The Sense Of Comedy In Elizabeth Bennet's Pride And Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is an exemplary work of nineteenth century satire, poking fun at the faults in nineteenth century British society. Jane Austen, hoping to catalyze social change, uses comedy in this novel to directly address the twisted normalcies in society, focusing on marriage; however, comedy also functions in creating depth in the characters and adding lightheartedness to dark situations. Each character’s sense of humor casts light upon his or her internal conflicts. Comedy or lack thereof in Pride and Prejudice serves as a device to reveal truths about the characters’ belief systems and insecurities. Sense of humor and the presence of a comical demeanor prove the most crucial in Fitzwilliam Darcy’s, Elizabeth Bennet’s, and Mr. Bennet’s

Elizabeth first displays her sense of humor in her reaction to her overhearing Darcy saying, “‘She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me’” (8). Elizabeth responds in retelling the story “with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous” (9). Elizabeth’s sense of humor goes as far as to be willing to laugh at both herself and her family, unless the joke about her family is made by someone besides herself. Elizabeth finds the behavior of many members of her family and their peers to be quite ludicrous. Upon many occasions in Austen’s book, Elizabeth pokes fun at someone, and the object of Elizabeth’s joke rarely even notices because he or she is so utterly oblivious. In “Chapter 6” when Sir William encourages Lizzie to dance with Darcy at the Lucas’ party, Sir William flatters Lizzie and implies that Darcy would be honored to share a dance with her. Lizzie responds to the proposition: “Mr. Darcy is all politeness” (21). She says this smiling, clearly referring to the last ball where she overheard Mr. Darcy insult her (8). Lizzie’s piercing humor here is overlooked by both Sir William and Mr. Darcy. In Elizabeth’s first dinner with Lady Catherine at Rosings, Lady Catherine inquired relentlessly on the subject of Elizabeth’s upbringing, and Elizabeth made no

Bennet, throughout Pride and Prejudice, is essentially absent in the day-to-day lives of the Bennet sisters. He prefers to spend his days in his library, away from all of the chaos that his wife and his overly enthusiastic youngest daughters bring to the household. However, Mr. Bennet and Lizzie have a very close-knit relationship, predominately attributed to their sense of humor. They view the rest of their family through a similar lens; both of them realize that the obsession with social status and marriage is nonsense. Not moments after Mrs. Bennet received word of the arrival of Mr. Bingley and company at Netherfield, is Mrs. Bennet pestering Mr. Bennet to go to Netherfield and wait on Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bennet somewhat sarcastically responds, “‘I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go,or you may send them by themselves, which will perhaps be still better, for you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party’” (2). Mr. Bennet’s use of ironic flattery in this assertion to win Mrs. Bennet over very nearly works. Mr. Bennet both allows Lizzie to refuse Mr. Collins and to oblige Mr. Darcy. When Lizzie declines Collins’ proposal and Mrs. Bennet begs Mr. Bennet to force Lizzie to go back on this, Mr. Bennet recognizes how senseless it would be for Lizzie to marry Collins for the family estate and compromise her own happiness.. Verbalizing his disapproval of the potential marriage, Mr. Bennet says, “‘An unhappy alternative is