Pride and Prejudice Discussion Questions

What is the symbolic significance of “the piano” in Pride and Prejudice?

In the novel, the piano serves to highlight the personalities of the player and the listeners. For instance, when Mary plays the piano at the ball at people’s request, she does so not for pleasure, but to show off. She does not play very well, and ends up embarrassing Elizabeth, who has to plead to Mr. Bennet to stop Mary from playing further.

When Elizabeth plays the piano, she plays for the pleasure and entertainment of others. She does not show off. Lady Catherine, in her pride, fails to see Elizabeth’s flair for playing the piano; she criticizes Elizabeth and even tells her that she needs more practice. Darcy, on the other hand, does not pay much heed to the technical aspects of her style; he appreciates what he sees as the intuitive grace and charm of Elizabeth’s style.

Describe Elizabeth’s character. How is she different from the rest of her family?

Most characters do not change or display much personal growth over the course of the novel. Elizabeth is one who does change, however. Her perceptive nature, wit, intelligence and sense of honor set her apart from the rest of her family. She is especially perceptive in the way she relates to people, as well as herself. She grows in maturity as she supports her family, especially when Lydia elopes with Wickham. Her character develops as she grows to understand Darcy better and see him for who he really is.

How does Pride and Prejudice serve as Austen’s commentary on class and social status?

Jane Austen shows that wealth, propriety, and social connections were all equally essential for upward social and class mobility. In other words, wealth alone could guarantee prestige. Even “upper class” was not a uniform category. It was heterogenous and deeply graded, and members of the class harbored prejudice against one another. Ranks and titles were equally important. Austen also sheds light on marriage as a tool for social ascension. Individuals of upper classes were expected to marry within their circle, whereas individuals from lower status tried to find more affluent spouses.

Discuss the structure of the novel Pride and Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice follows a linear, chronological structure in the development of its plot. All the major conflicts are directly linked to the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet; in other words, there is little digression in the novel. It is also mostly told from Elizabeth’s point of view. The main plot—Elizabeth’s quest for love and a suitor—intersects with the subplots, which in turn makes readers privy to the intricacies of other female characters’ love affairs.

How does dialogue help in character development in the novel?

The novel’s narrative voice is secondary to the characters’ dialogue. In contrast to the long, winding descriptions of the narrator’s voice, their dialogues are short and crisp. Nonetheless, coupled with the narrative voice, the dialogs allow readers to relate deeply with the characters. The dialogs also invite readers to focus on the characters’ feelings and emotions; They also resolve ambiguities in the novel. Additionally, the dialogs also enrich Austen’s depictions of interpersonal relationships in the novel. They reflect the ways in which characters change or grow.