Pride and Prejudice Themes and Literary Devices

Pride and Prejudice Themes and Literary Devices Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a classic comedy of manners that satirizes 18th-century society and, particularly, the expectations placed on women of the era. The novel, which follows the romantic entanglements of the Bennet sisters, includes themes of love, class, and, as one might guess, pride and prejudice. These are all covered with Austen’s signature wit, including the literary device of free indirect discourse that permits a particular style of in-depth, sometimes satirical narration. Love and Marriage As one might expect from a romantic comedy, love (and marriage) is a central theme to Pride and Prejudice. In particular, the novel focuses on the different ways love may grow or disappear, and whether or not society has room for romantic love and marriage to go together. We see love at first sight (Jane and Bingley), love that grows (Elizabeth and Darcy), and infatuation that fades (Lydia and Wickham) or has faded (Mr. and Mrs. Bennet). Throughout the story, it becomes apparent that the novel is arguing that love based on genuine compatibility is the ideal. Marriages of convenience are presented in a negative light: Charlotte marries the obnoxious Mr. Collins out of economic pragmatism and admits as much, while Lady Catherine’s imperious attempts at forcing her nephew Darcy to marry her daughter to consolidate estates are presented as outdated, unfair, and, ultimately, an unsuccessful power grab. Like several of Austen’s novels, Pride and Prejudice also cautions against infatuation with overly charming people. Wickham’s smooth manner easily charms Elizabeth, but he turns out to be deceitful and selfish and not a good romantic prospect for her. Real love is found in compatibility of character: Jane and Bingley are well-suited because of their absolute kindness, and Elizabeth and Darcy come to realize that both are strong-willed but kind and intelligent. Ultimately, the novel is a strong recommendation of love as a basis for marriage, something that was not always the case in its era. The Cost of Pride The title makes it pretty clear that pride is going to be an important theme, but the message is more nuanced than just the concept itself. Pride is presented as perfectly reasonable to some degree, but when it gets out of hand, it gets in the way of the characters’ happiness. Thus, the novel suggests that an excess of pride is costly. As Mary Bennet says in one of her memorable quotes, Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.  In Pride and Prejudice, there are plenty of prideful characters, mostly among the wealthy. Pride in social position is the most common failing: Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine both believe themselves superior because of their money and social privilege; they also are vain because they are obsessed with maintaining this image. Darcy, on the other hand, is intensely proud but not vain: he does initially place too high a value on social station, but he is so proud and secure in that pride that he doesn’t bother with even basic social niceties. This pride costs him Elizabeth at first, and it is not until he learns to temper his pride with compassion that he becomes a worthy partner. Prejudice In Pride and Prejudice, â€Å"prejudice† is not as socially charged as it is in contemporary usage. Here, the theme is more about preconceived notions and snap judgments rather than race- or gender-based biases. Prejudice is a flaw of several characters, but first and foremost it is the main flaw of our protagonist Elizabeth. She prides herself on her ability to judge character, but her observations also lead her to form bias very quickly and deeply. The most obvious example of this is her immediate prejudice against Mr. Darcy because of his dismissal of her at the ball. Because she’s already formed this opinion, she is predisposed to believe Wickham’s tales of woe without stopping to think twice. This prejudice leads her to judge him unfairly and to reject him based on partially inaccurate information. Elizabeth and Darcys relationship embodies many of the themes of Pride and Prejudice (Photo credit: Focus Features). Prejudice is not necessarily a bad thing, the novel seems to say, but like pride, it is only good so long as it is reasonable. For instance, Jane’s total lack of bias and over-willingness to â€Å"think well of everyone,† as Elizabeth puts it, is detrimental to her happiness, as it blinds her to the Bingley sisters’ true natures until it’s almost too late. Even Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy is not entirely unfounded: he is, in fact, proud and thinks himself above many of the people around them, and he does act to separate Jane and Bingley. In general, prejudice of the common sense variety is a useful tool, but unchecked prejudice leads to unhappiness. Social Status In general, Austen’s novels tend to focus on gentry- that is, non-titled people with some land holdings, although of varying financial statuses. The gradations between the rich gentry (like Darcy and Bingley) and those who aren’t so well off, like the Bennets, become a way to distinguish sub-strata within the gentry. Austens depictions of hereditary nobility are often a little satirical. Here, for instance, we have Lady Catherine, who at first seems powerful and intimidating. When it really comes down to it (that is, when she tries to stop the match between Elizabeth and Darcy), she is utterly powerless to do anything except yell and sound ridiculous. Although Austen does indicate that love is the most important thing in a match, she also does match up her characters with socially â€Å"appropriate† matches: the successful matches are all within their same social class, even if not of equal finances. When Lady Catherine insults Elizabeth and claims that she would be an unsuitable wife for Darcy, Elizabeth calmly replies, â€Å"He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter. So far, we are equal.