Importance of Manners in Pride and Prejudice Essay -- Pride Prejudice

Importance of Manners in Pride and preconceived opinion Manners have survived throughout the galore(postnominal) passing years of history and culture to influence the ways human beings interact even today in the way we relate to one other what is acceptable and unacceptable social behavior. Proper manners in everything from conversation to eating have long been distinguishing mark of social status. Even now they be often important in business and social situations. But in the eighteenth century, manners were paramount. Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, set at the end of the eighteenth century, explores the galore(postnominal) humorous eccentricities in a world of etiquette and proper conduct. When love, pride, clumsiness and transparency are all run through the gauntlet of delicate manners, a tearaway(a) sort of satire is achieved. The context of propriety creates the cunning irony that brings this book to intent. A perfect example of the irony in Pride and Prejudice is seen in the relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. While Mrs. Bennet is constantly theatrical and melodramatic, Mr. Bennet is very quiet and reserved. Mr. Bennet is always toying with his wifes tendencies to exaggeration. When Elizabeth Bennet refuses to marry the dim-witted and untempting Mr. Collins, her mother is inconsolable. She bursts into a fit and tells Elizabeth that if she doesnt marry Mr. Collins, then she will disown her as a daughter. Mr. Bennet at this point steps in and provides the teetotal relief 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 once more if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do. (p... ...he irony. From the bumbling Mr. Collins, who means less than he says, to the ironical parries of Ms. Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice is certainly a comedy of manners. Each character, in their own way i s either outside the traditional bounds of propriety, or bound within them so clumsily that even sincerity often comes across as humorous. In each situation shown, the characters began in a context of manners that set confront for the illuminating irony each character in some way sets forth. As shown through the situations and characters in the novel, Pride and Prejudice is a book brought to life by the context of propriety. Within this context are created the many ironical contradictions and pretenses exposed by its various colorful characters. Work Cited Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York Airmont Books, 1992.