"What fine eyes you have Mr. Darcy!"
"The better to see you with, Mr. Wickham..."
Friday, September 15, 2017
Due Friday, September 22nd - "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen, Chapters XIII-XVIII
Using direct evidence from the text, share your thoughts on the events that transpired in the reading. What do you make of Mr. Collins? Elizabeth? Wickham? What do you predict will happen in the following chapters?
"What fine eyes you have Mr. Darcy!"
"The better to see you with, Mr. Wickham..."
"What fine eyes you have Mr. Darcy!"
"The better to see you with, Mr. Wickham..."
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In these chapters we meet a couple of new characters, characters that I predict will both play roles in advancing the plot. Firstly, Mr. Collins is introduced, he is “self-conceited and of a weak head...” due to his “early and unexpected prosperity.” That is at least how Mr. Bennett sees him. To me he is simply an annoying and boring character. He ceaselessly talks about his great life working for Lady Catherine DeBourgh and how wonderful she and her daughter are. He is constantly, for lack of a better term, sucking up to his hosts. Always complimenting his surroundings and comparing them to Rosing’s Park, this gets to a point where it even annoys me. There does seem to be a parallel between Mr. Collins’ and the beloved Mr. Bingley’s manner. However, when Bingley makes a compliment it comes off sincere. When Collins constantly compliments it seems as if he is trying to force himself into the good graces of others and find a way to mention Rosing’s Park. The second character we meet is Mr. Wickham, an officer whom Elizabeth is rapidly taken with. At first, I, along with Elizabeth was pleased with Wickham. He seemed impressive somehow, like Darcy, but without the signature Darcy attitude, and sensible enough. However when he was telling Elizabeth about his and Darcy’s past I found myself liking Wickham less. I didn’t necessarily doubt his story but I’m still rooting for Darcy and Elizabeth to be together, and Wickham’s tale only heightened Elizabeth’s distaste for Darcy. With so many things unfolding at once it is hard to guess just what will happen next but I can be sure there will be conflict. What else can come out of Darcy’s and Collins’ attraction to Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s attraction to Wickham?
ReplyDelete-Ellie Yates
In chapters XIII through XVIII we are introduced to a new character, Mr.Wickham. Mr.Wickham is well liked by everyone except Darcy and Bingley, the latter having only heard of him through Darcy. Mr.Wickham tells Elizabeth that Darcy’s father was a very close friend of his, and that Darcy cheated him out of a church position Darcy’s father bequeathed to him. Bingley however, says that this story is a lie, and that Darcy never cheated Wickham out of anything. Darcy himself even alludes to Mr.Wickham painting a false picture of him to anyone who will listen. When Elizabeth mentions having heard many differing accounts of his character, he replies “I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear the performance would reflect no credit on either”(64). Darcy is saying that there is reason to believe that Elizabeth might be lead to believe negative things about Darcy, perhaps by our new arrival. Additionally, this ties into Jane Austen’s initial title for the book, ‘First Impressions”, as Elizabeth’s first impression of Mr.Wickham has been positive, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it turned out to be wrong, especially as it would make a nice counterpoint to Darcy initially seeming cold, stuck-up and unapproachable, and then later in the book beginning to fall for Elizabeth. As for my predictions, I think sooner or later Mr.Wickham will be revealed as far less innocent in this whole affair, and Darcy’s affections for Elizabeth will continue to advance along with the plot.
ReplyDelete-Sara Earl
Yes, in this chapter we learn a bit of Darcy and Wickham’s relationship. And of course Miss Bingley tries to defend Darcy, saying he had never been anything be kind to Wickham. Although I am more inclined to believe Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy’s response to Elizabeth hints at a deeper history. He says, “Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends --whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain (63).” This remark makes me think that they had once been friends, and then something happened to make them resentful of each other. Like Sara, I’m sure we will find out Wickham was not so innocent in their break in future chapters.
ReplyDeleteAlso, on the topic of new characters, I feel like Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Collins all represent different aspects of Elizabeth’s personality to some degree. While she talks to him, we see Mr. Wickham has her wit and sincerity. Mr. Darcy has great pride in his status, while Lizzy takes pride in hers. Even Mr. Collins, though awkward, shows some of the determined nature we see in Elizabeth. When she tries to persuade him from talking to Mr. Darcy, Austen writes that, “Mr. Collins insisted to her with the determined air of following his own inclination (67),” Since all three of the men seem to be set up as possible love interests, a decision between them might reveal what trait Elizabeth herself values the most.