† Austen does not upend the social order in any radical way, but rather gently mocks people who obsess too much about social and financial status. Free Indirect Discourse One of the most important literary devices a reader will encounter in a Jane Austen novel is free indirect discourse. This technique is used to slide into a character’s mind and/or emotions without stepping away from third-person narration. Instead of adding a tag such as â€Å"he thought† or â€Å"she supposed,† the narrator relays a character’s thoughts and feelings as if they themselves were speaking, but without breaking from the third-person perspective. For instance, when Bingley and his party first arrive at Meryton and meet the people gathered there, Austen uses free indirect discourse to put readers directly in Bingley’s head: â€Å"Bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in his life; every body had been most kind and attentive to him, there had been no formality, no stiffness, he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and as to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful.† These are not statements of fact so much as they are a relay of Bingley’s thoughts; one could easily replace â€Å"Bingley† and â€Å"he/his/him† with â€Å"I† and â€Å"me† and have a perfectly sensible first-person narration from Bingley’s perspective. This technique is a hallmark of Austen’s writing and is useful in several ways. First and foremost, it’s a sophisticated way of integrating a character’s inner thoughts into third-person narration. It also offers an alternative to constant direct quotations and tags like â€Å"he said† and â€Å"she thought.† Free indirect discourse allows the narrator to convey both the content of a character’s thoughts and the tone, by using language that resembles the words the characters themselves would choose. As such, it’s a crucial literary device in Austen’s satirical approach to country society.

The Battle of Germantown in the American Revolution

The Battle of Germantown in the American Revolution The Battle of Germantown took place during the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign of the American Revolution (1775-1783). Fought less than a month after the British victory at the Battle of the Brandywine (September 11), the Battle of Germantown took place on October 4, 1777, outside the city of Philadelphia. Armies Commanders Americans General George Washington11,000 men British General Sir William Howe9,000 men The Philadelphia Campaign In the spring of 1777, Major General John Burgoyne set forth a plan for defeating the Americans. Convinced that New England was the heart of the rebellion, he intended to cut the region off from the other colonies by advancing down the Lake Champlain-Hudson River corridor while a second force, led by Colonel Barry St. Leger, moved east from Lake Ontario and down the Mohawk River. Meeting at Albany, Burgoyne and St. Leger would press down the Hudson towards New York City. It was his hope that General Sir William Howe, the British commander-in-chief in North America, would move up the river to aid his advance. Though given approval by Colonial Secretary Lord George Germain, Howes role in the scheme was never clearly defined and issues of his seniority precluded Burgoyne from issuing him orders. While Germain had given his consent for Burgoynes operation, he had also approved a plan submitted by Howe which called for the capture of the American capital at Philadelphia. Giving his own operation preference, Howe commenced preparations for striking southwest.   Ruling out marching overland, he coordinated with the Royal Navy and made plans to move against Philadelphia by sea. Leaving a small force under Major General Henry Clinton at New York, he embarked 13,000 men on transports and sailed south. Entering the Chesapeake Bay, the fleet sailed north and the army came ashore at Head of Elk, MD on August 25, 1777. In position with 8,000 Continentals and 3,000 militia to defend the capital, American commander General George Washington dispatched units to track and harass Howes army. After initial skirmishing at Coochs Bridge near Newark, DE on September 3, Washington formed a defensive line behind the Brandywine River. Moving against the Americans, Howe opened the the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. As the fighting progressed, he employed similar flanking tactics to those used at Long Island the previous year and was able to drive the Americans from the field. Following their victory at Brandywine, British forces under Howe captured the colonial capital of Philadelphia. Unable to prevent this, Washington moved the