Pride and Prejudice 16

• "We shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's tête-à-tête between two women can never end without a quarrel." (p. 20)

Tête-à-tête: A private, confidential conversation. In Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen uses dialogue to emphasize character relationships. Whether it is Jane and Elizabeth raving about the balls, Darcy revealing his love to Elizabeth, or Mr. Collins' attempt at an engagement with Elizabeth, every character experiences some form of a private, intimate conversation. Instead of bland description, Jane Austen emphasizes dialogue, where readers are able to grasp the character's personality -- Elizabeth's witty nature, Darcy's initial arrogant attitude, and Mrs. Bennet's overbearing character.

Work Cited:
The Free Dictionary. Tete-a-tete. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Tete-a-tete.

Photo Credit:
Linda Follet Tea. Photograph. Photobucket. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://media.photobucket.com/image/ladies%20having%20tea/tavalonblog/linda_follet_tea.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 15

• "'But you must lend us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.' Then shewing her purchases: 'Look here, I have bought this bonnet. I do not think it is very pretty; but I thought I might as well buy it as not.' ... Her sisters abused it as ugly, she added, with perfect unconcern, 'Oh! but there were two or three much uglier in the shop.'" (p. 148)

Pride and Prejudice includes the importance of wealth and drastic measures women will go through in order to make social advancements to obtain that money. Jane Austen illustrates irony in this passage where Lydia recently purchased a bonnet. She raves how ugly the bonnet is, yet she still felt the need to buy it. The Bennet family is considered part of the middle class, and through the entire novel, they struggle and strive to associate with the upper class of society. Lydia's senseless buying proves how careless she is with her money. Instead of buying something that doesn't appeal to her in the first place, saving that money would assist succeeding the family's goal of becoming part of higher society.

Photo Credit:
Photograph. Brianstevenson.com. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://www.brianstevenson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/42-18923436.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 14

• "Her character will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous. A flirt too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admiration will excite." (p. 156)

Pride and Prejudice takes place during the 19th century in England. One of the key themes Jane Austen focuses on is women during this Victorian time period. Women basically had two options: poverty or marriage. Although it seems as though Mrs. Bennet is overly concerned with her daughters finding marriage, or Lydia and Kitty are too flirty with the officers, this is what their lives consisted of. As pathetic as it seems, during this time period, love wasn't necessarily vital. Marriage was the ultimate goal for these women, and that is why Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are portrayed as being so desperate. Jane Austen creates Elizabeth's character to show that contrast in her opinion of marriage. Elizabeth wasn't longing for marriage, she was searching for a soul mate.

Work Cited:
"Pride and Prejudice." Shmoop. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://www.shmoop.com/pride-and-prejudice/women-femininity-theme.html.

"Women's Status in Mid 19th-Century England." Hastings Press Co. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://www.hastingspress.co.uk/history/19/overview.htm.

Pride and Prejudice 13

• "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." (p. 128-129)

There are many obstacles to overcome in order to accomplish love in Pride and Prejudice. The beauty of Jane Austen's novel is the fact that Mr. Darcy is able to realize that character outweighs connections and love overpowers class separation. Originally, Darcy's excessive pride and prejudice was the barrier between him and Elizabeth. Her family's poor manners and middle class status also contributed to Darcy's initial distaste. Despite all of this, there is a certain magic to love that allowed Darcy's strict views to disappear and neglect what society preached.

Photo Credit:
Photograph. Flickr.com. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/220279254_17c20cbec5.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 12

• "This is a most unfortunate affair; and will probably be much talked of. But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other, the balm of sisterly consolation." (p. 193)

One of the underlying themes in Pride and Prejudice is the importance of family. Situations that only some of the Bennet's experienced reflected on the family as a whole. Mrs. Bennet was often rude, while Lydia was known for her immaturity and flirtatious side. These flaws in Mrs. Bennet and Lydia impacted Elizabeth's and Jane's reputation and affected their opportunities. Society associated the entire family with one family member's actions. For instance, when Lydia married an unworthy man, the entire Bennet family was a disgrace. However, when Jane and Elizabeth married into wealth and class, the entire Bennet family was respected. Although the members of the Bennet family were sometimes embarrassing - there was no escape - Jane Austen emphasized the strong, consistent bond between the Bennet sisters. Another case of the importance of family previously seen in literature this year was in Great Expectations. Pip finally realized that wealth and social class didn't create happiness, it was loyal family relations.

Work Cited:
"Pride and Prejudice." Shmoop. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://www.shmoop.com/pride-and-prejudice/family-theme.html.

