illustrated portrait of English novelist Jane Austen

Jane Austen

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Student Question

Compare and contrast Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

Expert Answers

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There are several ways to approach comparing and contrasting Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. You can compare themes, character arcs, major symbols, or settings. First, be sure to craft a thesis statement to guide the trajectory of your essay.

Think about similar themes in both books, such as marriage and courtship. How does each book approach this theme? For example, consider the roles of Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Mrs. Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility. What actions do these mothers take to ensure the well-being of their daughters? What actions are similar or different?

Or, how do the daughters in both novels approach marriage and courtship? Are there similarities between how the eldest sisters in both novels interact with their love interests? This would entail a discussion of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Elinor and Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility. For example, you may compare how Elinor Dashwood and Elizabeth Bennet differ in terms of temperament and character and how this affects their individual approach to love.

You can also compare how major characters develop in the novels. For example, how does Marianne Dashwood transform or grow? What changes does she go through that lead her to see marriage with Colonel Brandon in a positive light? Similarly, what causes Elizabeth Bennet to change her views about Mr. Darcy?

Another way to approach a compare and contrast essay would be to discuss the setting of both novels. For example, consider the historical and social context of both novels. How did class or societal position determine the marriage prospects of the female characters?

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