DW Harding

There are both aspects with which I agree on and disagree on within Harding's essay on Pride and Prejudice. I agree with Harden to a certain extent that Austen detests Mrs. Bennet to criticize the follies of society. Although Austen may not go so far as detesting Mrs. Bennet, she does use her as a means fo criticizing certain aspects of society. Harden states, "Consequently the proposal scene is not only comic fantasy, but it is also, for Elizabeth, a taste of the fantastic nightmare in which economic and social institutions have such power over the values of personal relationships". Harding is correct in his view that Austen is showing the fact that economic status has more value than personal relations in a marriage at the time. However, I disagree with Harden when he claims that Austen wrote in a satirical kind of tone to stay on good terms with her associates. I think he is analyzing her intentions a little too far and that Austen was only trying to show the faults of society in a subtly humerous kind of way instead of blatantly criticizing them.