LIT 101: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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