Mr. Wickham cannot be as perfect as he appears. For though Mr. Bingley is deemed perfect in every sense, there is something about how Wickham is described, or the way he talks, which does not strike me as genuine in comparison to Bingley. For though Wickham repeatedly says he is not to judge Darcy, being too close and biased by that familiarity, he repeatedly lets little tidbits drop about Darcy. On page 53, he says that Darcy’s “behavior to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe that I could forgive him any thing and every thing, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father.” He is adding suspense to the conversation, and yet keeps the reasoning behind his statement hidden until a time later, which in my opinion just shows an ill will of character, in that he talks like a woman would in spreading gossip. While talking of general matters, Wickham manages to always steer the conversation back to how Mr. Darcy slighted him, adding more to the story each time they pass the subject. His indiscreet mannerisms rile a disgust in me towards him, and I wish Elizabeth had no feelings towards him and would leave the man and matter alone.
ReplyDelete-Brianna Preston
In these chapters we are introduced to two new important characters, Mr. Collins, the heir to the Bennet estate, and Mr. Wickham, a mysterious new stranger who has a tumultuous past with Mr. Darcy. I enjoyed reading about Mr. Collins for the same reason that Mr. Bennett desired to become better acquainted with him. Mr. Collins is unsensible and self-important, and, in literary terms, serves as comic relief. In his first correspondence with the Bennets, Elizabeth already identifies him as an oddity, and questions whether he “can be a sensible man”. To this, Mr. Bennett answers that he has “great hopes of finding him quite the reverse”, and that he is “impatient to see him”. When Mr. Collins comes to Longbourn, has various humorous encounters with the family, as well as with the local society at parties and the Netherfield ball, which showcase his intellectual ineptitude, and are extremely fun to read. The only people who seem not enjoy his visit are Mr. Darcy, who becomes offended by the rashness of the man, and Elizabeth, who unfortunately caught the eye of Mr. Collins and could possibly be forced to marry him. The other newcomer, Mr. Wickham, has a history with Mr. Darcy, which of course intrigues Elizabeth. he and Elizabeth converse during a party, and he tells her of how he was mistreated by Mr. Darcy. I think that Elizabeth is too trusting of Wickham’s story, and becomes infatuated with far too early. She only can judge him based off of her first impressions, which are good solely because of his good manners and their mutual dislike of Darcy. It is suspicious that Mr. Wickham did not attend the ball at Netherfield. If he did not cause the grievance, then why would he run?
ReplyDelete-Ethan Coyle
In these chapters we are introduced to Mr. Wickham, an acquaintance of Mr. Darcy who claims to have been denied to work in a church on one of Mr. Darcy’s estates. In chapter 16, he claims to Elizabeth, “Yes - the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift” along with, “The church ought to have been my profession…” (54). Because of Mr. Wickham’s rumors, Elizabeth despises Mr. Darcy even more, and began to like Mr. Wickham. In chapter 16 the book says, “Elizabeth honoured him [Mr. Wickham] for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than ever as he expressed them” (54). It seems that Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth are getting closer to one another however Miss Bingley is not amused by the rumors that Wickham is spreading and tells Elizabeth, “Let me recommend you, however, as a friend, not to give implicit confidence to all his [wickham] assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy’s using him ill, it is perfectly false…” (65). In this quote Miss Bingley tells Elizabeth not to believe all of the rumors that Mr. Wickham is spreading as they could be false. I believe that we are going to be finding out the truth behind these rumors in the coming chapters and that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham may even get into an altercation.
ReplyDelete-Alex Wessel
In chapters 13 through 18 we are introduced to Mr. William Collins, who will inherit Mr. Bennet's property, and Mr. Wickham, a man introduced by Mr. Denny who is a good-looking man coming from the quote "Mr. Wickman was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned..."(52) and has a cold past with Mr. Darcy. In chapter 16, Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth are chatting while in Mr. Philip's party. Elizabeth says to Wickham, "I have spent four days in the same house with him, and I think he is very disagreeable." Elizabeth is directing this towards Mr. Darcy, and it's pretty clear that the 2 are not under good terms. Mr. Wickham later on claims to Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy was his "godfather" and "He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere." Because of hearing this, Elizabeth hates Mr. Darcy even more now, saying "This is quite shocking!-He deserves to be publicly disgraced." I think this is a really interesting part of the book and I am excited to see how things settle with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth now, or even Mr. Darcy and Wickham because of what he has said.
