Whist, quadrilles and social hierarchy : Pride and prejudice as a game.

Abstract

Jane Austen begins her novel Pride and prejudice by informing readers that what they are about to read is a story about competition. Throughout the novel, Austen's audience becomes aware of the elements of competition in her work, such as a motif of card games, expression of a battle on the dance floor through the rules of nineteenth century dances, and the limiting factors within the rules of social order. Such plot in a novel opens the door for game theory application and analysis of characters, scenes, and plot. By using game theory as a focal point of competition, as well as for sociological, psychological, and historical analysis, readers gain a better understanding of Jane Austen's Pride and prejudice and form an educated opinion of the storyline, the characters, and the game itself, specifically who wins and who loses.--Abstract.