A Sense of Place in Austen's Pride and Prejudice

A Sense of Place in Austen's Pride and Prejudice

It is interesting to observe Dictionary.com's definition of the word

"place" in relation to "person". Especially when it comes to Pride and

Prejudice, where Austen has made great use of the objective

correlative technique, in which many, if not all, of her settings

considerably reflect the characteristics of their owners. She

additionally employs several other techniques regarding the sense of

place in her novel, which are important not only in the facilitation

of numerous plot points, but also in establishing and understanding

her characters and their relationships. So what are these techniques,

and why are they so effective? To find the answers to such questions,

we should look closely at Austen's methods of incorporating a sense of

place into her novel.

The technique of objective correlative is often used in establishing

the qualities of a character by having them reflected in that

character's surroundings. These can be material objects, belongings,

or in Austen's case, locations. If we take a look at the setting of

Rosings, we see that it is described as ostentatious, overwhelming,

and, in comparison to Pemberley, the other grand country estate,

rather garish:

From the entrance hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out, with a

rapturous air, the fine proportion and finished ornaments, they

followed the servants.... In spite of having been at St. James's, Sir

William was so completely awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that

he had but just courage enough to make a very low bow, and take his

seat without saying a word; and his daughter, frightened almost out of

her senses, sat on the edge of her chair, not knowing which way to

look. (p. 121)

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...m. Through usage of the objective

correlative, readers can gain a great deal of insight into the

characters themselves, and thus further enjoy the novel with an

enhanced understanding of Austen's creations. She also establishes a

sense of balance by having the more influential events of the story

take place in the openness of the great outdoors, and those of less

import occur within the boundaries of the inside. Additionally, Austen

has her characters travel to various parts of Great Britain, which

allows for correspondence in the form of letters (serving to

facilitate the necessary delay of action) and for mistakes to be made.

Austen has made great use of the sense of place in Pride and

Prejudice, and her techniques coalesce to deepen the reader's

understanding, to give a sense of balance, and to effectively enhance

the enjoyment of a delightful story.