2) Please respond to the text. Use direct examples from the novel, and make predictions. Where do you see the novel going from here? What clues do you see Austen leaving for us to ponder? Also, please ask me questions. Let me know what you would like to discuss. What is confusing? What would you like to discuss further?
"Got Bingley?"
"Not if I can help it!"
"May I have the next dance...and your hand in marriage, Cousin Elizabeth?"
"I would rather marry a Wookie, sir!"
AAAARRRRHHHH! AAARRH!
(Translation: "Hey, babycakes! Wassup!")
One thing in these chapters that caught my attention was Mr.Collins going from being refused by Eliza to proposing to Charlotte in just a few days, a marriage being arranged almost immediately, despite Eliza’s conviction that “it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen”(87). Charlotte has been a steadfast pragmatist about marriage since the start of the book, and I feel that she’ll be happier there than Eliza gives her credit for. Yes, love will not be there, nor will compatibility, but neither of those were things Charlotte expected or wanted. Having them might have been nice, but as Charlotte herself says, “I am not romantic you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home, and considering Mr.Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair, as most people can boast”(87). Charlotte has everything she wanted in Mr.Collins, even if that much wouldn’t satisfy Eliza. This marriage also seems like something Jane Austen might have put in as a commentary of marriage purely as a matter of practicality, and Eliza’s conviction that Charlotte will have no happiness here, if Eliza might express Jane Austen’s own views, would be another way of showing her disapproval of this type of marriage, or of the societal structures that make it necessary for many women.
ReplyDelete-Sara Earl
I do think that Austen is using Charlotte and Collins engagement to express her views on a ‘practical marriage’. In doing so, I feel like she has written a rather harsh reaction from Elizabeth. Austen writes that on Lizzy’s relationship with Charlotte, “[She] felt persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between them again (89).” It seems to me that Elizabeth sees agreeing to this union as Charlotte pretty much renouncing her own views on love and marriage and is no longer herself, so they can no longer truly be friends. This seems a very Darcy-like reaction, for we all know that once his good opinion is lost it cannot be regained, which is exactly how Lizzy is responding. I feel bad for their relationship, but I do think this highlights the similarity between Lizzy and Darcy, whose relationship is bound to grow.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I feel really bad for Jane right now. Losing contact with Mr. Bingley and knowing he is being swayed to Miss Darcy really sucks. Adding to that that she now knows Miss Bingley never really liked her, Jane’s life has turned upside down. These events do reveal more of Jane’s character, which we see some of in her letter to Elizabeth. She writes that, “I pity, but I cannot help blame her (101).” Jane, reasonably, blames Miss Bingley for faking their friendship and then rejecting her, but she still feels bad about it and pities her. She is kind and accepting of events, and because of it I really hope that when Mr. Bingley returns he is still in love with her, but with the persistence of his sisters, it might not happen.
(Side note: Mr. Collins, a girl being slightly nice to you after you are rejected does not mean propose to her!!)
In this section of the text, we really see the conflict begin. With Elizabeth turning down Mr. Collins’ marriage proposal and the Bingleys moving away, suddenly the Bennett family goes from having two possible suitors to zero. We knew there would be conflict eventually, the book would have no plot if all the Bennet girls easily got married. However, the storyline took a turn more quickly than I expected it would. It was actually a little too quickly for me and felt rushed and a bit chaotic. But what's done is done, and the novel continued to move on. After being rejected by Elizabeth, Mr. Collins successfully proposed marriage to Charlotte Lucas. It is Elizabeth's reaction to this engagement that I want to zero in on. It is where we really get to see her pride. When speaking to her sister about the new engagement Elizabeth says, "my dear Jane, Mr Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man..." and considers Charlotte Lucas a fool for marrying him. Although Mr. Collins may not be the most desirable husband, at least, to our knowledge, he is not cruel or unkind. At least he has steady income and some upper class connections. Charlotte Lucas takes all of this into account. She sees this marriage as a way to ensure a safe and respectable future. Elizabeth may pride herself on being a better judge of character than Charlotte Lucas, but as of now, Miss Lucas has herself a husband and a pretty sure future, two things that Elizabeth does not have. Yet, Elizabeth, blinded with her own pride, is unable to recognize the sense in Charlotte Lucas marrying Mr. Collins. As for my predictions about what’s to come, from reading the back in the book I know that eventually Darcy and Elizabeth will get together. So this would mean that they would both have to somehow swallow their pride. Darcy would have to be willing to be with a woman of Elizabeth's class and Elizabeth would have to be willing to move past all of her original impressions of Darcy. I’m sure this will happen but have absolutely know idea how Austin will make it happen in a conceivable manner.
