Thursday 30 March 2017

What is an example of foreshadowing in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice?

One example of foreshadowing in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice can be seen in the remarks Charlotte Lucas makes to Elizabeth about securing a man and about the prospects of being happy in marriage. Little does Elizabeth realize at the time that all of Charlotte's remarks are philosophies she truly holds and foreshadow Charlotte's own matrimonial decisions.

Early in the novel, while the neighborhood is dining at Lucas Lodge soon after Jane meets Bingley, Charlotte feels obliged to warn Elizabeth that Jane is far too reserved and advises Jane needs to begin showing "more affection [for Bingley] than she feels" if she is going to make him fall in love with her and secure him (Ch. 6). Elizabeth objects to the idea of Jane securing Bingley before she is even sure of what his character is like. Elizabeth asserts that Charlotte's "plan is a good one" if the only object in mind was to "get a rich husband," which is not what Jane is interested in (Ch. 6). Charlotte responds by citing her own philosophy of marriage, that "happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance," and even two people who are well-suited to each other are likely to later grow disappointed with each other in marriage, and it is, therefore, better to know as little as possible about a person you marry (Ch. 6).

Elizabeth is shocked by Charlotte's philosophy and protests that even Charlotte wouldn't show false affection for a man just to secure a husband, nor would she marry a man without knowing him first. Yet, these are precisely things Charlotte does to win Mr. Collins's proposal. What's more she marries Mr. Collins purely to secure for herself a financially comfortable home and because she feels his character is good enough to make her suppose she'll be as happy married to him as any other married woman.

Hence, as we can see, the things Charlotte says to Elizabeth about Jane and marriage foreshadow Charlotte's own actions with respect to encouraging, accepting, and marrying Mr. Collins.

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