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.