Substitute Lesson Plan: Analyzing a Literary Preface — Pride and Prejudice

Objective

Students will read and analyze George Saintsbury's 1894 preface to Pride and Prejudice to identify his central argument (why he ranks this novel above Austen's others), the reasons/evidence he provides, and his views on literary craft (plot construction vs. humor/character).

Materials

• Copies of the provided preface text (the section by George Saintsbury, beginning "Walt Whitman has somewhere a fine and just distinction...")
• Notebook paper or handout for notes
• Board or chart paper for class discussion notes

Warm-up (~5 min)

Write this prompt on the board: "Do you think it's more important for a story to have a well-built plot, or memorable/funny characters? Why?"
Have students jot down 2–3 sentences individually. Take 2–3 quick verbal responses before moving on — no need for full discussion yet. Tell students they'll see how a famous critic answered this exact question about Jane Austen's novels.

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Read aloud or silently (10 min): Have students read the preface text from the start through the paragraph ending "...why she should be entirely a favourite with the least sentimental of critics" (or as far as the text provided goes). If reading aloud, pause after each major paragraph to check understanding.

1. Guided annotation (15 min): Have students underline or jot notes answering these questions directly from the text:
2. Saintsbury names five Austen novels besides Pride and Prejudice. List them and the one strength/weakness he gives each (e.g., Northanger Abbey — fresh and humorous, but small in scale and "burlesque or parody"; Persuasion — delicate but "not enthralling"; Mansfield Park — theatrical catastrophe, insipid hero/heroine, but strong minor characters; Sense and Sensibility — fewest admirers; Emma — larger, more varied, more popular).
3. According to Saintsbury, why does Pride and Prejudice have superior construction compared to the others? (Point to his comments on the Lydia/Wickham elopement connecting naturally to the plot, versus the "coup de théâtre" in Mansfield Park, and the contrast with the "hide-and-seek" plotting in Emma.)
4. Saintsbury says construction is not the highest merit of a novelist. What does he say matters more? (Character creation, humor, and "command of dialogue.")
5. Saintsbury compares Austen's humor to which earlier English writer? (Addison, of "The Spectator.") What qualities does he say they share? (Demureness, minuteness of touch, avoidance of "loud tones and glaring effects," and a "not inhuman... cruelty" in mocking fools.)

Circulate (or have a student volunteer lead) to make sure students are finding specific textual references, not just paraphrasing from memory.

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

On a half-sheet of paper, students answer in complete sentences:

1. According to Saintsbury, name one reason Pride and Prejudice has better plot construction than another Austen novel he mentions.
2. Saintsbury says a good plot is not as important as what two things? (character/humor and dialogue)
3. In one sentence, restate Saintsbury's comparison of Austen's humor to Addison's.

Collect exit tickets as a quick check for reading comprehension.

If Time Remains

Have students find and copy down the single sentence where Saintsbury most directly states his personal preference for Pride and Prejudice over Emma (look near the start: "On the other hand, I, for my part, declare for Pride and Prejudice unhesitatingly..."). Ask them to explain in their own words why a critic might feel comfortable stating such a strong personal opinion in a preface, using evidence from the surrounding text about "loving by allowance" vs. "loving with personal love."