Key points
For Edexcel, Pride and Prejudice is assessed on Paper 2: the 19th-century Novel and poetry since 1789.
You will be presented with one extract and a two-part question.
Part (a) of the question will ask you to analyse the language in an extract. Part (b) will ask you to explore ideas from the rest of the novel.
This is a closed book exam, which means you will not be allowed to have a copy of the novel with you.
Remember
The more time you spend planning your answers and practising writing within the time limit as part of your revision, the more confident you will feel in the final exam.
GCSE exam-style question
Planning your answer
It is a good idea to spend a few minutes planning your answer before you start writing.
You should identify the key words and plan out some of your main points.
For part (a), you should Add notes with some explanation or comment. the extract to help shape your argument.
You could plan using bullet points or a mind-map, or any other way that you find useful.
Example question
(a) Explore how Austen presents Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship in this extract.
(b) In this extract, Darcy and Elizabeth are both stubborn and proud. Explain how pride is important elsewhere in the novel.
In this extract from Volume 2 Chapter 11, Darcy proposes marriage to Elizabeth for the first time.
Click below to open the extract
After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began:
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, In this context, it means that she blushed., doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement, and the When you say or admit something that you believe, support, or plan to do. of all that he felt and had long felt for her immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority, of it being a When the beauty or quality of something is spoiled or destroyed., of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his In this context, the act of pursuing someone romantically..
In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till roused to A mixture of disappointment, disgust and anger. by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which in spite of all his endeavours he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther; and when he ceased the colour rose into her cheeks and she said:
“In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot—I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings which you tell me have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation.”
Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature.
Exam top tip
For Part (a), you must focus on the extract you are given.
Inspecting the question
Before you start writing your answer, make sure you understand the question properly by asking yourself:
1. What are the key words in the questions?
- ‘explore’ – this word is reminding you to think about a range of ideas from the whole of the novel to answer the question.
- ‘how’ – this word asks you to look at the writer’s choice of language and techniques. What tools have they used?
- ‘Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship’ – the question focuses on just these two characters and how they interact with one another.
- ‘presents’ – remember, the characters and the relationship are created by Austen. What ideas is she trying to express or show us through Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship?
- ‘pride’ – this is a Happening or appearing more than once. theme in the novel. What examples of characters showing pride can you think of?
2. What are some important moments to analyse in the extract?
You might choose to write about:
- Darcy’s nervousness at the start (‘agitated manner’)
- Darcy’s demand that he be heard (“You must allow me to tell you”)
- Darcy’s feelings towards Elizabeth (“how ardently I admire you”)
- The narrator’s description of Elizabeth’s shock (‘She stared, coloured, doubted’)
- Elizabeth’s feeling of pity (‘she was at first sorry for the pain he was about to receive’)
- Elizabeth’s change to anger (‘she lost all compassion’)
- Elizabeth’s firm and direct rejection (“I have never desired your good opinion”)
- Darcy’s shock at his rejection (‘the disturbance of his mind’).
3. What important examples of pride are there in the novel?
You might choose to write about:
- Darcy’s refusal to dance with Elizabeth at Meryton, and the Bennet sisters’ response to this
- Darcy hiding his changing feelings towards Elizabeth when she is caring for Jane at Netherfield
- Elizabeth’s Not wanting to do something. to admit that her first impressions of both Wickham and Darcy were wrong
- Jane’s Not wanting to do something. to find out why Bingley’s feelings towards her may have changed
- Mr Collins’ repeated boasts about his connections to wealthy people
- The contrast between Darcy’s attitude in his first marriage proposal and his second
- Lydia’s Resisting or refusing to obey. return to Longbourn after marrying Wickham
- Elizabeth’s refusal to To give in or agree to do something unwillingly. to Lady Catherine’s demand that she should not marry Darcy.
