《傲慢与偏见》的主题浅析1稿

《傲慢与偏见》的主题浅析

摘要：《傲慢与偏见》是简·奥斯汀的代表作。小说讲述了乡绅之女伊丽莎白·班内特的爱情故事。这部作品以日常生活为素材，生动地反映了18世纪末到19世纪初处于保守和闭塞状态下的英国乡镇生活和世态人情。

弗吉尼亚·伍尔夫女士称她是“最完美的艺术家。”奥斯汀关于婚姻、金钱和阶级的观点给了身处当代的我们深刻的启示。本文以小说的创作背景和几段婚姻故事为切入点对她的作品《傲慢与偏见》的主题作简要分析，从而对这篇小说做出简要评价。

关键词：简·奥斯汀；傲慢与偏见；英国文学；婚姻

Analysis of "Pride and Prejudice" theme

Abstract

"Pride and Prejudice" is Jane Austen 's masterpiece. This novel tells the squire's daughter Elizabeth Bennet's love story. This work in daily life for material, vividly reflects the end of the 18th century to the early 19th century in a conservative and occlusion of the British town life and the world.

Virginia Woolf lady said she was "the most perfect artist." Austin ideas about marriage, money and class gave us profound enlightenment in contemporary. Based on the novel creation background and the few marriage story as the breakthrough point for her work the theme of "pride and prejudice" a brief analysis, and make a brief comment to this novel.

Key words: Jane Austen; Pride and prejudice. English literature; marriage

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Lu, Thank you so much for your carefulness .Your meticulous style has always been a role model in my work and study. You described the teachings, and your outside-the-box thinking gives me endless inspiration; Your tolerant attitude help me to quickly integrate into research.

Thanks to my roommates, it is you jointly maintain the brotherly feelings between each other, and keep the bedroom of the house of the harmony, thank you very much in the process of thesis writing put forward valuable opinion for me. Four years, idle away one's. Now go their own way, please take good care.

Thanks to my parents. Thank you all the way of my life since the care and support for me to study, your healthy and happy is always my biggest wish.

Contents

中文摘要…………………………………………………………………………….i

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………ii

Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………iii

I.The introduction of author………………………………………………..……….1

II..Novel creation background………………………………………………..……1

a.Time background………………………………………………..………... ……….1

b.People's views on marriage at the time…………………………………... ………1

c.The author's writing characteristics……………………………………….. …….2

III.The theme of the novel………………………………………………..………... 4

a.Concept of marriage.……………………………………………..………... …….4

b.Pride and prejudice……………………………………………..………... ………9

IV. Comment to this novel…………………………………………………….……10

Conclusion……………………………………………………….………..………..12

Reference……………………………………………………………………………13

I.The introduction of author

Jane Austen (1775-1817), was born on December 16, 1775, Steven township, a parish priest's family. Is the good family education, the main teaching material is father's literature books. Austin, a popular novel, love, mostly vulgar amusement products. Her girlhood paper is the parody of this kind of popular novels, thus has formed her works mocking tone. [1]

Her six novels , most of the daily life in the villages and towns on the middle class as subjects, through love marriage of contradiction conflict reflects the late 18th century, at the beginning of the 19th century British social style and features. Works through the comic scenes often taunt people stupid, selfish and snobbish and blind confidence contemptible ridiculous weakness.

Austin's novel appeared in the 19th century, a popular false romanticism trend, inheritance and development of the UK in the 18th century outstanding tradition of realism, for the climax of the 19th century realism fiction is prepared, like played an important role. [2]

Jane Austen is known as"status can be on par with Shakespeare's literary giant", "the most perfect female artist", Britain's most popular writer.

