- "'Do let us have a little music,' - cried Miss Bingley, tired of conversation in which she had no share." (p. 39)
Miss Bingley is desperate to win over Mr. Darcy's attention. In chapter XI, readers see Miss Bingley's attempt to do so by walking around the room and commenting on how ridiculous the balls are. As soon as she asks Elizabeth to accompany her around the room, Mr. Darcy finally becomes interested in their conversation. Elizabeth criticizes his character, and the two engage in further conversation. Miss Bingley, recognizing she had no part in the conversation anymore, tries to change the subject by requesting music. Jane Austen incorporates the request for music in awkward situations many times throughout the novel. (It is also seen with Mr. Collins on p. 70) Constantly trying to switch the subject shows the characters frustration and uncomfortableness. We have seen this case in previous novels this year where Peter Walsh always played with his pocketknife in moments of discomfort.
Photo Credit:
Photograph.
Play Piano. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://www.playpiano.com/images/Play_The_Piano.gif.
No comments:
Post a Comment