How Does Jane Austen Use Figurative Language In Pride And Prejudice

How does Jane Austen use figurative language in the fiction novel Pride and Prejudice to construct a critical commentary on women’s identity and socio-cultural expectations in the 1800s Regency era?

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice novel, she attempts to create a critical commentary on the social norms and values during the Regency Era through figurative language. Austen formats the story by focusing on the identity and socio-cultural expectations of women, which eventually causes the reader to question whether these social norms have any real value or purpose. Austen uses literary techniques including satire, formal diction, setting, and foreshadowing to expose the book’s deeper meaning.

The traditional values that surround every aspect

For instance, when Mr. Collins is referring to Lady Catherine he addresses her as “Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh” stating, “I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage” (42). The use of formal titles like “Lady” sets a tone of formality and superiority for high-class characters, emphasizing set social classes throughout the book. Austen breaks down the concepts behind the rigid social classes through Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship. Darcy, later proposes to Elizabeth against his aunt, Lady Catherine’s wishes, which is described, “His sense of her inferiority-of it’s being a degradation …were dwelt on” (129). Although Darcy loved Elizabeth, there were reservations about their marriage due to him being from a higher social class. The complex language used could convey a tone of her supposed inferiority to him. Austen highlights Elizabeth’s supposed inferiority through formal diction during Darcy’s proposal, a moment that should be filled with love, in order to create a critical commentary on the Regency Era socio-culture and its rigid, surface-level values. Throughout the book, Darcy begins to fall in love with Elizabeth for her quick wit personality, and out-of-the-box thinking. Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage at the end of the book, regardless of futile concerns, is a testament to the fact that there are more substantial values to a person and their identity than what may appear on the surface, like their social