ReplyDelete-Alan Lee
I just read chapters thirteen to eighteen and something that I noticed was the introduction of Mr.Wickam. One thing that stuck out for Mr.Wickam was the fact that he dislikes Darcy and says that Mr.Darcy took his church position after Mr.Darcy’s father’s death. I agree with Morgan Robertson and believe that Mr.Wickam is lying. I can’t exactly explain it, but something about his character seems off and it is hinted at in the text too. Darcy says “Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends --whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain ”(pg.63). This is Darcy saying that Mr.Wickam is good at first impressions, but cannot keep friends. This fits with the overall theme of the book with how first impressions can be deceiving.
ReplyDeleteIn the Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. When you read chapters 13-18 there was a whole event that happened and we also meet new characters like Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins, and we already know Elizabeth. Mr. Collins is the cousin of Mr. Bennet and is seeking for a wife. He believes that Jane Bennet is the perfect match but, he doesn't know that Jane is “already engage” to Mr. Bingley. So the next choice down the line of the daughters is Elizabeth. Elizabeth does not like Mr. Collins because he was “not a sensible man” but of course Mrs. Bennet pressures her into liking Mr. Collins for his fortune but worst of all he will inherit the Mr. Bennet's property when he passes. After supper, Mr. Collins was going to read the daughters a story but, Lydia interrupted the story with more gossip about the soldiers. As we look further into the text we meet Mr. Wickham who is a soldier for the Militia. Elizabeth finds Mr. Wickham a very charming and polite men and admires him. As Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham start to walk she finds out that he used to acquainted with Mr. Darcy and now don't interact with each other. When Mr. Phillips hosts a party Wickham and Elizabeth start to grow more into conversation and Wickham talks a lot about him going back into the militia but can't because he doesn't have enough money. Mr. Wickham says that Darcy's father was suppose to support him into going back to the militia but Mr. Darcy had used all the money for himself. I don't think that is true. He might be ignorant and shows no emotion but I don't think he would spend all his money on himself. He could have been helping people in a positive way and just hide it. We have seen Mr. Darcy show some affection so he couldn't have done that. But Elizabeth believes Mr. Wickham right away, and says “I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this- thought I have never liked him, I had not thought so very ill of him- I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this!” Mr. Wickham also tells Elizabeth that Darcy is the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Wickham describes the Lady as as “dictatorial and insolent”. The next morning Elizabeth told Jane everything that Mr. Wickham had told her, and I was shocked that Jane was defending Mr. Darcy saying that maybe they were misunderstanding each other at the time. When Mr. Bingley held his ball and invited every neighbor to his ball, Elizabeth was so excited to see Mr. Wickham because of course we know she likes him. But unfortunately Elizabeth has promised Mr. Collins the next two dances at the ball. What I believe that might happen as we keep on reading the book is that Mr. Collins will ask Elizabeth for her hand in marriage but I think she will refuse because she doesn't like Mr. Collins and likes Mr. Wickham. She only refused Mr. Collins is because she wants to marry for love not for fortune or inheritance. I also believe since Elizabeth doesn't accept Mr. Collins hand That Mrs. Bennet will get very angry at Elizabeth. Meanwhile I believe that Mr. Bennet will be glad that she said no to Mr. Collins because Mr. Bennet is not a big fan of him. So will Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham start dating or get married? (Bethany Yeung)
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 13-18, we are introduced to Mr. Collins, the inheritor of Mr. Bennet's property, and Mr. Wickham, an acquaintance of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Collins is a clergyman and Mr. Wickham is a part of the local militia due to issues with money. In chapter 14, Mr. Wickham is introduced to Elizabeth, and later, Mr. Wickham discusses his past with her. I found the amount of content surrounding this in chapters 16 and 17 to be very interesting, specifically about Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham mentions that "He was my godfather" and that "I cannot do justice to his kindness" (52), although they are very clearly not on good terms with each other. I hope the novel goes much further into Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham backstory. I also would like to see where the love triangle with Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth goes, as Elizabeth seems to like Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham. -Matthew Hebert
ReplyDeleteThrough chapter 13-18 of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, we are introduced to 2 more important characters, Mr. Collins, Mr. Bennet's cousin who inherits his property, "Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society."(48) . And Mr. Wickham, "the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned..."(52). Mr. Wickham sits next to Elizabeth at the Phillip household and she gets to learn more about him. It turns out that Mr. Wickham has been very close with the Darcy family since he was a baby. And now in the next chapter comes exciting more exciting news: there's going to be a ball at Netherfield! This is big news. Everyone gets to dress up, and Elizabeth is looking forward to seeing Mr. Wickham. Finally, the dance occurs and we get to see that Darcy dances with Elizabeth and acts very awkward because of his lack of talking. As they leave the dance, Mrs. Bennet invites the Bingleys to visit them at Longbourn, especially Mr. Bingley, who says he will come as soon as possible. Mrs. Bennet leaves feeling good about things, Jane will be married to Mr. Bingley within a few months and that Elizabeth will soon be married to Mr. Collins! I think that as the love triangle goes on it will get more awkward between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. I hope that Darcy can actually not be awkward for one time and actually act normal and not make things weird, otherwise things wont turn out as he plans. -Zach Mola