Continental Army to a position along Perkiomen Creek between Pennypackers Mills and Trappe, PA, approximately 30 miles northwest of the city. Concerned about the American army, Howe left a garrison of 3,000 men in Philadelphia and moved with 9,000 to Germantown. Five miles from the city, Germantown provided the British with a position to block the approaches to the city. Washingtons Plan Alerted to Howes movement, Washington saw an opportunity to strike a blow against the British while he had numerical superiority. Meeting with his officers, Washington developed a complicated attack plan which called for four columns to hit the British simultaneously. If the assault proceeded as planned, it would lead to the British being caught in a double envelopment. At Germantown, Howe formed his main defensive line along the Schoolhouse and Church Lanes with Hessian Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen commanding the left and Major General James Grant leading the right. On the evening of October 3, Washingtons four columns moved out. The plan called for Major General Nathanael Greene to lead a strong column against the British right, while Washington led a force down the main Germantown Road. These attacks were to be supported by columns of militia which were to strike the British flanks. All of the American forces were to be in position â€Å"precisely at 5 o’clock with charged bayonets and without firing.† As at Trenton the previous December, it was Washingtons goal to take the British by surprise. Problems Arise Marching through the darkness, communications quickly broke down between the American columns and two were behind schedule. In the center, Washingtons men arrived as scheduled, but hesitated as there was no word from the other columns. This was largely due to the fact that Greenes men and the militia, led by General William Smallwood, had become lost in the darkness and heavy morning fog. Believing that Greene was in position, Washington ordered the attack to commence. Led by Major General John Sullivans division, Washingtons men moved to engage British pickets in the hamlet of Mount Airy. American Advance In heavy fighting, Sullivans men forced the British to retreat back towards Germantown. Falling back, six companies (120 men) of the 40th Foot, under Colonel Thomas Musgrave, fortified the stone home of Benjamin Chew, Cliveden, and prepared to make a stand. Fully deploying his men, with Sullivans division on the right and Brigadier General Anthony Waynes on the left, Washington bypassed Cliveden and pushed on through the fog towards Germantown. Around this time, the militia column assigned to attack the British left arrived and briefly engaged von Knyphausens men before withdrawing. Reaching the Cliveden with his staff, Washington was convinced by Brigadier General Henry Knox that such a strongpoint could not be left in their rear. As a result, Brigadier General William Maxwells reserve brigade was brought up to storm the house. Supported by Knoxs artillery, Maxwells men made several futile assaults against Musgraves position. At the front, Sullivan and Waynes men were exerting heavy pressure on the British center when Greenes men finally arrived on the field. The British Recover After pushing British pickets out of Lukens Mill, Greene advanced with Major General Adam Stephens division on the right, his own division in the center, and Brigadier General Alexander McDougalls brigade on the left. Moving through the fog, Greenes men began to roll up the British right. In the fog, and perhaps because he was intoxicated, Stephen and his men erred and veered right, encountering Waynes flank and rear. Confused in the fog, and thinking that they had found the British, Stephens men opened fire. Waynes men, who were in the midst of an attack, turned and returned fire. Having been attacked from the rear and hearing the sound of Maxwells assault on Cliveden, Waynes men began to fall back believing they were about to be cut off. With Waynes men retreating, Sullivan was forced to withdraw as well. Along with Greenes line of advance, his men were making good progress but soon became unsupported as McDougalls men wandered away to the left. This opened Greenes flank to attacks from the Queens Rangers. Despite this, the 9th Virginia managed to make it to Market Square in the center of Germantown. Hearing the cheers of the Virginians through the fog, the British quickly counterattacked and captured most of the regiment. This success, coupled with the arrival of reinforcements from Philadelphia led by Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis led to a general counterattack all along the line. Learning that Sullivan had retreated, Greene ordered his men to disengage retreat ending the battle. The Aftermath of the Battle The defeat at Germantown cost Washington 1,073 killed, wounded, and captured. British losses were lighter and numbered 521 killed and wounded. The loss ended American hopes of recapturing Philadelphia and forced Washington to fall back and regroup. In the wake of the Philadelphia Campaign, Washington and the army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge. Though beaten at Germantown, American fortunes changed later that month with the key victory at the Battle of Saratoga when Burgoynes thrust south was defeated and his army captured.

