Name: Candice Thomas Teacher: Ms. Singh Subject: English Literature (Prose) The Significance of the setting used in the novel ³Pride and Prejudice´. The novel takes place in England in the early1800s, during a time known as the Regency period. Most of the novel¶s action occurs in the homes of middle- and upper-class families living in the countryside not far from London. The Regency period is sometimes called the age of elegance which is clearly depicted by the city folk in pride and prejudice. Due to the industrial revolution some found new wealth and were eager to adopt the lifestyle of England¶s traditional landed aristocracy. They displayed their wealth in large country homes with landscaped grounds, fine carriages, and e legant fashions. However, the upwardly mobile middle class, isolated in their life of co mfort and leisure, generally gave little thought to what was going on outside their world. Although these two groups share a similar lifestyle, Austen shows that there are significant differences in income and social prestige between them. These differences play a cr itical role in the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth .This difference in classes is clearly shown in pride and prejudice as the setting of this period effectively complements the attitudes, behaviour and customs of t he characters. In this n ovel Austen manipulates th e setting to serve tw o purposes: to set up the distinction between sophisticated city folk and provincial country folk(thus explaining the snobbery of the Bingley sisters), and to set up the distinction in class and wealth between, for example, Pe mberley with its portrait gallery and manicured grounds and Longbourn, which is a considered a more humble abode. Sometimes, within the novel, the setting serves as emblems of the characters that live there, just as the pretentiousness of Rosings re veals Lady Catherine and the instability of Netherfield defines Bingley, in contrast to the natural beauty and aura of Pemberley which depicts the gentle, caring character that Darcy rea lly is. In ³Pride and Prejudice´, setting is used to add body to the main characters and also to show their development, background and socioeconomic status. As with Elizabeth and Darcy, their homes Longbourn and Pemberley give us an insight into the obstacles that they had to overcome to be together. The literal distance between these two homes is quite lengthy, thus metaphorically explaining the distance these two people had to cover in order to be together. Also the very appearance of these homes, signify the distinction of their c lasses. Mr. Darcy¶s estate, Pemberley, gives the appearance of being beautiful, peaceful, serene and extravagant but not ostentatious; however, Elizabeth¶s home in the country,
