To Say or Not to Say Letters and Letter Writing

A detailed Summary of To Say or Not to Say Letters and Letter Writing

In her novels, Jane Austen frequently uses letter writing between characters as a way to explain past events and the roles certain characters played in them. This character development strategy is used to articulate many of the themes in her novels. A prevalent thematic structure in Austen's work is to satirize nineteenth century manners and morals, especially as they relate to courtship. The misinterpretations of these behaviors stand to be clarified through letterwriting, offering insight into a character's true nature, which is often not what it appears to be. This tactic is prevalent in her 1813 novel, Pride and Prejudice.

Throughout the novel, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Gardiner, and Mr. Collins write letters, and each letter reveals its author's personality and sincere thoughts. It is in fact the letter writing that prompts the union of hero and heroine at the end of the story. Each letter clarifies confused circumstances as well as discloses hidden feelings about other characters that would otherwise go unnoticed.

The first significant example of letter writing allows for conclusions to be made about a character's persona upon Mr. Bennet's receipt of a foolish letter from the Reverend Mr. Collins. Collins, who is the Benn

Mrs. Gardiner is the intelligent and cultivated sister-in-law of Mrs. Bennet, who plays a relatively minor role in relation to that of Mr. Darcy. Her letter is nevertheless important because it clears up the confusion that Elizabeth felt towards Mr. Darcy and his involvement in the wedding of her sister, Lydia. Mrs. Gardiner's letter also results in Elizabeth's realization that Mr. Darcy had done nothing but help the Bennet family.

Austen presents the qualities of a person indirectly, which is clearly seen here. The odious letter from Mr. Collins prepares the reader to dislike him even before he arrives. Without even meeting this man, his personality is shown by his use of excessive verbiage, pompous flattery, and conceit evident in his letter. Elizabeth is extremely perceptive about Mr. Collins' letter because (after hearing it) she immediately wonders if he can be a "sensible man" (44). As the story unfolds, Mr. Collins' actions will prove her belief to be true.

Although it is Elizabeth's reaction that makes Mr. Darcy's letter so important, it is also the contents of the letter itself that allow for questions about his true nature to be answered. Writing more from injured pride than to renew his marriage proposal, Darcy is nevertheless sensitive and honest while justifying and explaining his actions. For example Darcy revised his opinion on her uncles' less than genteel sources of income. No longer was this the main issue; now the issue is her immediate family's lack of propriety: The situation of your mother's family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently. So almost uniformly betrayed by herself, your three younger sisters, and occasionally by your father" (137). His judgment seems much more considered and reasonable than the prejudice he displayed earlier to make the same point about the inferiority of the Bennet girls' connections. In addition, Mr. Darcy completely acknowledges his faults throughout, which serves as testament to his sincerity. He earnestly states, "...one part of my conduct in the whole affair, on which I do not reflect satisfaction; it is that I condescended to adopt the measures of art so far as to conceal from your sister's being in town" (137). The proud, prejudiced, and arrogant man we were introduced to at the beginning of the novel is nowhere to be found. Mr. Darcy's lack of guile and trickery, perceptive analysis of others, an

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Approximate Word count = 1652
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English