In his essay on Pride and Prejudice, Alistair Duckworth describes a multiple distinct divides between different characters, ideas, or themes in the novel. His overall interpretation of the novel is that these differences must be reconciled in order for the characters to overcome their innate or perceived flaws. In his own words, this “social fragmentation […] is reconstituted as the principle characters come together in marriage” (306). Duckworth primarily focuses on the differences between Darcy and Elizabeth, using their journey from differing opinions and perspectives on social and personal ideals to a union through marriage as a representation of how other people, their outlooks and, their class differences are resolved both in Pride and Prejudice and in the real world.
Duckworth states that Elizabeth begins the story as an individualistic woman, mostly free from the bounds and conventions of society, some of which her mother is trying to impose (i.e. marriage, as Elizabeth is reluctant to marry just anyone). On the other hand, Duckworth notes that Darcy’s perspective on society is rooted in its traditional, conventional aspects, a viewpoint opposite that of Elizabeth. Duckworth argues that when Elizabeth learns to appreciate and, to some extent, follow the traditions of society, and when Darcy begins to understand individualism, the divide between these two characters will be broken, which ultimately culminates in marriage.
In order to show to illustrate this shift and broadening of perspective, Duckworth first describes Elizabeth’s narrow characterization of Darcy at the Netherfield Ball where Elizabeth only considers Wickham’s account of Mr. Darcy’s character and fails to gather other perspectives about him. However, Duckworth notes that Elizabeth’s opinion on Mr. Darcy begins to shift after she visits Pemberley and realizes that she can not only see herself in this place, but also that she can see herself fitting into to social constructs imposed by the living in such a magnificent estate. Thus, Duckworth argues, through this transformation in perspective from a individualistic view to a broader, more balanced one encompassing both individualism and societal norms, Elizabeth is transformed is such a way that allows her to marry Darcy. In similar ways, other characters, including and primarily Darcy, are experience perspective shifts from a narrow viewpoint to a broader, more encompassing, and ultimately more understanding viewpoint hybridizing multiple perspectives, such as individualism and societal bounds.
Duckworth states that Elizabeth begins the story as an individualistic woman, mostly free from the bounds and conventions of society, some of which her mother is trying to impose (i.e. marriage, as Elizabeth is reluctant to marry just anyone). On the other hand, Duckworth notes that Darcy’s perspective on society is rooted in its traditional, conventional aspects, a viewpoint opposite that of Elizabeth. Duckworth argues that when Elizabeth learns to appreciate and, to some extent, follow the traditions of society, and when Darcy begins to understand individualism, the divide between these two characters will be broken, which ultimately culminates in marriage.
In order to show to illustrate this shift and broadening of perspective, Duckworth first describes Elizabeth’s narrow characterization of Darcy at the Netherfield Ball where Elizabeth only considers Wickham’s account of Mr. Darcy’s character and fails to gather other perspectives about him. However, Duckworth notes that Elizabeth’s opinion on Mr. Darcy begins to shift after she visits Pemberley and realizes that she can not only see herself in this place, but also that she can see herself fitting into to social constructs imposed by the living in such a magnificent estate. Thus, Duckworth argues, through this transformation in perspective from a individualistic view to a broader, more balanced one encompassing both individualism and societal norms, Elizabeth is transformed is such a way that allows her to marry Darcy. In similar ways, other characters, including and primarily Darcy, are experience perspective shifts from a narrow viewpoint to a broader, more encompassing, and ultimately more understanding viewpoint hybridizing multiple perspectives, such as individualism and societal bounds.
No comments:
Post a Comment