Jane Austen portrays 18th century English society both through her major and minor characters. Austen uses Mr. Bennet, who is always sarcastic, to show the deceptions and spites that are common in this community. In Volume 2, Mr. Bennet’s witticisms, which were amusing and harmless before, become heartless and mean. Mr. Bennet’s mockery, which he used to amuse himself, now targets his own indeserving family. What he thought was funny, and made him smile, becomes hurtful for his daughters. Elizabeth, who had once appreciated her father’s senseless and unsupportive remarks, is now shocked and offended. She questions if his fatherly duties are being taken seriously. Austen’s use of speech, simple sentences (or the absence thereof), and other details to show Mr. Bennet’s transition from comical teaser to insensitive bullying is subtle yet unmistakable.

Austen shapes the interaction of Mr. Bennet and his closest friends with words or without words. The language Mr. Bennet uses to express his interpretation of the confessions of his friends and associates is powerful. Bennet can make fun of others’ expressions by using words which contradict his own feelings. Bennet mocks his wife for her gullibility when she insists that they call Mr. Bingley. The young bachelor has just moved to the neighborhood. 6) Just as Mr. Bennet predicted, Mrs. Bennet agrees with him and pretends modesty. This exchange may be humorous, but Mr. Bennet’s continued use of sarcasm in serious moments shows that he cannot control how he speaks. Elizabeth Bennet protests when her older sister Lydia asks to “follow soldiers” to Brighton. According to Elizabeth, this would only reinforce Lydia’s untrained, immature behavior. Bennet mocks Lydia, saying: “We can’t be at peace in Longbourn as long as she doesn’t come to Brighton.” She is too poor to become a prey for anyone. She will not be as important at Brighton, even if she is a regular flirt. They will find other women more worthy of their attention… She cannot get worse without us locking her up for life. 41, pg. The dry wit implied in Mr. Bennet’s address shows that he has failed to treat the situation with seriousness and reason, exposing him as an ineffective father.

Austen uses sentence structure and complexity to further portray Mr. Bennet as habitually sarcastic and idiosyncrasy-exploiting. It is entirely up to the emotional stability and maturity of Mr. Bennet’s conversant whether he or she interprets his statements as being insensitive or sarcastic. But, his similar sentences demonstrate his disregard for any possible pain that he may have caused. Mr. Bennet often uses simple, short sentences in situations that require long, insightful sentences. This makes him appear to be ignorant about the concerns of his family, even when they are relying on his advice. Bennet simulates calmly a complete misunderstanding of what his wife said after she yelled hysterically that Elizabeth would not engage Mr. Collins. What do you mean?” (ch. 20, pg. The frustration of his wife is exactly what Mr. Bennet enjoys. Another instance is when Mr. Bennet, using a concise and easily understood phrase, makes fun of his two daughters. After a long time of suspicion, I am now certain. Bennet, in a few simple sentences, shows that he can evoke strong emotional reactions from others without feeling guilty.

Austen’s descriptions of the effects Mr. Bennet has on his friends and family are generous and full of detail. The characters who were ridiculed by Mr. Bennet continue on in their ignorance. Mrs. Bennet admitting that she no longer looked beautiful following the conversation with her spouse shows her obliviousness of what was really said. Austen, however, uses specifics to describe Elizabeth’s distress following her father’s open and satirical mockery of her potential spouse: “Elizabeth never felt more at a lost to disguise her true feelings.” She had to laugh even though she wanted to cry. She was mortified by her father’s remarks about Mr. Darcy. She could not help but wonder if he had seen too little or feared that she may have been too enamored. 54, pg. Austen explains Elizabeth’s feelings of insecurity, after her father’s apparent amusement about her relationship with Darcy.

Austen does not include Mr. Bennet in the story’s central events, but the literary devices that she uses to distinguish him are a good way to understand how he influences (or doesn’t influence) the people who hear his sarcastic wit. The reader may laugh at Mr. Bennet’s natural wit, but his inability in taming such language ends up hurting the people he is supposed to have the most sympathy and respect for. Austen gives us a good idea of how sardonic thinking influenced 18th-century English culture by showing not only what Mr. Bennet says, but the consequences of his remarks.

elliotjones

Elliot Jones is a 29-year-old middle school teacher and blogger. He has been writing since he was a teenager, and his writings have been featured on various websites and in magazines. He enjoys writing about education, parenting, and lifestyle topics.