Assessment objectives
Your exam response will be marked using Assessment Objectives. The ones for this question are below.
| What is the objective? | How do I do well? |
|---|---|
| AO1: the quality of your ideas, understanding of the text and use of supporting evidence. | Stay focused on the question and show that you understand the text and the writer’s messages well. Use evidence clearly and carefully to support your answer. |
| AO2: analysis of the writer’s methods and effects. | Explain how the writer uses different tools to create meaning. Use the correct language to explain these techniques and their effects on the audience. |
Identifying AO1 and AO2
In the exam, Part (a) is only assessed on AO2, and Part (b) is only assessed on AO1. Although there is some overlap, you will need to be clear what each AO is asking you to do.
Activity
Structuring your answer
At the start of your answers, it is helpful to have a short introduction.
An effective introduction should give a summary of the ideas you are about to present, and link to the question and the writer’s message.
After your introduction, each paragraph should include:
- A topic sentence, which uses some of the language of the question, to introduce your argument
- Evidence that supports your argument
- Analysis of the effects of language techniques
- A final sentence that acts as a mini-summary.
An awareness of the writer’s purpose is important.
In the Edexcel exam you will not be awarded marks for making points about context, so you should focus your answer on ideas and methods.
You could include a short conclusion that summarises the key ideas in your answer.
Example answers
Read and compare these two sample answers to the question:
(a) Explore how Austen presents Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship in this extract.
(b) In this extract, Darcy and Elizabeth are both stubborn and proud. Explain how pride is important elsewhere in the novel.
In this extract from Volume 2 Chapter 11, Darcy proposes marriage to Elizabeth for the first time.
Click below to open the extract
After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began:
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, In this context, it means that she blushed., doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement, and the When you say or admit something that you believe, support, or plan to do. of all that he felt and had long felt for her immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority, of it being a When the beauty or quality of something is spoiled or destroyed., of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his In this context, the act of pursuing someone romantically..
In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till roused to A mixture of disappointment, disgust and anger. by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which in spite of all his endeavours he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther; and when he ceased the colour rose into her cheeks and she said:
“In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot—I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings which you tell me have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation.”
Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature.
Part (a)
Example answer 1
Answers could include:
In the extract, Darcy is focused on himself and not Elizabeth. He starts off as very nervous. Austen uses the word ‘agitated’ to show that he is not behaving as he normally would. Trying to take control of the situation, he uses imperative language: “You must allow me to tell you”, as though he is interrupting Elizabeth, even though she is already listening. This command has the effect of placing the reader on Elizabeth’s side because of Darcy’s rudeness.
As the extract goes on, Elizabeth’s feelings towards Darcy are changing. Austen describes Elizabeth’s shock using a list of three: ‘stared, coloured, doubted’. This shows that Elizabeth is having both a physical and emotional response to what Darcy is saying, but she stays silent. However, as Darcy goes on this turns to anger and ‘she lost all compassion’. The word ‘all’ shows how quickly her feelings have changed towards him in a very direct way.
At the end of the extract, it is obvious that Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship is in a challenging place. Elizabeth saying that she has “never desired” Darcy’s good opinion implies how strongly she dislikes him, with the adverb ‘never’ reminding the reader of how badly Darcy treated Elizabeth at the start of the novel. At the same time, Darcy is shocked at Elizabeth’s response, which proves that he does not really know her. The description of the ‘disturbance of his mind’ shows how deeply and intensely surprised he is by how much he has misunderstood their relationship.
Feedback
- There is good focus on the question and the language, structure and form used.
- The answer includes well-chosen quotations from the extract and references to the writer’s methods, but clearer explanation is needed on the effects of those methods and the writer’s purpose.
- The answer could have a more detailed understanding of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy.