ReplyDelete-Ellie Yates
we find out in the previous chapters that Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins 5 time for her hand in marriage. As we read chapter 21-27 we learn that a few days after that Mr. Collins had proposed to Charlotte Lucas and that she accepted to marry him. Elizabeth was shocked because Charlotte wanted a perfect match and she just met Mr. Collins. Meanwhile Mrs. Bennett is very furious that her daughter let a husband slip through her fingers. As we keep reading we find out that Miss. Bingley had sent a letter to Jane, the letter states that Mr. Bingley will be staying in London all winter. Elizabeth was furious about the letter that it was all of the sudden and Mr. Bingley didn't tell Jane that he was leaving Elizabeth states that people lack “Merit or sense”. While that's all going on Mr. Bennett encourages Elizabeth’s interest in WIckham so that she can get a husband right when Jane was attracted to Mr. Bingley. Jane goes to London with Mrs. Bennet's brother, Mr. Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner sees that there is a spark of love between Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham but believes that they are not a good match for each other. We also learn that Wickham is attracted to another girl named Miss. King who had a large fortune. I don’t like Wickham because he seems to only like girls that have wealth. I'm very suspicious about what he's doing. While Jane is dwelling on why Mr. Bingley left without saying anything she believes that Bingley’s sister views her as an obstacle to her brother’s marrying Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Darcy’s sister. Elizabeth says that she will never love Wickham for leading her on and then showing affection to another girl. Is Wickham trying to marry so he can get money? Is he actually marrying for love? Did Mr. Wickham do something in the past that is making him look for large fortune in women? Also what will happen to Jane and Mr. Bingley? I love them together they look so happy together. Also is Miss. Bingley only telling Jane that they all moved back to London just so she could have all the attention with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth wouldn't be a distraction? Pride and Prejudice just keeps getting interesting and interesting with all the different conflicts that are coming along.
ReplyDeleteI think how quickly Mr. Collins went from loving Jane to Lizzy to Caroline a week really shows how Jane Austen thought of men of the time. I think Jane Austen is trying to show that most men of the time depended on the fact that women are desperate to marry because they can’t inherit anything. This is shown by Mr.Collins’ disbelief when Lizzy turns him down. He responds with “... your refusal of my addresses is merely words of course. My reasons for believing it are briefly these: — It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in its favor; and you should take it into farther consideration that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall chuse to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.” (75) What he is basically saying is “I have more money than you and no one else will want to marry you because of how little money you have thus you will marry me.” His train of thought did work with Caroline because she pretty much married him for the reasons he listed.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I’m not entirely surprised as to the event of this section; I felt that some explosive event had to occur after all the plot build up and new characters. I’m finding, as we continue through the book, that I am becoming more and more attached to the characters, particularly Jane as she is so kind to everyone-- Bingley doesn’t deserve her after these shenanigans. However, I’m with Lizzy here, “No one who has ever seen [them] together can doubt his affection.”(82) I doubt that Jane and Bingley’s relationship is over, there has been too much development between the two for it to just end without some sort of resolution. However, I appreciate the mystery that his sudden departure adds to the plot; we seem to be getting somewhere now that we have all the characters and their connections formed. In regards to Collins and his desperation for marriage, I agree with Morgan. Elizabeth did react rather Darcy-esque to the finding that Charlotte and Collins were engaged, it seemed almost out of character of her-- though admittedly I’d be pissed too if my best friend got engaged to my ‘ex’ three days after breaking up. As far as Wickham, I feel uneasy about his sudden disappearance from Elizabeth’s favor at the end of Chapter 26 ,“his apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over, he was the admirer of someone else.”(102) He seemed to be the only man Eliza was even remotely interested in and it doesn't make sense for him to leave. This bring me to wonder whether he’s really gone, and especially after Mrs. Gardiner’s warning. Anyway, as always I’m excited to read on-- God save Miss Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
ReplyDeleteIn these few chapters I can definitely see the rising action start to pick up. We now have drama between Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Collins, and we also have Mr Bingley leaving to London abandoning Jane. I have a feeling that Mr Bingley leaving is something more than it is made out to be. The fact that Miss Bingley writes the letters and only says Mr Bingley regrets "...not having had time to pay his respects to his friends..." (91) seems a little sketchy. I feel like what Jane and Mr Bingley had was worth more than just a letter that wasn't even directly from him. I also think that Elizabeth will soon realize how she feels about Darcy. She fails with Mr Collins and then again with Mr Wickham and she realizes that she never loved Mr Wickham at all, "There can be no love in all this" (103). I am starting to think she can't love another man because she is meant to be with Darcy.
