Pride and Prejudice Q&A
- 1
When did the story take place?
“Pride and Prejudice” is set in late 1811, and follows approximately one subsequent year. Since Jane Austen wrote the first drafts of this story in the late 1700’s, it’s clear that her later revisions and rewrites were time-adjusted in order to produce a more contemporary work.
- 2
When rumors that Lydia and Mr. Wickham have eloped begin, there is great distress, and an urgency to find the couple. Later, though, their marriage announcement is a source of celebration and joy. Why?
British society at the time looked disapprovingly upon any woman who lost her virginity before marriage. In fact, news of such a thing would often result in such a risk of shame for the entire family that young women were frequently disowned and banished from their only family units. The fear over Lydia and Wickham running off together was that Lydia’s reputation would be permanently tarnished, and she would never be able to marry. Family and friends believed that Wickham’s affection was not deep, and that he was only using her for companionship on a temporary basis.
However, when their engagement was announced, all worry of a ruined reputation, family shame, or Lydia’s loss of eligibility to marriage dissolved. Completing the marriage resolved all issues.
- 3
Blank spaces often appear where names of places or people should be. Why?
Jane Austen was concerned with keeping the reader in a state of belief, sometimes taking relatively extreme measures to avoid any accusation of writing about actual people, places, or events. If she were to name a person or place that was not accurate, it could detract from the reader’s experience. Thus, when the name of a person or place was not critically specific, a blank was substituted. During this period in literature, this was a common practice among writers.
- 4
What are the main themes of “Pride and Prejudice?”
Austen presents a number of themes in “Pride and Prejudice.” The title implies the main themes, those of the perils of allowing pride, or its close companion, prejudice, to cloud one's judgment. Another prevailing theme is that love is the greatest motivation for marriage, although those marriages based upon convenience, status, or financial need can work under certain circumstances. Not surprisingly, the story highlights the ways that prejudice and pride can jeopardize the pursuit of true love.
Other themes addressed are those of reputation, class, gender, and integrity (loyalty) family.