Criteria for Causality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Criteria for Causality - Essay Example The media often concludes a causal relationship among correlated observances when causality was not even considered by the study itself. Without clear reasons to accept causality, we should only accept correlation.† A spurious relationship is a mathematical tool which is used to establish that whether two events in correlation have some sort of causal connection or not. Spuriousness is a property of highly misleading correlations that may appear to be causation. Hence, when a correlation has no spurious relationship, it is a highly possible causation. Hence, nonspuriousness becomes an essential criterion in examining the correlated events and establishing causality. (Pearl, 2000; Verma and Pearl, 1990) Timing of different events is important since time sequencing of actions and events can determine causation. By measuring time, we can determine when an action took place and when another action or event occurred in correlation or consequence to it. Hence, time order is also an important tool to inspect causality. Johnson and Bhattacharya (2009, p. 505) point out that in business and economics, â€Å"observations are collected in a time sequence with the intention of using regression techniques to predict future trend. In many other experiments, trials are conducted successively in time.† And in any event, a plot of the residuals versus time order can detect a contravention of the postulation of independence among related actions and/or events. Hence, time order emerges as a criterion of causality. In the above statement, the event of active or passive smoking precedes the event of respiratory illness due to nicotine. The event of respiratory illness due to nicotine does not take place without active or passive smoking. Respiratory illness due to nicotine (even of negligible magnitude) takes place whenever active or passive smoking takes place. Causes are time and again differentiated into two major categories: (1) Necessary and

Editorial, any topic about the news in San Fransisco Bay Area Essay

Editorial, any topic about the news in San Fransisco Bay Area communications - Essay Example In a recent article, â€Å"Town of Clearlake Takes Center Stage In Emotional Battle Over Medicinal Marijuana Cultivation Ban†, by Joe Vazquez, patients within Clearlake believe that by the state government banning cultivation of the plant the lives of various patients are put at a risk considering the medicinal benefits of Marijuana. The citizens have proceeded to file a suit that would stop illegalizing the cultivation of the plant. According to Vazquez, one of the citizens, Jeri Spittler believes that Marijuana has been very helpful in managing her husband who has cancer. According to her, her husband’s loss of senses of smell and tastes has been well covered by marijuana extracted oil, which she feeds her husband with smoothies to make him aware that time to eat has come. She thus believes that banning of the drug bars her husband from this benefit. I agree with Spittler’s take on this issue due to my own experience with my grandmother who was suffering from cancer. She used to suffer a lot and had to endure unending spasms of pain all through the day regardless of receiving medication that would ease her suffering. Besides, the more the effective the pain medication is, the more expensive it is, an aspect that hindered her from getting adequate pain management medication. However, after a friend suggested the use of marijuana as a pain reliever, she started drinking the marijuana syrup and exhibited a great improvement with reduced pain especially during the night allowing her to rest. In addition, her appetite improved and she could consume enough nutrients to meet her bodily requirements. With this, she was able to live long beyond the time that had been predicted by the doctors. The National Cancer Institute posits that cannabis has various benefits to cancer patients including appetite stimulation, antiemetic effect s, improved sleep, and pain relief

