Shampa Roy in her analysis of Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice (1813)’ depicts how Austen differs from the expectation of the feminine writing by including her fine understanding of society and times. Instead of creating one dimensional stereotypical characters and situations, Austen deviates –her narrative and ironies play a significant role in her critique of 19th CE English society in terms of class, economy and gender.  

Right from the very famous opening of the novel, ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged..’ Austen in a single sentence brings forth a mockery of the convergently societal view of a man and a stark reality of the match made in heaven.

Apart from marriage and gender, Austen also reflects on politics. She may have not directly given a historical account of the issues embedded in her times, B.Mangalam finds a double-edged irony with her mention of ‘real muslin’ and the depiction of charming and fun loving ‘militia officers’ – it not only reflects on the upper class taste but also the trajectory of colonial loots and oppression that the English folks seem to be mindlessly enjoying.   

These are just some. There are many such ironies we find in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that are a critique of her society and times.