A Truth Must Be In Want Of A Wife Analysis

By using a 3rd person omniscient narrator with an ironic and judgmental tone, Jane Austen emphasizes the comedy of the English social scene of early 1800s and the dangers of first impressions. Although a 3rd person omniscient point of view narrator generally knows all the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in a story, Austen’s narrator imposes her own initial prejudices of the characters, tainting their descriptions and actions. In the opening lines, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife,” the narrator already establishes her ironic, humorous tone and tendency to criticize society (5). By using a critical tone, the narrator sarcastically mocks the preoccupation

Meaning, a single woman with limited options is in desperate want of a husband. As the narrator offers exposition, her unrestrained opinions tarnish many characters, leaving the reader with biased portrayals of their personalities. For example, the negative and brief introduction of Mr. Darcy compared to Mr. Bingley shows the narrator’s prejudiced and incomplete depiction of his character. The narrator states, “…his [Mr. Darcy] manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased…” (12). The narrator’s overwhelmingly negative introduction leaves little room for the reader to form a positive view of Mr. Darcy, underscoring Austen’s message to be wary of first impressions. Although her tone distorts many characters, the opinionated 3rd person omniscient narrator forces readers to experience and understand the difficulty and importance of making a truthful first

Although the narrator offers a 3rd person omniscient point of view, the central plot of the novel revolves around Elizabeth. While discussing the Bingley sisters with Jane, Elizabeth contemplates, “their [The Bingley sisters] behavior at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general...she was very little disposed to approve them. They were in fact very fine ladies; …but proud and conceited” (17). Elizabeth’s initial opinions, much like the narrator, are harsh and inconclusive, as she is not fully acquainted with the sisters. As she continues to muse about the Bingleys, her thoughts quickly merge into detailed narrative expository knowledge that she would not know from her short interactions with the two women. Wedged into the paragraph of Elizabeth’s judgments, the narrator describes the sisters, stating, “They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of associating with people of rank…” (17). Even though Elizabeth and the narrator are distinct characters, Austen’s blending of Elizabeth’s thoughts and the narrator’s expository knowledge underscores their similar flaw of judgment and their distinctive ironic