Chapter 35 Pride and Prejudice Letter

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What is the importance of the letter within the novel? How does Austen use language, theme and character in this chapter to extend the meaning? Chapter 35 in Pride and Prejudice presents a major turning point within the novel. The letters within the chapter expose Darcy's true feelings towards Elizabeth as well as informing the reader on new developments and truths. Darcy's letter begins a humbling process for both Elizabeth and him, which results in a maturation of each of their attitudes toward the other. In Darcy's case, the rejection of his proposal strikes a blow to his pride and compels him to respond to Elizabeth's anger. The resulting letter reveals to Elizabeth how she misjudge both him and Wickham. With the extent of her mistaken prejudice suddenly apparent, she is humbled enough to begin to look at Darcy in a new light. In letters, as opposed to conversation, things can be written and explained that could never be spoken in a social situation. Darcy's letter conveys his character to Elizabeth in a way in which his speech did not. Letters can be studied and re-read and the attitudes to the writer can mature and change." She was in a fair way of soon knowing it by heart, she studied every sentence". Darcy comment that he was not sufficiently "master" of himself to reveal in conversation what he has put in the letter, He asserts that his "character required it to be written and read" Darcy may not be much of a conversationalist, but he writes a strong and intelligent letter, to which Elizabeth is surprised. Darcy uses the letter to expose his true feelings towards Elizabeth. It is the first real time that we see the honest Darcy, who is not masquerading behind his arrogance. This would suggest that Austen uses the letters as a medium of the truth, exposing the character true feelings and relationships through the text in the letter. Not only
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