Pride and Prejudice 1-34

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice begins with the wealthy Mr. Bingley moving into the neightborhood of Hertfordshire, an action which the annoying Mrs. Bennet reads as a wish to marry one of her five daughters, whom he has never met. Bingley and the eldest Miss Bennet, Jane, both possessing sweet and cheerful characters, do begin to fall in love to the happiness of Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest daughter, and to the horror of Bingley's sisters and good friend, Mr. Darcy. At a ball hosted by the Bingleys, Elizabeth watches the progress of the couple's attachment and is highly embarrassed by the lack of propreity displayed by the rest of her family, including her visiting cousin Mr. Collins. However, Elizabeth is unaware of the attention she is drawing from the haughty, prideful Mr. Darcy, whom she has formed a deep-felt dislike based on his alleged ill-treatment of the handsome Mr. Wickham. Shortly after the ball Mr. Collins proposes to Lizzie, is flatly refused, but quickly recovers and marries her good friend Ms. Charlotte Lucas. The Bingleys and Darcy soon after quit the neighborhood for London. Jane goes to London with her aunt and uncle after Christmas as a change of scenery for her disappointed hopes and for the slight chance of meeting Mr. Bingley. In March Lizzie visits Mrs. Collins, becoming acquainted again with Mr. Darcy who is visiting his aunt, the patron of Mr. Collins. To her astonishment Mr. Darcy proposes. She refuses him in heated language, laying the charge of separating her sister and Bingley along with his treatment of Wickham at his feet. He responds with a letter admitting his guilt in the first charge, but giving her a true account of his dealings with Mr. Wickham.

As I'm rereading Pride and Prejudice I'm realizing that it is probably the easiest read of the Jane Austen novels. I love the witty dialogue, espcially when Lizzie and Darcy converse during his time in Hertfordshire. Everything was said so much more eloquently in that time. People thought about what they were about to say, a practice that has been almost entirely forgotten. I've noticed something about Charlotte Lucas's character. Her speeches are filled with foreshadowing. The views on marriage she expresses to Lizzie describe most accurately the state she enters into with Mr. Collins. Her remarks about Jane hiding her affection too much and of Darcy's attraction to Lizzie both prove true as well. I don't know if this has any profound meaning since she is in the novel none after Lizzie leaves Hunsford, but I found it interesting.

Austen shows different examples of the marriage state through Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and even in Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. None of those situations are what we as readers wish for Jane and Lizzie. Imagine how tiresome it would be if your whole existence went into looking for a husband. That is what those ladies were brought up to do. Their many "accomplishments" were usually for the sole purpose of attracting the attention of decent people of the opposite sex. Speaking of accomplishments, I positively love that scene where Darcy and Lizzie discuss the definition of the word, with the annoying interruptions of Ms. Bingley. Again, I adore the graceful dailogue that actually makes one think.

It is kind of annoying how you get a slight view into Mr. Darcy's thoughts when he is present in the scene, but it is so limited. It never actually shows you much besides his general feelings. I have to catch myself from inserting the thoughts and feelings that were expressed in the books that I read from his perspective. However, it is interesting to have that view of things especially during his "courtship" of Lizzie in Hunsford. It makes me wonder what Austen actually had in mind for him when she wrote it. His proposal is one of the most absurd things ever. To tell someone how much you "ardently admire and love them" and then to proceed directly to telling them how inferior they are is almost as laughable as it is infuriating - almost. I love the letter. While it still shows intensive pride in Darcy, it is a beginning. While I want to blame him for Jane and Bingley's present state of unhappiness, it is also good to finally find out the truth about Mr. Wickham, a character that you knew was too good to be true but had no real reason for not liking until then. (Matt just did a horrible impression of what was suppose to be an Austen heroine swooning, but what he doesn't get is that Austen's heroines are much to practical for swooning.)

If this isn't what you wanted just let me know and I'll do it right next time, Mrs Leffler.