C. McCool Final Argument

Although both Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte are excellent novels, Pride and Prejudice would be better suited to be taught in the classroom because of its controversial social criticism, beautiful use of humor and sarcasm, and revolutionary view of women. While Wuthering Heights may have, as Herbert Goldstone says, great “insights into human feelings,” Pride and Prejudice’s strong analysis of society cannot be ignored. The novel is full of ideas to be discussed in the classroom such as the effects of marriage and social class on society. So controversial are her proclamations that Ralph Waldo Emerson even said that the book was “vulgar in tone” and “imprisoned in their wretched conventions of English society.” Obviously the book caused uproar. Not only would the social criticisms in this book be interesting to discuss, but also would be the way Austen uses humor and sarcasm to show these criticisms. She exaggerates her characters to show just how absurd the culture of society is becoming. Finally, Pride and Prejudice attempts to provide the women of her time with an example of a strong and intelligent character. Austen’s novel is complete with embarrassing women who represent those of society in that day. However, she also includes Elizabeth Bennet who proves to be logical in thinking. Pride and Prejudice would definitely be the better choice to teach in class because its criticisms would be interesting to discuss and her writing style would be fascinating to study.

Word Count: 248

Goldstone, Herbert. "Wuthering Heights Revisited." The English Journal XLVIII (1959): 4.

"Jane Austen's Critics."