Decisive parts of both plot and meaning of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice are conveyed by means of conversations. “In them the word becomes an authentic deed”, as H. BABB puts it. In linguistic terms, conversation is discourse – and discourse is necessarily social discourse. Taking into consideration that Jane Austen’s age “was an age of society’s predominance, when man was viewed primarily as a social creature”, and that “’ways of putting things’, or simply language usage, are part of the very stuff that social relationships are made of”, it is not hard to realize how much importance lies in the way the characters in Pride and Prejudice express themselves. Therefore, when he focuses on the various linguistic aspects of civility in Pride and Prejudice, the reader can throw light on the novel from a different angle.
Civility is derived from the Latin word ‘civilis’, meaning ‘of or pertaining to citizens’. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it is “behaviour proper to the intercourse of civilized people; ordinary courtesy or politeness, as opposed to rudeness of behaviour; decent respect, consideration”. J. HARRIS notices that Jane Austen “explores [Richardson’s] important word civil”, without giving her finding consequence enough to go into much detail. However, when the word root civil itself occurs “over seventy times in the novel”, seventyeight times to be precise (while occurring only forty times in Sense and Sensibility, for example), and words closely related to civility appear in over one-hundred-and-fifty instances in the course of the novel, it becomes clear that the aspects of civility deserve a closer look. Because the social scheme has changed significantly since the time Jane Austen wrote her novels, the vocabulary related to civility has undergone some significant changes as well. The gaps in meaning between politeness, civility and gentleness have been diminished or have ceased to exist altogether in some speakers’ vocabulary. The aim of this paper is therefore to pinpoint the different notions of civility and words related with civility as they are employed by Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice. In the course, most attention will be paid to Mr Collins, a character who miraculously manages to be an epitome of both politeness and rudeness.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Negative aspects of civility
- Sneering civility - Miss Bingley
- Shallow civility - Sir William
- False civility - Wickham
- Condescending civility – Lady Catherine
- Mr Collins - the formal aspect of civility
- Collins's first letter
- Negative politeness strategies
- Mr Collins's reception in society
- The importance of formality
- External and internal factors of politeness
- Mr Collins - dominated by external politeness factors
- Pemberley & Rosings as symbols
- Mr Collins - an epitome of impoliteness
- Masked face-threatening-acts
- Collins's collected offences during his proposal
- Two different proposals
- Civility: a decisive factor in the main characters' relationship
- Civility as the basis of Darcy's and Elizabeth's conduct
- Phase 1: Misunderstanding
- Phase 2: The proposal – a "breakdown of civility"
- Phase 3: Reconstitution via civility
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the multifaceted concept of civility in Jane Austen's *Pride and Prejudice*, exploring its various manifestations and implications within the novel's social context. The study focuses on how different characters employ civility (or its lack) to achieve their social and personal goals, paying particular attention to the evolution of civility in the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
- The various forms and expressions of civility in 19th-century England.
- The contrast between genuine and superficial civility, and its consequences.
- The role of civility (or its absence) in shaping social interactions and relationships.
- The significance of civility as a key element in plot development and characterization.
- The use of language and discourse to convey and interpret civility.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the importance of conversation and language in understanding *Pride and Prejudice*. It highlights how the novel's plot and meaning are conveyed through dialogue, emphasizing the social context of language use in Jane Austen's time. The chapter defines civility, drawing on etymological sources and the Oxford English Dictionary, and notes the significant frequency of words related to civility in the novel. It also addresses the changing meanings of politeness, civility, and gentleness since Austen's time, outlining the paper's aim to examine the diverse notions of civility in *Pride and Prejudice*, focusing specifically on Mr. Collins as a character who embodies both politeness and rudeness.
Negative aspects of civility: This chapter explores the negative manifestations of civility within the novel. It begins by illustrating how politeness doesn't always equate to genuine kindness, citing instances where characters use politeness as a mask for negative feelings. Miss Bingley serves as a prime example, showcasing “sneering civility” and using polite language to conceal her disdain. The chapter further examines the “shallow civility” of Sir William, highlighting how his unfailing politeness lacks genuine depth and often proves ineffectual. The contrast between the outward forms of civility and underlying intentions is a recurring theme throughout the chapter, showing how superficial politeness can lead to misinterpretations and conflict.