ReplyDeleteRight now it seems the fate of the Bennets has taken an unfortunate turn. Elizabeth refused to marry Mr. Collins, who, though disagreeable, offered a comfortable home and good connections, and Catherine, her intimate friend, betrayed her and seduced Mr. Collins into marrying her. Elizabeth feels that she is “persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between [her and Catherine again”. Even worse, Mr. Bingley left for the city without saying good bye, and, according to Elizabeth, is being persuaded by his sisters to marry Miss Darcy. To prevent this, and to ascertain if Mr. Bingley still loves her, Jane followed their group into the city, and is staying with her aunt. I believe that their fortune will soon turn, though, for Elizabeth is going to visit Catherine, who lives near Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh, who is the aunt of Mr. Darcy. I predict that Mr. Darcy will see Elizabeth while she is visiting her friend and that their relationship will advance, which would be very fortunate for the Bennets.
ReplyDelete- Ethan Coyle
Question: Were parishioners particularly wealthy at the time, and if so, how did they make their wealth? Was Mr. Collins wealthy than Mr. Bennet?
DeleteI have watched the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice many a time, so I cannot say that this reading has shocked me, and any predictions I could make would not be predictions but simply facts. However, the cold way in which Charlotte Lucas strategizes and manipulates Mr. Collins’s affection took me aback. In the movie, I had thought Charlotte to be a sweet girl, yet this scene in the book twisted my outlook on her. For example, on page 84, the narrative reveals that Charlotte “accepted him (Mr. Collins) solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment.” On the next page, Austen remarks about Charlotte that “Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object… however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want.” Charlotte has no feelings for the man, and, as has been mentioned many a time in class, considers marriage to be a business transaction. Yet I hadn’t fully realized to what extent her indifference towards men was, and her calculating manner was kind of appalling to me, a firm romantic. Just my thoughts.
ReplyDelete-Brianna Preston
Currently in the book, Elizabeth seems to be in a pickle. She refuses to marry Mr. Collins, which infuriates her mother. It seems as we have hit the interesting part of the story as Mrs. Bennet tells Elizabeth that she will never speak to her if she doesn't marry Mr. Collins and her father will never speak to her if she does marry Mr. Collins. In chapter 23, Mrs. Bennet is incredulous when Sir William Lucas announced that Mr. Collins is marrying one of his daughters. Mrs. Bennet exclaims "Good Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story?-Do you not know that Mr. Collins wants to marry Lizzy?" While Mrs. Bennet is outraged, Mr. Bennet still seems to show his timid nature by showing that his emotions were "much more tranquil on the occasion". Mrs. Bennet is in a pitiable state while Mr. Bennet tries to console her. Hopefully things start to get better for the Bennets as they are in a tough situation for now.
ReplyDelete-Alan Lee
In chapters 21-26, we are introduced to several conflicts that have developed between the characters, and the Bennets are starting to lose out on possible suitors for their daughters. Elizabeth turns down Mr. Collins, who ends up proposing to (and marrying) Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte accepts immediately in order to ‘secure’ her future, stating “I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair” (87). Mr. Bingley leaves for London for the winter and stops sending Jane letters, leading her to believe Mr. Bingley is not interested in her anymore. Meanwhile, Elizabeth realized that Mr. Wickham is interested in another girl, Ms. King, due to her wealth. Interestingly, Elizabeth is okay with his search for wealth while she also chastised Charlotte for marrying for wealth. I predict that we will see more growth in the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the coming chapters. - Matthew Hebert
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 21-26, everything Mrs. Bennet has worked so incredibly hard for is worth nothing, as Mr. Bingley leaves Netherfield, never to return, Mr. Collins becomes engaged to Charlotte, who, in Mrs. Bennet's eyes will probably strip them for everything they have when her husband dies, and Mr. Wickham courts after another, wealthier lady. The girls' prospects have diminished in such a short time that Mrs. Bennet probably has whiplash, and is most definitely complaining about her "nerves". I did observe, however, that immediately after Darcy leaves town with Bingley, Wickham looses interest in Elizabeth within an instant and moves on to a wealthier woman. Although Lizzy didn't care for him deeply, as she didn't particularly care about the fact that he lost interest, it exhibits that Wickham does not have good intentions. His lack of good intentions, though, is not similar to Charlotte's want of a husband, as referenced in the following, "Miss Lucas ...accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment..." (22.2) Wickham's intentions are cruel and vengeful, unlike Charlotte's, and I suspect he noticed Darcy's affection for Lizzy and therefore started flirting with her to anger him.
