Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a masterpiece and I learned a tremendous amount from a recent re-read of it. Because of that, I decided to record a short lecture on it as an extra part of the Introduction to Literature Course (which has grown to 10 lectures!)
Here is an outline of the talk:
An Introduction to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice:
I. How to Approach Great Books: The Problem of Pride and Prejudice in the Reader
II. Basic Facts
III. Scholarly Opinion: Vivien Jones and Allan Bloom
IV. The Poles of Human Experience:
a. Seriousness vs. Playfulness: Mr. Collins vs. Mr. Bennet
b. Utility vs. Romance: Mrs. Bennet / Charlotte Lucas vs. Elizabeth / Mr. Bennet
c. Human Nature: Suspicion (Elizabeth) vs. Charity (Jane)
V. What is the purpose of Conversation? Triumph vs. Truth
