A Summary: Tara Wallace's "Getting the Whole Truth in Pride and Prejudice."

         Wallace begins her review with an acknowledgement of the novel's serene conclusion. The reader is satisfied with the results; however, Wallace points out that as readers, we never receive the whole truth of the tale--certain elements within the story, although small, remain mysteries past the book's end. These elements put forth by Wallace are characters' reticence, ambiguity, and self-assurance; traits that when applied within the story affect the way in which we readers understand the tale. Examples of this provided are Mrs. Bennett's apparent "win" over Darcy and the Gardiner's departure from home during the holidays. These times of indeterminancy highlight how readers of Austen's world must be inquisitive and hard-working to understand the facts behind her "untrustworthy talkers."Moreover, it is the readers job to discover the truth.

         Wallace’s review also examines how silence, an aspect of the novel, hides the truth. It seems that it’s not only Austen’s characters inconclusive commentary but also the silences that occupy certain situations that drive us to our own conclusions. These silences are arguably significant because of the character emotions that they overshadow. Yet, the underlying emotion that defines such silences is not explicitly defined for the reader: silence becomes another textual component that the reader must analyze in order to understand the story.

         I agree with Wallace about the responsibility placed upon the Austen reader; however, I am not sure if this idea is worthy of its own deep analysis merely because the idea is not surprising. Although I have little experience with Austen, I see her literary style as one with plenty of assumption space. This space, as Wallace pointed out, exists in both the bias/vague commentary of Austen’s characters as well as the social situations—full of silences—that are left open to our interpretation. Perhaps it is this style that makes Austen so enjoyable; she never provides the reader with the whole truth as she sees it, but lets us assume what we will to make the story apply or fit to our own personal standards.