Great Books - Pride and Prejudice - Beeston Library - Adult Learning

About this course

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

Booking your place and fee information

Booking your place and fee information If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course, please visit our webpage for further information https www.inspireculture.org.uk skills learning funding your courses Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course. To enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required). As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Greater London Greater Manchester Liverpool City Region Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Tees Valley West of England West Midlands West Yorkshire