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GCSE English Literature · AQA style · Paper 1 style, extract and whole text
AQA style: attitudes to marriage and money (Pride and Prejudice)
AO1AO2AO330 marks · about 45 minutes

Starting with this extract, how does Austen present attitudes towards marriage and money in Pride and Prejudice? Write about: how Austen presents attitudes towards marriage and money in this extract; how Austen presents attitudes towards marriage and money in the novel as a whole. [30 marks] (AO1, AO2, AO3)

Read the extract, then write below it.
Chapter I.] It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. “My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?” Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. “But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.” Mr. Bennet made no answer. “Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife, impatiently. “_You_ want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.” [Illustration: “He came down to see the place” [_Copyright 1894 by George Allen._]] This was invitation enough. “Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.” “What is his name?” “Bingley.” “Is he married or single?” “Oh, single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!” “How so? how can it affect them?” “My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome? You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.” “Is that his design in settling here?” “Design? Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he _may_ fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.” “I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go--or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party.” “My dear, you flatter me. I certainly _have_ had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.”
Source: Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813). Public domain.
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How this is marked

AO1 (published assessment objective): Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas; select and synthesise evidence from different texts (English Language). For Literature: read, understand and respond to texts, maintaining a critical style, developing an informed personal response, and using textual references including quotations to support and illustrate interpretations. For Geography: demonstrate knowledge of locations, places, processes, environments and different scales. For History: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.

AO2 (published assessment objective): Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views (English). For Geography: demonstrate geographical understanding of concepts and how they are used in relation to places, environments and processes, and the interrelationships between places, environments and processes. For History: explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.

AO3 (published assessment objective): Compare writers' ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more texts (English Language). For Literature: show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written. For Geography: apply knowledge and understanding to interpret, analyse and evaluate geographical information and issues to make judgements. For History: analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements.

Assessed against AO1, AO2, AO3 using Revision Robin's own level descriptors below. These are not the exam board's mark scheme. Every quotation in the feedback is checked against your answer and the extract before you see it, and a teacher's mark overrides ours.

Level 5 · 25 to 30Convincing, critical and exploratory response to the task and the whole text. Judicious, precise references integrated into the argument; analysis of the writer's methods with subject terminology used to sharpen the point; ideas about context or the writer's purpose are woven into the argument rather than bolted on.
Level 4 · 19 to 24Thoughtful, developed response. Apt references used to support a considered argument; examination of the writer's methods and their effects; ideas about context are relevant and linked to the task.
Level 3 · 13 to 18Clear, explained response. Relevant references; clear explanation of some methods and effects; some relevant comment on context.
Level 2 · 7 to 12Some explained comment. A supported point or two; some reference to the text; methods identified with simple comment on effect; context mentioned in passing or not at all.
Level 1 · 1 to 6Simple, supported comment. Narrates or describes the text; little reference to methods or context.