Ten Utterances of the Voice of God (P&P)

[anghraine]

[reposted from wordpress]

It’s a common fiction that Elizabeth Bennet is the narrator of Pride and Prejudice, or that the story is told solely from her perspective.  Those arguing for a nicer, gentler Darcy (or, alternatively, a crueller and less virtuous one), often invoke the argument – e.g., “we only see what Elizabeth sees,” or “we only see him through Elizabeth’s eyes” – ignoring the many occasions when we see his thoughts – or Bingley’s, Mrs Bennet’s, Lydia’s, Jane’s, Georgiana’s, Mrs Gardiner’s, Mr Bennet’s, Caroline’s, etc etc.

Of course, Pride and Prejudice is not told (or seen through the eyes of) any one of these people.  It has – in common with all the Austen novels – an omniscient narrator.  She relates the story – events, thoughts, perceptions – usually as the characters themselves would see/think/perceive them.  Sometimes, however, she reverts to her Voice of God authority, speaking as herself and saying This Is So.

 

Thanks to the conventions of the time, these instances are not exactly rare; in fact, they occur in every single chapter, often repeatedly.  Towards the end, she even refers to herself in the first person:  I wish I could say . . .

The facts given in VoG passages, of course, are absolute as assertions received via the narrator’s account of a given character’s opinions (spoken or thought) are not.  Divine Infodumps are unmistakable:  our friendly ON switches to Expository Mode and starts delivering facts that the characters either don’t know or wouldn’t randomly mention/think about (and certainly not in the Voice of God).

So, with no more ado, allow me to present . . .

TEN UTTERANCES OF THE VOICE OF GOD

(aka, Some Random Things the Omniscient Narrator Tells Us When She’s In a Giving Mood)

(10)  Jane is heavier than Elizabeth, and doesn’t run as much.

(9)  Bingley is not subnormal; he’s just less brilliant than Darcy.

(8)  Elizabeth and Jane have spent lots of time staying with the Gardiners in London.

(7)  The Bingleys’ inheritance (not quite £100,000 for Bingley himself, £20,000 for Louisa, £20,000 for Caroline) came from trade.  Their name comes from a respectable family in northern England.

(6)  Mary plays the piano better than Elizabeth – but Elizabeth has better taste, and her style is less annoying.

(5)  Mr Gardiner’s, Mrs Annesley’s, Darcy’s, and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s manners are all well-bred.

(4)  Mr Bennet has no affection whatsoever for his wife, and hasn’t since soon after their marriage.  They still kept trying for a son after Lydia was born, though.

(3)  Georgiana isn't as light as Elizabeth or as good-looking as Darcy.

(2)  Elizabeth doesn’t worry about things she can’t do anything about.

(1)  Darcy and Elizabeth don't enjoy their engagement.

 

Comments

[hl]

Aw, there you go in and ruin it for everyone. What do you mean, we can't suddenly go and say Georgiana is beautiful, slight waif? What, stereotypes, you say? ;)

I love the voice of god, even when it says stuff I don't like. I would totally footnote this, though--not that textual evidence ever convinced the fanatics.