Introduction

Let's write a variation on a passage from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Without any context, read this snippet and write down what you think is happening, and anything you notice about the structure and language.

Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principle people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everyone hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment, by having slighted one of her daughters.

Pride and Prejudice(1813)

What is happening in this snippet? Is there anything in the language or structure that captures your attention?

If you don't know much about the novel, Pride and Prejudice is a story about a group of sisters trying to find suitable husbands.

This sounds simple enough, except the problem is that they live in England in the early 1800s, a time in which middle class women such as themselves had little legal power or freedom, and marriage is a high stakes love-and-property-rights decision for the sisters, their families, their prospective husbands, and their romantic competitors.

(Working class women not only lacked power and freedom, they also had no safety net of family wealth.)

Because this is a high stakes decision for everyone involved, it means every character has an opinion. And this is one of the hallmarks of Austen's writing: a bunch of characters judging each other. Constantly, about everything.

This snippet comes early in the novel. Two wealthy bachelor buddies—Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy—have moved into town and caught the eye of the eligible ladies and their families.

They all want to figure out if there is a marriage opportunity, so everyone goes to a local ball to evaluate each other.

The initial consensus is that Mr Bingley is perfect and Mr Darcy is a jerk.

Writelike Jane Austen: Mr Darcy at the dance