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Elizabeth And Mrs Clay Essay

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Anne and Elizabeth’s conversation about their father’s relationship with Mrs. Clay provides an opportunity to examine the differences between their characters perspectives on others. Elizabeth and Anne are depicted as complete opposites whose relationship is marred by their conflicting views. Through the use of diction and tone, Austen depicts Anne as being more observant of other’s personalities, Elizabeth as being more superficial towards others, and their relationship as being confrontational. Austen uses one-dimensional diction to depict Elizabeth as superficial, which provides contrast with the multi-dimensional diction Austen uses to depict Anne as thoughtful. Elizabeth describes Mrs. Clay by solely referencing her physical features …show more content…

While Elizabeth is assessing Mrs. Clay, Austen uses words like “tolerably pretty” and “disfigured” to create a shallow and superficial tone. The shallow tone Austen uses to depict Elizabeth leads the reader to dislike Elizabeth for judging people solely on physical appearance. Austen uses this dislike of Elizabeth to paint Anne in a favorable light. Thus, influencing the reader’s feelings towards Anne. In addition to using the reader’s dislike of Elizabeth to make Anne seem more favorable, Austen uses words like “pleasing manners” and “acute mind” to describe Anne’s thoughts about Mrs. Clay. Austen shows the reader that Anne takes Mrs. Clay’s personality into account when judging her as a person. Anne is depicted in a more favorable light than Elizabeth, leading the reader to take on Anne’s opinions as his or her own. The reader, seeing Elizabeth in a poor light and Anne in a positive light, is forced to decide if they support Anne or Elizabeth’s view of Mrs. Clay. This amplifies the conflict in the relationship between the sisters because the reader now sees everything Elizabeth does as antagonistic towards Anne. The feelings Austen uses to depict Anne and Elizabeth contribute to the sense of conflict the reader perceives in Anne and Elizabeth’s relationship. Austen uses contrasting positive and negative tones to depict Anne and Elizabeth to enhance the feeling of constant conflict in their

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