After reading this book it is clear why Jane Austen is such an esteemed writer. The way she intertwines her characters and their individual story arcs is impressive, and at times, very emotional. Austen does a great job keeping the reader involved and knowing everything that Elizabeth Bennet does. While a large part of the book is based on misinterpretations and quick judgement, there aren't many secrets kept from the reader. One way Austen refrains from dramatic irony is by including the entirety of letters received in this book. Due to the time period, the characters send letters back and forth constantly. The letters Elizabeth receives are always written out rather than being summarized to the important parts. One of the most effective uses of this was when Mr. Darcy wrote to Elizabeth after she refused his proposal. They had fought and Elizabeth gave reasons why Mr. Darcy was unfit to be married to her. Up until that point, Mr. Darcy was believed to be quite insolent, but he sends a letter that explains all of his behaviors which becomes the turning point of the story for Elizabeth. The letter takes up most of chapter 12 and allows readers to put themselves in Elizabeth's position. They feel as she does when she realizes many of their prior beliefs were wrong. Another thing Austen does is leave out certain names. It's shocking when first seen, but it makes sense after a while. There are so many characters and different settings that it easily becomes overwhelming. If a place or name doesn't hold value for plot development but is only referenced in a conversation between characters, then Austen uses two dashes in its place. This was used twice on one page. In a letter to Mr. Bennet from Mr. Gardiner it states, "'He has the promise of an ensigncy in General --'s regiment, now quartered in the North'" (pg 226). The same technique was used again in the first sentence following the letter which said, "Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham's removal from the --shire, as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do" (Pg 226). It's a clean way to show the existance of another person or place without having to inquire further as to who/what that new person or place is. Austen uses punctuation liberally as she forms her sentences compared to more contemporary works. While it may seem a bit much at times, it perfectly shows how the sentence should be read. A majority of the book centers on dialogue in which the abundance of punctuation becomes largely helpful. Similar to a play or a spoken word poem, it shows exactly how the characters talk and where they pause. Austen also uses this to prompt characterization depending on how much punctuation a certain character uses. For example, Lady Catherine appears quite flustered when she tells Elizabeth, "I was told, that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy" (pg 256). The constant commas force the reader to pause and don't allow for variation in the speech. While it sometimes borders on being too much, Austen does not allow flexibility in how her story should be read. In conclusion, the book--while a relatively slow read--is a glorious piece of art that is both artistic in its story and its writing.
Another thing Austen does is leave out certain names. It's shocking when first seen, but it makes sense after a while. There are so many characters and different settings that it easily becomes overwhelming. If a place or name doesn't hold value for plot development but is only referenced in a conversation between characters, then Austen uses two dashes in its place. This was used twice on one page. In a letter to Mr. Bennet from Mr. Gardiner it states, "'He has the promise of an ensigncy in General --'s regiment, now quartered in the North'" (pg 226). The same technique was used again in the first sentence following the letter which said, "Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham's removal from the --shire, as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do" (Pg 226). It's a clean way to show the existance of another person or place without having to inquire further as to who/what that new person or place is.
Austen uses punctuation liberally as she forms her sentences compared to more contemporary works. While it may seem a bit much at times, it perfectly shows how the sentence should be read. A majority of the book centers on dialogue in which the abundance of punctuation becomes largely helpful. Similar to a play or a spoken word poem, it shows exactly how the characters talk and where they pause. Austen also uses this to prompt characterization depending on how much punctuation a certain character uses. For example, Lady Catherine appears quite flustered when she tells Elizabeth, "I was told, that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy" (pg 256). The constant commas force the reader to pause and don't allow for variation in the speech. While it sometimes borders on being too much, Austen does not allow flexibility in how her story should be read. In conclusion, the book--while a relatively slow read--is a glorious piece of art that is both artistic in its story and its writing.