II..Novel creation background

a.Time background

During the 16th to the 18th century, Britain's political, economic, cultural, religious, great changes have taken place in all aspects, such as started from traditional agricultural society to modern industrial society transformation process. Social structure and social ideas, the more obvious changes have taken place in the people's values, the spouse-selection view with corresponding changes, which directly or indirectly affect the marriage and family. [3]

Whether in what requirement, choose a spouse standard, whether the property distribution, or the attitude toward marriage and family, in early modern England, the family of the unique style, embodies the old and the new culture in this period of conflict and collision, embodies the ideas of changes during the period of social transformation and communion, such a change in the future development trend of marriage and family, and the process will produce certain effect on the future of the society as a whole. [4]

b.People's views on marriage at the time

In the 16th century, William Buckins deem that people choose a spouse standard can be divided into "necessary" terms and conditions. The former have done for the church and state to effective marriage norms; The latter is to form the conditions attached to a good marriage, such as age, social status, economic condition, reputation, religion, etc, difference and love each other.What do the decades from the late 16th century to the early 17th century, the "limited core patriarchal family" (restricted patriarchal nuclear family) began to dominate in England Society. Although say to the realization of the interests of the family, this kind of moral preaching is not fully implemented, but this period the British people will pay attention to emotional factors in marriage. The choice of parents for their children 's marriage object still have considerable control power, but the children of parents decided to have a veto. [5] And lasted until The early 17th century to The 18th century. By the 18th century, mate choice decisions has been relegated to the parties to a marriage. And then the young when mating, economic and social factors began to give way to personal emotional factors.

In modern British society, the arrangement of the marriage is often have parents, or at the time of mating parents influence played a decisive role. And in the aristocratic society, parents control children, in women than in men of the parties in the marriage of the parties in a marriage is more common.[6] On the choice of marriage obviously they despise the rabble businessmen and because in this period of time, the British pop is the dowry system makes marriage is not in the middle of the aristocracy, in order to meet the psychological and physiological need of private individuals, but the institutional strategy in order to protect the family wealth forever.

In Jane Austen 's society, women generally except when old maid and tutor, then the only way out is to marry. Marry a rich posted a decent family, became a young lady to get and maintain a reliable ideal way of social and economic status. Especially in the "general property is not much, but breeding of young woman, is take marriage as the only one not the rain silk decent way out, no matter how numerous in the heart, happiness, get married is haven, they can accord the most prevention after they did not have food". Therefore, to win an ideal husband seems to be the young ladies in the novel the only aim in life, and to achieve this goal continuously in the fierce competition. c.The author's writing characteristics

Jane Austen, a 19th century British novelist, the world one of the most influential woman

writer in the history of literature, its most famous work is "pride and prejudice" and "sense and sensibility", to is famous for its meticulous observation and lively and interesting words. Respectable people in Britain at the time of the country is Austin marriage important matters all the six novels, as well as the scope of her early project. She is concerned about most is the heroine - often is no abundance respectable people him fair maiden - marriage. I think this is a very narrow literary viewpoints. But that's exactly what Austin and stay for the rest of my life. There is no doubt that Austen was writing a little. According to her own said: "three or four families in the countryside village" is her "handy good material." She also compares their art to the "two inches ivory" "drawing" very carefully. This is Austin in art conscious choice. When someone suggested she change way to write this to write that on creation, she declined, insisted: "no, I have to keep their own style, writing in his own way."

Jane Austin using the style of ironic humor vivid tells the story of the end of the 18th century in the early 19th century British rural life. [7]She by woman's unique meticulous observation, truly describe the world around her small, especially among ladies of marriage and love. From the end of the 18th century to the early 19th century, vulgar boring "sentimental novels" and "gothic novel" are full of English literature, and Austin's novel iconoclastic, an unusual plan to show the at that time has not been impacted by the capitalist industrial revolution of the English countryside middle class daily life and rural scenery. Although in the war, but made no mention of war. But the attention to the country's young people's marriage problems. Appears to be family matters, but it is these things reflect the huge social problems. Elizabeth for freedom pursuit of a happy marriage, for ignoring class difference, which perfectly reflect the fight against the feudal system of the rising bourgeoisie. Rebellious, smart, brave Elizabeth that left a deep impression on people, at the same time the image is one of the classic image of art in the history of English literature.

Though the era of Austin has gone from us, but the desire of the people to pursue good love and marriage has never been "fever", instead, more and more intense, more show outstanding.Even in our modern life, of all the situation is still in "pride and prejudice" can be seen everywhere, said it was love marriage in modern society also in for a miniature, article people think and do always can give us enlightenment.

