Pride and Prejudice essay HELP!

[krnpfunch]

I know some of you people have read Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice and i have to write an essay on it for my advanced english class 1-1 and 1/2 pages long, ill post what i have so far. The topic is: When contrasted to other female characters in the novel how would you describe Elizabeth Bennet? And what insights about human nature does Austen hope to reveal through Elizabeths character? Posting essay...any input(good or bad) is appreciated, thanks

Everyday people are pressured to maintain a certain role in their family or community. It is very much the same in Jane Austen?s, Pride and Prejudice. There is, however, one character that rejects her role and takes a bolder, more free-spoken route. Elizabeth Bennet is perhaps the most intricate character in the novel; one critic has even proclaimed, ?she puts truth to self above truth to role?. The way she pursues the love of Mr. Darcy, even when doubted and put down by others, is astounding.
While other females in the novel are simply trying to find someone to marry for support, or forced happiness, Elizabeth is trying to find someone who she truly admires. Elizabeth comes through the stereotype female of her time and becomes someone who can clarify the world around her and make her own decisions. Elizabeth is told by Lady Catherine not to marry Mr. Darcy because it will ruin her, ?Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us?(168). Elizabeth ignores this and goes even as far as to marry Mr. Darcy, which Lady Catherine did everything in he power to try to stop from happening.
Elizabeth is a very outgoing person in the long run, and always does what she thinks is right, instead of what everyone is pressured into. She holds here ground in whatever battle she happens to get involved with and doesn?t like to get pushed around or let herself get pushed around in difficult situations.

Havent quite finished yet, need some ideas on how to conclude it also, thanks!

 

[AreaCode707]

You've described her in relation to her expected role, now contrast her directly to some of the other female characters IN role, like Kitty or Lydia.

 

[aolsuxs]

Just finished this book a month or so ago for AP english, not bad, rather long. Hotchic advice is pretty good I'd follow that. What you have so far is really good, nice thesis.

 

[linuxboy]

Everyday people are pressured to maintain a certain role in their family or community.

Pressured how? Pressured by whom? I'm reading this critically and I fail to see the total point.


It is very much the same in Jane Austen?s, Pride and Prejudice. There is, however, one character that rejects her role and takes a bolder, more free-spoken route.

Her "role" as assigned by whom/what? One could argue that she was pressured into choosing what she did due to determinism. I'd strive for stronger position.

Elizabeth Bennet is perhaps the most intricate character in the novel; one critic has even proclaimed, ?she puts truth to self above truth to role?. The way she pursues the love of Mr. Darcy, even when doubted and put down by others, is astounding.

ok, your "really good, nice thesis" reeks of avarageness and lack of structure. I know that is probably wrong but that's how I see it. If you strive for clarity, use something like this:

In everyday living, human beings must conform to the expected norms of society in order to preserve social cohesion. Austen presents this fact as well as the struggle for independence and transcendence above conformity through the charcaterization of Elizabeth Bennet. Since Elizabeth struggles to recognize and assert her individuality in the upper-class English society of the 1800's, her gains and falls are easily traced and can be compared to the other characters.

Now go ahead and cite specific examples from the novel when she rose above others and when she succumbed to popular opinion (the whole thing about Fitzpatrick Darcy's reputation....) and compare with a few other characters


moving on...


While other females in the novel are simply trying to find someone to marry for support, or forced happiness, Elizabeth is trying to find someone who she truly admires. Elizabeth comes through the stereotype female of her time and becomes someone who can clarify the world around her and make her own decisions. Elizabeth is told by Lady Catherine not to marry Mr. Darcy because it will ruin her, ?Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us?(168). Elizabeth ignores this and goes even as far as to marry Mr. Darcy, which Lady Catherine did everything in he power to try to stop from happening.
Elizabeth is a very outgoing person in the long run, and always does what she thinks is right, instead of what everyone is pressured into. She holds here ground in whatever battle she happens to get involved with and doesn?t like to get pushed around or let herself get pushed around in difficult situations.


Woah. Too biased. She also makes many mistakes. Make sure you mention this. Austen portrays the character as one who is undergoing a stage. That is very dynamic and includes extremes as well as random, mundane details.


Havent quite finished yet, need some ideas on how to conclude it also, thanks!


I like what you did and your idea, but you can do so much better if you try. Granted, my ideas here are probably useless since I ramble but try to structure your thesis so you make some sort of an argument. A good way to do that is by modus ponens.

which goes like this:
If A, then B. A, therefore B.
That's kinda how I structured it and it really works well in a simple essay. Use the supporting paragraphs to make the assertion and support the consequent.

For the conclusion, restate your main arguments and follow it by a logical conclusion matching with your original idea.

An essay is just an argument with a bunch of supports in the middle and a sumamry at the end, IMHO.

And do what HC said (bloody English majors ) and compare/contrast since it shows that you synthesized the info in the novel and can connect it together.

aolsuxs, I do agree, it is good literature.

Cheers !

 

[AreaCode707]

Whoa, not like you're being a bit harsh in your blatant assistance, linux. He asked for suggestions, not a piece by piece rending of his current work.

 

[linuxboy]

<< Whoa, not like you're being a bit harsh in your blatant assistance, linux. He asked for suggestions, not a piece by piece rending of his current work. >>



Yet another example that the golden rule just plain doesn't work. I also quote: "any input(good or bad) is appreciated, thanks".

I never got the hang of this "accepted conduct" stuff... I've found that direct criticism works best. My trouble is lacking perpetual awareness that self-worth is threatened with feedback; thus I often don't customize.

Sorry for any damage.


Cheers !

 

[krnpfunch]

Im in highschool, not college BTW, so it doesnt have to be some lit masterpiece, thanks for your help all though.