2) Please respond to the text. Use direct examples from the novel, but make connections to the things we talked about today dealing with our choices in life partners. Also, please ask me questions. Let me know what you would like to discuss. What is confusing? What would you like to discuss further?
"Are you playing hard to get, you elegant female?"
"I am declining your offer with a decapitation!"
"I married him...and all I got was this hat."
"And a marriage bed, my dear! Do not forget that!"
"Yes... how could I forget that...I really am happy....so.....so.....happy...."
"I married him...and all I got was this hat."
"And a marriage bed, my dear! Do not forget that!"
"Yes... how could I forget that...I really am happy....so.....so.....happy...."
As I was reading the chapters, I was thinking about how now when we get married we usually marry for love and not for wealth. So when a quote on page 105 said, “But he paid her not the smallest attention, till her grandfather’s death made her mistress of this fortune”, it had caught my attention. In some cases, if a person does come into a large sum of money they might seem more attractive to other people. But if you’re on a date your first question isn’t going to be “how much do you make”, it’s you trying to get to know the person. So it is a little strange to think that that’s how they chose to spend the rest of their lives with and have children with. Their marriage was a business deal to them. Another thing that caught my attention was when Jane said, “... though I am not certain that I consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the wisest thing she ever did. She seems perfectly happy, however, in a prudential light, it is certainly a very good match for her” (121). This one also catches my attention because Austen uses the word “prudential” which means showing care or thought, especially in business. It connects back to the first quote when a man only paid attention to someone because they’re rich. It’s just so interesting to explore the different perspectives of love that these characters have of love. Now that we are watching Becoming Jane, we know what kind of love her parents had, the consequences of it, and now what kind of marriage they expect and want for her.
ReplyDeleteNick Criniti
ReplyDeleteBefore traveling to Mr. Collins church Elizabeth and Sir William Lucas stay the night in London. Mrs. Gardiner is warning Elizabeth that Mr. Wickham is trying to win over Ms. King for the money she's inherited. While Elizabeth is visiting Mr. Collins church she notices Miss de Bourgh who is supposed to be marring Darcy but Elizabeth notices she's looking “sickly and crossed”. That night Elizabeth is at dinner with Lady Cathrine and Lady Cathrine decides to pass judgement on the way the Bennet sisters were raised. The next day Cathrine informs Elizabeth that she thinks that Darcy is in love with her because of the way he called her.
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ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting the relationships that Elizabeth has with the other characters in the book because Mr. Collins was once a love interest but now he isn’t and the way that her and Darcy communicate is also very funny. For example, when Mr. Collins and Elizabeth are talking about dress he says, “Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.” I think this quote is funny because he is telling Elizabeth not to worry about what she is wearing because Lady Catherine likes to have rank “preserved” so that people can see the difference between them. It is also very interesting with the banter between Darcy and Elizabeth. For example, when Elizabeth talks about the dance, “My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women’s do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault—because I will not take the trouble of practicing. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman’s of superior execution.” I think it is funny how she talks to Darcy and how they interact now. Their relationship shifted from being very proper to this and I can only imagine what would happen to Elizabeth if Mrs. Bennet had overheard this conversation.
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters I noticed many characters mean sides came out. Throughout dinner Lady Catherine was dominating the conversation. She was asking Elizabeth a lot of questions about their family and their life. “No governmess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! - I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education” (112). Lady Catherine was not very fond of the Bennet family and did not agree with the way the girls were raised. There is also drama throughout these chapters. Darcey continues to visit Elizabeth along with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. After many visits Charlotte says she can see that Darcy is in love with Elizabeth because he continues to visit, but she also suspects that Colonel Fitzwilliam is also very fond of Elizabeth. “She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the possibility of his being partial to her, but Elizabeth always laughed at the idea” (125).
ReplyDeleteMaddy Francis
While reading it seemed as though Elizabeth is intrigued by Mr. Darcy even if she is trying convince herself that she hates him. “But why Mr. Darcy came so much to the parsonage, it was more difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice….” (123). It’s interesting to hear this point from the narrator because the narrator is first of all acting as if she is there with the characters. But also because Elizabeth is so clueless! Mr. Darcy is trying so hard even if it doesn’t seem like it. Do you think it’s possible for Elizabeth to marry Mr. Darcy? She seems intrigued by his character, but isn’t really sure what to make of it. And I also think it’s interesting how much the other characters notice how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth interact. “‘My dear Eliza, he must be in love with you, or he would never have called on us in this familiar way” (122). This is Charlotte talking to Elizabeth after Mr. Darcy leaves their room at Rosings. The other people staying at Lady Catherine’s are noticing the way the way the two interact with each other. Curious to see how their relationship unfolds in the next few chapters.
