Darcy says, "You looking at me and my fine eyes?"
CHAPTERS 3 -6
1.
Despite Bingley’s appearance as a most eligible
bachelor, what is revealed about his family, his age, and his inexperience?
2.
How is Elizabeth’s fun at Darcy’s expense
different from his own behavior toward her and her friends and family?
3.
Do you agree with Mrs. Lucas’s distinction
between pride and vanity and her conclusion that Darcy has a right to feel
proud?
4.
Why might Miss Bingley be eager to criticize the
Bennet girls and their mother?
5.
What is revealed about the characters of Mary
and Elizabeth by their piano performance?
6.
What effect does Elizabeth’s teasing have on
Darcy? Is Elizabeth intentionally trying to provoke Darcy’s attention? Note his
continued attraction, despite her “inferiority.”

CHAPTERS 7 -13
7.
What influences Elizabeth’s opinion of the
Bingleys?
8.
What does Darcy consider an accomplished woman?
What does this reveal about him?
9.
How does Darcy react to Miss Bingley’s comments
about the Bennets?
10. How
does Darcy characterize his own faults? (How does he reveal more about
himself?)
Lizzy says, "Fine eyes indeed!"
Tonight, I was pleasantly surprised to see aspects of the characters brought to life more so than in the first reading. Jane Austen focused mainly on the character aspect of her book, creating depth to each one and rounding them out. As Bingley and Darcy converse, their takes on accomplished women are revealed, and all the more shows how they are so differently minded. Bingley remarks on page 26 that it’s amazing to him, “‘how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished, as they all are.’” His outlook on women credits his amiable disposition, a stark contrast to Darcy’s take on an accomplished woman. Within a few paragraphs, Darcy characterizes an accomplished woman as having “a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word;” and as though he mustn’t stop there with such a long and unattainable list, he adds that “she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking… or the word will be but half deserved.” What he implies by this is that a woman has to be truly remarkable to gain his approval and the labeling of accomplished, and thus his take on life is exposed to be a cynical, puffed up and proud one. Elizabeth remarks in reply that such a woman she has never met, and is not surprised that Darcy has met no more than half a dozen accomplished women. I found this exchange more revealing of Darcy’s character than even of Bingley’s, as it has already been set that Bingley is an even-tempered man with hardly a fault to be seen.
ReplyDelete-Brianna Preston
I read chapters 9-12 and I had a few quotes that stuck out to me. Particularly the ones that were about characterization. I like how Jane Austen skips the whole dropping hints about which characters are foils to each other and just directly tells the reader through dialog. One example is this quote “‘Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed. A mixture of pride and impertinence’”. This quote was a description of Elizabeth and describes her as a prideful person, not unlike Darcy. This is particularly important because she is a foil to Jane who is described by one of Bingley’s sisters in this quote “I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it”. This is also a example of efficient writing as it also adds character to the sisters by having them pity Jane for her poor connections, as it shows that they care for her. This quote is also important because it describes Jane as the opposite as Elizabeth, it’s almost like they’re foils or something. This is one example of the many foils in the book. Some others are Mr.Bingley and Mrs.Bingley or Darcy and Bingley.