ReplyDeleteHow is it possible for a man to like and propose to a woman, be turned down, and then not two days later propose to her best friend?! Within these chapters Jane Austen shows her views on a business deal like marriage. “I am not romantic, you know I never was” I believe Austen was trying to show us how marriage in that time period never really was about the love between two people, but for wealth. I believe Eliza's Reaction to the engagement was accurately put for it is a rather odd matter. I was furious when Mr. Wickham disappeared out of the blue with in these chapters, leaving Eliza very hurt. Elizabeth has not ever really shown affection to anyone in her life like she had Mr.Wickham, and him leaving was a slap to the face for she does not really know why he left. “His attentions were over, he was the admire of someone else” I wonder under what circumstances he had to leave? Now to address the sad heartbreak of Jane caused by Miss Bingley's letter addressing that they are leaving. Miss Bingley is malicious in her letter by saying that they are leaving and that they are probably not going to come back. The most gut wrenching part is when Miss Bingley drops that Mr.Bingley will probably fall in love with another girl and marry her, who apparently is Mr.Darcy's cousin. I hope that James and Mr.Bingley's “relationship” will be able to continue, and that more light will be shed on Mr.Darcy and more of his familial relations.- Madeline Bronder
ReplyDeleteChapters 21 through 26 develop the story of many characters’ romantic lives, some turning out to be better than others. To begin with, to Mrs. Bennett’s opposition, Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte Lucas, who accepts. Austen writes, “The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature, must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained” (84). Even though his proposal was really awkward and uncharismatic, Miss Lucas accepts for the sole purpose of having her own place to live. She does this because she does not want to be dependant on her family anymore and to have her own place to live. On the other hand, we find out that Mr. Bingley who seemed to be very charming and truly in love with Jane Bennett, will not return to the country throughout the winter. Although Jane seems heartbroken, she is able to dismiss him out of her life saying, “But I will not repine. It cannot last long. He will be forgot, and we shall all be as were before” (92). Although Jane remembers him as a kind man, she is ready to move on and forget about Mr. Bingley. Later on Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Bennett’s sister, says that a man such as Bingley falls in love with many young women and then forgets about them when they are separated by an accident. Lastly, Elizabeth finds out that Mr. Wickham is now attracted to, “The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds” which was “the most remarkable charm of the young lady, to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable” (102). Even though Mr. Wickham had moved on from Elizabeth, Elizabeth is ready to move on explaining to her aunt, “I am now convinced, my dearest aunt, that I have never been much in love…” (103). I am not sure what will happen from here as Mr. Collins left to marry Charlotte as well as there being no imminent conflict.
ReplyDelete-Alex Wessel
A definite highlight in the book for me is Mr.Collins. Everything that Mr.Collins does is automatically hysterical because of how over-the-top his character is. From being proud of his own status to “falling in love” with literally anything that has two X chromosomes. My favorite part of the book so far is when he gets interested in Jane, and after hearing that she was taken immediately swapping to Elizabeth. This was improved in the film by how sudden it was, and the camera quickly switching to Elizabeth. I also like how he acts as the plot “hook” and instigates conflict between characters. He hooks Elizabeth, her dad, and her mom into some good old fashioned family drama and threats of being dead to someone. He also starts the whole entire marrying Charlotte fiasco which is hilarious because it shows him being oblivious and lost in his own little world.
ReplyDeleteIt is apparent in Jane Austen's writing that (with the exception of Elizabeth and Jane) the Bennett girls are exceptionally childish and improper. Oftentimes, their ridiculous natures are displayed to the public, such as in the ball scene where Mary is playing the piano dreadfully, Kitty and Lydia are foolishly running around, and Mrs. Bennett is making impolite and loud comments. It can therefore be concluded that their behavior was the primary reason why Caroline could have (potentially) orchestrated the story that Mr. Bingley is marrying Miss Darcy. Evidently, the story itself seems very questionable, seeing that Caroline appeared not wanting to see Jane and "did not return her visit till yesterday; and not a note, not a line, did she receive" (pg. 101). There is also some suspicion to be drawn from the fact that Mr. Bingley "knows of (Jane's) being in town, (she) is certain, from something she said herself; and yet it should seem from her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy" and how one letter "concluded with her brother's regret at not having time to pay respects to his friends in Hertfordshire" (pg. 102/91). This behavior seems exceptionally out of character for Mr. Bingley, who I find would be too agreeable and "amiable" to ignore Jane, someone that he loved dearly, in such ways. I believe that this possible lie from Miss Bingley illustrates her own pride and prejudice. There, she may feel that the Bennett family would humiliate her and strip her from her pride if having been related. Only one question still remains: will Jane discover that this is false, or will she find Mr. Bingley in love with Miss Darcy? -Jill Schuck (sorry for the late reply!!)
