A study on historical and social background and
the newness of language use in „Pride and
Prejudice‟ by Jane Austen Nguyễn Kim Oanh Trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ
Luận văn Thạc sĩ ngành: English Linguistics; Mã số: 60 22 15
Người hướng dẫn: Dr. Phạm Đăng Bình
Năm bảo vệ: 2012 Abstract. The study firstly aimed at giving some certain information about the
temporary English society and literature of the early eighteenth and late nineteenth
centuries. Secondly, Jane Austen‟s distinctive writing style was thoroughly discussed
through the language use in three leading conversations between the two main
characters -Darcy Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Bennet - in her „Pride and prejudice‟,
which satired the vices of her society, as portraying the concepts of „sincerity and
vulgarity‟; so powerful that none could escape from. The result of the study briefly
expressed the researcher‟s own viewpoint about the matter of love and love expressing;
as well as major findings and contributions were also stated to recommend a number of
things for readers to consider in the choice of widening their knowledge in literature.
Keywords. Ngôn ngữ; Tiếng Anh; Sử dụng ngôn ngữ
Content
This initial part stated the problem and the rationale of the study, together with the aims,
objectives, the scope of the study, and the overview of the rest of this research paper. Above all,
it was in this part that the research question was identified to work as clear guidelines for the
as Diệp Minh Tâm (2002) once commented.
Further more, it ranked one of the greatest novels of all time following “Wuthering heights” by
Emily Bronte - 1847) and was read even if it was not taught at school. The researcher was
impressed by the name of the novel at first and became overexcited about the novel since she
finished reading it for the first time. The novel was really linked to both of the real world and the
emotional changes inside individuals, especially the female. Therefore, putting extra effort in
investigating what impressed her really fed her desire to understand the people and society at the
time.
2. Aims of the study
This study was carried out with the hope of exploring the background of the temporary Britain
leading to the remarkable changes in its literal history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
especially in the view on British novels.
The study also aimed at answering the question: “What is Jane Austen‟s distinctive writing
style?”. The answer to the question would help the students of Linguistics, the novel's readers as
well as those who wished to specialize in English Literature realize what made Austen one of the
most successful female novelist of the century.
Right from the start, the researcher expected to find out the historical and social background of
the British Literature and briefly analyze the language use in „Pride and Prejudice‟ which
exposed Austen‟s distinctive writing style.
Last but not least was the researcher‟s desire to understand the novel, which was really related to
the controversial matter of love and love expressing.
3. Methodology of procedures
3.1. Design of the study
The study was divided into three main parts. While Part One dealt with the general information
which contained the rationale, aims and objectives, methodology and scope of the study, Part
Two went into further details of the historical and social background; and the newness of
language use in Jane Austen‟s Pride and Prejudice through four chapters. The suggestions for
further research would not be omitted in the last part.
3.2. Data collection and data analysis
The study used the descriptive and contextual methods of data collecting and analyzing.
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