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking about foils. We do have Mr./Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth/Jane, and Bingley/Darcy, but I'm also finding that Elizabeth and Miss Bingley could be a solid example. Miss Bingley seems rather foolish and jealous, trying to command Darcy’s attention and prove her superiority to Elizabeth. Everything she does is to receive attention from him, and as Austen wrote, “[she] tired of a conversation in which she had no share (39).” On the other hand, we have Elizabeth, who has shown a quick wit and no jealousy or boasting. Yet everything she does commands Mr. Darcy’s attention, much to his annoyance. This is certainly part of why Miss Bingley is so eager to criticise Lissy and her family. Ever since the dance in chapter six, when Mr. Darcy mentions, “the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow (17),” Miss Bennet has know that Darcy likes Elizabeth, and she feels threatened. Now her actions are driven by this, and she lashes out by making fun of the Bennets. While it’s almost funny how she tries to catch his attention (ie. pretending to read), it’s also kind of sad, and I really hope her rivalry with Elizabeth is resolved sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteAs both Brianna and Josh stated before, these few chapters were more focused on the development of Austen's characters. Adding in the element of foils (as Josh said) created a new depth and intelligence to the story. What I found to be interesting was that some foils were indirectly described as being foils of each other--particularly Elizabeth and her sisters. Unlike Elizabeth, Lydia (and even Mrs. Bennet) show far less concern over Jane's health and rather are focused on the wealth and balls of Mr. Bingley. This is evident in the scene where Lydia asks Mr. Bingley if he will be having another ball, and clearly as an afterthought, then states, "Oh! yes--it would be much better to wait till Jane was well" (p. 31). Another example of this contrast between Elizabeth and some of the others in her family (concerning what they want for Jane) is when Jane and Elizabeth "were not welcomed very cordially by their mother" (p. 41) when arriving home from Mr. Bingley's estate. Evidently, the actions that Mrs. Bennet and the sisters take in "helping" Jane are far more selfish and, in some ways, materialistically-driven than Elizabeth's. Elizabeth is shown to differ greatly from her sisters in countless scenes, but one in particular was where she "ran up to her sister, and seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into drawing room" (p. 36). Though this quote may seem insignificant, it helps highlight her concern for Jane and how it relates more to her health than who she marries.
ReplyDeleteI liked seeing how the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth evolved in these chapters, from one of mutual animosity shared between acquaintances, to something a little more … benign. We see Darcy go from describing Lizzy as “tolerable”, to becoming fixed on her “fine eyes”. He begins to defend her, despite her humble origins, from the ridicule of his colleagues. This attraction is not shared by Elizabeth, who still believes that Mr. Darcy despises her. Ms. Bingley is attracted to Darcy, and “saw, or suspected enough to be jealous”. She desperately tries to gain Darcy’s fancy through various methods and by trying “to provoke Darcy to dislike her guest”. Eventually Darcy begins to “feel the danger of giving Elizabeth too much attention” and attempts to limit his signs of admiration for Elizabeth. I do not believe that he will be able to continue this for long. The chapter ends with the return of Elizabeth and Jane to their home and the possibility of a ball at Mr. Bingley’s estate, during which our characters will come into close confines again.
ReplyDelete-Ethan Coyle
In these chapters we see and learn a lot more about Mr. Darcy. We begin to find out why the book was titled Pride and Prejudice. As much as Austen simply tells us about Darcy’s character, it can’t compare to what we learn through his dialogue and personal thoughts. To begin with, Darcy believes that if he was to fall in love with Elizabeth Bennett that he would “be in some danger.” There is something about Darcy, that suggests he doesn’t want to be in love, doesn’t want to rely on another, doesn’t want too intimate relationships. Yes, he does use Elizabeth’s “inferiority of... connections” as his reason for not allowing himself to grow to close to her. But the same cannot be said of Caroline Bingley who has plenty of “connections” and, quite obviously, desires Darcy. However, he barely even responds to Miss Bingley attempts old fashioned flirting. It is clear by the depth of their conversations that Darcy has an attraction to Elizabeth Bennet but, at least for now, it is clearer to the reader, that his pride would never allow for their marriage. And then there is Darcy’s quickness, quite similar to Elizabeth’s but paired with his more pessimistic views. “Nothing is more deceitful... than the appearance of humility,” Darcy stated after Mr. Bingley was referred to as humble. Darcy does bring up a valid point, apparent humility and most qualities can’t be taken at face value because of how easily they could be falsified. But again, he comes off as full of pride. It’s as if he is trying to show how he above such behaviors as humility by pointing out the insincere motives behind the quality. Almost as if by discrediting positive values he excuses his own.
