Final answer:
The focus of the excerpt from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' is on characterization, contrasting Elizabeth's and Jane's personalities and moral views.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary element focused on in the excerpt from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is characterization. This element is central to the novel as Austen uses both 'showing' and 'telling' techniques to develop her characters. Specifically, the excerpt highlights the contrasting characteristics between Elizabeth and Jane. Elizabeth observes Jane's unwillingness to censure others and her tendency to see the good in people, while Jane asserts her integrity in speaking her thoughts. This dialogue serves to distinguish their personalities and moral views.
Jane Austen is known for her skilled characterization, often employing irony and a romantic, formal style that reflects the morals and upper-class conventions of her time. Through direct speech and action, characters like Mrs. Bennet are shown to embody specific attitudes and social critiques relevant to the period. Conversely, Elizabeth, as a round character, experiences growth and change throughout the novel, allowing readers to see events through her eyes and watch her development.