The_Role_of_Letters_and_Correspondence_in_Pride_and_Prejudice

Letters and Correspondence within //Pride and Prejudice// depict the significance of communication during the Victorian Era. Friendships, relationships and news were often addressed in letters. The meanings beyond the words are derived through the subject of the letter and the manner in which it is written. The victorian era had guidelines to letter writing which further stretches their importance in everyday life. It was often expected that a victorian letter would hold such things as congratulations, courtships, and introductions. Not only was letter correspondence important, but elegant penmanship was often judged. Men and women would be held to high standards and were expected to use an abundant amount of words in an artistic manner. Throughout //Pride and Prejudice//, letters to and from literary characters hold extreme importance in the development of the novel.

=The elegant etiquette of letters during the Victorian Era=

The letters in the Victorian era usually consisted of gushing fancy and ornate proposals from a suitor. Although the letters were carefully written the tone of the letters were extremely vague, but they were seen as a social obligation and a talent. Letters ranged from apologies, or marriage proposals (for the faint hearted) to congratulations or intimate correspondences. A proper lady was expected to respond to a later in the same matter it was sent. But both males and females were usually judged by the format, stylishness and penmanship of their letters.

By the 1850s vibrant, flowery were accepted and acknowledged as intimate letters. But by the 1900s only white paper was used, it was considered aesthetically pleasing. As you can tell stationary was a pivotal decision and had to be chosen correctly in order to convey a meaning or an impression. Selection of ink was also a great determination, the hand dipped ink and quill was a mindset to submit ideas and urgent messages.

Wax seals or emblems on the letter very substantially important also. It was the symbol of protecting the contents of the letter and was vital for other to see the writers care for the letter. Different wax colors represented different types of letters such as black wax stood for a mourning letter, red wax for business, and so on. There were few ways to write a correct letter, as there were many do’s and don’ts to compose an appropriate letter. For example;

DON’T: • Write anonymously • Use lined paper • Always write on a full piece of paper • Underline words • Abbreviate words • Erase mistakes, re-write it • Fill margins with forgotten thoughts or words, re-write it

DO: • Extenuate your vocabulary to show expressive and important ideas • Separate paragraphs for new ideas • Always hand write it, type written letters were seen as offensive • Always match the tone of the received letter • Fold correctly, if you don’t re-write! • Read over and over and over again