ReplyDelete-Ellie Yates
In the Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Elizabeth and Darcy are still having some conflict between them and Elizabeth is still denying Darcy when he asks her to dance. As Elizabeth denys Darcy it makes him like her more. He says “were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger.” () Like in the real world men don't like when girls are clingy, they want girls to act like they don't want them which brings the guy to have more attraction to the girl. Meanwhile when a girl gets jealous of men showing more affection to another girl they act cruel to the girl that he likes. So in this instance, Miss. Bingley likes Darcy and gets jealous that she doesn't get the same attention from him. Miss. Bingley tries to impress Darcy but he doesn't take notice. Darcy only showed a slight attention to Miss. Bingley when she asked Elizabeth to go for a walk. Now when Elizabeth and Jane want to go home, Mrs. Bennett refuses to send a carriage and wanted them to stay longer. Jane and Elizabeth couldn't stay in Netherfield Park any longer and asked Mr. Bingley if they could borrow a carriage to go home. Of course, Mr. Bingley requested for Jane to stay long but denied him. As of course Mrs. and Mr. Bennet are on two different pages again about seeing Elizabeth and Jane. Mr. Bennet is so happy to see his daughters while Mrs. Bennett is upset they they didn't stay longer with the Bingleys. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Darcy and Mr. Bingley, Charlotte and Jane are all examples of foil character in the Pride and Prejudice. (Bethany Yeung)
ReplyDeleteContinuing into Chapter 9 and on, my respect for Jane Austen is exponentially increasing. Her sense of humor is under cut and amazingly funny if you manage to catch it. She pokes fun at all the little ticks of her society starting from the get go with her famous quote, “it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”(1) The further I read the more I realize you have to take everything jokingly and read for the underlying messages Austen plants. Particularly, I find the likes of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley to be a beautifully comical representation of the petty upper class ladies, especially in comparison to Elizabeth, as well spoken and down to earth as she is. For example, when, “ Miss Bingley made no answer; and soon afterwards got up and walked about the room,”(37) all I could imagine was her strutting around like a peacock walking in circles trying, with little success, to attract Mr. Darcy’s attention. Above all, I appreciate how universal, even now, the themes of the book are. The commentary on the futility and absurdness of societies rules seems to transcend time. Today, Miss Bingley is comparable to a teenager flirting with little notice.
ReplyDeleteAs the novel continues on, tension arises between Miss Bingley and Elizabeth. Miss Bingley fears that Elizabeth is going to take Darcy’s affection. Darcy likes Elizabeth but on the last day he doesn’t utter a single word to Elizabeth because Darcy doesn't want to affect his reputation by getting close to someone who is lower than him. He is clearly very prideful about how he is viewed in the town. I like how Jane Austen’s uses Mrs Bennett as a comedic person. Mrs Bennett has a short temper and she is also very sarcastic. “Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families”. This quote said by Mrs Bennett is her saying that there are many people in the country as opposed to the town and this shows a bit that she is pretty similar to Mr. Darcy. She has a only a few people who she considers people of the neighbourhood. I find it interesting that Jane Austen is able work two complete polar opposite people to be together. -- George Joseph
ReplyDeleteAlthough I found chapters 9 through 12 to be a bit slower, and boring than the first 8 chapters, there were sections of dialogue that featured tension between several characters. The first occasion of these growing tensions began in chapter 10 when Mr. Darcy “compliments” Mr. Bingley on always saying “yes” to other people’s requests. Mr. Bingley argues, “‘I declare I do not know a more aweful object than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in particular places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening when he has nothing to do.’ Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could perceive that he was rather offended; and therefore checked her laugh” (34). After Mr. Bingley insults Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth believes that she can perceive that Mr. Darcy was offended. Mr. Darcy’s taking offense in that situation may have worsened his relationship with Mr. Bingley and could lead to another argument in a future chapter. Another scenario where 2 characters had growing tensions among each other is when Ms. Bingley insults Elizabeth and tries to make her look bad to impress Mr. Darcy. In chapter 10 Ms. Bingley says to Mr. Darcy, “‘- And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses’” (35). Although Mr. Darcy does not seem to appreciate it, Ms. Bingley is giving him “suggestions” in which she insults Elizabeth in attempts to make him dislike her. In chapter 11 Elizabeth and Ms. Bingley engage in a conversation with Mr. Darcy talking about character and “defects” in which tensions between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth grow. Mr. Darcy explains, “‘There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.’ ‘And your defect is a propensity to hate every body.’ ‘And yours,’ he replied with a smile, ‘is wilfully to misunderstand them’” (39). Although Elizabeth insults Mr. Darcy (probably based on her first impressions with him), Mr. Darcy tries to convince her that he is actually not that bad and that she is just mistaken. Overall Jane Austen has done a great job with chapters 9 through 12 and building up the story so far.
