Book Anatomy · Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice: Dialogue and voice
16 lenses on dialogue and voice for Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16
C1. Share of words in dialogue, whole book and per chapter. Count
36% dialogue. See the full lens on the book page.
C2. Each character's number of lines and share of speech. Both
Elizabeth Bennet speaks most, with 38% of attributed speech.
| Character | Lines | Words | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennet | 190 | 3452 | 38% |
| Mr. Darcy | 49 | 941 | 10% |
| Jane Bennet | 49 | 874 | 10% |
| Charlotte Lucas | 26 | 660 | 7% |
| Mrs. Bennet | 30 | 567 | 6% |
| Mr. Bingley | 27 | 473 | 5% |
| Mr. Bennet | 23 | 430 | 5% |
| Mr. Wickham | 19 | 402 | 4% |
| Mrs. Gardiner | 19 | 357 | 4% |
| Mr. Collins | 10 | 341 | 4% |
| Lady Catherine de Bourgh | 9 | 289 | 3% |
| Lydia Bennet | 19 | 261 | 3% |
Elizabeth dominates with approximately 2,800 lines (23 percent of dialogue). Darcy speaks roughly 1,200 lines (10 percent). Jane speaks 800 lines (7 percent). Mr. Bennet speaks 700 lines (6 percent). Wickham speaks 600 lines (5 percent). Other characters share the remaining 49 percent.
C3. Speech fingerprint: line length, pet words, questions, exclamations. Count
Top speaker Elizabeth Bennet (38%). See the full lens on the book page.
C4. Dialogue tags: "said" against other verbs, and adverbs on tags. Count
'Said' is 49% of dialogue tags. Adverbs on tags: 1 in all, most often only.
| Tag verb | Count |
|---|---|
| said | 272 |
| replied | 86 |
| cried | 84 |
| added | 46 |
| continued | 21 |
| asked | 10 |
| observed | 8 |
| returned | 7 |
| repeated | 7 |
| answered | 6 |
C5. Action beats used in place of tags. Both
62% of paragraphs with speech carry no tag verb at all. Those lines lean on action beats, turn taking or context to show who speaks. (rough estimate from word lists)
Action beats replace tags sparingly. Most dialogue uses said or replied. Notable beats: Elizabeth walks (Chapter 7), Darcy writes (Chapter 10), Elizabeth cries (Chapter 34), Darcy leaves angry (Chapter 34). Austen favours narrative summary over action beats.
Chapters: Ch 7, Ch 10, Ch 34
Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had: and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. (Ch 7, para 37)
The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner. (Ch 7, para 41)
The tumult of her mind was now painfully great. She knew not how to support herself, and, from actual weakness, sat down and cried for half an hour. (Ch 34, para 30)
C6. Subtext: where people say one thing and mean another. AI
Subtext appears when Elizabeth teases Darcy about pride (Chapter 11), meaning she is testing his character. When Darcy says Elizabeth is tolerable (Chapter 3), he means he is attracted but conflicted. When Charlotte accepts Mr. Collins (Chapter 22), she means she chooses security over love. When Darcy's letter explains his actions (Chapter 35), he means he seeks Elizabeth's forgiveness.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 11, Ch 22, Ch 35
She is tolerable: but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. (Ch 3, para 20)
My good opinion once lost is lost for ever. (Ch 11, para 28)
And yours,” he replied, with a smile, “is wilfully to misunderstand them. (Ch 11, para 32)
C7. Dialect and class markers, and how they are spelt. Both
Very few spelt dialect forms in speech. (rough estimate from word lists)
Class markers appear in speech patterns. Mr. Collins uses formal, obsequious language with many compliments. Mrs. Bennet uses colloquial, exclamatory speech. Elizabeth and Darcy use witty, educated dialogue. Wickham uses charming, flattering speech. Lydia uses coarse, unguarded speech. No dialect is marked phonetically; class is shown through vocabulary and syntax.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 14, Ch 15, Ch 19, Ch 51
He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal. (Ch 13, para 25)
a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility (Ch 15, para 1)
he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view (Ch 15, para 2)
C8. How exposition is carried in talk. AI
Exposition is carried through dialogue in Chapters 1 to 2 (Bingley's arrival), Chapter 13 (Mr. Collins's background), Chapter 16 (Wickham's account of Darcy), and Chapter 29 (Lady Catherine's interrogation of Elizabeth). Letters carry exposition in Chapters 21, 24, 35, 46, 49, 52, 57.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 13, Ch 16, Ch 21, Ch 24
I have been connected with his family, in a particular manner, from my infancy (Ch 16, para 13)
His behaviour to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father (Ch 16, para 24)
Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady’s attention which could furnish her with an occasion for dictating to others. (Ch 29, para 15)
C9. Longest speeches and what each one does. Both
The longest single speech runs to 357 words.
| Words | Where | Opens with |
|---|---|---|
| 357 | c39p17 | I am glad I brought my bonnet if it is only for the fun ... |
| 299 | c13p15 | My mind however is now made up on the subject for having received ordination ... |
| 264 | c50p19 | as soon as his marriage was fixed on And I think you will agree ... |
| 235 | c21p15 | Why will you think so It must be his own doing he is his ... |
| 207 | c20p37 | to resent the behaviour of your daughter Resignation to inevitable evils is the duty ... |
| 203 | c18p74 | were so fortunate as to be able to sing I should have great pleasure ... |
Ch 39, para 17: “How nicely we are crammed in!” cried Lydia. “I am glad I brought my bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having another band-box! Well, now …
Ch 13, para 15: “The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness; and, since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently …
Ch 50, para 19: “It was greatly my wish that he should do so,” he added, “as soon as his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agree with me, …
Ch 21, para 15: “Why will you think so? It must be his own doing; he is his own master. But you do not know all. I will read you the passage …
Ch 20, para 37: “My dear madam,” replied he, “let us be for ever silent on this point. Far be it from me,” he presently continued, in a voice that marked his …
Ch 18, para 74: “If I,” said Mr. Collins, “were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an …
Wickham's account (Chapter 16, 400+ words) establishes his false credibility. Darcy's letter (Chapter 35, 800+ words) reveals truth and turns the plot. Lady Catherine's interrogation (Chapter 29, 300+ words) shows her power and hints at Darcy's feelings. Elizabeth's confession to Jane (Chapter 40, 200+ words) shares her knowledge. Each long speech shifts belief or reveals character.
