Use anecdotal examples to introduce your novel’s characters. Explain the role of relationships in shaping a character. Indicate the importance to take less prominent characters that are still influential.
Use: Elizabeth Bennet’s prejudice is real, but it isn’t directed at Darcy, as is commonly believed. It is actually directed at Wickham. The title of the book is a good example.
Use as the topic sentence
Use the following quote: “It’s only when Darcy is accused of being unfair to Wickham, that there is a prejudice, and even then, it is superficial, and not lasting.” (Fox, 187).
Restate Wickham’s quote: Wickham referred to Darcy-Elizabeth’s relationship and claimed that Elizabeth displays a faint prejudice against Darcy in light of Elizabeth’s ignorance of this injustice.
Explain the quoted sentence as follows: “The critic limits his analyses to the relationship of Darcy with Elizabeth, ignoring Elizabeth’s interactions with other character.” In doing so, he fails to see that Elizabeth has much more powerful and lasting prejudices than Darcy, but they are directed towards another character.
Quote: “As for his true character, had she been able to find out, she would have never wanted to inquire.” “His countenance and voice had made him appear to be possessed of all virtues” (Austen, 200).
Elizabeth realized that Wickham was a good man and she never had to question his virtues. She believes in her preconceived ideas from the first time they met.
Explain what this quote means. Elizabeth therefore was prejudiced when she interpreted Wickham. She was more determined to dislike Darcy than to love Wickham. She felt this way because Wickham’s recounting of “injustice” echoed her sentiments.
Close with the following sentence: Elizabeth’s opinions about Wickham reflect a lasting, strong prejudice she has towards him. Her desire to like Wickham led her to this.
This topic is a good place to start.
Use the following quote: “Both pride and prejudice result in a severe limitation of vision in humans and are fundamentally selfish because they begin with an egoistic approach; one either separates oneself from other people or limits their concern to themselves” (Zimmerman, 66).
Quote: Zimmerman says that Elizabeth is too indifferent to the men’s characters to offer anything more than a superficial interpretation. She will therefore be left with prejudiced opinions based on other people’s reports.
Explain the meaning behind the quote: Elizabeth is blinded by her lacklustre interest in Darcy or Wickham.
Use this quotation: “How despicably, I have behaved!” she cried. I’ve always valued my skills! My sister has been generous with her candour, but I have gratified my ego by a blatant or useless mistrust. This discovery is humiliating! What a shame! I would have been blinder if I was in love.”
Quote: Elizabeth recognizes her mistaken original beliefs about men and realizes the prejudices she had.
Explain the quotation as follows: Elizabeth’s pride at her ability to judge others led her blind to other interpretations. Her correct assumptions about Miss Bingley fed this pride. Wickham, too, was only a means to an end for her.
Close with the following statement: Elizabeth’s prejudice toward Wickham is due to her egocentricity. She is more interested in proving herself than a real interpretation of Wickham.
“Driving the thesis statement home”. Wickham is a major factor in any interpretation as to why Elizabeth has such prejudices. He receives most of the attention.
Use a statement that is relevant to today’s reader.