Example answer 2
Answers could include:
At the start of the extract, it is clear that we are about to see a change in Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. Darcy’s ‘agitated manner’ is a contrast to his previous calm behaviour, implying that he is both nervous and not at ease. Darcy attempts to control the conversation and his feelings using imperative language: “You must allow me to tell you”. Here, his language suggests that he is interrupting Elizabeth, even though this comes ‘after a silence of several minutes’. Austen’s use of humour and Presenting an idea in a way that is interesting or strange because of being very different from what you would expect. here has the effect of placing the reader on Elizabeth’s side and of highlighting the changing power dynamics in the relationship.
Austen then focuses our attention on Elizabeth’s response and how this is shaped by the complex history of her relationship with Darcy. Austen describes Elizabeth’s confusion using a list of three: ‘stared, coloured, doubted’. ‘Stared’ implies genuine shock, ‘coloured’ indicates that she blushed with embarrassment, and 'doubted' suggests that the shock and embarrassment are suddenly forcing her to question what she thought she knew about Darcy. In addition, the language is passive: Elizabeth feels unable to interrupt Darcy. However, Darcy’s arrogant language, which includes a reference to Elizabeth’s ‘inferiority’, means that these initial feelings are taken over by anger and resentment. Elizabeth says that she has “never desired” Darcy’s good opinion, with the adverb ‘never’ reminding the reader of how badly Darcy treated Elizabeth at the start of the novel.
At the end of the extract, Austen presents Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship as incredibly fragile. Darcy’s inability to anticipate Elizabeth’s response proves that he does not really know her, despite proposing marriage. The description of the ‘disturbance of his mind’ showing in his face underlines how deeply and intensely surprised he is by how much he has misunderstood their relationship. In addition, Austen’s comment that there is ‘resentment’ as much as surprise is revealing, as this abstract noun has Thoughts or feelings suggested by a word, apart from its literal meaning. of long-lasting dislike, blame and unease.
Feedback
- The answer is focused on the question and the language, structure and form used, and takes a thoughtful and evaluative approach.
- The quotations are well-chosen from the extract and analysed in detail, with comments on specific effects of the writer’s methods.
- The answer shows a good understanding of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth.
- The answer could consider more on the writer’s purpose.
Part (b)
Example answer 3
Answers could include:
The most important example of pride in the novel is how Darcy and Elizabeth treat each other. Other characters think Darcy has a poor attitude towards Elizabeth. When they first meet at a ball in Meryton, Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth. He rejects her because she is not pretty enough and other men are not dancing with her either. Mrs Bennet is sympathetic, telling Elizabeth: “I should not dance with him, if I were you”. Mrs Bennet has made her mind up about Darcy and is instructing Elizabeth to keep away from Darcy because of how impolite he has been, with all three characters showing their pride here.
Austen presents Elizabeth as proud in other ways too. For example, she thinks she is a good judge of character and takes a long time to admit that her first impressions of both Wickham and Darcy were wrong. Elizabeth trusted Wickham because he is ‘handsome’, which is very superficial. Later in the novel, Elizabeth’s pride is presented in a different way when she refuses to give in to Lady Catherine’s demands. Elizabeth is ‘resolved’ to act in a way that ensures her own happiness, even under pressure from someone much wealthier and more powerful than she is. Both situations demonstrate how pride is linked to her strength of character.
By the end of the novel, the characters who have overcome their pride are rewarded with a happy ending. Elizabeth accepts Darcy’s second proposal because of his honesty and because they have both admitted and dealt with their An unfairly negative attitude towards another person or group.. Elizabeth’s statement that “it is settled between us already that we are to be the happiest couple in the world” shows how committed they are to each other and that their pride now takes a different form, as they are proud of their new relationship. Jane and Bingley are also happily married because they are open with each other and have resolved any misunderstandings. Austen therefore shows how pride can be a barrier to happiness.
Feedback
- There is some focus on the question but there could be more explanation, instead of describing what happens.
- Some of the topic sentences could describe how pride is presented, instead of just listing another example of pride.
- The answer includes some good quotations, but more detail is needed on the writer’s purpose.
- The answer could include some more varied examples of pride from the wider novel, such as the behaviours of Lydia or Mr Collins.
