Pride and Prejudice is nowadays regarded as Jane Austen’s most enduringly popular novel. It was first published in 1813 and is a rewritten version of her earlier work First Impressions which had been refused for publication in 1797. 1 Jane Austen worked on this novel during her most productive time, the first two decades of the nineteenth century. The setting of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ falls also to the time she lived and therefore delivers a detailed depiction of the existing society. The novel tells not only the story of love between the wealthy aristocrat Mr. Darcy and the intelligent Elizabeth Bennet, but also describes rural life in ‘Regency England’ with its ideas of values and virtues.
Considerations of a class society are omnipresent in the novel and social position was established in terms of families, not individuals. Generally in those times, the family had a higher rank than today and was principally responsible for the intellectual and moral education of children. In Pride and Prejudice Austen portrays a world in which society took an interest in the private virtue of its members, mainly considering marriage. Especially the church played an important role here. As religion was an important factor of that age, the clergy also had a significant role in Pride and Prejudice and is represented by the obsequious rector Mr. Collins. As he is the only clergyman in the novel, Jane Austen expresses all her criticism considering the clergy through his character.
Therefore the main part of this term paper concentrates on the way how Mr. Collins is presented in the novel. Afterwards, Austen’s crucial way of presenting him will lead to a general depiction of her criticism of the clergy, as she accuses Mr. Collins only superficially. In order to understand Jane Austen’s relation to the clergy, it is necessary to have a closer look at her clerical background. [...]
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Main Part
- 2.1. Jane Austen's ecclesiastical background
- 2.2. Presenting Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice
- 2.3. Austen's criticism of the clergy
- 3. Conclusion
- 4. Sources of Criticism
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to analyze Jane Austen's portrayal of the clergy in Pride and Prejudice, focusing on the character of Mr. Collins. It explores Austen's personal background and its influence on her writing, examining her criticism of the clergy through the lens of her own religious beliefs and the societal context of the time.
- Jane Austen's personal connection to the clergy and her upbringing within a clerical family.
- The characterization of Mr. Collins as a representative of the clergy and the specific criticisms leveled against him.
- Austen's nuanced approach to criticizing the clergy, balancing personal piety with satirical representation.
- The social and religious context of Regency England and its impact on Austen's portrayal of the clergy.
- The contrast between the idealized role of the clergy and the reality presented through Mr. Collins.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the context of Pride and Prejudice as Jane Austen's most popular novel and highlighting its depiction of Regency England’s social dynamics. It introduces the central focus: the critical portrayal of the clergy, primarily through the character of Mr. Collins, who serves as the sole clerical representative in the novel. The chapter lays the groundwork by establishing the importance of considering Austen’s ecclesiastical background and the significant role religion played in the society of her time. The introduction also succinctly outlines the paper’s structure, which focuses on Mr. Collins' presentation and then broadens to analyze Austen's broader critique of the clergy.
2.1. Jane Austen's ecclesiastical background: This section delves into Jane Austen's close relationship with the clergy. It details her father’s profession as a rector, the clerical careers of several brothers, and the numerous familial and social connections she had within the church. This background provides crucial context for understanding Austen's familiarity with the clergy's conventions and the way she depicts clerical life in her novels. The chapter also addresses Austen's personal piety, noting her regular church attendance and devout nature, while also emphasizing her tendency to keep her religious views private and to separate her personal beliefs from her fictional creations. The chapter emphasizes that despite her personal piety, Austen wasn't afraid to offer ironic critiques of the clergy through her writing.
2.2. Presenting Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice: This chapter focuses on Mr. Collins' portrayal in Pride and Prejudice. It analyzes how Austen crafts his character as an obsequious and somewhat foolish figure, contrasting him with the novel’s heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, who readily sees through his pretentiousness. The section explains how Austen uses Mr. Collins not just to represent a flawed individual but also to satirize aspects of the clergy's conduct and social role in Regency England. The chapter stresses that Mr. Collins is presented more through social interactions (dinners, letters) rather than in a religious context. The absence of Mr. Collins in a sermon setting highlights Austen’s emphasis on the social and secular roles of clergymen within the context of the novel.
2.3. Austen's criticism of the clergy: This chapter synthesizes the preceding sections to offer a comprehensive analysis of Austen's critique of the clergy. It argues that while Austen's personal religious beliefs were strong, her fictional works demonstrate a willingness to satirize negative aspects of clerical behavior and the social standing of the church. Mr. Collins serves as a crucial example, but the chapter emphasizes that Austen's criticism is not sweeping or universal. It recognizes the existence of virtuous clergymen, suggesting that Austen was aware of the diversity within the clergy and aimed her critiques at specific failings rather than the institution as a whole. The section also explores the evolving nature of Austen’s religious views and their (lack of) impact on *Pride and Prejudice*, written and published before her engagement with the Evangelical movement.
Keywords
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Clergy, Mr. Collins, Regency England, Religious satire, Social criticism, Ecclesiastical background, Piety, Character analysis, Social class, Marriage.
Jane Austen's Portrayal of the Clergy in *Pride and Prejudice*: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes Jane Austen's depiction of the clergy in *Pride and Prejudice*, specifically focusing on the character of Mr. Collins. It examines Austen's personal background and its influence on her portrayal of the clergy, considering her own religious beliefs and the societal context of Regency England.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including Jane Austen's personal connection to the clergy, the characterization of Mr. Collins and the criticisms leveled against him, Austen's nuanced approach to criticizing the clergy, the social and religious context of Regency England, and the contrast between the idealized role of the clergy and the reality presented through Mr. Collins.
What is the significance of Mr. Collins' character?
Mr. Collins serves as the primary lens through which Austen's critique of the clergy is examined. His character is analyzed to reveal not just individual flaws, but also to satirize aspects of clerical conduct and social role in Regency England. His portrayal is contrasted with Elizabeth Bennet's perceptive critique of his pretentiousness.
What is Jane Austen's personal background regarding the clergy?
Austen's father was a rector, and she had several brothers who pursued clerical careers. This close familial connection to the church provides essential context for understanding her depiction of clerical life. While personally pious, she maintained a separation between her personal beliefs and her fictional representations.
How does Austen criticize the clergy in *Pride and Prejudice*?
Austen's criticism is nuanced. While she holds strong personal religious beliefs, her work satirizes specific negative aspects of clerical behavior and social standing. However, her critique is not universal; she acknowledges virtuous clergymen, suggesting a focus on specific failings rather than a condemnation of the entire institution.
What is the social and religious context of Regency England's influence on the paper?
The paper considers the social and religious context of Regency England as crucial to understanding Austen's portrayal. It highlights the significant role religion played in society and how this influenced both Austen's personal views and her fictional representations of the clergy.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a main part divided into sections analyzing Austen's background, Mr. Collins' character, and Austen's broader critique of the clergy, followed by a conclusion and a list of sources.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Jane Austen, *Pride and Prejudice*, Clergy, Mr. Collins, Regency England, Religious satire, Social criticism, Ecclesiastical background, Piety, Character analysis, Social class, Marriage.
- Quote paper
- Tobias Herbst (Author), 2005, Jane Austen's Criticism of the Clergy in Pride and Prejudice, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/64409