Food Wasted Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Food Wasted - Research Paper Example These figures are extremely significant when one would consider the fact that millions of people all over the world, including some Americans are currently facing starvation or poverty. As per the 2009 statistics from America, 14.3 percent of all persons lived in poverty (Poverty in the United States). â€Å"How can 50 million people face hunger in a country that wastes billions of pounds of food?†(Feeding America). This paper analyses the reasons and consequences of poverty and food wastage in America. According to Usborne, â€Å"28 million people in the US will be using government food stamps to buy essential groceries in the fiscal year 2008, the highest level since the food assistance program was introduced in the 1960s†. United States is supposed to be the wealthiest countries in the world. Yet, it is surprising to know that 28 million people in America are facing some kind of poverty. It is an accepted fact that American food production is more than what they requ ired for the food needs. In fact America is exporting surplus food items to overseas countries. Yet, a substantial portion of the Americans are facing starvations. This happens mainly because of the problems in the management of food chain in America. â€Å"There is enough food to feed every man, woman and child in America. Hunger in America is not about supply, it is about redirecting the excess food that is lost each year to those who need it most† (Feeding America). Tons in millions of food items are wasting in American warehouses because of the problems in the supply chain. In fact the major reason for starvation is not lack of production, but inadequate supply of food. According to Bloom, 49 million food- insecure Americans were there in 2012. This happens mainly because of the food damage that taking place in between farm and fork. Dana Gunders (p.1) pointed out that 10 percent of the total U.S. energy budget, 50 percent of U.S land and 80 percent of all freshwater reso urces were utilized while food production take place in America. In her opinion, 40% of the total food production in America is getting wasted nowadays. Another argument put forward by Dana is that uneaten foods and the foods thrown away as waste are contributing heavily to the environmental problems in the form of solid waste accumulation. Solid wastes have the ability to generate toxic gases such as methane. In her opinion, reduction of food losses by 15 percent would be enough to feed more than 25 million starving Americans every year. It should be noted that the governments all over the world are spending too much to avoid environmental damage. The objective of these spending is to keep the environment fresh always to make life of animals, human and plants safer. It is a fact that plants are the only food producers in the world and no other thing in this world has the ability to produce food. Because of this awareness, governments are trying hard to fortify plant life in this wo rld. However, dumping of wasted food in agricultural lands is causing huge problems to the plants in the form of solid waste. It should be noted that solid wastes have the ability to produce toxic gases such as methane which is harmful to plant life. â€Å"When food is disposed in a landfill it rots and becomes a significant source of methane - a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Landfills are a major source of human-related methane

Irish Urban Regeneration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Irish Urban Regeneration - Essay Example 8). The evolution of the city saw and increase in urban expansion in the 20th Century, and the Irish economic boom led to an upsurge in the construction of private homes. Standardised housing was implemented in the 1960s, and these regulations included specifications for density, public space, services, etc. Ballymun's high rise towers were the result of experimentations at this time. However, "the classic pattern that has occurred again is that a development pattern has evolved of rapid creation of new residential communities without adequate infrastructure or facilities" (Williams and Shiels, 2001, p. 27). Previous plans to regenerate Dublin included the Integrated Area Plans (Kelly, 2005) and the Urban Renewal Act of 1986 (Suzanne, N. 2001) that came about as a result of the unwillingness of the private sector to enter many Dublin inner city neighbourhoods that had degenerated to dereliction. The government offered tax incentives to attract private business. This was successful in combating the decay of the Dublin cities, but those urban renewal schemes were only questionably effective in some cities. Because of the profit motive, architectural and design concerns were of little value to the investors. In addition, the economic benefits of the investment were mostly unavailable to the residents of those towns. This led to the newest Urban Regeneration Projects (2001). According to the Egan Review and other organisations, regeneration involves the search for long term restoration and renovation of neighbourhoods, improvement of transportation systems, and involves an outlook of encouraging social inclusion and economic stability. These objectives are to be realised concomitant with ones of sustainable use of natural resources, such as energy and water. These objectives have necessitated the support of sound local leadership as well as concurrence among local, regional, and national policies (Carley, et al., 