Literary+Devices+in+Pride+and+Prejudice

Characterization is “the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character” (__Elements of Literature__ 1191). There were two types of characterization, direct and indirect. Direct characterization is “when a writer uses this method, we do not have to figure out what a character’s personality is like” (__Elements of Literature__ 1191). Indirect characterization has individuals use “own judgment, putting clues together to figure out what a character is like” (__Elements of Literature__ 1191). In //Pride and Prejudice//, characterization was used quite often. In order to connect with characters as the reader, both types of characterizations should be used. Austen shared information about each characters personality. Characterization was used in //Pride and Prejudice// to enhance the characters. There are many examples of characterizations throughout //Pride and Prejudice//. Right from the beginning of the novel, Austen shared information with the readers about Mr. Bennet, “Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three and twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character” (//Pride and Prejudice// 3). This quoted stated that Mr. Bennet was sarcastic, reserved and the complete opposite of his wife. Although they are married and opposite, Mrs. Bennet was said to have an unpredictable temper, and the main goal in her life was to get her daughters married. By giving the reader this information, it can be predicted that both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet will battle against one another throughout the novel. Another example of direct characterization was telling the reader what Mr. Bingley was like. Mr. Bingley was a social butterfly, who was content and far from conservative. Mr. Bingley was also said to be good natured, full of humor, and great mannered. Austen used more direct characterization over indirect characterization, throughout the novel; Austen put out what each character was and often times how they looked. Overall, when an author like Austen, uses characterization, it allowed the reader to connect with some of the characters, so they will want to continue reading.

Conflict is “a struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces, or emotions” (__Elements of Literature__ 1192). A conflict can be either external or an internal conflict; “In an external conflict, a character struggles against some outside force: another character, society as a whole, or some natural force” (__Elements of Literature__ 1192) and “an internal conflict, on the other hand, is a struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a single character” (__Elements of Literature__ 1192). The main conflict throughout the novel was between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet and how they disagreed on almost every issue presented to them. Since Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Bennet do not agree on very much in the novel it led to major conflicts throughout the novel. The major conflict was when Elizabeth was given the choice to either marry Mr. Collins or not, and by choosing an option would lead to one of her parents not talking to her; “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. – Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do” (//Pride and Prejudice// 77). After Lydia was located and the family found out that Wickham wanted to marry her, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet disagree yet again. Mr. Bennet wanted Lydia and Wickham to be married in London, so the family would not gain a bad reputation, while Mrs. Bennet, wanted them to come home to get married. The Bennets had different thinking on how to act; Mr. Bennet acted angrily and frigidly toward Lydia when she did come home with Wickham, while Mrs. Bennet was welcoming and friendly. Due to the conflicts throughout the novel between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet the story was able to become more developed and the choices the individuals made were based on who was liked by which parent.

Imagery is “language that appeals to the senses” (__Elements of Literature__ 1194). Imagery was consistently visible throughout //Pride and Prejudice//. The novel was more developed since imagery added to the readers’ chance to visualize what is happening and the surroundings in the story. Imagery was used to tell us how Elizabeth had looked after she had ran through puddles to get to her sister who was at Bingley’s place; “weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise” (//Pride and Prejudice// 21). Another example of imagery in the novel was when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s eyes met; “Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with deepest blush.” (//Pride and Prejudice// 213) the novel, gave very detailed imagery for the reader to see that they were in love by the way each of the way they blushed. This allowed the reader to visualize the amount of love between Darcy and Elizabeth. Lastly, imagery is used to describe where and who Mr. Darcy really was. Darcy’s estate is called Permberley, and the location was very natural. The reader was able to relate the type of environment that Darcy lived in, directly to his personality. Darcy’s estate was filled with nature and therefore demonstrated his simplistic lifestyle. All throughout Pride and Prejudice, imagery was present and it allowed the development of visualization to be used to relate to the no vel.