Jane Austen is one of the most revered writers in the history of literature. His achievements with his novel Pride and Prejudice are still recognized to this day. This satire has stood the test of time largely due to the narrative techniques Austen uses throughout the novel. One method in particular is the epistolary technique, or the telling of a story through corresponding letters between characters. Jane Austen uses the epistolary technique with seventeen letters to reveal the characters in the story. The characters of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Collins, Jane, Lydia, and Mr. Bennet are greatly embellished by the existence of the letters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Mr. Darcy's character is embellished and revealed using epistolary technique. His entire image during the first half of the book is pompous and arrogant in nature, but this is entirely changed when he writes his letter to Elizabeth after her proposal. Before the letter, Elizabeth has a strong dislike for Darcy. She blames him for taking her sister Jane away from Bingley and cheating Mr. Wickham out of his rightful money. But Darcy's letter reveals to him the true reasons for his actions. He separated Jane and Bingley because he was looking out for his friend. He thought Jane was “indifferent” (170) toward his friend and didn’t really love him. This clearly reveals that Darcy is actually a very caring and loyal friend. If he was as self-centered and rude as everyone initially thought, he might not have separated Jane and Bingley for the same reasons. The letter also shows that Darcy is very loyal and not greedy. This is revealed when Darcy describes his conflicts with Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth thinks Darcy was simply greedy and keeping Wickham's money, when in fact he is loyal to his father and honors his wishes. "In the city I believe he lived chiefly, but his studies of law were a mere pretense, and not being free from all restraints, his life was one of idleness and dissipation... for he assured me that I had no one else to support me, and I could not have forgotten the intentions of my venerated father. You will hardly blame me for having refused to comply with him. this supplication, or having resisted each repetition” (173). Darcy also shows his loyalty to his family by breaking up the marriage between Wickham and his little sister. It was obvious to Darcy that Wickham wanted to marry his little sister only because. 'she had a "fortune of thirty thousand pounds" (174) to her name In Darcy and Elizabeth's situation, it was better to have a letter to convey Darcy's feelings than to have a normal conversation, because Elizabeth did not. probably wouldn't have listened to what Darcy had to say due to her anger towards him. So, after the letter, Darcy's character seems to have become something very different from what he was at the beginning of the story. Mr. Collins, in fact, reveals his interesting character almost entirely through his letters to Mr. Bennet. Collins first writes to Mr. Bennet to tell him that he will try to be as hospitable as possible to the unfortunate family as he will inherit the entire estate upon Mr. Bennet's death. He does not ask for permission to stay, he simply declares that he comes “without any inconvenience” (54). He almost immediately mentions his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and begins rambling about how great and powerful she is. He seems to have good intentions, but he is extremely arrogant. He says that "...as a member of the clergy, moreover, I consider it my duty topromote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence” (47). He seems to think he is being charitable by blessing them with his presence. His second letter further reveals his pompous state of being. This letter is in response to Lydia's unhappy situation with Mr. Wickham. Mr. Collins appears to be trying to console the family about their unfortunate situation, but his stupidity makes it difficult for him. He basically says that Lydia has been spoiled and left free, and there's no saving her now. He states that "Your daughter's death would have been a blessing in comparison to this..." (220), says that none of the other daughters will ever be married now and ends by saying how grateful he is for the have done. not marry into the family. Mr. Collins' final letter arrives when he hears of the engagement of Jane and Mr. Bingley and the supposed engagement of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. He has enough self-esteem to warn Elizabeth because "...Lady Catherine de Bourgh does not view the match with a friendly eye" (272). Collins reveals in his letters that he considers himself sitting on a pedestal when in reality, the reader knows, he is a chattering idiot. By using letters, the reader knows the opinions of other characters who are not present at the time. Jane Bennet's letters to her sister are some of the only times she actually speaks and therefore reveals more character. She believes that everyone is good and has honorable intentions. In her letter from London to Elizabeth, she finally admits that Caroline Bingley is not her best friend. Jane has realized that Miss Bingley does not want her brother to marry her and she believes that she wants him to marry Miss Darcy. She still forgives Miss Bingley and says: "...I pity her, because she must feel that she has done wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause." 111). Jane does not realize that the reason Miss Bingley wants her brother to marry Miss Darcy is to provide her with a greater connection to Mr. Darcy. In reality, Miss Bingley doesn't care at all about her brother's happiness, but Jane is innocent enough not to see it. In her later letters to Elizabeth in Derbyshire regarding Lydia, Jane's modest character comes through once again. Lydia's situation is extremely serious and could mean tragedy for the family and yet Jane does not write in a panic so that Elizabeth and the Gardiners come immediately. Instead, she describes the situation in a somewhat sober manner and becomes modestly distressed towards the end of her second letter. Instead of demanding that they come immediately, she says, "...I long for your return...However, I am not selfish enough to insist on this, if it does not suit you..." (203). At that time, letters were the only means of communication to report news. Austen uses this setback to promote the notion of Jane's modesty and selfless nature. Lydia Bennet's two short letters reinforce the reader's sense of her materialistic, superficial and unconscious nature. When she recklessly elopes with Wickham, she writes to her friend in Brighton, Mrs. Forster. She exclaims, “What a good joke it will be” (216) when her family learns of her elopement. She has no idea that she is causing a huge uproar in Longbourn. She cares about herself and has no concept for others. This is further demonstrated when she writes to Elizabeth after marrying Mr. Darcy. She says, “It is a great comfort to have you so rich...I hope you will think of us” (290). Lydia shows that she is completely self-centered and simple-minded through her letters. By using this technique, Austen can highlight Lydia's flaws.