Great Books - Pride and Prejudice - Online Courses - Adult Learning

This course offers an engaging and critical exploration of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. You will examine the novel’s rich narrative, social context, and enduring themes—such as marriage, class, gender, and personal growth. Through close reading, discussion, and analysis, learners will develop a deeper understanding of Austen's style, including her use of irony, wit, and social satire, while connecting the novel to both Regency society and contemporary issues.

Course Summary: the novel’s genre (is it a romance novel?) its form (how does Austen use irony, dialogue, letters in the novel?) its characterisation (Austen is renowned for her ability to create realistic but outrageous characters. How does she do this?  We will consider the characterisation of Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy, Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Caroline Bingley, Charlotte Lucas, Mr Collins, Mr Wickham, and Lydia Bennet) and how it engages with contemporary issues and themes (the position of women, entails, marriage, female education, parental duty, the war).

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Identify and explain the historical and cultural context of Pride and Prejudice.

• Understand key themes: marriage, money, class, gender roles, and reputation.

• Describe and evaluate the development of key characters, especially Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy

Suggested Reading for the course:

 Pride and Prejudice