Essay on Irony Used in Austens Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen combines the theme of irony with satire and drama in Pride and Prejudice to emphasize the overall basic plot of the story. Essentially, the positions and stances the characters hold on the issues on family, marriage, and love, change throughout the book, differing from the previous expectations seen at the beginning of the novel for each individual character. A great example of this is the position that Mr. Bennet holds on the idea of a happy marriage at the beginning of the novel, and then at the end, after many relationships developed, how everything ironically turns out. Austen wittily uses the opening line of the novel: â€Å"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in†¦show more content†¦Bennet, whose dramatic character is not ironic in the least, but is quite ridiculous. The combination of the diverse lovers, poses a question as to why they are even with each other? Ironically, it is revealed that Mr. Bennet only married her for her looks rather than her personality, which is why he tends to strongly advise his daughters that to whom they marry, they must be happy with that person: â€Å"Lizzy, I know you could be neither happy nor respectable unless you truly esteemed your husband/ My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life† (273). Austen uses dramatic irony in the discovery of the deceitful Mr. Wickham which leads to the sparking romance between Elizabeth and Darcy, and then the surprising elopement of Lydia Bennet and Wickham. Wickham is seen as the handsome, charming, and innocent man who joins the militia and is admired by many young women in the first volume. Darcy, on the other hand, is portrayed as the evil, heartless enemy of Wickham, who took the money out of the will of his father, Darcy Senior, which was meant for Wickham. Wickham plays the innocent good guy in the conversation between Elizabeth and him: â€Å"I can recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort of men, and that he hates me† (59). He softens up to Eliza and she develops a hatred for Darcy, and at the same time, she starts to have feelings for the wicked Wickham: â€Å"Elizabeth honored him for suchShow MoreRelatedIrony in Pride and Prejudice995 Words   |  4 PagesIrony in Pride and Prejudice Irony forms the alma mater of Jane Austen’s novels. Likewise, â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† is steeped in irony of theme, situation, character, and narration. Austen uses it to establish the contrast between appearance and reality. As one examines â€Å"Pride and Prejudice†, one discovers the ironic significance of how pride leads to prejudice and prejudice invites pride. 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