Theme of Identity Pride and Prejudice
“The presentation of the theme of identity is what draws the reader in”
Explore the methods by which writers develop the theme of identity in the light of this statement.
In Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, there is a strong sense of identity in certain characters in the novel. Elizabeth has a high understanding of her own views and opinions, which often contrast with those around her “She had always felt that Charlotte’s opinion was not exactly like her own”. However, other characters seem to have inflated self-regard, which causes the other characters to behave differently to them, Lydia shows no remorse for the disgrace and pain she put her family under “But you know married women have never much time for writing. May my sisters write to me. They will have nothing else to do.” In The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman deals with self-knowledge in a way that allows the reader to interpret it for themselves, is the narrator lacking self-knowledge or finally receiving it at the end of the novel?
In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen shows Elizabeth grow as a character, away from her intolerant attitude at the beginning of the novel, to her open-minded nature after she discovers the truth about Mr Darcy. Austen often conveys Elizabeth’s thoughts to the reader through the use of free indirect speech. Initially, Elizabeth thought of Darcy to be “having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance” however, as she gains a clearer understanding of his behaviour her prejudice turned to admiration of his behaviour “No; hatred has vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him”. Elizabeth’s progression as a character shows that she obtained a clearer understanding of not only her own identity but of others. However, Elizabeth has always been portrayed to have a strong sense of individuality when it comes to conventions, showing her sense of identity. When Mr Collins; her pompous, self-important
Explore the methods by which writers develop the theme of identity in the light of this statement.
In Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, there is a strong sense of identity in certain characters in the novel. Elizabeth has a high understanding of her own views and opinions, which often contrast with those around her “She had always felt that Charlotte’s opinion was not exactly like her own”. However, other characters seem to have inflated self-regard, which causes the other characters to behave differently to them, Lydia shows no remorse for the disgrace and pain she put her family under “But you know married women have never much time for writing. May my sisters write to me. They will have nothing else to do.” In The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman deals with self-knowledge in a way that allows the reader to interpret it for themselves, is the narrator lacking self-knowledge or finally receiving it at the end of the novel?
In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen shows Elizabeth grow as a character, away from her intolerant attitude at the beginning of the novel, to her open-minded nature after she discovers the truth about Mr Darcy. Austen often conveys Elizabeth’s thoughts to the reader through the use of free indirect speech. Initially, Elizabeth thought of Darcy to be “having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance” however, as she gains a clearer understanding of his behaviour her prejudice turned to admiration of his behaviour “No; hatred has vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him”. Elizabeth’s progression as a character shows that she obtained a clearer understanding of not only her own identity but of others. However, Elizabeth has always been portrayed to have a strong sense of individuality when it comes to conventions, showing her sense of identity. When Mr Collins; her pompous, self-important