Pride and Prejudice

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Analyzing a Character’s Pride and Prejudice”

Students will select a character from the novel Pride and Prejudice and create a character analysis.

Choose a character from the novel and create a character analysis, gathering objects, printouts, quotes, and facts about your character. Display the items in a way that represents the novel and/or your chosen character. For example, you might store your items in an old hat that is decorated to look like it is from the Regency era, or inside a shoe box that is designed as an instructional book on etiquette. You might attach your items to poster board that is cut in the shape of a dress from the period. Use your imagination and think symbolically. With each choice and addition to your analysis, strive to show the connection between the character’s attributes and the theme of Pride and Prejudice.

Follow these steps to create your character analysis:

• Create or select a picture of your character.
• Include at least one quote from the novel that adequately summarizes your character.
• Describe in bulleted, briefly summarized points your character’s beliefs on money, marriage, and society. Connect each point to the theme of Pride and Prejudice.
• Select 3—5 objects to represent what motivates your character. For example, paper money for wealth, a book for intelligence, and a ring for marriage.
• Describe how other characters from the novel view your character.
• Present your character analysis to the class.

Teaching Suggestion: You can omit the requirement to have students creatively display or house physical items as their character analysis and offer the option of creating it digitally. For older students or for added challenge, assign a side-by-side comparison analysis of two characters with similar (or opposing) motives.

Differentiation Suggestion: Consider allowing students with special needs to work with a partner and use a graphic organizer to brainstorm ideas for their character. You can also scale back the assignment by permitting them to pick a picture, a quote, and a brief description of their character.