ReplyDeleteAs the novel progresses, Jane Austen's use of foils becomes increasingly evident to the reader--especially once the character, Mr. Collins, was introduced. While Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley appear to be the more conspicuous foils, I noticed in my reading that Mr. Darcy's personality also greatly contrasts with Mr. Collins'. Mr. Collins is first introduced as a somewhat suspicious, proud character who says very unintelligible things very often. This, of course, was exhibited in many different areas of the book, such as his response to the Bennet's "modest" estate ("he might almost have supposed himself in the small summer breakfast-parlour at Rosings" p. 51), how he was described as "not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society" (p. 47), and how he had gained "a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as clergyman" (p. 47). Clearly, the reader can see through these quotes that Mr. Collins has a considerable amount of pride that he expresses in ways very different from Darcy's. Instead, Darcy chooses to express his pride--or at least what Elizabeth mistakes for pride--in a more subtle fashion. It could also be concluded that Mr. Collins is a perfect foil for Mr. Bingley. While Mr. Bingley tends to be more thoughtful and sweet, Collins seems more considerate of his own feelings and acts with little thought.
ReplyDelete-Jill Schuck
I feel like Wickham is not mentioning parts of his story. He also seems manipulative with the “I don't want to speak ill of him but ….” way of speaking which makes him seem forgiving while making the other person look bad. Also his “forgivingness” makes a contrast that makes him seem better and the other person seem worse. This is illustrated when he speaks of Mrs.Darcy by saying "I wish I could call her amiable. It gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy. But she is too much like her brother" (56). My guess of what will happen is that Elizabeth will get closer to Wickham and then Darcy will get jealous and confront him only to be seen by Elizabeth causing her to misunderstand and think he is doing something bad to Wickham again. Then Wickham will use this opportunity to keep playing the victim and make Darcy seem worse. Eventually Elizabeth will hear the other side from a Bingley sister or Darcy himself. She’ll find out what kind of person Wickham really is and end up with Darcy. (I join my grandma in watching too many Hallmark movies and watch too much shoujo anime)
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ReplyDeleteFollowing into the next section, tension are beginning to rise as Wickham and Collins enters the game. Personally I’m excited to see what comes of this, as Mr. Darcy totally seems the jealous type. Mr. Wickham just seems a tad bit fishy to me, though he may appeal to Elizabeth, I would fear any man that made Darcy uneasy. Collins, on the other hand, I have a great appreciation for, he’s a splendid mock character of upper class men of the age and for that I am grateful to Austen for making the most of that. “If I … were so fortunate as to be able to sing I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an air: for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman-- I do not mean however to assert that we can be justified in devoting too much of our time...”(70) blah, blah, blah. I found Collins to fulfill the role of the comic relief perfectly, especially in comparison to Darcy, who you must read carefully everything he say, lest you miss something important. Likewise, the interaction in this section between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were wonderfully engineered. The tension between them has been built at this point, and now we are meant only to wait. Mr. Darcy seems to be the only person, other than her father, that Elizabeth is intellectually challenged by. Particular in their banter through chapter 18, toward the beginning the dance; it is so clear that both Elizabeth and Darcy fully understand the mediocrity and complexity of their conversation and the irony of it as both of them have intense and polar feelings toward each other-- “It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy-- I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples.”(62) Regardless, I look forward to watching the tension build till Darcy can't stand it anymore.
ReplyDeleteI'm honestly beginning to have such a good time with most elements of this book, but specifically with the margins. I know I'm enjoying a book when I feel compelled to underline phrases or scribble thoughts between lines, and I find myself subconsciously doing so now with Pride and Prejudice, even despite regularly reminding myself 'this is school property!' I've even gone as far as to ask my mom if we own a copy of it. (We own a collection of Austen's work, but it's sadly all in one large book.) My pencil first hit the paper as soon as Darcy asked Elizabeth to dance. There's something simply so hilarious about Darcy trying as hard as possible to charm Elizabeth JUST after she vows to show him as little respect as possible. I can almost feel the vexation from Eliza when Darcy is being quite literally everything but annoying to her in that scene. Especially when he says, "We may compare our different opinions" (pg 64). Elizabeth is absolutely livid that he's being so nice to her, and it makes their whole interaction priceless. I'm excited to see more from these two. As for Collins... He's absolutely ridiculous and I'm loving every second of it. Wickham? I got bad vibes before and I'm still getting them now, especially after his story conflicted with other accounts of it. I wanted to like him, but wanting to like Darcy more is sort of canceling out any appreciation I have for him. I almost felt Elizabeth's disappointment when she learned that Wickham wasn't coming to the dance, and seeing it overflow into anger at Darcy was very interesting to witness. Overall, I'm anticipating that this book can only get better!
