Jensen S., 12th Grade: The Appeal of Pride and Prejudice
Pride
and Prejudice has the very important characteristic of
melodrama. Melodrama is honest and bittersweet, and because it is relatable,
many readers are drawn to books with the melodramatic tone. It is a very unique
and intriguing attribute. The first few chapters at the start of the novel show
the reader the pending relationships between Bingley and Jane as well as between
Elizabeth and Darcy. The relationships between these characters tie into the
melodramatic theme of the rest of Pride and Prejudice (Timko).
In
the very beginning of Pride and Prejudice, the readers quickly
understand that Bingley will have some sort of relationship with the Bennets.
This is predictable because Mrs. Bennet is in an enormous rush to get her
daughters married, and between Bingley’s wealth, good lucks, and manners, he is
a completely eligible husband. Jane and Darcy’s relationship is an example of
melodrama, but it is not the prime example that is exhibited by Darcy and
Elizabeth (Timko).
In melodrama, the plot almost always includes a female main character who suffers a great deal. The reader can clearly notify Elizabeth as this character in Pride and Prejudice. She is the heroine who struggles with these sufferings throughout the course of the novel. In melodrama, there is also a hero. The hero, however, is not as well-known as the heroine, but he is nevertheless always present. Darcy serves as the hero in Pride and Prejudice. Following the melodramatic format, Wickham serves as the villain in this novel. He is the source of the constant insecurity of Elizabeth’s thoughts about Darcy. Wickham also continuously messes with Elizabeth’s head as well as the other people of the community, conjuring up lies and schemes (Timko).
The bittersweet quality of melodrama is what makes it so interesting. Bitterness is evident in the main plot of Pride and Prejudice. In the end, however, the reader discovers the sweetness of it all. Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy end up happy together. This portrays the unpredictable magic of melodrama.
Works Cited
Timko, Michael. “The Appeal of Pride and Prejudice.” The World and I. 2013. Vol. 28 No. 3. Retrieved from
http://www.questia.com/library/1G1-330144359/the-appeal-of-pride-and-prejudice. Etowah High School. Web. 18
October 2013.
In melodrama, the plot almost always includes a female main character who suffers a great deal. The reader can clearly notify Elizabeth as this character in Pride and Prejudice. She is the heroine who struggles with these sufferings throughout the course of the novel. In melodrama, there is also a hero. The hero, however, is not as well-known as the heroine, but he is nevertheless always present. Darcy serves as the hero in Pride and Prejudice. Following the melodramatic format, Wickham serves as the villain in this novel. He is the source of the constant insecurity of Elizabeth’s thoughts about Darcy. Wickham also continuously messes with Elizabeth’s head as well as the other people of the community, conjuring up lies and schemes (Timko).
The bittersweet quality of melodrama is what makes it so interesting. Bitterness is evident in the main plot of Pride and Prejudice. In the end, however, the reader discovers the sweetness of it all. Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy end up happy together. This portrays the unpredictable magic of melodrama.
Works Cited
Timko, Michael. “The Appeal of Pride and Prejudice.” The World and I. 2013. Vol. 28 No. 3. Retrieved from
http://www.questia.com/library/1G1-330144359/the-appeal-of-pride-and-prejudice. Etowah High School. Web. 18
October 2013.