Outlook on life, the values of the choice of different inevitably lead to different results, but no matter how choice, as long as both sides can feel happiness, we believe that: the love is perfect,

marriage is a success. According to authoritative survey, in British society, has the largest influence on people love marriage if cadres in literary works, pride and prejudice has always ranked the first. "Pride and prejudice" shows us all its different love and marriage, will also have to let us think about some questions like this: what kind of marriage is what we want? What is suitable for their own marriage? As Socrates once said: to marry, no matter what you do, you will regret it. The economic factors should as a measure of marriage? Jane Austen also given in the article throughout her back answer, namely: the only based on the entities of true love feeling of marriage can only be happy for a long time, the marriage based on money and lust are ultimately won't get blessing, not happy; At the same time, the recognition and social property will position will play a guiding role in the marriage, but should never simply get married for money and possessions.

III.The theme of the novel

a.Concept of marriage

"Pride and prejudice" clearly reflects the author himself is different from the social mainstream concept of marriage. In the author's opinion, such as charlotte and Collins, take marriage is completely based on the economy; And like Leah di and Wickham purely because of beauty and passion together, even the unmarried cohabitation, are immoral. But like Bennett, lady wanted to marry her daughter to fame and fortune man is extremely low. In the novel the author expressed her point of view, such as the actress said: "no love never marry." Her criticism of the cynical money marriage, but she doesn't separate the money and love, and show money in establishing stability plays a very important role in marriage.

Elizabeth is the author attempts to depict women pursue independent personality and marriage independent representative of power, her morality, wisdom and courage, her prejudice against Darcy, is mainly comes from the awareness of their advantages and strong personal pride, and Elizabeth is able to examine their own inner world, have the courage to the actual situation of the changing. Ended up with their own reason to win their own true love.

"Pride and prejudice" is the first sentence has declared: "all bachelors with property, must need to marry a wife, and it has become a universally acknowledged truth." "Pride and prejudice" with Bennett is a typical to test the truth universally acknowledged. People often think in general

Austin specifically about love and marriage, she writes marriage first and main question is, in fact, not as a result of the love marriage, but as the economy needs to marriage. This marriage, apparently does not involve feelings, is a purely economic issues, survival problem. Therefore, we can say that, contrary to the author's claim, the so-called "bachelor with property need of a wife" is not what "universally acknowledged" of "truth", but only wishful thinking of Mrs. Bennet. We might say, in pride and prejudice, the real "truth universally acknowledged", not "bachelor with property need of a wife". But "no property of women need to marry a husband with property"! The author through the characters in the novel also expressed his views on marriage.

First of all, the author clearly defined the foundation of marriage is love. In the book the heroine Elizabeth was born of a small landlord family, for the rich kids love Darcy. Darcy regardless of family and wealth gap, proposed to her but was rejected. Elizabeth on his misunderstanding and prejudice is a reason, but the main is she hates his arrogance. Because of this kind of Darcy arrogance is actually the reflection of status differences, as long as there is this kind of arrogant, he and Elizabeth is impossible to have common thoughts and feelings, it is impossible to have the ideal marriage. Elizabeth have observed after Darcy's communicating and a series of actions, especially to see him that conceited attitude changed in the past, eliminate the misunderstanding and prejudice to him, thus concluded the happy marriage with him. Elizabeth to Darcy has proposed several different attitude, actually reflect the woman's pursuit of independent personality and equal rights. This is the characters of Elizabeth progressive significance. Elizabeth resourcefulness, have courage, visionary, have very strong self-respect, and be good at thinking. When miss a expresses, this is valuable. It is because of this quality, just make her in love have independent initiative, and led to her and the Darcy composition content family. In pride and prejudice, Austen wrote Elizabeth's sisters and his girlfriend's marriage, these are foil in some extent, used with the heroine of ideal marriage. Such as charlotte and Collins although after marriage live a comfortable material life, but there is no love between them, this marriage is actually hide under the gorgeous coat social tragedy. According to Austin, unfortunate marriage to roughly two situations: one like charlotte and Collins, completely based on the economy; Two like Lydia and Wickham based purely on the basis of beauty and passion. Charlotte was a union woman, because no property in the home, people grow not beautiful, it is still a "old maid" until the age of 27. So she agreed to marry stupid Collins,

