Jane Austen is one of the most revered writers in the history of literature. His achievements with the novel Pride and Prejudice are still recognized to this day. This satire has stood the test of time largely due to the narrative techniques Austen uses in the novel. One method in particular is the epistolary technique, or the telling of a story through corresponding letters between characters. Jane Austen uses the epistolary technique with seventeen letters to help reveal the characters in the story. The characters of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Collins, Jane, Lydia, and Mr. Bennet are greatly embellished by the existence of the letters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The character of Mr. Darcy is embellished and revealed using the epistolary technique. His entire image during the first half of the book is of a pompous and arrogant nature, but this is completely altered when he writes his letter to Elizabeth after his proposal. Before the letter, Elizabeth has a strong dislike for Darcy. She blames him for keeping her sister Jane away from Bingley and for defrauding Mr. Wickham of his rightful money. But Darcy's letter reveals the true reasons for his actions. He separated Jane and Bingley because he was taking care of his friend. He thought Jane was “indifferent” (170), towards his friend and did not truly love him. This clearly reveals that Darcy is actually a very caring and loyal friend. If he were as self-centered and rude as everyone initially thought he was, perhaps he wouldn't have separated Jane and Bingley for the same reasons. The letter also shows that Darcy is very loyal and not greedy. This is revealed when Darcy describes his conflicts with Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth believes that Darcy was just greedy and keeping money from Wickham, when in reality he is loyal to his father and honors his wishes. "In the city I believe he lived chiefly, but his studies of law were a mere pretense, and not being free from all restraint, his life was one of idleness and dissipation... for he well assured that I had no other person with which to provide, and I could not have forgotten the intentions of my venerated father. You will hardly blame me for refusing to obey this supplication, or for resisting its every repetition" (173). Darcy also shows his loyalty to his family when he breaks up the marriage between Wickham and his little sister. It was obvious to Darcy that Wickham only wanted to marry his little sister because he had a "fortune, amounting to thirty thousand pounds" (174) to his name. In Darcy and Elizabeth's situation, it was better to have a letter to express Darcy's feelings rather than have a normal conversation, because Elizabeth would most likely not listen to what Darcy had to say due to her anger towards him. So, after the letter, Darcy's character seems to have become something very different than he was at the beginning of the story. Mr. Collins, in fact, reveals his interesting character almost entirely through his letters to Mr. Bennet. Collins first writes to Mr. Bennet to say that he will try to be as hospitable as possible to the unfortunate family as they will inherit the entire estate when Mr. Bennet dies. He does not ask permission to stay, he simply states that he will come “without any inconvenience” (54). Almost immediately he mentions his patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and starts rambling about how great and powerful she is. He means well, it seems, but is extremely arrogant. He says that «...as a priest, moreover, I feel it is my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within reachof my influence..." (47). He seems to think he is being charitable by blessing them with his presence. His second letter further reveals his pompous state of being. This letter is in response to Lydia's unfortunate situation with Mr. Wickham. It appears that Mr. Collins is attempting to console the family of their unfortunate situation, but his stupidity makes it difficult for him to do so. He basically says that Lydia has been spoiled and left to run wild and that there is no way to save her now. He states that "Your daughter's death would have been a blessing compared to this..." (220), says that none of the other girls will ever be married now, and concludes by saying how grateful he is that he did. do not marry into the family. Mr. Collins's last letter comes when he learns of Jane and Mr. Bingley's engagement and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's supposed engagement. He has enough self-esteem to warn Elizabeth because, “…Lady Catherine de Bourgh, you do not look at the game with a friendly eye,” (272). Collins reveals in his letters that he sees himself as sitting on a pedestal when in reality, the reader knows, he is a stammering idiot. By using letters, the reader knows the opinion of other characters who are not present at that moment. Jane Bennet's letters to her sister are some of the only times she actually speaks and thus reveals more character. He believes that everyone is good and has honorable intentions. In his letter to Elizabeth from London, he finally admits that Caroline Bingley is not his best friend. Jane has come to realize that Miss Bingley does not want her brother to marry her and believes she wants him to marry Miss Darcy. She is still lenient with Miss Bingley and says that, "...I pity her, because she must feel that she has done badly, and because I am very sure that anxiety about her brother is the cause," (111). Jane does not realize that the reason Miss Bingley wants her brother to marry Miss Darcy is to provide her with a closer bond with Mr. Darcy. In reality, Miss Bingley doesn't care at all about her brother's happiness, but Jane is innocent enough not to see it. In her later letters to Elizabeth in Derbyshire regarding Lydia, Jane's modest character shows itself once again. Lydia's situation is extremely serious and could spell tragedy for the family, yet Jane does not write in a panic for Elizabeth and the Gardiners to come immediately. Instead, she describes the situation rather subduedly and becomes modestly distressed toward the end of her second letter. Instead of demanding that they come at once, he says, “…I long for your return…I am not so selfish, however, as to insist upon it, if inconvenient…” (203). During this era, letters were the only means of communication for reporting news. Austen uses this setback to promote the idea of ​​Jane's modesty and selfless nature. Lydia Bennet's two short letters delve into the reader's sense of her materialistic, superficial, and oblivious nature. When she recklessly runs away with Wickham, she writes to her Brighton friend, Mrs. Forster. He exclaims, “What a good joke this will be” (216) when his family finds out about his escape. He has no idea that he is causing a huge uproar in Longbourn. She takes care of herself and has no idea about anyone else. This is further demonstrated when she writes to Elizabeth after marrying Mr. Darcy. He says, “It is a great comfort to have you so rich… I hope you will think of us” (290). Lydia shows herself to be completely self-centered and naive with her letters. By using this technique, Austen can emphasize Lydia's flaws without affecting the plot. Mr. Bennet's character and sense of humor are brilliantly demonstrated in his letter to Mr. Collins concerning Elizabeth and Mr..