Pride and Prejudice

Note – helpful tips:

 - a hyperlink online version of the novel is available at http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pridprej.html#voli which includes extensive helpful notes about vocabulary, history, locations, etc.

 - a useful topic list is also available at http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopics.html

 - the plain text of the novel may be read online at any of the following additional sites: http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/AusPrid.html

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/

http://www.classicbookshelf.com/library/jane_austen/pride_and_prejudice/

 

1. Go to http://www.jasna.org/info/about_austen.html and read the biography.

a.  How is it that Austen was published during her lifetime but not recognized as a writer until after her death?

b.  Describe her education.

c. How was it that Austen became familiar with the lives of the landed gentry (the subject of her fiction)?

d.  When did Austen first begin writing?

e.  What was the original title of Pride and Prejudice?

f.  What caused Austen’s early death?

g. In addition to her novels, what other publication offers a singular view into the author’s mind?

2.  Go to http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/ and click on “17th century house” and view the tour.

a. Choose one of the pictures, describe it, and include in your description an idea of how this everyday image from Austen’s world might have appeared in/influenced her work.

3.  Go to http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pridprej.html

a.  What form did her most popular novel take in the first draft?

4.  Go to http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopic2.html#entail

a.  What was an entail, and what was its purpose?

5.  Go to http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopic2.html#educrev

a.  Why was there little perceived need to educate women?

b.  What were considered “accomplishments” or areas of study for women?

6.  Go to http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopic2.html#protofem1 and read this section on Austen and feminism.

a.  Explain in your own words in what ways Pride and Prejudice may be viewed as a feminist work.

7. Go to http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pridprej.html#pride and on separate pieces of paper, first review the list of quotes about pride, then about prejudice.

a. Write a short essay on each topic based on your readings – your essay should attempt to pull together the ideas on the topic (pride or prejudice) and come up with an umbrella type theme idea (a larger idea which includes/encloses all the ideas represented).