Jane Austen was a moralist discuss from her novel Pride and Prejudice?

Answer 1

Jane Austen is not a moralist or preacher, Who like Aesop look upon the teaching as more important than the story element and modifies the latter according to the needs of former. In fact she has in a way , ridiculed mere direct moralizing through her delineation of the character of Mary, who is bookish arm-chair,philosopher and also of Mr.Collins whose letter of condolence is a dose of moral medicine.

But she has her own reflections on the problem arising out of social relationships which are deep down at the core of conception of this novel. The effects of bad upbringing on the family and particularly on children, The results of the marriage-seeking as in Lydia's case the gloomy side of a union that is not a marriage of two minds like that of Collins & Charlotte-- these and such other things are shown in such and impossible indirect way in the novel that we can say with Oliver Elton

" There is not such moralizing in her novel"

Her observation of inter_relations in Social life certainly made her conclude that it is the conflict and friction arising out of the anti-social qualities that work against social happiness and tranquility, jealousy, hatred, vanity, falsehood, shallowness are some such qualities. But at the root of social evil is the lack of conciseness in the individual that social good is always to be put before individuals opinions, desires and ambitions on the one hand and public values traditions and duty on the other. Charlotte, Collins and Lydia go to one extreme. Public or social position, fortune are more important to them than self-respect and individual values of life their suffering or fall arises out of this. Elizabeth and Darcy depend much more on individual judgment or values than on social view. Darcy behaves proudly because he feels himself superior to others. He considers himself as a person authorized to form a judgment on behalf of Bingley , And forces his opinion on him even though is proved to be an error of judgment in his treatment of Bingley or even Wickham. He is honest to himself but he thinks his judgment to be final. Elizabeth is an intelligent woman.

Darcy's pride hurts her own pride or self-respect and she is quite sure that her judgment is more reliable. Both Darcy and she has now made the proper concession to the social view, they are free from the changes of intellectual complexity and so in their union they are bound to be happy. They are seen in the end not merely in their individual happiness but also in relation to the society.

Jane had firm believe in organic unity of society. She maintained that social convention aught to be accepted the individual libido (personal view) be sub-ordinated to the social good. The Lydia-Wickham elopement is not a personal affair it destroys social harmony. But it is quite unlike a romantic affair that asserts itself in defiance all social consideration to be all Darcy And Elizabeth marry in spite of social pressure which in the novel is embodied in Lady Catherine. And whose intensity is hinted at by Mr Collins in one of his letter to Mr. Bennet. Its total subordination to social obligation would perhaps recommend a marriage between Darcy & Miss De Bough and choose to marry Elizabeth we might say that Jane did not consider this marriage too flagrant a violation of social coat.

Jane Austen is concerned with the growth of and individuals moral personality measured by the most exacting standards of eighteenth century values. Pope's dictum "Known thyself" underline the theme of each of her novels. The conclusions of Jane Austen's novels are always the achievements of self-respect and a principle mean of such an achievement is a league of perfect sympathy with another who is one's spiritual counterpart. Hence marriage is a major theme in Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen traces Elizabeth's Prejudice and her anguish recognition of her own blind prejudice before she is united with Darcy in marriage based on mutual respect love and understanding her moral concern though unobscqusive is ever present. She has also discuss the marriage of Lydia and wickham, Collins and Charlotte and of Mr and Mrs Bennet serves to show the faliure of these marriages in contrast with socially acceptable marriage of Darcy And Elizabeth. There is a sharp criticism over the irresponsibility of Mr and Mrs Bennet who fails to brought up their daughter in accordance with the social and moral norms of society.

So we can say that Jane Austen is a moralist in accordance with her own age as Walter Allen comments

" She is, with Doctor Johnson the most foresight moralist

writer in English"

Answer 2

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen explores themes of morality through the characters' behavior and decisions. Austen critiques societal norms and values by illustrating the consequences of moral failings such as pride, prejudice, and vanity. Through the journey of the characters, she ultimately emphasizes the importance of personal growth, self-awareness, and genuine relationships as essential components of a moral life.