Exploring symbolism within the novel. References from The British Library and www.pemberley.com

1. L.O: To explore the significance
of symbolism within the novel.

2. In your pairs, decide on a definition of a ‘symbol’ and why it is important
to have symbols in texts?
Be ready to give your response

3. .
SYMBOLISM
Noun
1. the use of symbols to express or
represent ideas or qualities in literature,
art, etc.
2. the particular idea or quality that is
expressed by a symbol

4. Austen’s England is small – the main focus
of the novel is Hertfordshire and most
often Longbourn.
When characters travel it is always of
significance to the plot.
PLACES

5. Consider:
• Bingley and Darcy’s arrival in Hertfordshire.
• Jane’s visit to Netherfield.
• Mr Collins’ arrival in Hertfordshire.
• Bingley’s removal to London.
• Charlotte’s removal to Kent (as Mrs Collins)
• Jane’s visit to her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in Cheapside, London
• Elizabeth’s visit to Kent (and Rosings)
• Lydia’s visit to Brighton
• Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle touring Derbyshire
• Their visit to Pemberley.
• Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner in London
• Lydia and Wickham’s visit to Longbourn (then removal to Newcastle)
• Bingley and Darcy’s return to Hertfordshire.
• Lady Catherine’s visit to Longbourn
PLACES AS PLOT DEVICES

6. 1.In chap. 7: Caroline Bingley to Jane, inviting her to come to Netherfield.
2.In chap. 7: Jane to Elizabeth, reporting her illness.
3.In chap. 13: Mr. Collins to Mr. Bennet, proposing to visit Longbourn.
4.In chap. 21: Caroline Bingley to Jane, informing her that the Netherfield party have all gone to London.
5.In chap. 26: Jane in London to Elizabeth, before seeing Caroline Bingley.
6.In chap. 26: Jane in London to Elizabeth, still has hopes of Caroline Bingley after visiting her.
7.In chap. 26: Jane in London to Elizabeth, admitting Caroline Bingley's perfidy.
8.In chap. 35: Darcy's famous letter to Elizabeth (hand-delivered at Rosings), explaining his conduct.
9.In chap. 46: Jane's misdirected letter to Elizabeth at Lambton, breaking the news of Lydia's elopement.
10.In chap. 46: Jane's second letter to Elizabeth at Lambton, with new fears about Lydia's elopement.
11.In chap. 47: Lydia to Mrs. Forster, announcing the elopement.
12.In chap. 48: Mr. Gardiner in London to Mrs. Gardiner at Longbourn, on inquiries after Lydia and Wickham.
13.In chap. 48: Mr. Collins to Mr. Bennet (opened by Jane), -- he "condoles" the Bennets about Lydia.
14.In chap. 49: Mr. Gardiner to Mr. Bennet, announcing the settlement of negotiations with Wickham.
15.In chap. 50: Mr. Gardiner to Mr. Bennet, containing further particulars of Wickham's affairs.
16.In chap. 51: Elizabeth to Mrs. Gardiner, inquiring why Darcy was at Lydia's wedding.
17.In chap. 52: Mrs. Gardiner to Elizabeth, giving the story behind Lydia's marriage.
18.In chap. 57: Mr. Collins to Mr. Bennet, advising against an Elizabeth-Darcy match.
19.In chap. 60: Elizabeth to Mrs. Gardiner, allowing her to give loose to her fancy and indulge her imagination.
20.In chap. 60: Mr. Bennet to Mr. Collins, troubling him for congratulations.
21.In chap. 61: Mrs. Wickham to Mrs. Darcy, -- Lydia begs Elizabeth on behalf of Wickham.
LETTERS

7. In Austen's fiction, as in many novels of the 19th century, a ball is the ultimate
occasion for a heady kind of courtship – a trying out of partners that is
exciting, flirtatious and downright erotic.
Couples perform together, feeling each other’s physical proximity (though
both men and women wore gloves throughout) while being watched by
others. Many of the dances were physically demanding: a ball might last for
six hours or more, and end only as dawn approached.
See more at: http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-ball-in-
the-novels-of-jane-austen#sthash.NO9m1o7q.dpuf
BALLS AND DANCING

8. In reality, Austen loved balls, which were the most exciting events in provincial
life.
In Pride and Prejudice, the mutual attraction of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy is
established through their behaviour towards each other at a succession of balls.
They approach and retreat, tease and repel each other, as in an elaborate dance.
At the assembly ball (where anyone who pays for a ticket can take part) Mr Darcy
fancies himself above it all. With extraordinary rudeness, he lets Elizabeth
overhear his description of her as ‘tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt
me’ (ch. 3).
He later tastes his own medicine when he offers himself as Elizabeth’s dance
partner at the Lucases and is turned down.
Finally, at the Netherfield ball (a grand occasion, entry by invitation only), he
suddenly asks for ‘her hand’ and ‘without knowing what she did’ she accepts (ch.
18). ‘Without knowing what she did’ because at the ball Austen shows us
Elizabeth’s unconscious interest in Mr Darcy.
CODIFIED BEHAVIOURS

9. Codes of behaviour were exacting. At the Netherfield ball Elizabeth must
dance with Mr Collins because if a woman turns down one request for a
dance she must turn down all others. Say no to Mr Collins and you must
stand out for the whole evening. Elizabeth’s first two dances (the
maximum you were allowed with the same partner) are therefore ‘dances
of mortification’. Mr Collins, ‘often moving wrong without being aware of
it’, gives her ‘all the shame and misery which a disagreeable partner for a
couple of dances can give’ (ch. 18). He, of course, thinks that he has done
brilliantly, the dance being a preparation for his proposal of marriage the
next day.

10. When Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy do eventually dance together they
also have their most erotically charged conversation, a kind of verbal
fencing match.
It is a verbal intimacy to parallel their physical closeness. In the crowded
room, everything seems to narrow to these two people. Once these two
have danced together, they are destined for each other. Anyone in that
ballroom should have been able to see it, even if they did not see it
themselves.
TALKING TO YOUR PARTNER

11. Consider:
• The Meryton assembly
• Evening at Lucas lodge (with dancing)
• The Netherfield ball
• How do each of these function within the plot and themes of the novel
as a whole?
BALLS

12. Which themes and characters do these symbols link to?
How would you use them in a whole text response?
Write a paragraph exploring the significance of each theme.
LINKING TO WHOLE TEXT
QUESTIONS