This hilarious speech comes after Lizzie's debate with
Miss Caroline Bingley about what makes an "accomplished woman." Let us just remember the
definition of dramatic irony. It is a form of irony when a character or characters
remain ignorant about something that is perfectly evident to other characters and the
audience. Here, what is so amusing about Caroline's speech, is that she, by falsely
attempting to show how Lizzie Bennet tries to make herself look good to Mr. Darcy by
criticizing other women, actually shows how this criticism is far more relevant to her
own character than it ever would be to Lizzie Bennet's character. By condemning such
behaviour as "a paltry device, a very mean art," she is ironically condemning her own
attempt to prejudice Elizabeth Bennet in front of Mr.
Darcy.
What adds humour to this dramatic irony is Mr.
Darcy's response, which shows he is not blind to the dramatic irony of Caroline
Bingley's attempt to damage the reputation of Elizabeth
Bennet:
"Undoubtedly," replied Darcy, to whom this
remark was chiefly addressed, "there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes
condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is
despicable."
Clearly, this
response shows that Mr. Darcy is very aware of what Caroline Bingley is trying to do,
and is not impressed, although Caroline Bingley remains blind to the dramatic irony of
this situation.
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