Irony In Pride And Prejudice Analysis

Throughout the novel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen demonstrates to the readers of her novel the many significant portrayals of irony. From the very beginning of the novel, Jane Austen enfolds several occurrences of her characters demonstrating verbal irony. As the novel unfolds, the reader is also shown several instances of situational irony. Additionally, the use of dramatic irony is portrayed numerous times throughout the novel. In the romantic novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen uses irony as a tool to demonstrate her artistic wit and her characters moral appraisal. As Jane Austen’s novel progresses, the reader is shown many instances of verbal irony being demonstrated by the characters. For instance, verbal irony is demonstrated

An example of dramatic wit is portrayed when the reader is able to observe a change in Mr. Darcy’s feelings towards Elizabeth, while Elizabeth was not attentive to these progressions. Observing the first interaction between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, the reader can see the initial contempt between the two parties. “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men” (pg. 13). With this initial interaction the reader as well as Elizabeth can perceive the disapproval that Mr. Darcy originally holds. However, that soon appears to change when Mr. Darcy narrates, “Beautiful expression of her dark eyes/her figure was light and pleasing/he was caught by her easy playfulness. Of this she was perfectly unaware” (pg. 21). The reader can see an attraction flourishing within Mr. Darcy with each encounter the two characters have, while Elizabeth is positively unaware of such feelings. The reader is also able to observe the genuine admiration that Mr. Darcy holds for Elizabeth, when he “with grave propriety requested to be allowed the honour of her hand” (pg. 24). It is evident that Mr. Darcy’s request was genuine and that he honestly wanted to be acquainted with her and to dance with her. While Elizabeth on the other hand was still in denial of his feelings and presumed that he