Photo Credit:
Family Studies. UCR Office of Research. Web. 14 Mar. 2010. http://or.ucr.edu/images/pictures/centers/FamilyStudies.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 11

• "To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to shew an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum." (p. 24)
  

Miss Bingley's life revolves around reputation and social class. When Elizabeth arrives to Netherfield after walking miles to visit her sick sister, she is dirty and sweaty - something Miss Bingley finds repulsive. Immediately she judges Elizabeth's carefree attitude regarding her appearance. Throughout the novel, Miss Bingley desperately searches for flaws in Elizabeth. She gathers Elizabeth's 'imperfections' and snobbishly presents them to Mr. Darcy in attempts to sway his attraction towards her. Jane Austen intends for Miss Bingley's jealousy to take control during the story as she feels the need to ridicule Elizabeth's middle-class status and destroy her reputation.

Photo Credit:
Photograph. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://jacquelineteo.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/istockphoto_gossip.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 10

• "But, Lizzy, you look as if you did not enjoy it. You are not going to be Missish, I hope, and pretend to be affronted at an idle report." (p. 245)

Missish -- Like a miss; prim; affected; sentimental. After Mr. Bennet reads aloud Mr. Collins' letter to Elizabeth, she is shocked at it's content. Mr. Collins warns Mr. Bennet that there might be a future engagement between his daughter and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth, being unaware of the situation and caught of guard, is somewhat speechless. Jane Austen's use of the unfamiliar word 'Missish' enhances readers understanding of Elizabeth's reaction. Her feelings are completely jumbled and she cannot grasp knowing she might be in love with Mr. Darcy -- 'fear that perhaps, instead of his seeing too little, she might have fancied too much.' (p. 245) Elizabeth's sentimental response indicates the turning point in the novel where her negative views of Darcy's character turn into deep affection.

Work Cited:
The Free Dictionary. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Missish.

Photo Credit:
Julie Andrews. Photograph. Solar Navigator. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/film_images/Julie_Andrews_sound_of_music_worried_about_children.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 9

• "Good gracious! Lord bless me! only think! dear me! Mr. Darcy! Who would have thought it! And is it really true? Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Jane's is nothing to it -- nothing at all. I am so pleased -- so happy." (p. 255)

Moments before Elizabeth explains the news of her engagement with Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet is not fond of the man. She reminds Elizabeth of his excessive pride and rude manners. Jane Austen proves that wealth and reputation matter by Mrs. Bennet's complete one-hundred-eighty degree turn in this passage. During this time period, the ultimate goal was to be married. Reputations of family and women truly decided social and marital status. Mrs. Bennet's sudden excitement reveals her greedy, pushy character. Obviously her opinions can easily be swayed since literally moments before (when Elizabeth wasn't associated with Darcy) she didn't care for him. The longing hope Mrs. Bennet had for her daughter to marry a wealthy man clearly took over her negative feelings toward Darcy. Immediately she realizes that Elizabeth will share Darcy's wealth and make an advancement in social class.

Photo Credit:
Overjoyed! Photograph. Flickr.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/3340634361_e9e035962e.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 8

• "'The last born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth, as the first. And to be kept back on such a motive! -- I think it would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind' ... 'you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person.'" (p. 113)

Elizabeth's admirable character is captured in this passage as she defends Lady Catherine's discourteous, personal questions. Lady Catherine asks Elizabeth about her upbringing and criticizes every one of her answers. Jane Austen exposes Elizabeth's outspoken character as she doesn't allow Lady Catherine to make her feel pathetic and question her self worth. It's not often that anyone dares to stand up for themselves against Lady Catherine, (especially Mr. Collins) so Elizabeth's clever responses take her by complete surprise. Elizabeth's straightforward personality is similar to another independent women we have read in previous literature this year: Jane Eyre. Resembling Jane Eyre, Elizabeth is consistently direct with people despite their gender or social status, and stays faithful to her morals.

Pride and Prejudice 7

• "A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved." (p. 26)
  

Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy describe the endless list of characteristics a women must possess in order to be considered accomplished. Elizabeth chimes in with the remark "I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any." Jane Austen creates this scene for better understanding of Darcy's demanding request of attributes of a worthy woman. His beliefs reveal his social superiority attitude and high standards. Austen also emphasizes the importance of dialogue in Pride and Prejudice in this passage. Through dialogue, Elizabeth is proved to be a successful debater (something that immediately attracts Darcy to her) and Darcy's conceitedness shines. Ultimately, the dialogue in this novel strengthens the readers understanding of the characters' personalities.

Photo Credit:
Balancing Life. Photograph. Idsmediatalk.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://ldsmediatalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/balancing_life.gif.

Pride and Prejudice 6

• "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least ... it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life." (p. 14)

Charlotte Lucas is very similar to Lydia in the aspect that their ideas of marriage are not taken as seriously as characters such as Jane and Elizabeth. Elizabeth whole-heartily feels that marriage should be with a soul mate, a man one passionately loves. However, Jane Austen creates a character, Miss Lucas, who believes that marriage is merely 'a matter of chance' and 'it's best not to know the flaws in the person one will spend the rest of their life with.' Elizabeth's views distinctly conflict with the very questionable views of Miss Lucas. Jane Austen shows Miss Lucas' nonchalant attitude and openness to secrecy.

