Answer one of the following questions with an oral presentation organized around a close
reading of the associated excerpt.
Your presentation should include an introduction, a development and a conclusion. In your
introduction, do not forget to clearly state your main thesis of and the successive steps of
your argument. Use relevant quotes to prove your points. In your analysis, be attentive to
the style of the excerpt (sentence construction, verb tenses, choice of words, rhetorical
figures, strong images, and narratological devices).
You will be evaluated on:
– originality (plagiary = 0/20)
– coherence (general coherence of the essay, internal coherence of each part)
– precision of reading (avoid vague generalization, focus on the excerpt)
– depth of analysis (engage with the nuances and complexity of the excerpt)
– pertinent use of literary concepts and categories
– pertinent use of notions related to gender
– quality of your spoken English.
In Pride and Prejudice’s chapter 12, Jane and Elizabeth Bennet leave Netherfield and the
Bingleys, and go back home. In the following excerpt, describe how the characters’
behavior adhere (or not) to the biopolitical and anatomopolitical norms of marriage and
courtship prevalent in the novel. How does Austen’s writing style make these norms
visible?
In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote the next morning to
their mother, to beg that the carriage might be sent for them in the course of the day. But
Mrs. Bennet, who had calculated on her daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following
Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane’s week, could not bring herself to receive them
with pleasure before.
[…]
The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so soon, and
repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her – that she was not
enough recovered; but Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right.
To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence–Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough.
She attracted him more than he liked–and Miss Bingley was uncivil to her, and more teasing
than usual to himself. He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration
should now escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his
felicity; sensible that if such an idea had been suggested, his behaviour during the last day
must have material weight in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely
spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were at one time
left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would
not even look at her.
On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so agreeable to almost all, took place.
Miss Bingley’s civility to Elizabeth increased at last very rapidly, as well as her affection for
Jane; and when they parted, after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would always give her
to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield, and embracing her most tenderly, she even
shook hands with the former. Elizabeth took leave of the whole party in the liveliest of
spirits.
They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. Bennet wondered at
their coming, and thought them very wrong to give so much trouble, and was sure Jane
would have caught cold again.