Pride and Prejudice: Character and Contradiction

Jane Austen's House presents its 2023 Annual Lecture, filmed onsite in Chawton with acclaimed Austen scholar Professor John Mullan...

“I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him.”

When Elizabeth Bennet says this to her mother about Mr Darcy, she believes that she is speaking the truth. She is destined, like most of Jane Austen's characters, to contradict her words by her actions. In her novels, Jane Austen is a connoisseur of comic self-contradiction. In this talk, we see how she brings characters alive through their inconsistencies in Pride and Prejudice, with some glances at her other novels.

This talk by acclaimed Austen scholar Professor John Mullan was delivered in the Drawing Room at Jane Austen’s House. Whilst a small group enjoyed it live, it was written and filmed for you, our online audience. So grab a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy, wherever you are in the world!

[Brianbrianbrian]

What a pleasure to hear the thoughts of someone so learned and passionate. Thank you.

[gwynwellliver]

Anyone who uses a Monty Python reference in a Jane Austen lecture is marvelous! ❤😂

[jamesonstalanthasyu]

Thank you, Lizzie and the rest of the Jane Austen House Museum, for putting this online for everyone! Much appreciated.

[gracetaylor]

Thank you I am enjoying and love listening John Mullan talk about Jane Austen .❤

[Maria_Efe]

Thank you so much for letting us all hear his lecture! I could listen to John Mullan talk about Jane Austen for hours.

[maryhamric]

I LOVE John Mullan! Thank you for posting this!!! And YES Emma is my favorite too! It is my favorite novel. 💗

[EllenMariaM]

My favourite contradictions by Mrs. Bennet are when she contradicts what she's saying in the very moment by behaving in opposition to it. Such as when she promises to be true to her word to never speak to Elizabeth again (after her refusal of Mr. Collins), while continuing to talk to her many sentences after. Or when she says about some subject I forget, that she'll never talk to any soul about it, and then says that she said the exact same thing to Mrs. Phillips the other day (that she wouldn't mention the subject to anyone again), so this moment of the conversation we're reading, contradicting what she said to Mrs. Phillips, and what she is saying now, by bringing up the topic again.

[beckihayes]

Lovely man
I saw him at the hey festival signing books when
' what matters in Jane Austen '
He was soo lovely chatting to everyone in such a animated way that I joined the queue so I could say hello to him

Quite a few of his lectures are on YouTube and he's always a delight to watch

[zuzanka]

I'm looking forward to this lecture. Thank you for sharing it with other Jane Austen's fans.

[meganluck]

Jane was a great observer of human nature and human behavior. I have read P & P the best and have read it several times. My second favorite being Mansfield Park.

[--enyo--]

That ‘Jane Austen’s Monsters’ lecture sounds incredibly interesting. I’d love to see that turned into another book so we could all access/read it.

[annsheil]

This is so fantastic, thank you so much

[catherinelincoln]

Next treat from Professor Mullan is his address to the September 2023 Bath Festival on “Blushing in Jane Austen’s works”. 😃👍

[marieh]

Mrs Bennet is consistent in that she needs everything to work in her favor. As far as Mr Darcy goes, the original reason she didn't like him was that he snubbed her Lizzy. Elizabeth may not be her favorite but she will not tolerate a man, even an important rich man, looking down on her.

[emilystern]

Thank you for posting this on YouTube!! I really enjoyed the talk

[ganganair]

Thank you, Sir for learned thoughts on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice.😊

[meganluck]

The novel Emma was the one that I struggled to get through while struggling to not throw the book at the wall. Emma's personality and character bothered me a lot. Poor Harriet, so innocent and easily pleased unfortunate to have become friends with such a twit.

[AdDewaard-huxk]

Mr Bennett, fave character, "such an odd mixture . . ."

[ellie]

John's signature place holding 🤓😆

[beckihayes]

Love to hear John Mullion talking on Jane Austen
I too have heard him in person on online many times
If he talks again
Can you ask him to tell you what he knows about Janes Father

In my mind I now see someone like John himself
Immensely proud of Jane