Pride and Prejudice (blog 2)

So far the second part of the book seems to have a wider range of topics. In the first half the only really important characters were Mr. Darcy, Mr. and Miss Bingly, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mr. Collins (even though his importance doesn't really come until later). This next part seems to pretty much focus on developing Elizabeth as a character. First of all they got rid of everyone in that list above except for Mr. Collins but he just became a reason instead of an interacting person and sent Elizabeth to Mr. Collins house where she meets Lady Catherine. Over all this section seems to zone in on Elizabeth.

Another interesting thing about the book is the way it refers to people. All of the people in this book are referred to as Mr., Mrs., or Miss. I know that this is pretty much a part of society at that time but it is fairly annoying and confusing. For example you have to focus when you're reading a part that takes place  in the Bennet house and someone mentions Miss Bennet. I think that if you couldn't always guess who they're talking about that would make this book a pretty difficult read. I'm not sure if Jane Austen used it just because that is just how you talked back then or for something else. For example, I think that she is using this as a way to make a statement on how people have a public face and also have their own unique personality. That would certainly fit with the whole idea of the book. The different titles try to fit people into these neat little boxes, but the Miss Bennets are very different from one another.

One thing that I really enjoyed from this section was when Elizabeth turned down Mr. Collins.
I have to admit, I did not expect to find something that funny in this book. At first you have to feel bad for Mr. Collins because of Elizabeths response to him even before he has asked her. "'Dear Ma'am, do not go. -I beg you will not go. -Mr. Collins must excuse me. -He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away my self.'" (page 119). She is pretty rude to him but who would want to have Mr. Collins propose to them. You can't really feel bad for Mr. Collins anymore once he opens his mouth, though. "'Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections.'" (page 120). I think that this is completely awkward since Mr. Collins is so thoroughly clueless he can't even see that the woman he is trying to ask to marry him doesn't even want to be in the same room as him. I find it hard to believe that anyone is really that clueless though so that gives you the other option that he is in denial of that fact. I think that he is just so centered around the buisness aspect of marriage that he finds it impossible to believe that a woman when offered a fairly decent match with no other options on the table would turn it down. He shows that this is the correct option by going on and not believing her repeated refusals. "'When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on this subject I shall hope to recieve a more favorable answer than you have now given me; though I am far from accusing you of cruelty at present, because I know it to be the established costom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my persuit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the female character.'" (page 123). This comment is out and out rude to Elizabeth and all women of that time, but the worst is yet to come. "'... you should take it into farther consideration that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that anouther offer of marriage may ever be made to you.'" (page 124) This just proves that no woman should have ever married that man.

Pride and Prejudice (blog one)

So far I enjoy this book. The characters all interact in interesting ways. If I didn't know what happens I would probably say that this is just about a bunch of girls trying to find suitable husbands at this point. I think the differences between the male characters is very interesting.

First of all, there are several different men and all of them want different things and all behave differently. First of all, you have Mr. Darcy. He is described as rude, proud (overly so), indifferent and overall as an unpleasant person. I would say that his first impression would whole-heartedly support that. After being particularly unsocial at the ball, Mr. Darcy is within earshot of Elizabeth Bennet when he says, "'She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.'" (page 13). This completely drives Elizabeth away which is completely understandable. Unfortunately Mr. Darcy begins to admire her (she doesn't have high enough social class to actually like) and she only pulls away from him. Mr. Darcy is unmarried so you would think that- at this point in time- he would be looking for a wife but he seems disinterested in searching one out. I think that Mr. Darcy (although incredibly complicated) just doesn't really trust people and is probably pessimistic about new people and situations.

Mr. Bingley is also unmarried and is at least fairly rich as well but, the similarities stop there. He is very charismatic and charming; everyone he meets would probable agree with that. He also seems kind of shallow. Not necessarily as in being vain but more that he doesn't feel the need to go into deeper issues. Another example is with Jane he knows that she's pretty and is at least fairly nice so he likes her a lot. He seems more conventional in that he doesn't have a wife but would very much like to have one.

Mr. Collins seems like an entirely different story. He mostly seems awkward, insulting and, to put it gently, silly in many aspects of his life. It's interesting to see how his having these traits shows in the different members of the Bennet family. "Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure." (page 77). Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth seem to see how ridiculous Mr. Collins is but the rest of the family doesn't see that. I believe that the reason for this is that Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet aren' t as concerned with marriage and matters involving social class as the rest of the family is. Also they are probably the most intelligent of the group too.