just to have a "home", there is a can make sure she is not cold is "safe" by hunger, after marriage, don't taste any happiness, she also doesn't matter. In part this reflects the tragic fate of women. Lydia was a frivolous woman, because of desire for beauty and passion, elopement with Wickham after deliver, Darcy going marry two talents, but shortly after marriage "light love chi", the man often go to the town, the woman sought solace in the sister at home. Contrary to charlotte and Lydia, Elizabeth and Darcy, Jane 's marriage is established on the basis of love, this is really a good marriage. Admittedly, Elizabeth and Darcy, Jane and Bingley, they does not rule out the combination of economic and looks considerations, but they pay more attention to the other side of the beauty of virtue, and marriage, although still exist certain differences in family, husband and wife can love. What was love, especially Elizabeth, she to Darcy first refused to accept, this fully shows that: "no love can never marry."

Secondly, the author thinks that, since the love marriage is related to the event of a lifetime of happiness, it must be serious careful, must not let surface covered her eyes. Because the neglect by Darcy, Elizabeth had a prejudice to him, and when the "personable" Wickham to woo her, she was attracted to Darcy again, to listen to his shameless slander, further deepened her prejudice against Darcy and hate. Then she said self-accusation, so she will do such a stupid thing, completely is vanity. Proved: "first impression" is unreliable, and prejudice more terrible than ignorance.

In addition, the author shows us that the love marriage is not only a personal problem, but also a social problem, Lydia 's elopement caused panic, the whole family and all the friends and relatives because everyone knows that if the scandal caused a scandal, while not only harm to Lydia, also will bring trouble relatives and friends, especially her sisters, will thus it is difficult to find a decent home. Later, thanks to Darcy save, Lydia didn't "short pleasure, long lament. By contrast, Elizabeth and Jane satisfactory after marriage, natural to two other sister brought hope and opportunity. This tells people: "consider our marriage, not only, but also responsible to family and friends, responsible to the society.

Money in pride and prejudice is everywhere, even in Elizabeth and Darcy's love is not mixed with a little money. To outsiders, like Elizabeth picked up a gold ingot, like Mrs Bennett shouted: "has an income of ten thousand pounds a year, and maybe more! Broadly to treat general!" Prior to Mr. Darcy's discontent and anger, have already thrown outside the cloud nine. The marriage of her second daughter, his support for, if can, I'm afraid the lovely lady even your feet will be lifted up.

However, Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage is above described several other marriage, because two people not only be virtuous, and is truly in love.

"Pride and prejudice" did not write historical events, but every word throughout not to reveal the history of society. Austin in the novel through the five Bennet daughters treated for different treatment, shown township middle-class family background of the different attitudes of the young girl to marriage love problem, and thus reflects the author's own view of marriage: marriage for property, money and status is wrong; The marriage does not consider the above factors also stupid. Therefore, she opposes for money and marriage, also opposes the marriage lightly. She stressed the importance of ideal marriage, and the feelings of both men and women as concluded the cornerstone of ideal marriage.

Marriage can't be in a vacuum, people always want to survive in their social material conditions, people in addition to consider when mating relationship there will be other complicated standards, type, content with group of points, mating system also tend to be similar "marriage". This period of England is also a highly stratified society, such as stone is considered modern English is a social group have different status and level of: palace noble squire, county squire, parish, businessmen, and professional elite, small towns and villages in the property owners, efforts to earn time, rely on the poor relief and their ability to survive. They have their own cultural units, have their own communication network, value system and behavior. (Lawrence Stone., The Family Sax and Marriage in England, 1500-1800, Penguin Books, 1979, P22-23) so, of course they have different standards.

According to the differences in standards, Lawrence Stone at that time the British marriage motivation can be divided into four categories: in order to consolidate the family's economic, political or social status; In order to personal feelings, love and friendship; Sexual attraction; Passionate love.[8] The author USES three marriage show three level, people's mating motive decided to people's criteria. In "pride and prejudice", the author creates several kinds of marriage, most can find the type of fit.