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters, Elizabeth travels with Sir William Lucas in order to visit Charlotte and Mr. Collins. While visiting they dine with Lady Catherine who doesn’t like how Elizabeth and her sisters didn’t grow up with a governess as well as the fact no one in the Bennets can play music. “That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters. My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates London. Has your governess left you? We never had any governess. No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! - I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education” (112). This is interesting as Lady Catherine is very curious as to how this worked. In her mind, everyone needed a governess in order to learn how to play music and become educated. Was this normal during this time period? Did a majority of families have a governess? “.. and if I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it”(113). This quote shows how Lady Catherine trusts the governess system, and how she would do anything to convince mothers like Mrs. Bennet to get one.
ReplyDeleteIn this set of chapters I believe that a huge turning point in the novel will be brought to the reader's attention very soon. In the last chapter of the section, Darcy’s newly introduced friend Mr. Fitzwilliam brings up at dinner that Darcy had boasted about getting in the way of a marriage between Mr. Bingley and an unknown woman. Elizabeth is convinced that he speaks of Mr. Bingley and Jane, and she is not very pleased with it. Elizabeth now thinks that Darcy ruined her sister Jane’s chance of marrying out of actual affection for a man instead of financial security. Although she seems to keep it together when the news is revealed, I can see Elizabeth and Darcy having an altercation in the near future because of this news. Elizabeth voices her opinions to Mr. Fitzwilliam about the broken up marriage saying, “‘Your cousin’s conduct does not suit my feelings. Why was he to be the judge?”’(126). Elizabeth claims that it is unfair for Darcy to think he knows what is right for Mr. Bingley because it caused her sister Jane to have her feelings hurt over the incident. To add on, Mr. Fitzwilliam says, “‘There were some very strong objections against the lady…”’(127). This comment just adds onto the fire deep inside of Elizabeth as she has now just heard that her sister had been talked poorly of without her knowing and for no good reason at all. At this point in the novel, the reader has no other choice but to expect Elizabeth to explode and let all of her pent up feelings out, causing her to create some sort of altercation between herself and possibly Darcy.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this section of Pride and Prejudice, I was sort of surprised that their aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, no longer approved of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth said to her aunt, “Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand piunds, you want to find out that he is mercenary”(105). I wonder if she only thinks this because it is her niece who was forgotten by Mr. Wickham and I wonder if it were any other woman that he did this to, if she would feel the same. I think this shows that your family is always trying to keep your best interest in mind and they want you to get everything you deserve and want so when Mr. Wickham may be going after another girl just for the money she has, the family realizes he just wants a woman for her money and that’s not what Elizabeth had so she was the second choice. I also found it really interesting how Mr. Collins was acting as if Lady Catherine were almost like a god, doing anything she asked and he cares what she thinks more than he cares what anyone else thinks because when he said “Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved”(110). So even though he is below her, he still wants her wishes of being above everyone else to be preserved.
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 27-33 many events take place which make an impact on how the novel is progressing. In chapter 27 we start off with Elizabeth leaving to visit Charlotte in Hunsford and on the way she stops to see Jane in London where she sees that she is still upset about Mr. Bingley. When she arrives in Hunsford Mr. Collins is excited to show off his estate and all his stuff. He’s thinking that this will make Elizabeth wish she said yes to his proposal. However, that's not the case because Elizabeth doesn’t show any regret. The day after this we meet Lady Catherine’s daughter who Elizabeth doesn’t think too fond of. Lady Catherine is introduced and not as I was expecting. We find out that she is a snobby and very dull person. As Easter is coming up we learn Mr. Darcy is coming for a visit. It’s getting obvious that Darcy is coming to see Elizabeth even though she isn’t exactly getting the hint. Charlotte sees what Mr. Darcy is doing and mentions he must have feelings for her. Colonel Fitzwilliam reveals that Darcy is responsible for Bingley canceling the marriage with Jane. “I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the propriety of his friend’s inclination, or why, upon his own judgement alone, he was to determine and direct in what manner his friend was to be happy” (130). Unknowingly, Fitzwilliam doesn’t know that Jane is Elizabeth’s sister. I’m very surprised that Darcy is the one behind all of this. If I was in Elizabeth’s shoes my anger against Mr. Darcy would have grown immensely.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this section of the book, One character in particular that I was surprised by was the Aunt. The aunt no longer approving of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth responds to her Auntie with, “Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary”(105). I was confused by this, I wondered if the only reason is because it was her niece that was forgotten by Mr. Wickham. I can see Elizabeth and Darcy having an altercation in the near future because of this news. Elizabeth voices her opinions to Mr. Fitzwilliam about the broken up marriage saying, “‘Your cousin’s conduct does not suit my feelings. Why was he to be the judge?”’(126). Elizabeth felt this way because she feels it's unfair for Darcy to think he knows what is right for Mr. Bingley because it caused her sister Jane to have her feelings hurt over the incident.
