Essay: Jane Austen’s elevated form of diction reflects the time & decorum she appears to dislike

Jane Austen is an author noted for being ahead of her time in literature by shying away from the romanticism of the time and setting the stage for the realist movement. She uses concrete, polite language, oddly crafted sentences, characterization through their effect on others, and meaningful dialogue structure. All of these elements helped Austen express her view that the expected propriety of that period was unnecessary and often unattainable.
Jane Austen utilizes an elevated form of diction to reflect the time and the decorum that she appears to dislike. Characters like Fitzwilliam Darcy, who becomes something of the hero by the end of the book, demonstrates his upper class lifestyle through his proper and over-the-top diction. Fitzwilliam Darcy would often only speak to Elizabeth Bennet when it was “a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself.” (179). This reveals that when he will go out of his way to speak just to be polite rather than for enjoyment. When he does speak, he tries to use the most polite diction possible because he has decided that he wants to marry her. At the beginning of the book, he had no regard for proper diction because, not only did he not yet like Elizabeth, he did not seem to enjoy any one, other than his own party, in Hertfordshire. Austen supports her belief that propriety and decorum are unnecessary by associating them with Fitzwilliam Darcy who is a dynamic character. This qualities are related to him before he becomes more likable character at the end of the book after he sheds his social expectations, put upon him mostly by his ridiculously proper aunt. This change allows Austen to link decorum with the less likable side of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Jane Austen further supports her view of propriety through the diction of Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins is so proper with his words that he can barely go five words without complimenting his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Collins is a notoriously, and almost universally disliked character because of his pomposity. He embodies the extreme side of decorum which most readers will find uncomfortably awkward and out of place. For example, Mr. Collins says, “Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and her daughter. I could advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest—there is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.” (Austen 160). While Mr. Collins likely means well, his way of being honest to a fault out of good manners ironically makes his manners come across as abrasive. On top of this, his diction regarding Lady Catherine de Bourgh characterizes her as extremely regal and respectful of propriety. She will become disliked by the end of the book which, once again, degrades the value of decorum.
The author’s use of archaic sentence syntax reflect the decorum during her time period. A notable example comes from when Fitzwilliam Darcy wants to strike up a conversation with Elizabeth Bennet because he is interested in her hand in marriage. He says to her, “What think you of books?” (Austen 94). While most readers realize he is asking her opinion on books, however it would seldom be worded like this in any modern day literature of speech, rather it would be “What do you think about books?”. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s proper sentence structure is indicative of his upper class upbringing, something that conflicts with Elizabeth Bennet’s background and causes him internal strife. He wants to impress her so he retains this style of syntax to reveal the expected propriety. Once again, by connecting this characteristics to Fitzwilliam Darcy and then changing the reader’s view of him, Austen can throw shade at the outdated syntax. Jane Austen also makes fun of the propriety of the upper class in England through the syntax of Mr. Collins. For example, he says this, “Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond anything I can describe; and your wit and vivacity, I think, must be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite.” (Austen 106). He goes on and on while talking to her. While he embodies the strictest level of decorum, he actually appears rude by not letting her respond. Throughout the novel, Austen completely humiliates Mr. Collins, especially through indirect characterization like his actions. Propriety and decorum are associated with him because of his position with Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but he cannot be taken serious. This strengthens Jane Austen’s side against the necessity of the decorum of her time.
Austen will describe characters by describing them through the opinions of others. A noticable example of this is when Fitzwilliam Darcy wrote to Elizabeth Bennet, “The situation of your mother’s family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison to that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your father.” (Austen 196). Jane Austen is characterizing a number of characters including Elizabeth’s father, Mr. Bennet. He is a generally well liked character who, while teasing them, takes care of his family. When Fitzwilliam Darcy argues that Mr. Bennet is not respectable based upon the socially expected and accepted customs, then she is arguing that the rules may be wrong. The Jane Austen Society of North America is of the opinion that “Austen’s novels often reprobate characters . . . who disobey or question the code of propriety. But the comments and behaviour of such characters also expose the deficiencies of the code itself.” (Nardin). In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen ruins Lydia Bennet’s reputation for eloping with Mr. Wickham because it was so drastically against the social code of the day. However, Austen frequently expresses her negative opinion of the rules themselves.
Finally, Jane Austen utilizes a unique structuring technique to support her view of propriety. The author is very selective with the details that she includes to alter the structure of dialogue. This is best exemplified in the first page of the book: “‘My dear Mr. Bennet,’ said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?” Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. ‘But it is,’ returned she; ‘for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.’ Mr. Bennet made no answer.” (Austen 5). The structure of this dialogue, or better yet monologue because Mrs. Bennet seems to be the only one talking, divulges Mr. Bennet’s impropriety. The structure of the conversation makes it appear that he is completely indifferent to what his wife has to say. While this seems overtly rude on his part, Mr. Bennet makes up for it by giving into his wife’s wishes in order to help his daughters. Mr. Bennet becomes such a likable character that even Fitzwilliam Darcy, when he was in his moody stage, dislikes critiquing him. Therefore, my making a likable character lack propriety, Jane Austen is demonstrating how unnecessary the strictest forms of decorum are. Additionally, it also reveals that Austen may believe that a healthy relationship needs some arguing, teasing, and bickering to remain healthy.
In conclusion, Jane Austen developed a unique style through proper diction, archaic syntax, detached characterization, and selective structure in Pride and Prejudice. By developing a theme that is criticizes the code of decorum, Austen places removes herself from the romanticism that was so popular during her time and begins to write about things as they really are, which is similar to the realist and naturalist movements that would come later. Jane Austen influenced many notable authors such as “Leo Tolstoy, George Eliot and Charles Dickens,” (Shashkevich) because she was ahead of her time in the literary movement.