice995 Words   |  4 PagesIrony in Pride and Prejudice Irony forms the alma mater of Jane Austen’s novels. Likewise, â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† is steeped in irony of theme, situation, character, and narration. Austen uses it to establish the contrast between appearance and reality. As one examines â€Å"Pride and Prejudice†, one discovers the ironic significance of how pride leads to prejudice and prejudice invites pride. 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