=The Role of an Epistolary Novel= An epistolary novel is a piece of literature consisting of letters, diary entries, and sometimes newspaper excerpts. The word “epistle” (επιστολη) means a “letter” in Greek thus, the coining of the term “epistolary novel” is derived from the Greek language. An epistle was often noted as being very formal, didactic (in terms of informing those for whom it was written), and elegant (both in diction and appearance). During the Victorian Era the same standards of formality, information and elegance were applied. Letters were often the key form of communication hence, why it is not surprising that epistolary novels tell of occurrences, relationships, invitations and more. Epistolary novels are manifested in three forms: 1) Monologic- which contains the letters of a single character. 2) Dialogic- which contains the letters of two characters. 3) Polylogic- which contains the letters of three or more characters. Within Pride and Prejudice letters portray the development of relationships between individuals, emergence of personas and more. Character's personas may be derived from the manner in which they write, emotions beneath the words and the subject. During the Victorian Era significant emphasis was placed on one's social rank, wealth and connections. Letters, which were used as a main source of communication often initiated connections within society. For example, upon Mr. Bingley's arrival Mrs. Bennet insisted that Mr. Bennet send a formal introduction including the recognition of his emergence into society. Such letters introduce the role of one's reputation and the rank of one's family during the Victorian Era. At the beginning of the novel the potential connection between the Bingley and Bennet family through the marriage was viewed as an establishment of unequal gain. As the Bennets were of insignificant wealth and a lowly reputation are later venerated for obtaining such an establishment. "The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world, though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune" (Austen, Chapter 55). In addition, the above quote introduces the role of redemption which letters enabled in Pride and Prejudice. Some alternative examples of redemption through letters are: Mr. Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth after his proposal which facilitated romance, Mr. Bingley’s sister’s letters of congratulations to Jane, and Lydia’s letters to the family after her marriage. “Had not my character required it to be written and read. You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand your attention; your feelings, I know, will bestow it unwillingly, but I demand it of your justice” (221, Austen). As seen within the quote above Mr. Darcy implies the necessity of contact through letters. He had not been able to accurately communicate the truth and his feelings at the initial refusal but was able to do so through letters. That letter which enabled Elizabeth to later accept and see Mr. Darcy’s true character allowed for the cultivation of their love. " I know not in what manner, under what form of falsehood, he has imposed on you; but his success is not, perhaps, to be wondered at. Ignorant as you previously were of every thing concerning either, detection could not be in your power, and suspicion certainly not in your inclination" (191). The above quote depicts the enlightening letter through which one comes to realize that the perceived reputation of Mr. Darcy is that of society’s perception. The “general belief” by this society during the Victorian Era was one that was rarely questioned as societal reputation was of utmost importance. Societal reputation comes into play through the theme of social hierarchy which is established by society and maintained by family. The family and friends of Miss. Elizabeth Bennet acknowledged Mr. Darcy as one of great superiority but favored by few. The unique voice portrayed by the letter maintains Mr. Darcy’s reputation for pride in his wealth and superiority. However, Austen reveals to the reader the reality behind Mr. Darcy’s guise. Behind the superficialities of society’s concern with social hierarchy is a man of genuine means. Despite Mr. Darcy’s acknowledgment of rank his judgment of character goes beyond wealth and filial connections. His adorations for Jane persevere beyond the influence of society’s standards through his genuine understanding of her being, clever wit, and rejection of many societal standards. Unfortunately, it also leads one to question if Elizabeth is truly beyond societal standards. Rather, that she is subject to its influence through her acceptance of society’s perception of individuals. Today epistolary novels are commonly sold in Barnes and Nobles containing letters, e-mails, text messages, and my personal favorite anonymous post cards. The Post Secret series assembled by Frank Warren are books containing a compilation of cleverly crafted “secrets.” These secrets are mailed by postcard to: Post Secret 13345 Copper Ridge Rd Germantown, Maryland 20874. Every Sunday a selection of secrets, having been mailed periodically throughout the week, are displayed at www.postsecret.com. These books are a type of epistolary novel containing the secrets of hundred of anonymous individuals on 4x6 inch post cards. The secrets selected for the books and web site often reveal the struggles, victories, fears and other truths that individuals could not openly express. Once a secret is mailed to Frank it becomes the property of Post Secret and may be displayed on the web site, in a book, art display etc. This project allows individuals of any age, community or life style to express themselves creatively in writing through the mail.(not e-mail!) The role of this project within the lives of the readers and writers depicts the necessity for communication, expression and most importantly truth. This is similar to that of the role of letters during the Victorian Era as people were not always able to thoroughly communicate their views to others. However, these secrets do not portray the importance of social hierarchy or wealth; rather, they reveal the authentic truth of a secret.

