The Elements of Humour in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma"

Masterarbeit , 2011 , 89 Seiten , Note: A

Didaktik für das Fach Englisch - Literatur, Werke

Among novelists Jane Austen ranks as a supreme mistress of comedy. She brought with her task of social comedy a singular combination of rare gifts - a wit and satire of wonderful delicacy, a mind of great penetration, a style absolutely pellucid and effortless. No novelist has ever been more thoroughly an artist both in her attitude towards her own work and in her respect for her own limitations. She is so impersonal in her attitude that one may seek in vain for any trace of her own opinions or thoughts in her writings. Within her own limits she comes as near perfection as any human genius can.

One of the world's most popular novels, Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", has delighted readers since its publication with the story of the witty Elizabeth Bennet and her relationship with the aristocrat Fitzwilliam Darcy. Similar to Austen's other works, Pride and Prejudice is a humorous portrayal of the social atmosphere of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century England, and it is principally concerned with courtship rituals of the English gentry. The novel is much more than a comedic love story, however; through Austen's subtle and ironic style, it addresses economic, political, feminist, sociological, and philosophical themes, inspiring a great deal of diverse critical commentary on the meaning of the work.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER-1
  • INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER-2
  • HUMOUR
• CHAPTER-3
  • JANE AUSTEN AS A HUMORIST
• CHAPTER-4
  • HUMOUR IN PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND EMMA
  • EMMA
  • Humorous Situations
  • Gentle Satire and Irony
  • Humor through Delusion
  • Genial Spirit of Humour
  • Humorous Approach
  • Keen Sense of Humour
  • Humour Through Dramatic Irony
  • Humorous Elements
  • Psychological Humour
  • Humorous Characters
  • Mr. Woodhouse as a Comic Character
  • Miss Bates as a Comic Character
  • Emma as a Comic Character
  • Mr. Knightly as a Comic Character
  • Mr. Bennet as a comic character
  • Elizabeth and Darcy as humorous Characters
  • Mr. Collins A Highly Comic Character
  • Lady Catherine de Bourgh as a comic character
  • Mrs. Elton as a comic character
  • Minor comic characters
• CHAPTER-5
  • CONCLUSION

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation aims to analyze the elements of humor in two of Jane Austen's novels, "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma." The work seeks to demonstrate Austen's mastery of comedic writing and explore the various techniques she employs to evoke laughter and satire.

• The use of humorous situations and characters
• The role of satire and irony in Austen's writing
• The exploration of human folly and social conventions through humor
• The impact of Austen's humor on the overall themes and messages of the novels
• The significance of humor in creating a light and engaging reading experience

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter provides a broad definition of the novel as a genre, highlighting its characteristics and its role in dramatizing life. It traces the evolution of the novel and discusses various types, including picaresque, gothic, epistolary, psychological, and regional novels. The chapter also introduces Jane Austen's work, mentioning key novels such as "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," "Emma," and "Northanger Abbey."
• Chapter 2: Humour: This chapter delves into the nature of humor, exploring its various forms and its role in literature. It examines how humor can be used to highlight social absurdity, critique societal norms, and create engaging and memorable narratives.
• Chapter 3: Jane Austen as a Humorist: This chapter analyzes Jane Austen's unique style of humor, discussing her mastery of satire, irony, and witty dialogue. It examines how Austen skillfully blends humor with social commentary, offering a critical yet entertaining perspective on her characters and their world.
• Chapter 4: Humour in Pride and Prejudice and Emma: This chapter delves into the specific examples of humor found in "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma." It analyzes the humorous situations, characters, and dialogue that contribute to the comedic elements of each novel. The chapter also explores the different techniques Austen uses to evoke laughter, including dramatic irony, character-driven humor, and situational comedy.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The dissertation focuses on the elements of humor in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma." Key terms and concepts explored include satire, irony, dramatic irony, comic characters, witty dialogue, and social commentary. The work aims to analyze Austen's comedic techniques and their impact on the novels' themes and overall message.

• Veranstaltung: M.Phil
• Note: A
• Autor: Nirupama Patel (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2011
• Seiten: 89
• Katalognummer: V381250
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668592209
• ISBN (Buch): 9783668592216
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: humor, pride and prejudice, jane austen