1. Lydia and job's marriage: blindly pursue the passion of pleasure

The marriage is the least promising. As mentioned above, is Lydia Bennet daughter, dissipated and behavior. Job is the son of man, his charming appearance, the essence is a playboy. He pursuit of Elizabeth, Darcy, but also owed a gambling debt. Because of desire for beauty and

money Lydia elopement with Wickham, after Darcy to deliver two talents grudgingly married. It is difficult to have true love between two people, if any, also can be "love of sensual" blind passion. Austin to such critical marriage, this marriage on the basis of sex is a lack of basic, so is doomed to failure.

2. Charlotte and Collins's marriage: compromise to reality

In "pride and prejudice", the paper expounds the choice of marriage for money, one of the most typical example is the combination of pastor Collins and charlotte.

Charlotte Collins choice for his wife, apparently not because of falling in love with her, when he proposed to Elizabeth explains his reason to get married: "first of all, I think every life well-off priest (like me), and rightly to set an example for the parish in the marriage; second, I believe will greatly increase my happiness; third, it may be mentioned earlier, I had the privilege of the lady as benefactors of special advise told me to get married."[9] Thus to Elizabeth refused to marry him immediately after the object as charlotte will get married. He didn't care who is the object of marriage, he married just to finish his DE she worshiped by the layout of a task.

Collins also don't know how to love and marriage. He looks clumsy ridiculous, lack of manhood and conceit. Smart charlotte, of course, know that he is a man, but she still choose to marry him, because this kind of marriage is the most favorable safe woman, to ensure not freezing by hunger, also need not worry about her husband will change, will put in a secondary position for a happy marriage. Charlotte isn't also put him in mind, it seems that as long as he does not exist, there is really a comfortable atmosphere. This is charlotte and Collins's marriage, to maintain the marriage apparently is money.[10] This is a "noble sentiment, has sacrificed everything to condescend secular interests" of the unfortunate marriage, there is no happiness warm feeling between two people, only a dull and boring life. But I think, in the modern perspective, charlotte make such choice, from the reality of the helpless, and we can also understand charlotte make such a choice.

3. The marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy: after, the perfect combination of emotion and reason Facts have proven that first impression is not reliable, and prejudice more terrible than ignorance. Elizabeth, beautiful, young, smart and lively, is miss Bennet most personality. Her at a ball was snuffed by the Darcy and prejudice to him, coupled with the job of Darcy's malicious attacks, this bias gradually deepened. Decent Darcy, who, ancestry, and rich, and is arrogant. He

found that different, Elizabeth soon attracted to her, but to see her mother and sister speak vulgar, lack of education, relatives are humble family, don't want to stoop and slum. But then unable to suppress the love, is bold to marry him. But when Elizabeth has prejudice against Darcy is retracted, flatly refuse to marry him. After several twists and turns, and finally eliminate misunderstanding, happily together. They does not rule out the combination of economic and looks considerations, but pay more attention to each other the quality of virtue, and although there are the differences of family after marriage, but emotions so well. Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage is the most successful in "pride and prejudice".

b. Pride and prejudice

This subject is from the third chapter of Elizabeth and Darcy's party meet began to roll. Darcy's arrogance is formed from their social status and intelligence superior sense of superiority; Elizabeth's prejudice because of the neglect by Darcy and defiance of Darcy, the behavior of others. Story mainly her dislike of Mr Darcy from the beginning to respect, to love, also with the beside her in a couple of happiness or a bad marriage, reveals the authors for the age woman ideal of life and love and expectations. Story of the heroine Elizabeth first saw the hero Darcy is not pleasing to the eye, plus male leading role the arrogance of individual character, which in turn have a prejudice against him. And the hero Darcy, is a popular arrogant man, also disdain surrounding cold relationships, for him, pride may be justified, prejudice is relentless, the impact of the two is inevitable. Between two people and often hostile rhetoric, pride and prejudice between each other are caused at the start of the unpleasant and misunderstandings, but after the events of clarification, will come a little bit of each other and feelings.