ReplyDelete-Alex Wessel
As I continue to read this novel through chapters 9 to 12 I am given the impression that the novel is going to pay less attention on Mr. Bingley, but focus on the drama going on with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. I love how Mr. Darcy doesn't want people to think he is falling in love with her because she is lower than him and she has "..a lack of connections"
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThese few chapters I was glad to see more characterization, both in the main characters and in some minor ones. Ms.Bingley went from being purely a background character to being the only one aware of how Mr.Darcy feels for Eliza, and subtly teasing him about it every chance she gets. I’m looking forward to seeing how the arc with Mr.Darcy and Eliza develops. I’ve already enjoyed the interaction between them so far, especially “There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect which even the best education cannot overcome.’ ‘And your defect is a propensity to hate every body.’ ‘And yours… is to willfully misunderstand them”(39). I predict that this romance will take center stage as the novel goes on, with Mr.Bingley and Jane’s mutual attraction, and Ms.Bennett's aggressive matchmaking taking more of a background role as the novel progresses. I also took note of how Ms.Bingley seemed to dislike Jane, perhaps not wishing her brother to marry a family below their wealth, while she seems to be actively pushing for Mr.Darcy and Eliza to fall in love. This is interesting, as she doesn’t seem to dislike Mr.Darcy particularly, beyond enjoying teasing him. I think it is because it might affect her prospects if her brother married someone less rich than himself, whereas for mr Darcy to do the same does not.
-Sara Earl
I am still tolerating the story as I read through chapter 12. Because this story was written in the present tense we get a rare glimpse of how pre-Victorian era British interacted with each other. I am ever more riveted by the complexity of it all. On a side note, I find Austen’s sense of humor amusing.
ReplyDeleteJason Vitale
As I read on in the novel I have realized that I can read straight through the assignment without breaks. I struggle with finding books and reading them without having to take long breaks within chapters, especially older novels such as this one, but I am thoroughly enjoying this book. In these next few chapters I found myself pleasantly surprised at how early in the novel we begin to see Darcy falling for Elizabeth. I can't help but feel annoyed at Miss Bingley as she is so obviously jealous and I know she is going to make things difficult for Elizabeth and Darcy in the coming chapters, but this might also make for an exciting story. The quote in chapter 11 I found interesting was "she could not win him, however, to any conversation" (37). I believed this quote to have a double meaning as Miss BIngley just can't win Darcy over at all, not just in conversation even though she makes several, obvious attempts. I like to see this rising tension between characters. At the end of chapter 11 I was delighted with the closing line "he began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention" (39). I like to see that he has started paying her attention and I am excited to read on.
ReplyDeleteAs we move on in the book I am happy to see that we have shifted more from Mr. Bingley and now to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. I was surprised by this almost sudden change from one main point to another. I thought that Mr. Darcy was merely a background character at forst but now he has taken a more center stage role in the novel. I was disappointed to see that Mr. Darcy was now avoiding Elizabeth just because he doesn't want to get feelings for a women that is not as rich as he is when they clearly have feelings for each other. This is a good representation of what marriage was like back then, it was all about money. For women it didn't matter if you liked the man you married as long as he was rich. I am excited to see how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship plays out in the future.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading into chapters nine through twelve, I got to see more about Darcy's and Bingley's character. Darcy has no problem speaking his mind even if it offends anyone. Lizzy reveals that she's studied Bingley's personality, and calls him an "intricate character". Bingley doesn't know what to think of the comment, but she tells him that "intricate characters are the most amusing." Right after that, Darcy states that there are "few subjects for such a study" in the country. Of course this offends Mrs. Bennet (when is she ever not offended), but then Lizzy defends Darcy's statement, which took me by surprise. I believe this is a start to the development between Darcy and Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the chapters 9-12, it's become increasingly more apparent to me that Austen is setting us up for disaster. It's not often in literature that you already feel as though the plot could come full circle and resolve only a small chunk of the way into the book. The way things are heading makes me uneasy; if things are already falling into place, what will it take for the rest of the book to highlight more drama and tension within these relationships or character circles? In retrospect, Austen could simply be setting us up for a wild ride that comes with the characters being where we want them to be: with their respective partners and living their best lives. As the reader, I'm already routing for Eliza and Darcy, and it seems that the one-sided pining element of that relationship is already underway. These past chapters have me anticipating their eventual get together, since Elizabeth is still so uninterested and oblivious to Darcy's looks, such as during chapter 10, when Elizabeth realizes, "Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man; and yet that he should look at her because he disliked her, was still more strange. She could only imagine however at last, that she drew his notice because there was something about her more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in any more person present. The supposition did not pain her. She liked him too little to care for his approbation" (pg 34). I'm very excited to see their relationship play out, through all the drama surrounding Bingley and Jane, and Mrs. Bennet. Overall, I'm still enjoying the novel very much!
