How Frye’s Theories Apply to Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudiceis a story that is well collected, that focuses on turbulent relationships between Bennet’s daughter. It is the will of Mrs. Bennet, to get the daughtersmarried because she fears about the inheritance when the father dies.  One of the Frye’s theories that is applicable in this phenomenon is loss and regaining of identity. The whole episode revolves around dismissal and acceptance of love proposals among the daughters of Bennet. We get introduced to Bingley, who has a strong affectionate for the young daughter, Jane who later enters into a relationship. The relationship seemed to go well, until when Bingley flew to London and left the girl behind, which raised questions regarding the seriousness of this man towards Jane. The other sister, Elizabeth is seen worried about the future of this young girl. The loss of identity is identified when Elizabeth seems to get furious of Darcy, whom she thinks motivated Bingley to run away, and leave their sister in desperation. Such, it heightens the grief in the family, and minimal hope is left regarding the future of this relationship.

Interestingly, Darcy explains in the form of a letter to Elizabeth, that he did so because he did not believe Jane returned Bingley’s affection. It is through this period of explaining the reasons that abruptly the man in a relationship with Jane returns to the country, and offers to marry her. The plot of this incident is structured to change the minds of the reader, from a perceived disrespectful man to a person who would later become serious in a relationship. Though at first, it appeared to wobble, the return of Bingley is highly celebrated and confirms that all was not lost. It was a culmination of regaining the identity, that was once lost.

In the same vein, Northrop Frye affirms in his work that principle of recurrence or repetition has an impact of reconstructing the literary work, and makes it captivating for readers to go through. It ensures that one can relate the concepts discussed in the previous sections, hence keeping the story alive and memorable in the minds of the readers. In the novel Pride and Prejudice, the reoccurring love affairs make the reader want to know the end of all these cycles. The literature exposes one of the characters, Darcy, as someone intelligent, resilient, and focused. At the beginning of his mention, he is seen proposing to Elizabeth for marriage, but she turned him off, justbecause of his pride compared to his friend Bingley. “His pride, “said Miss Lucas, ‘does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so wonderful a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favor, should think highly ofhimself. If I may so express it, he has a RIGHT to be proud.” Even the parents seem to put him aloof, and despite the setbacks, he persistently and cautiously trends behind the girl. Elizabeth’s refusal to marry Darcy is repeated twice, which is an indication that she didn’t like him. The scene that the author wants to create here is that of a character that does not give up easily. Later, the same Elizabeth accepts to marry Darcy, bygoodwill and honesty that he portrayed by assisting the sister Lydia, get engaged to Wickham.

The entire narrative is confirming with the Frye’s assertion that literature should be considered as a whole subject, just like science is viewed. In his proposition, he finds out that there is a lot to be learned by taking an in-depth study of the literature, rather than focusing on superficial meaning. It molds character and even integrates the finite virtues, that might not be taught in the four walls of the lecture hall. In this case, Pride and Prejudice is a good illustration of the actual representation of modern relationships. The significant ideas are that however unstable the relationship might appear; it can end up being one of the best. Also, a quick take away is that one should not turn down others irrespective of their status. They might end up being the helper and a lead in this complicated life. The Pride and Prejudice accurately represent the Frye’s theories, hence a replica of his concepts.