Darcy represents "arrogant", representing the "prejudice", [11]Elizabeth they initially traction by their emotions. Then a series of rumors against Darcy more offensive to Elizabeth to Darcy. When Darcy proposed to Elizabeth, but was refused, he said: "if I play some means, to get my inner contradictions disguised, compliment you blindly, make you believe me, no matter in the understanding, thinking and other aspects, were pregnant with unconditional pure love for you, then maybe you won't have these harsh scolding. But whatever disguise, I hate." Not to curry favor with the queen Elizabeth Darcy, and changed his arrogance temperament. Elizabeth is very true to yourself, each other are not deliberately to create the impression, show the most real side. But in the beginning, Elizabeth lived under their own prejudices, rather than thinking about the

truth of the matter, through the explanation of Darcy's and their own judgment, finally find happiness.

The reader can see, in fact, in the contradiction between Elizabeth and Darcy incompatible at the same time, two people there are very similar: namely has keen insight, strong and independent personality, their insight and command are higher than others in the same. [12]It is because of their quality, makes two people notice the power of the other party, timely find the weaknesses in their body, and brave, resolutely rectified, the arrogance of the arrogance, biased to dispel the prejudice, and finally come together happily.

However, I am going to emphasize that this theme (pride and prejudice) can also be viewed as the above first theme (Concept of marriage). Pride and prejudice, is our common weakness. Each person actually are easy to be driven by their own subjective impression, and therefore easy to incorrect comment on other people, thus caused the misunderstanding between each other. A man give first impression is can affect many things, but not must not change, want to have a more in-depth understanding, in order to have a more objective point argument, just like the heroine of the story of Darcy's view, is because understanding just change. The life needs understanding and communication, only on the basis of understand each other to see the truth of the matter. [13]So a novel borrows the concept of "pride and prejudice" to further explain the authors view on marriage, which reflects the Austin world outlook and outlook on life.

IV. Comment to this novel

"Pride and prejudice" artistic achievements have been recognized, but it is generally accepted that the work does not touch on the human spirit of the deep. If the character's development as a process of self awareness, especially to find the dynamic process of self analysis, can make the reader more clearly recognize the Austin anatomy of the human spirit is serious and profound.[14]

"Pride and prejudice" is one of the most famous novels of Austin, but for a long time did not cause the attention of literary world. Early evaluation generally think this work is only for simple and true portrayal of everyday life, failed to hit a deep emotional, Austin, its advantage is that only in the aspect of characters is unique. During the late 19th century, the critics began to notice the key components of Austin art gimmick, namely her attitude to shape characters of irony, and praised her profound analysis the content of the work force and judgment. In the 20th century,

Austin's satirical view has been the subject of critics, in their view, Austin is not only a good description, but is a keen-eyed art critics. Early in the 20th century, Austin's satirical view is considered to be mild, namely, although her extreme to society and heresy critics point of view, but she live in the world, especially its true to her values and principles is basically for sure. Since the 70 s, the comment on Austin "pride and prejudice" and more emphasis on language and literature value and the Austin works sweet irony art characteristics.

The analysis of the characters in "pride and prejudice" shows that at the level of the self-understanding, Austin through its ironic view reveals a fundamental weakness of human nature, namely the tendency of opportunism, or based on the interests of the individual choice. This clearly shows that Austin artistic value is serious. Through the description of the dynamic process that characters, we can see that the fundamental key of Austin's view of the world, that is, the moral concept of error is the important cause leading to the social contradictions and problems. Pride, prejudice, in the wrong morality under the domination of people don't want to get to know the real personality consciously, thus mistake to hurt others and yourself. [15]But "pride and prejudice" is not simply stay in error is put forward on the issue of ethics, but more important is to seek how to solve it, the whole works is about how the characters through a discovery of a new self to overcome the error of the morality of an account. Thus this work is to the human spirit through a serious and profound discussion.

Characters through self-discovery, finally overcome the pride and prejudice, this suggests that Austen 's society, namely through their works, Austin is not to deny the positive side of human nature, more not anti-social, but want people on imperfect nature must be perfect, eventually make the positive side of human nature to get promoted. It should say "pride and prejudice" happy endings more reasonable explanation, that this result is the important of Austin's society. That is to say, Austin is an idealist.