ReplyDelete- Jenna Shorey
Throughout this reading, I was incredibly annoyed by Mr. Collins, as he makes me visibly cringe. While I do think the characters are quite rude to him, I also cannot adapt to the fact that he doesn't understand that he is not very liked by the Bennets, and in fact is quite the opposite, except in Mrs. Bennet's case. I will go easier on Wickham though, because he at least has charm and is intelligent enough to deceive. I would know this because although I have already had the pleasure of reading the book and watching the movie many times over, Mr. Darcy makes it clear for us when he says, “Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends - whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain." However, the worst in these chapters, or possibly every chapter is Lydia. Lydia prances around in search for a husband, and does not in hopes of being secure or happy, but to be the perfect image of a wife, to be an example to all the other girls. She has not even a single ounce of respect for her family or self. I hope Mr. Collins leaves and never comes back, but also desire for Lydia to be gone as well.
ReplyDeleteIn reading chapters 13 to 18 we are introduced to a couple of new characters, with interesting personalities. First we are introduced to Mr.Collins who is Mr.Bennet's self centered cousin, who after Mr.Bennet passes away will inherit the Bennet estate.” a mixture of servility and self importance” Mr.Collins thinks rather highly of himself and wishes to marry one of the Bennets five daughters. He originally was interested in Jane but seeing she was taken he moved his sights onto poor Elizabeth. ELizabeth and the other sisters do not like Mr.Collins, but their mother tries to convince Elizabeth and them that he would be a good husband because then they would be able to keep the house. Mr.Collins repeatedly brags about Miss Catherine de Bourgh a high society woman who is very rich. Later in the chapters we meet Mr. Wickham who was an old friend of Mr.Darcy, but they had since drifted ways since Mr.Darcy did not give Mr.Wickham a proud sum of money he had promised to. Mr.Darcy tells Jane Mr.Wickham is not what he appears to be,but Jane so appalled that Mr.Darcy ruined a man's life by not giving him something he had been promised ignores him and declares she loathes him.-Madeline Bronder
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed meeting Mr. Collins, I take great pleasure from his dialogue and find his comments quite amusing. As for the story itself, I am pleased with the shift away from Bingly and Jane, I found that relationship dry from the beginning, I said to myself “oh yes yes what a lovely couple how wonderful for them. Can we move on now?” I am pleased we finally did.
ReplyDeleteThe events that transpired in the reading were very robust and had very significant pieces that will shape the story into a masterpiece. The characters that made appearances in this reading were all important characters that kind of diverted the reader away from the main plot of Jane and Mr. Bingley. I liked how Mrs Bennet’s opinion on Mr Collins changed as soon as she found out that he wanted to marry one of her daughters. As the book describes it, he.. “Was now high in her good graces” (48). I personally am not very fond of Mr Collins because he wants to marry one of his relatives which happen to be one of the Bennet daughters. This might have been normal at the time but I still don’t find him very amusing because of this. We are also introduced to Mr Wickham who has a very bad relationship with Mr Darcy because they dislike each other and it’s because of a history their families share. Mr Wickham explains that Mr Darcy has been nothing but unkind to him and this is why they resent each other. Miss Bingley defends Mr Darcy by saying that he has always been kind to Mr Wickham and this has led me to the conclusion that Mr Wickham most certainly has to hiding something, or he is very Jealous of Mr Darcy. I agree with the quote found by Josh Tao that says, “Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends --whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain ”(63) because it further explains that Mr Wickham has something to hide and has a dark past. -Tikweze
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters we meet a few new characters that both seem to have interesting characteristics to them. On one hand we have Mr. Collins who is so obsessed with finding a wife he goes from one girl to the next, not caring about who they are or who he would want. Then we have Mr. Wickham who seems to be more sincere than Mr. Collins but almost too sincere like he is trying to hide something. Mr. Wickham seems like he is trying to manipulate Elizabeth's view of Mr. Darcy by telling her about his back story and making him sound awful when he probably has a different side to the story. Elizabeth believes Mr. Wickham wholeheartedly because who wouldn't he seems so nice and caring about it all. I am excited to see what Mr. Wickham is actually up to something or I am just really suspicious about him.
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