Work Cited:
Photograph. Salon.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://www.salon.com/life/feature/1999/11/16/guru/bad_marriage.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 5

• "'There is a fine old saying, which every body here is of course familiar with -- 'Keep your breath to cool your porridge,' -- and I shall keep mine to swell my song.'" (p. 16)

Darcy begins to listen to Elizabeth's conversations at parties as his attraction toward her increases. In this passage, Elizabeth confronts Darcy's eavesdropping and then plays music with Miss Lucas. Jane Austen purposely writes -- 'keep your breath to cool your porridge' -- intending for Darcy to hear. This can be interpreted as the familiar saying 'you're wasting your breath' or there is a better use/place for your words. Miss Lucas wishes for Darcy to overhear this harsh comment (which is clearly directed to him) because upon first meeting him, he says many rude, unnecessary remarks which could have easily been spared. This could also be interpreted as 'mind your own business' (in this case, stop listening to Elizabeth's conversations) as Miss Lucas states that she will use her breath singing songs.

Work Cited:
Word Reference. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=65674.

Photo Credit:
Photograph. Blogspot.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZV6ji2smI_t6S5uE6ACMyAZWZrzsxvCp1YOxIaaQD2TPvKMXHQt7OSah1Lopj4kLmtlR18kKhhV6TvUzBaKS9FPMvyalEQD003gyrMJa5i35qiznepBR8_ZhxDcsGjpB_7OTBFADFJNE/s200/d.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 4

• "But she is very young; she has never been taught to think on serious subjects ... nothing but love, flirtation, and officers, have been in her head. She has been doing everything in her power by thinking and talking on the subject." (p. 189)

Elizabeth's genuine concern with Lydia's flirtatious side shows in this dialogue in chapter XLVII. Jane Austen shows the contrast in Elizabeth's and Lydia's characters by describing their beliefs on marriage. Unlike Elizabeth and Jane, who take the idea of marriage very seriously, Lydia enjoys the thrill of flirting and lack of commitment. Instead of basing marriage on compatibility, love and respect, Lydia reveals her immaturity and imprudence by basing marriage on opportunity and a desire for marital status. (We saw this case in Jane Eyre, when Jane realizes that love doesn't accompany marriage. Jane compares the proposal from Mr. St. John with her past connection with Mr. Rochester - a bond where authentic and passionate love was evident.)

Photo Credit:
Photograph. EHow.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//7000/400/10/3/47413.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 3

• "'But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say, very agreeable' ... 'She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.'" (p. 7)
  

Mr. Darcy's incredibly rude comment after Mr. Bingley suggests a dance with Elizabeth is one that reveals his excessive pride. It is clear that Mr. Darcy believes that the people at the ball are not socially worthy -- or handsome enough in this case -- to deserve a dance with him. The fact that Darcy said this aloud so Elizabeth was able to hear makes this comment even more impolite and unnecessary. Jane Austen purposely includes this behavior to establish Elizabeth's negative first impression of Mr. Darcy. She immediately deems him arrogant and believes nothing will convince her otherwise.

Photo Credit:
Book Snob. Photograph. Book People Blog. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://bookpeopleblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/snob12.jpg.

Pride and Prejudice 2

• "'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.

Pride and Prejudice 1

• "Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him." (p. 47)

One night after dinner at the Bennet's home, Mr. Collins requests to read aloud to the girls. He chooses James Fordyce's Sermons on Young Women, which was a popular guidebook on women's conduct. Jane Austen alludes to this particular novel mainly to show Lydia's unruly manners and lack of interest in literature, particularly literature she considers boring. Unlike the other daughters in the Bennet family, Lydia is more self-absorbed ad could care less if she is offensive. Austen also alludes to Fordyce's Sermons to show the contrast between Mr. Collins and Elizabeth. Elizabeth claims that she could never make Mr. Collins happy and they were perfectly wrong for each other. Mr. Collins' interest is in more sophisticated women, and it is ironic he favors this novel as James Fordyce believed 'men of the best sense have usually been averse to the thought of marrying a witty female.’ The contrast clearly shows how poor of a match this couple would be.

Work Cited: "Fordyce’s Sermons; Mr Collins’ Favorite Book." My Pride and Prejudice. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://www.myprideandprejudice.com/2009/08/mr-collins-favorite-book-on-the-dangers-of-witty-women/.

Photo Credit:

Insomnia Small. Photograph. Councelling Cornwall. Web. 13 Mar. 2010. http://www.counsellingcornwall.org.uk/IMAGES/INSOMNIA%20SMALL.gif.