Jane Bennet Letter

In a modern society where focus is centered upon the newest, fastest, and most advanced technology, communication has taken on a completely new form. Teenagers and adults alike communicate instantly via smartphones, internet, and social media. This obsession with obtaining one’s desires almost instantly has caused the concept of letter writing to rapidly become a thing of the past. After all, why wait days for a response when one can communicate in real time? While this practice has become nearly obsolete today, it was the sole means of communication during the early 1800s. The importance of these interactions can be observed by looking closely at the literature written during the time period. For example, the novel Pride and Prejudice
Of particular interest is the letter sent in chapter twenty-six, following Caroline Bingley’s visit to Jane in London. Jane begins by explaining that she has, in fact, been deceived of the extent of Miss Bingley’s regard. However, it is her quick defense of both herself and Caroline that is of interest. She requests Elizabeth not to think of her as obstinate for her previous beliefs (144). By beginning in this way, the letter strongly upholds all previous evidence of her caring, slow to judge nature. For example, in chapter seventeen she tells Elizabeth, “Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion” (88). Jane consistently extends the benefit of the doubt to everyone despite appearances of fault, such as Mr. Darcy’s supposed mistreatment of Mr. Wickham. This letter exemplifies that quality. Despite stating that she does blame Miss Bingley for singling her out, she proceeds to follow her tendency of searching for the best in people and attempts to attach reason to Caroline’s actions. While this characteristic can be easily found through dialogue, its transmission by letter adds to the sincerity of her acceptance of Caroline’s duplicity. Whereas conversation makes it difficult to conceal one’s emotion, it is more easily hidden in writing. Because Jane openly confesses her true feelings of the
Austen craftily employs this means of communication to make both obvious and hidden statements about the senders. For example, Mr. Collins’s letter plainly demonstrates his rudeness and conceit through his language, but Austen’s clever choice of omitting the sisters’ reactions provides strong support that this is his normal behavior. Similarly, Jane’s letter reinforces her consistent tendency to withhold quick judgment. Finally, Mr. Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth makes an incredibly bold statement by defying social standards and provides the most in-depth view of his character of the entire work. While much of the plot could easily have been communicated through conventional dialogue and narrative, Austen’s use of letters significantly adds a unique vantage point otherwise