ReplyDeleteAs the book goes on, it is becoming increasingly tiring to read. There is still much to read and I have no idea how this book could end, It could introduce aliens for all i know. I feel bad that Elizabeth had to be born in this world where marriage is less about happiness and more of a deal. I also feel bad because she’s being really emotional about Mr. Wickham and I feel like she is repressing her emotions a bit for Mrs. Gardiner because she thinks about what could have been when saying “Her heart had been slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing that she would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted it” (102) I feel like she may be projecting some remorse despite her response to Mrs. Gardiner. (Isaac Mezher)
ReplyDeleteIn these last couple of chapters, we can see the magnitude of this climatic mess of a plot twist that Jane Austen has presented to us. First off I found Mr. Collins proposal very funny because he kept insisting that all the girls say no at first when they are proposed to, but they then later accept if asked once or twice more, “It is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time”(74). I felt bad for Mrs Bennet because of how much she works to see her daughters succeed in her eyes and they don’t seem to care or it just never works out. One example of this is when Mr. Collins decides to propose to Elizabeth but she denies him, and then two days later he decides to marry Catherine Lucas, “Good Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story?-Do you not know that Mr. Collins wants to marry Lizzy?(88) Mrs. Bennett couldn’t believe this and I can understand her because she worked so hard to make Mr. Collins comfortable and like Elizabeth and he just simply marries someone else. I also feel sorry for her because the Bingley’s have decided to move away and Jane marrying Mr. Bingley seemed to be her number one priority.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to toot my own horn, but I did fall asleep listening to the audiobook of these chapters, desperately trying to make up the time I lost being sick, and when I woke up, it was still playing. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'm very familiar with these chapters on a conscious and subconscious level, since some of the dialogue even managed to slip its way into my dreams. And if I ever do find anything more annoying than hearing the dialogue of Charlotte Lucas in my actual dreamscape, I'll let you know. For the first few chapters featuring the Lucas's (or as Austen says, the Lucases), I was relatively indifferent about their family and just assumed Charlotte would be a casual side character who would add moderately plain layers to the plot. But it wasn't until I consciously (and/or subconsciously?) registered how much I dreaded seeing a chapter start with "And so the Bennet family went to dine with the Lucases..", that I let my hate for her really set in. It's not even her morals that bother me, though, I mean, I guess they do. But she's just become one of those characters where Austen could write, "..and there was an addition to the room by the entrance of Charlotte Lucas, who inhaled a little-" and I'd instantly feel my mood decline and my blood pressure rise and my skin break out and my crops fail. And her marrying Mr. Collins was just the icing on the cake, although that metaphor really doesn’t do it for me. But the first part of the sentence, the part where Charlotte Lucas is getting married to Mr. Collins, should emphasize my distaste enough as is. But enough about her. Let me indulge myself in confessing one of my most problematic opinions to date, being that I really like Caroline Bingley. Mainly because Austen is setting her up too well and I can already feel just how hard Caroline is gonna get slapped in the face with karma somewhere down the line. And I can't wait for that. I also feel that she just adds a very devious element to the plot, whereas everything else beforehand was relatively vanilla and all just coincidental misfortunate. Overall, the story is heading towards interesting places and I’m liking it more and more as we continue. So long as Charlotte goes off the grid and Caroline gets what’s coming for her.
ReplyDelete- Jenna Shorey
21-26: Elizabeth encounters Wickham in Meryton. He apologizes for his absence from the ball and walks her home, where Elizabeth introduces him to her parents. Elizabeth comforts Jane, telling her that this turn of events is all Miss Bingley’s doing, not her brother’s, and that Bingley will return to Netherfield, after reading the letter sent by Bingley. From this I think Bingley sorta doesn't like Jane because I feel like if he really liked Jane he would stay with her, but that's just my opinion. Anyways back to the story. Later on we get news that Charlotte accepts Mr.Collins proposal. This is kinda mean because Charlotte is close friends with Elizabeth and this is just straight up mean. Mrs. Bennet, as usual, is upset/furious with her daughter for allowing a husband to escape her. This just shows that Miss Bennett only cares about her daughter's getting men once again. Later on the Gardiners arrive. Mrs. Gardiner writes to Elizabeth to ask about Wickham, and Elizabeth replies that his love has moved on to another girl, Miss King, who has just inherited a large fortune. Finally, Elizabeth, sees the very limited pain that Wickham’s had a transfer of affections causes her makes her believe she was never in love with him.
ReplyDelete-Zachary Mola