Does Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Follow the...

Does Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice follow the conventions of a romantic novel? A conventionally romantic novel usually focuses on the relationship between a physically attractive man and woman. The hero and heroine usually meet early in the story and fall in love at first sight. The two lovers may, more often than not, have to overcome obstacles in order to be together, but in the end, it seems that love conquers all. Pride and Prejudice does fall into this romance category; its often considered the most romantic novel of all time. But there are certainly elements of this novel that drive completely against the cliches of a conventional romance novel, and this essay will attempt to pinpoint those elements, and argue whether or†¦show more content†¦She also uses the fact that Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but this is turned down. However, I think that the reader takes a particular interest in this couple, due to their slightly quirky traits, and the realistic characterisation that Austen has given them. Their unpredictable nature makes their story much more interesting and fun. Of course, there are small traces of romantic conventionalism with this couple; they fall in love in the end, after over coming many obstacles and all ends happily . I think Austen felt that this course for the two was the tried and tested, and could add variety to the story by changing and inverting other details of their romance. Another striking examples of Austens satire is her emphasis on the lack of reason, which is often found in a bulk of romantic novels. Lydia and Wickhams marriage is seen as a triumph of their passions over their virtue, and Austen is certain that little permanent happiness could come from such a union; not particularly romantic language, certainly not that of a romance novel. This is exemplified by Wickhams continuance of his extravagant habits, and the degeneracy of any feelings between them. Pride and Prejudice was written before any real law was introduced on marriage; before roughly the 1880s, girls as young as 12 could be contracted into marriage, with fathers treating it as more of a business deal than a romantic gesture. Marriages likeShow MoreRelated Essay on Pride and Prejudice as Romantic Novel and Romantic Criticism1398 Words   |  6 PagesPride and Prejudice as Romantic Novel and Romantic Criticism       To a great extent, Jane Austen satirizes conventional romantic novels by inverting the expectations of love at first sight and the celebration of passion and physical attractiveness, and criticizing their want of sense. 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