Chapters: Ch 16, Ch 29, Ch 35, Ch 40
I have been connected with his family, in a particular manner, from my infancy (Ch 16, para 13)
His behaviour to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father (Ch 16, para 24)
She had heard nothing of Lady Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money and rank she thought she could witness without trepidation. (Ch 29, para 9)
C10. Who wins each argument, and how power shifts in talk. AI
Elizabeth wins arguments with Darcy through wit (Chapter 11). Darcy wins the proposal debate through sincerity (Chapter 34). Elizabeth wins against Mr. Collins through firmness (Chapter 19). Lady Catherine wins through authority until Elizabeth refuses (Chapter 56). Power shifts when new information arrives: Darcy's letter (Chapter 35) reverses Elizabeth's position.
Chapters: Ch 11, Ch 19, Ch 34, Ch 35, Ch 56
My good opinion once lost is lost for ever. (Ch 11, para 28)
And yours,” he replied, with a smile, “is wilfully to misunderstand them. (Ch 11, para 32)
Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them (Ch 19, para 12)
C11. Banter and humour patterns. AI
Banter between Elizabeth and Darcy uses wit, paradox, and teasing (Chapters 11, 18, 31). Elizabeth teases Mr. Collins with mock seriousness (Chapter 19). Darcy and Elizabeth debate pride and defects (Chapter 11). Wickham uses flattery and charm (Chapter 16). Humour often masks deeper feelings or tests character.
Chapters: Ch 11, Ch 16, Ch 18, Ch 19, Ch 31
You wanted me, I know, to say ‘Yes,’ that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. (Ch 10, para 50)
My good opinion once lost is lost for ever. (Ch 11, para 28)
And yours,” he replied, with a smile, “is wilfully to misunderstand them. (Ch 11, para 32)
C12. Blind test: can you tell who speaks without the tag? AI
Elizabeth's voice is witty, direct, and questioning. Darcy's voice is formal, reserved, and sincere. Jane's voice is gentle, hesitant, and deferential. Wickham's voice is charming, flattering, and self-pitying. Mr. Collins's voice is obsequious, verbose, and self-important. Voices are distinct enough to identify without tags in most scenes.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 11, Ch 16, Ch 19, Ch 34
My good opinion once lost is lost for ever. (Ch 11, para 28)
And yours,” he replied, with a smile, “is wilfully to misunderstand them. (Ch 11, para 32)
he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view (Ch 15, para 2)
C13. Catchphrases and verbal tics. Count
Phrases of three or four words repeated most often inside speech.
| Phrase | Times |
|---|---|
| oh my dear | 9 |
| miss de bourgh | 9 |
| uncle and aunt | 8 |
| lady catherine de | 7 |
| catherine de bourgh | 7 |
| lady catherine de bourgh | 7 |
| dear mr bennet | 6 |
| my dear mr bennet | 6 |
| thousand a year | 6 |
| my dear jane | 6 |
C14. Interruptions, silences and broken off lines. Count
7 spoken lines break off with a dash or dots: 5.18 per 1,000 paragraphs of speech.
C15. Voice in letters, diaries and documents. Both
0 paragraphs look like the start of a letter, diary entry or dated document. (rough estimate from word lists)
Letters reveal character and advance plot. Darcy's letter (Chapter 35) is formal, sincere, and explanatory. Caroline Bingley's letter (Chapter 21) is manipulative and false. Mrs. Gardiner's letter (Chapter 52) is warm and informative. Mr. Collins's letter (Chapter 13) is obsequious. Lydia's letter (Chapter 46) is thoughtless and boastful. Each letter's tone matches the writer's character.
Chapters: Ch 13, Ch 21, Ch 35, Ch 46, Ch 52
It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases. (Ch 13, para 7)
Miss Bingley sees that her brother is in love with you and wants him to marry Miss Darcy. She follows him to town in the hope of keeping him there (Ch 21, para 18)
Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments, or renewal of those offers, which were last night so disgusting to you. (Ch 35, para 4)
C16. Forms of address between characters and how they change. Both
Forms of address in speech by third of the book: 54, 35, 31.
| Form | Times |
|---|---|
| my dear | 64 |
| sir | 25 |
| madam | 18 |
| ma'am | 8 |
| my love | 5 |
Elizabeth is called Lizzy by family, Miss Elizabeth by strangers, and Elizabeth by Darcy (formal to intimate). Darcy is Mr. Darcy to all until Elizabeth calls him Darcy (Chapter 58). Jane is Miss Bennet formally, Jane to Elizabeth. Mr. Collins uses Your Ladyship to Lady Catherine. Forms shift from formal to intimate as relationships deepen.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 19, Ch 34, Ch 58
I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls--though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy. (Ch 1, para 28)
Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them (Ch 19, para 12)
I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. (Ch 58, para 3)
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