Example answer 4
Answers could include:
Austen presents pride as linked to stubbornness and prejudice, not just in the title of her novel but in the first meeting of her main characters. At the Meryton ball, where Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth, his reasons for rejecting her are Small and unimportant problems or issues., and he can only bring himself to describe her as ‘tolerable’. Darcy does not see Elizabeth as worthy of his time and attention. Elizabeth’s response, which is to tell this story with ‘great spirit’ to her friends, is a significant contrast and shows their opposing but equally Difficult to change. attitudes. This presentation of pride is important because it is central to the development of the plot and the romantic relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy.
Austen presents varied forms of pride in most of her characters. Mr Collins is boastful of his connections with wealthy and powerful people, such as Lady Catherine. Caroline Bingley’s pride initially makes her believe that Jane Bennet, who is slightly lower in class than she is, will not be a good match for her brother. Mrs Bennet makes it ‘the business of her life’ to ensure that her daughters marry into families of higher status. Lydia returns to Longbourn with her head held high after marrying Wickham, seemingly unaware of the scandal that she could have caused. All of these examples reflect Austen’s view that pride is a universal human Specific parts of someone’s personality., and its powerful links to identity.
Loss of pride is presented as an opportunity for characters to change and reflect. For example, Elizabeth thinks she is a good judge of character and takes a long time to admit that her first impressions of both Wickham and Darcy were wrong. Elizabeth trusted Wickham simply because he is ‘handsome’, but her realisation that she has misjudged them feels ‘acutely painful’. When Darcy’s first marriage proposal is rejected, his loss of pride prompts him to be Acting in a way that is not proud or arrogant. and write a letter of explanation to Elizabeth, which is the start of a significant change in their relationship. By contrast, when Lady Catherine’s pride is threatened in her confrontation with Elizabeth, Lady Catherine refuses to reflect: she instead acts more rudely and childishly, and is one of the few characters without a happy ending in the novel.
At the end of the novel Austen’s message is clear: pride is a barrier to happiness. Once characters have overcome their pride, they can develop successful relationships. Jane and Bingley are happily married because they are open with each other and have resolved any misunderstandings. Elizabeth accepts Darcy’s second proposal because of his honesty and because they have both admitted and dealt with their An unfairly negative attitude towards another person or group.. Elizabeth’s statement that “it is settled between us already that we are to be the happiest couple in the world” shows how committed they are to each other and that their pride now takes a different form, as they are joyously proud of their new relationship.
Feedback
- The answer is focused on the question and takes a thoughtful and evaluative approach.
- The quotations are well-chosen, and the topic sentences all have a sense of argument.
- The answer shows a good understanding of the theme of pride and its place in the wider narrative.
- The answer could use a wider range of shorter quotations and consider why the minor characters act in proud ways.
Other exam-style questions
You could use the following Part (b)-style questions to revise your knowledge of the novel and practise writing your ideas.
1. Explain how Austen presents Jane in the novel.
Some ideas:
- Jane is presented as kind, patient and generous.
- Austen uses Jane’s openness to contrast with Elizabeth’s pride.
- Jane often hides her true feelings: as the eldest daughter, she feels a responsibility to be Staying calm and having your feelings under control. and polite, even when she is treated badly by others.
2. Explain how class and status are explored in the novel.
Some ideas:
- Status is an important issue for many of the characters in the novel, and it is often decided by class.
- Austen presents Darcy’s attitude to class and status as representative of his An unfairly negative attitude towards another person or group. and a barrier to his happiness.
- The character of Lady Catherine gives the reader a clear sense of the power of class and status, as she is treated with respect by others despite her rudeness and critical nature.
3. Explain how the theme of love is explored in the novel.
Some ideas:
- This theme is closely linked to ideas about marriage and family.
- Austen uses the romantic relationships in the novel to explore social expectations and the purpose of marriage.
- Some characters are dismissive about love, like Mrs Bennet and Charlotte, who believe that financial security is more important.
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