Narrative Perspective in a Dance Scene of Pride and Prejudice. Comment on the dance scene using a rhetorical analysis. What does the narrator with her moving perspective bring you to understand about society, Lizzy, about pride and prejudice? How?

March 3, 2010

Comment on the dance scene using a rhetorical analysis. What does the narrator with her moving perspective bring you to understand about society, Lizzy, about pride and prejudice? How?

One of the most unique techniques used by Jane Austen, in Pride and Prejudice, is her moving narrative perspective. In several parts of the novel, the narrator changes its "position", so that the reader finds her closer to the opinion of one or a group of characters. In the third chapter, which depicts the ball scene, the narrative perspective changes position from being closer to Mrs. Bennet, to Lizzy, to Mr. Bingley, etc. This narrative style helps the reader to understand more about society, Lizzy, and pride and prejudice.

The society of the Regency Period is environment the reader finds himself immersed into while reading Jane Austen. Women wore rather plain, yet sophisticated dresses, while men wore practical suits. The most common activity practiced by those of the time was ballroom dancing. Since the narrator changes so much and expresses the view of a variety of characters, the effect it has on the reader is to see how the social lives of people revolved around those balls. Young, eligible adults would go to the balls to have fun, but also to find a spouse. Mr. Bingley makes a comment, "I have never seen so many pleasant girls in my life…". This shows how men were interested in finding a partner when going to one of these dances. Therefore, the narrative perspective helps the reader understand more about society.

The narrative style also helps us see Lizzy's character with more clarity. During the ball, the narrator zooms in near to Lizzy while Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy such that she overhears some of their conversation. Lizzy...