2005). Brief History of Ballymun The Ballymun population stands at approximately 20,000 and 44.6% of these persons are unemployed. It has even been suggested by some authorities that the true unemployment figure might lie in or above the 60% mark. One third of the population is below the age of 14, and over a third of the households are run by a single parent, while the national average is 10%. The percentage of children who attain a school-leaving certificate is only 7% (Environmental Appraisal, p. 43). Before the Regeneration project, the city of Ballymun suffered from several structural, social, and economic problems. Many blocks of high-rise buildings were located in the city, and these were poorly constructed, having internal structural flaws as well as the disadvantage of being poor conservers of energy. This led to wide-scale removal by tenants, high levels of vacancies in apartment buildings, unemployment and drug problems. Voting turnout for local government elections has been as low as 15% (de Rossa, 1998). Social exclusion was also a significant problem in Ballymun that resulted from its spatially isolated location, as it was cut off because of poor links in transportation (Muir, 2003). Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. took up the challenge and with the help of other environmental agencies, constructed an energy and environmental strategy

Nursing theory application paper Parses Human Becoming Theory Essay

Nursing theory application paper Parses Human Becoming Theory - Essay Example The parent of bay AB was distraught of the news. The next couple of days were a time to observe the patients reacting from the different procedures to keep her alive. But the baby got worse and even developed subclinical seizures on continuous encephalagram and was decided to be placed under a pentabarb coma. After a week, physicians attending to the baby saw progress because of adjusted medicines and a more positive eeg results. The team of physicians attending to baby AB decided based on the positive results of the eeg and brought the baby out of the coma. During the patients rest towards recovery in the open heart unit, the neuro and airway status was continuously monitored. One realization during the case is that the patient’s family is another set of patients to be looked upon. Baby AB, given her sensitive and delicate case must be given all the necessary attention and care. The family must is taught of the feeding techniques through g-tube and how to monitor the signs of seizure and respiratory distress of baby AB. Fortunately the family has a very strong faith and believed in the approach if giving utmost importance to baby AB’s condition. Philosophical underpinnings of the human becoming theory Palliative care focuses on quality of life and the life of both the patient and his or her family. Given the sensitivity and serious condition of the patient, giving care to the patient does not only rely on the attending physicians and nurses on the case. But rather the medical team must also encourage support and assistance to the family who will be taking care of the patient and giving their 24 hours care for the patient. In relation with the case specified about, the theory under study that analyzes and is connected with this case is Parse's human becoming theory which focus on the humanly experiences of health that constitutes a process of becoming one with the universe and other entities in it. Parse's human becoming theory has its roots used as a nursing theory in the continental human science tradition. As a resolved theory that uses Parse's own experiences as a nurse, influence of Roger's conceptual system of nursing, and other tenets of existential phenomenology, the theory provides a theoretical system that explains how human beings is viewed as the expert and knowledgeable of his or her own health. The human becoming theory is an alternative theory that is presented by both conventional bio-medical approaches with biological, psychoanalytical, social and spiritual aspects. The theory focuses the personal quality of life as a goal in the nursing practice. The assumptions of this theory were synthesized from the works by European philosophers, Heidegger, Sarte and Marleau- Ponty together with American nurse theories influenced by Rogers.(Cody) Concepts and propositions of the theory The human becoming theory has three main themes or concepts. The first one is meaning. Meaning being the first principle of the theory relates that structuring multidimensional meanings is co- creating reality through the expression of value and image.(Parse, 1998) To simplify this concept, there is the principle that people participates in creating what is real for them through choices and self-expression of the values in their life and how they will implement the