Mr Collins - the formal aspect of civility: This section focuses on Mr. Collins, a character who rigidly adheres to formal civility. The chapter dissects Collins's letters and interactions, analyzing his use of negative politeness strategies and his attempts to navigate social interactions through adherence to strict formalities. The analysis explores the complexities of formality within the context of the novel, examining whether it contributes to genuine respect or functions merely as a superficial display of politeness. It examines how Collins's social standing and adherence to strict societal norms shape his interactions, showing a discrepancy between his perceived social status and his overall behavior and personality.
External and internal factors of politeness: This chapter delves into the interplay between external and internal factors that influence politeness in the novel. It uses Mr. Collins as a case study, illustrating how he prioritizes outward displays of politeness over genuine consideration. The chapter explores the symbolic significance of Pemberley and Rosings as representations of different approaches to politeness – highlighting the contrasts between true hospitality and calculated civility. The chapter culminates in an examination of Mr. Collins's proposal, dissecting his collected offenses and contrasting his approach with other proposals within the narrative, emphasizing how external societal pressures clash with genuine affection.
Civility: a decisive factor in the main characters' relationship: This section analyzes the crucial role of civility in shaping the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. It examines how their initial interactions are characterized by misunderstandings stemming from misinterpretations of each other's civility (or lack thereof). The chapter then outlines the stages of their relationship, focusing on how a "breakdown of civility" during Darcy's first proposal leads to reconciliation and a reconstitution of their interactions through a renewed understanding of genuine politeness and respect. It shows the impact of civility on the progression of their courtship, as their behaviors reflect changing levels of mutual regard and understanding.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Civility, politeness, social interaction, language, discourse, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins, Miss Bingley, Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, social class, superficiality, genuine respect, formality, communication, misunderstanding, relationships.
Pride and Prejudice: A Study of Civility - FAQ
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the multifaceted concept of civility in Jane Austen's *Pride and Prejudice*, exploring its various manifestations and implications within the novel's social context. It examines how different characters use (or don't use) civility to achieve their goals, focusing on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's relationship.
What aspects of civility are explored in the paper?
The paper explores both positive and negative aspects of civility. It examines genuine versus superficial civility, the role of formality, and the impact of external and internal factors on politeness. It also analyzes how language and discourse are used to convey and interpret civility.
Which characters are analyzed in detail, and why?
The paper focuses extensively on Mr. Collins, as a character embodying both politeness and rudeness, and uses him to illustrate the complexities of formal civility and the contrast between external displays and genuine consideration. Miss Bingley, Sir William, and Lady Catherine are also analyzed to show different forms of superficial civility. The relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy serves as a central case study, illustrating how civility shapes their interactions and the development of their relationship.
How is the concept of civility defined in the paper?
The paper defines civility drawing on etymological sources and the Oxford English Dictionary. It also acknowledges the evolving meaning of politeness, civility, and gentleness since Austen's time, highlighting the need to analyze the diverse notions of civility present in *Pride and Prejudice*.
What are the key themes addressed in the paper?
Key themes include the various forms and expressions of civility in 19th-century England; the contrast between genuine and superficial civility and its consequences; the role of civility (or its absence) in shaping social interactions and relationships; civility's significance in plot development and characterization; and the use of language and discourse to convey and interpret civility.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, chapters analyzing negative aspects of civility, Mr. Collins's formal civility, external and internal factors of politeness, and the role of civility in Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship. It concludes with a summary and keywords.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the importance of conversation and language in *Pride and Prejudice*. Subsequent chapters delve into negative manifestations of civility (Miss Bingley, Sir William, Wickham, Lady Catherine); Mr. Collins's formal approach; the interplay between external and internal factors influencing politeness (using Mr. Collins, Pemberley, and Rosings as examples); and finally, the crucial role of civility in the development of Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship, highlighting misunderstandings and reconciliation.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Civility, politeness, social interaction, language, discourse, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins, Miss Bingley, Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, social class, superficiality, genuine respect, formality, communication, misunderstanding, relationships.
What is the overall objective of this analysis?
The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the concept of civility in *Pride and Prejudice*, showing its complexities and its impact on the characters and the plot. The study aims to highlight the nuanced ways in which civility is used and misused within the novel's social context.
- Quote paper
- Michael Helten (Author), 2004, Aspects of Civility in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/56946
