Key Quote
“"Your pride... his pride... for you are really proud of your defects in understanding"”
Elizabeth · Volume 3, Chapter 15
Focus: “defects”
Elizabeth criticises her own father — a radical act in Regency society — demonstrating her moral progression and willingness to see clearly without favouritism.
Technique 1 — LEXICAL REPETITION / SEMANTIC REFRAMING
Repetition of 'pride' reframes the novel's central concept: Elizabeth redirects the word from Darcy to her own father. This semantic (relating to meaning) shift forces re-evaluation of who is truly 'proud' — not social arrogance but intellectual complacency (smug self-satisfaction).
'Defects in understanding' is a devastating polysyllabic (many-syllabled) critique delivered in Austen's characteristically restrained register (controlled level of formality). The formal language makes the accusation all the more cutting.
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RAD — PROGRESS
Elizabeth demonstrates profound moral progression: she can now critique her own family with the same rigour she applied to Darcy. This moment shows she has overcome her own prejudice — she now sees clearly, without favouritism.
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Technique 2 — SUBVERSION OF PATERNAL AUTHORITY
A daughter publicly criticising her father was radical in Regency context where paternal authority was near-absolute. Elizabeth's willingness to speak truth to parental power mirrors her refusal to defer to Lady Catherine — consistent moral courage.
Austen uses Elizabeth to dismantle the assumption that social hierarchy (father > daughter) equals moral hierarchy. The most perceptive (insightful) character in the novel is the one with the least social power — a deliberate subversion (undermining) of patriarchal logic.
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Context (AO3)
FATHERHOOD
Mr Bennet's neglect enabled Lydia's ruin. Regency fathers had absolute legal authority over daughters but Mr Bennet abdicates (gives up) this duty. His 'wit' is revealed as moral laziness — entertainment at his family's expense.
ENTAILMENT
The Bennet estate is entailed to Mr Collins. Mr Bennet's failure to save money or discipline his daughters reflects systemic (built into the system) irresponsibility enabled by patriarchal privilege — the very system that will leave his daughters destitute.
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WOW — THE BILDUNGSROMAN CLIMAX
This moment completes Elizabeth's Bildungsroman (coming-of-age novel) arc: she achieves genuine self-knowledge. Unlike conventional Bildungsroman heroes, Elizabeth's growth is not about entering society but seeing through its facades. Austen prefigures the psychological novel: internal moral development is the true plot, not external events. By having Elizabeth critique patriarchal failure, Austen shows that women's moral vision can surpass men's institutional authority.
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