ReplyDeleteDavid Blanco
DeleteIn these chapters Elizabeth travels with Sir William Lucas to visit Charlotte and her new husband, Mr. Collins. On the way, they spend a night in London with Jane and the Gardiners. "Absence had increased her desire of seeing Charlotte again, and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins" (126). Elizabeth over time misses Charlotte, and wants to visit her even if that means seeing Mr. Collins again. “But he paid her not the smallest attention, till her grandfather’s death made her mistress of this fortune”(105). People who had alot of money married for wealth and for their names, unlike the poorer people who most of the time married for actualy love.
ReplyDeleteThis most recent reading felt awkward for the Bennett family especially Elizabeth. It started off with a positive atmosphere and it seemed that Elizabeth was welcome and wanted. However, after Lady Kathrine entered the seen the tone went down hill. It started when Lady Kathrine continued to critique Elizabeth’s upbringing and in doing so disrespecting her family. It really showed how money and really shape a person’s personality and how in reality gives them all the power. Elizabeth or any member of the Bennett family would act the way Kathrine De Burgh did just based on their personality, and it has everything to do with money. I also think that Mr. Darcy is a much more admirable person than he is led on to be based on Colonel FitzWilliam reaction to Elizabeth speaking poorly about Mr. Darcy. It’s known how he treats people when they’re on his bad side but how does he treat those who are one his good side?
ReplyDeleteBen Weeden
I couldn’t help but notice how Lady Cathorine de Bourgh thought so highly of herself, when she came over to Mr. Collins place for dinner. “Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by silence; but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone, as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. 113 Wickham immediately to Elizabeth’s mind; and from the observation of the day altogether, she believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he represented,” describing her stature and attitude towards people around her. All of the guests who were at Mr. Collins evening party were polite towards de Borgh, except for Elizabeth who acted no differently towards de Bourgh since she hadn’t met her previously; unlike Mr. Collins who knew exactly what was expected, “Mr. Collins’s triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady Catherine’s condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.”(109). One question which I kept asking myself was how did de Bourgh obtain such a large fortune? Whether there was no one else to inherit the wealth but her or she’s married to someone with such fortune.
ReplyDeleteToday when people get married it is usually for love and it is frowned upon to marry money. There is a negative term used for people that marry for money now and that term is a “gold digger” meaning you marry for money not for love. I find it funny how in “Pride and Prejudice” it is the complete opposite, you marry for money, not for love and it is frowned upon if you don't marry someone with a lot of money. As said on page 107 “But he paid her not the smallest attention, till her grandfather’s death made her mistress of this fortune” this means that he didn't like her until she had money. Charlotte sees what Mr. Darcy is doing and mentions he must have feelings for Elizabeth. Now it is believed that Darcy is responsible for Bingly leaving “I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the propriety of his friend’s inclination, or why, upon his own judgment alone, he was to determine and direct in what manner his friend was to be happy” I still don't know why Darcy did this and I hope to find out in future chapters.
ReplyDeleteThe contemporary view of mate selection is that more and more girls choose to fall in love with a poor guy with no money and enjoy love. However, these girls will want to marry a rich guy, and "marry wealthy". I think this is a very incorrect social phenomenon because the girls who "marry wealthy" think that if they marry a rich man, even if they are divorced later, they can acquire some of their wealth and that no matter what, they are not losing anything. But those girls who marry for love and divorce have nothing left because they only have love between this marriage. There is a common saying in China that goes "Properly matched marriage". It means that the family conditions, personal conditions and life preferences of two people in love must be at the same level and their marriage will succeed. If one of these two people is very rich (especially if the boy has money) and the other is working-class, then their lives will be very uncoordinated. For example, this boy may buy a lot of luxury goods, travel around the world and do things that the girl cannot even imagine. This girl will not have the financial ability to do these things with this boy. The parents of this boy may despise the girl and may think that this girl wants to take possession of their family's money. This is very likely to cause the girl to feel inferior and she will be unable to lift her head up high at the boys' home.
ReplyDeleteMatt Gaetano
ReplyDeleteIn this section, we take a look at Charlotte’s life in Hunsford with Mr. Collins. On their way, however, they stop by Jane and the Gardiners in London. When Ms. Gardiner reveals that she disapproves of Mr. Wickham, Lizzy tells her, “Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end, and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary” (104). She basically reveals the flaw in the whole “marry for money” idea. She shows her aunt how there will always be someone marrying “down” or marrying someone who is lower in status.
When they finally get to Hunsford, Charlotte tells Lizzy that she actually enjoys her life. This surprised Lizzy until Charlotte tells Lizzy that she enjoys her life when Mr. Collins isn’t around. I thought this was pretty funny because Lizzy was thinking “That makes more sense”. When Lady Catherine meets Lizzy, she gives off a vibe that doesn’t really impress Lizzy. Lizzy quickly notices that Lady Catherine is very stuck up and prejudiced against those who she pictures as her inferior. Lady Catherine would much rather speak with her nephews (Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam).