D.W. Harding's "'Regulated Hatred': An Aspect in the Work of Jane Austen

     Popular opinion, D.W. Harding argues, is that Austen's novels offer a sanctuary from the trappings of a critical, harsh, and often sardonic society, a haven for those escapists looking to breathe in a warm-hearted, friendly air. Harding ultimately repudiates this common misconception, contending that woven into the fabric of her novel, Pride and Prejudice in particular, is a surreptitious condemnation of those whom Austen surrounded herself. According to Harding, in an effort to not discourage those members of society whom she is deliberately mocking from reading her stories, Austen hides her disapproval via exaggeration. Her caricature heightens the comedic effect and softens the blow as it lowers the realism. For example, as readers, we find Mrs. Bennett hilarious simply because of how ridiculous she is. So, those readers who inherently share a seed of the same (unfortunate) qualities as she, are often caught chuckling at her ludicrous outlook and are in turn laughing at themselves without realizing it. We are so caught up in the fact that Austen tends to extremity in her depiction of Mrs. Bennett that we neglect Austen's blatant censure. 

     Further, Harding believes that Mrs. Bennett's and Mr. Collin's skewed personalities are contrasted with the realistic and unexaggerated Elizabeth and Darcy, through whom Austen can also reveal her true feelings of her contemporaries. Their untouched, "un-Austenized" personalities invoke a pureness that ultimately attaches the readers to them and makes the reader care about their well-being and future together. Moreover, Harding renders a good example of how Austen's views are portrayed through Elizabeth's character. Elizabeth is detached from the depressing arranged marriages, such as Charlotte's, and she never fully agrees with Charlotte's decision to marry Mr. Collins, similar to Austen's true feelings.