"But when this subject was succeeded by his account of Mr. Wickham, when [Elizabeth] read with somewhat clearer attention, a relation of events, which, if true, must overthrow every cherished opinion of his worth, and which bore so alarmingly an affinity to his own history of himself, her feelings were yet more accutely painful and more difficult of definition... When she had gone through the whole letter, though scarcely knowing anything of the last page or two, put it hastily away, protesting that she would not regard it, that she would never look at it again" (Austen 173-174)
Ms. Elizabeth Bennet has finally learned Mr. Darcy's side of the Darcy-Wickham story, and she does not know who to believe (at first). However, because she has such a huge prejudice against Mr. Darcy, not just for his mannerisms but for the fact that he ruined her sister's felicity, she will not believe what he has written. She thinks so ill of Darcy right now, that she cannot even begin to believe that Wickham, who seemed like such an amiable person, would try to elope with Georgiana Darcy for her fortune. Elizabeth finely displays her big flaw as a character, and the one reason she needs to round out: she has too much prejudice where her opinion never falters no matter what. Darcy declared his love, was rejected, and tried to fill her in on his life, and yet she can't believe him just because of her opinion of him. The good thing is that after this display of impertinence, she seems to let up on Darcy and thinks it's possible Darcy's telling the truth. It will certainly be interesting to see whether she'll ever forgive him.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Pride and Prejudice VII (Ch.6-10)
""Has Your governess left you?" "We never had any governess." "No governess! How is that possible? Five daughters brought up at a home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education." Elizabeth could hardly help smiling, as she assured [Lady Catherine] that had not been the case" (Austen 141).
Lady Catherine is talking to Elizabeth to learn about her family and herself. She cannot understand what Elizabeth is telling her, for she has never experienced such a thing. Lady Catherine, being a very wealthy woman, does not understand how Elizabeth and her family could live the way they have. Lady Catherine has grown up rich, has has been surrounded by the wealthy, so she has only known of her upbringing. To hear of a difference is appalling to her. It is interesting to see how her views differ from ELizabeth's, solely due to her position in society. Lady Catherine does not assent with Elizabeth's upbringing; at the same time, she seems to act very amiable with Elizabeth, despite her lack of wealth. Lady Catherine seems to be a very cordial and affable woman who, although knows she is of a higher rank and shows it off, can accept the differences in societal upbringing. I wonder whether her views will change as the novel progresses.
Lady Catherine is talking to Elizabeth to learn about her family and herself. She cannot understand what Elizabeth is telling her, for she has never experienced such a thing. Lady Catherine, being a very wealthy woman, does not understand how Elizabeth and her family could live the way they have. Lady Catherine has grown up rich, has has been surrounded by the wealthy, so she has only known of her upbringing. To hear of a difference is appalling to her. It is interesting to see how her views differ from ELizabeth's, solely due to her position in society. Lady Catherine does not assent with Elizabeth's upbringing; at the same time, she seems to act very amiable with Elizabeth, despite her lack of wealth. Lady Catherine seems to be a very cordial and affable woman who, although knows she is of a higher rank and shows it off, can accept the differences in societal upbringing. I wonder whether her views will change as the novel progresses.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Pride and Prejudice IV (Ch.17-20)
"Really, Mr. Collins," cried Elizabeth with somw warmth, "you puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal [of marriage] in such a way as may convince you of its being one" (Austen 95).
A brash Mr. Collins decided that he wished to marry Elizabeth, and so he proposed to her; she rejected his proposal, and yet he continued to vex her by saying that he would continue to try and convince her to marry. Elizabeth's disposition on the subject does not change, and still Mr. Collins barrages her with thoughts of marriage. The dynamic between these two characters is interesting, where Mr. Collins is seemingly desperate in his attempts to woo Elizabeth, and Elizabeth shows her willpower and headstrong attitude which is unlike that of most women in her time. What's more interesting is how Elizabeth tries to be amiable in her refusal, which would only encourage Mr. Collins even more to try again. But why is it that Elizabeth would refuse a marriage? Is it because she does not know Mr. Collins well enough to warrant a marriage? Or is there another man in her thoughts, one who she will come to like further on in the novel?
A brash Mr. Collins decided that he wished to marry Elizabeth, and so he proposed to her; she rejected his proposal, and yet he continued to vex her by saying that he would continue to try and convince her to marry. Elizabeth's disposition on the subject does not change, and still Mr. Collins barrages her with thoughts of marriage. The dynamic between these two characters is interesting, where Mr. Collins is seemingly desperate in his attempts to woo Elizabeth, and Elizabeth shows her willpower and headstrong attitude which is unlike that of most women in her time. What's more interesting is how Elizabeth tries to be amiable in her refusal, which would only encourage Mr. Collins even more to try again. But why is it that Elizabeth would refuse a marriage? Is it because she does not know Mr. Collins well enough to warrant a marriage? Or is there another man in her thoughts, one who she will come to like further on in the novel?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Pride and Prejudice II (Ch 7-10)
"[Elizabeth] has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearence this morning. She really looked almost wild." "She did indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensicel to come at all! Why must she be scampering about the country because her sister had a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowsy!" (Austen 32)
Miss Bingley and Miss Darcy are sharing their dislike of Elizabeth Bennet, noting her appearence when she arrived. Their uncordial remarks show not just their dislike of her in general, but how she represents her view of women. Miss Bingley and Darcy note that she does not seem to care about her appearence as she allows herself to arrive at a breakfast-parlour looking filthy, and they believe she had no reason to come just for her sister. While this part shows howmuch of an odious feeling they have towards Elizabeth, it also displays their sense of jealousy towards her. They view Elizabeth as carefree, unabiding by the rules and guidelines of being a women; something both despicable and yet amazing to see from any women in their time. The fact that Mr. Dacry seems to fancy Elizabeth over Miss Bingley, given Elizabeth's appearence and nature, fuels Miss Bingley's jealousy towards Miss Bennet. Overall, it will be interesting to watch if Miss Bingley continues to act with malics towards Elizabeth, and who Mr. Darcy will want in the end.
Miss Bingley and Miss Darcy are sharing their dislike of Elizabeth Bennet, noting her appearence when she arrived. Their uncordial remarks show not just their dislike of her in general, but how she represents her view of women. Miss Bingley and Darcy note that she does not seem to care about her appearence as she allows herself to arrive at a breakfast-parlour looking filthy, and they believe she had no reason to come just for her sister. While this part shows howmuch of an odious feeling they have towards Elizabeth, it also displays their sense of jealousy towards her. They view Elizabeth as carefree, unabiding by the rules and guidelines of being a women; something both despicable and yet amazing to see from any women in their time. The fact that Mr. Dacry seems to fancy Elizabeth over Miss Bingley, given Elizabeth's appearence and nature, fuels Miss Bingley's jealousy towards Miss Bennet. Overall, it will be interesting to watch if Miss Bingley continues to act with malics towards Elizabeth, and who Mr. Darcy will want in the end.
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