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.