For Pride and Prejudice, what is the narrative point of view, how does the narrator's point fo view affect the

Question

work as a whole? Does the choice of narrator(s) make an impact on the author's message (theme)?

Answer 1

Part of my Masters thesis is on narrative point of view in Jane Austen.

I have no idea if you are at university or in high school. Have you been introduced to the concept of Free Indirect Discourse?

This is a common narrative device Jane Austen uses. Think of what is actually happening in the novel. Most of it is coloured by Lizzie's point of view. Thus, we don't really get the narrator's point of view for most of the novel, but Lizzie's, despite the fact that it is written in the third person. Lizzie's thoughts are not quoted as direct dialogue, but rather narrated indirectly, this is why its called free INDIRECT discourse.

The main point at which we get Darcy's point of view directly is when he writes the letter to Lizzie in the middle of the book.

The theme of the novel is surely the CHANGE that occurs in Lizzie's thoughts, judgements and point of view, as well as Darcy's.

By telling the story from Lizzie's point of view, but using an objective narrator who can hint at the mistakes that Lizzie is making, this theme is very effectively communicated.

I hope this is at least a starting point for you. Narrative point of view in Jane Austen is a challenging topic and you will have to do some further thinking and research depending on why you require this information.