Response to "Limitations and Definitions" by Stuart Tave

Tave tackles a multitude of fascinating topics in his analysis of Pride and Prejudice. He begins, and ends, with an analogy comparing Austen's writing style to her love for dancing. In this concise, yet powerful, section of the piece, Tave cites Austen's original letters that discuss her love for dancing, and then compares the "...enjoyment and ability in moving with significant grace in good time in a restricted place..." of dancing to her construction of plot and characters. Tave continues by discussing how time, regardless of the fact that is has a minimally visible role in the novel, has an underlying significance. He localizes his discussion on three major points. The first is that dates are "...evidently part of the basic structure which simply must be there for her to tell a story as they are primary conditions of life." Thus, Tave believes that the insertion of clues, such as dates when characters meet or estimates of when certain events occur, are crucial to the flow of the novel. This hypothesis also asserts that Austen's main objection of scrutinizing the conditions of life could not have been so clearly demonstrated without some inclusion of a timeline.  As Tave brushes through his points of thought, the dissection of the novel deepens. His next point deals with the length of time in which Austen chooses to use in her novel. A year period, according to Tave, constricts the characters' decisions. In other words, the characters must make the right decision in order for their life to flow in the way that both the author and the reader wish for. The "shorter compass," as Tave refers to, allows for the reader to worry about a particular character if he of she does not have a role in any activity, because time is so condensed. The last point that Tave mentions in his discussion is concerning how choices made during a short period of time "becom[e] more heroic." With restrictions of time causing characters to have "boundaries," the choices that they make become even more crucial because of the short period of time. However, these choices become even more risky to the development of the conclusion of the novel. For example, as the book slowly approaches the end, Elizabeth's choices become even more crucial because of the focus on time. In conclusion, Tave illuminates many interesting topics based on Pride and Prejudice that are not blatantly obvious to the reader.