=Letters throughout //Pride and Prejudice//=

//"And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you, and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady once did. But I have an aunt, too, who must not be longer neglected" (361)//. -This quote is said by Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy as they discuss the fact that they both must let their aunts know about their engagement. -The fact that Elizabeth says her aunt must "not be longer neglected" helps aid in displaying the fact that letter correspondence was extremely important in the travel of news between people. -Without letters, Elizabeth's aunt would not know about her soon to be marriage unless she went to visit them, furthering the importance that letters were the source of knowledge and truth during the Victorian Era. Due to this, the letter Elizabeth sends to her aunt symbolizes letters as a means of communicating and updating her family members in respect to what is happening within the family. -This letter helps prove that Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage is actually final and that there is nothing going to stop them from being with eachother now. Austen proves their relationship through letters to display the "news" of their engagement to the reader as the absolute truth. page 362 --&gt; Darcy letting Lady Catherine know about his engagement pages 305-208 --&gt; Mrs. Gardiner tells Elizabeth about Darcy's involvement with Lydia's marriage page 286 --&gt; Mr. Gardiner informs Mr. Bennet they found Lydia pages 261-262 --&gt; Jane writes Elizabeth about Lydia running off with Whicham //"... an the persual of this letter must occasion, should have been spared, had not my character required it to be written and read" (191)// -This quote is taken from Darcy's very personal letter (confession) to Elizabeth that can be seen on pages 191 to 197 -The point of this letter was for Darcy to get the truth and his personal feelings out to Elizabeth because he could not emotionally and physically tell her in person with the freedom of expressing himself truly -While this letter furthers the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, it also helps symbolize the fact that letters revealed truth and intelligence between people during the Victorian Era. Without letters, people would have been unable to know what was going on around them and wouldn't have been able to ask those they loved who were far away what was going on in their lives. The passage of letters allowed people to reveal things to people through the travel of their letters. -While this letter is between Darcy and Elizabeth about the lies Elizabeth accused him of, it can also be seen as an example of a courtship letter that was commonly sent between people during the Victorian era. -While Darcy is usually shy and not good with saying 'king' things to Elizabeth, his letter allows him to elegantly describe his feelings and aspects of his life to her, which in person may have been extremely uncomfortable and awkward. It appears that he best expresses his feelings through letters because there is no one to judge his writing. The reason Jane Austen may have provided all this information from Darcy in a letter is because it displays how letters can hold truth without the judgement and society, and displays Darcy in a different and truthful light which cannot and has not been seen infront of many people throughout the novel.
 * For further letters regarding family news see pages:

//"I have frequently wished to heal the breach but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory or me to be on good terms with any one..." (61)// -This excerpt is taken from the letter that Mr. Collins writes to Mr. Bennet upon hearing about his estate being entailed (page 61-62) -Without letters, Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet would not have been able to contact one another without the long, treacherous journey to visit one another -Through this letter, Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet were able to set up a time and a good relationship through letter correspondence -This letter between the two men helps increase the extreme importance of letters. Through letters, people were able to hold courtships, and make deals with one another as seen with Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet -This letter is a prime example of a common buisness letter sent between people when there was no other means of communication besides traveling to meet one another. -Jane Austen appears to use this letter to portray the extreme importance of letters between people for buisness and to bring Mr. Collins into the plot of the novel. Also, Mr. Collins buisness with Mr. Bennet displays that an estate must be handed down to a mail in the family and being that Mr. Bennet only had daughters, this buisness is necessary. page 365 --&gt; Lydia writing to Elizabeth about needing money for her and Whicham
 * For further lettings regarding buisness see pages:

Video: Darcy's letter to Elizabeth
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//references://
Austen, Jane. __Pride and Prejudice__. United states: Penguin group, 2005. (used for letter correspondence throughout the novel) Ellis-Christensen, Tricia. "What is an Epistolary Novel." __WiseGEEK__. 2207. Oct 2007 &lt;[|http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-epistolary-novel.htm&gt;.] Austen, Jane. __Pride and Prejudice__. Enriched Classic. New York: Pocket Books, 2004. Warren, Frank. "Sunday Secrets." __Post Secret__. Post Secret. Oct 2007 &lt;[|http://postsecret.blogspot.com/&gt;.] (image) Heather, Palmer. "Dating in the Victorian Age: "The Unsuitable Suitor of 1879"." ladies of reenacting. 28 Oct 2007 . "Victorian Rituals... a flirtatious glance back to a more romantic time." victorian rituals. 28 Oct 2007 . "Ettiquette." Era of Elegance. 28 Oct 2007 . Sonya, "Victorian Letter Writing." Marvelicious Very Victorian. August 15 2006. 28 Oct 2007 .