ReplyDelete- Jenna Shorey (very sorry about the late response!)
Hello
ReplyDeleteIn Pride and Prejudice chapters 9 through 12 the amount of character development was overwhelming as well as pin needling frustrating. Jane Austen did an amazing job creating the characters personas and really channeling their emotions, and including their backstories. The title Pride and Prejudice really begins to shine its light through not only the characters but through tall the descriptions in the book. In Mr.Darcy we begin to see a new light come about, and although it is just as frustrating as the beginning chapters there is a new side of Mr.Darcy that has not before been seen.” fine eyes” Mr Darcy's interactions towards Elizabeth have changed from her only being “tolerable” to her actually catching his eye and him looking for some sort of affection to hold onto. Frustratingly enough the deplorable and jealousy ruled actions of Miss Bingley restore and fuel Mr,Darcy's pride. Some more deplorable actions are from Mrs.Bennet who I change my initial thought about, for no mother should ever risk her daughter's health just to find a husband. “ she had no wish of her recovering immediately”. As infuriating these chapters were to read i am extremely curious to see how the characters will change and develop even more. -Madeline Bronder
ReplyDeleteChapters 9-12 have great influence on the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy has admitted his affection for Elizabeth to Caroline, although would never dare explicitly share his feelings with Lizzy, as she does not fit his criteria of an “accomplished” woman. Miss Bingley sees this as an obvious threat, and unsubtly pokes fun at her, saying, “‘[An accomplished] woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages… she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions…’” (ch 8). To her exclamation, Darcy agrees, but adds, “‘...to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.’” (ch 8) This statement cannot be excused by his social anxieties, as it is far to vain and brazen to have been for any purpose rather than to make clear to Elizabeth where she stands in the hierarchy. It also serves as a hint to Caroline that she should back off before she makes an even bigger fool of herself. Its vague purpose is to suggest that women should know and understand what they are talking about, but not to think for themselves, but to agree with their husbands. In Darcy’s mind and declaration, women should be knowledgeable, but not intelligent enough to disagree with him. Lizzy clearly contradicts this ideal when they bicker sophisticatedly, and he says this so he can make sure she knows, as well as himself, that their squabbles do not and will not go beyond flirtation.
ReplyDelete-Victoria Slayton
These few chapters showing us the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth,and how different they are: attraction-repulsion, mutual sympathy and equally obvious mutual dislike; to break through to each other. The first meeting will immediately signify mutual interest, more precisely, mutual curiosity. Both in the ranking of the outstanding: how Elizabeth differs sharply from the local ladies-the sharpness of the mind, the independence of judgments and assessments, and Darcy-education, manners, and restrained arrogance stands out among the crowd of officers stationed in the Meryton regiment, those that, with their uniforms and epaulettes, mind of the younger Miss Bennet, Lydia and Kitty. However, at first Darcy's arrogance, his underlined snobbery, in which cold courtesy for the sensitive ear can not without justification sound almost offensive - these are his properties that cause Elizabeth and dislike, and even outrage. For if the pride of both of them immediately brings them closer, Darcy's prejudices, his estate sphere, can only push Elizabeth away. Their dialogues - with occasional and occasional meetings at balls and in drawing rooms - is always a verbal duel. The duel of equal adversaries is invariably courteous, never going beyond decorum and secular conventions.
ReplyDeleteRoman Shepeliev
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