Pride and Prejudice Theme of Language and Communication

In Pride and Prejudice, communication could pretty much be said to be the very thing for which everyone is striving. The characters are faced with the challenge of expressing their feelings to one another, of correcting each other's mistakes, and of giving each other context for the decisions and actions they take. Frequently, this means stepping outside the boundaries set up by good manners and acceptable behavior. Actually, good manners and the rules of acceptable behavior tend to be obstacles that get in the way of meaningful discussion. However, breaking these rules carries its own dangers, since the socially tone-deaf tend to become outcasts.

1. Who always says what he/she means? Who never says what he/she means? Which is more effective at getting others to do what the character wants?
2. Compare the speaking the writing voices of the characters who send letters. Does Mr. Collins sound like his letter? Does Jane? Darcy? Why or why not?
3. Why are we shown some proposal scenes (Mr. Collins to Elizabeth, Darcy's first try to Elizabeth) and not shown others (Mr. Collins to Charlotte, Bingley to Jane, Darcy's second go)?

A lot of the novel's humor comes from dialog, and the way characters are totally unable to understand each other or to make themselves understood.

Much of a character's power comes from the ability to shut others up when necessary.