Pride and Prejudice 184-278

Cavitt Bradley

Zach Piazza

Anna Preston

Pride and Prejudice: Pages 184-278

Darcy’s Proposal

-How Elizabeth’s reaction to Darcy’s proposal differs from her reaction to Collins’s, even though she rejects them both.

-Darcy is ostensibly a more desirable husband than Collins, but Elizabeth’s rejection of him is more emotionally driven.

-How do we see both Elizabeth and Darcy’s feelings change after the proposal and why do you think this is?

The Letters

-Darcy’s Letter, Elizabeth’s letter, Lydia’s letter

-How the opinions and views expressed in the letters differ from the free independent discourse that the novel has used so far.

         “You must, therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand your attention; your feelings I know will bestow it unwillingly”(191).

-Does this give us a more objective view into the character’s minds or not?

-Do you think the characters are reliable narrators?

Visit to the Countryside

Elizabeth accompanies the Gardiners, her aunt and uncle, on a trip through the English countryside.

She is quite surprised at Pemberley, not thinking she would enjoy it since it belonged to Darcy.

“They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt, that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!”(235).

Elizabeth is also surprised to hear how highly Darcy’s servant, Mrs. Reynolds, speaks of Darcy.

“I have never had a cross word from him in my life, and i have known him ever since he was four years old”(238).

         “Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw anything of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away like other young men”(239).

“Elizabeth was not comfortable, that was impossible, but she was flattered and pleased” at Darcy’s invitation to meet his sister(245).

Lydia and Mr. Wickham

Even though Lydia and Wickham running away comes as sort of a surprise, it is seen earlier in the book that this is in Lydia’s character to do something like this.

"If you were aware,'' said Elizabeth, "of the very great disadvantage to us all, which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's unguarded and imprudent manner; nay, which has already arisen from it, I am sure you would judge differently in the affair.''

Lydia elopes with Mr. Wickham who does not have the best of intentions. This not only is harmful to her own reputation, but also to that of her sisters and family. Her actions could affect all her sisters’ chances at marriage as well.

         “Her power was sinking; every thing must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn… and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be in vain”(264).

         Lydias letter shows she has no idea what she has done by running off with Wickham. she says, “you will laugh when you know where I am gone”(276).

         Question: Why would Lydia running away with Wickham and not get married ruin her sisters’ chances of getting married?

        

Characters’ Changing Opinions of Each Other

Explain these more.

-Darcy and Elizabeth’s feelings towards each other keep changing. (pemberley, letters, meeting Miss Darcy)

-People’s changing views of Wickham.

-The sisters’ reactions to the choices each of them makes, and how they interpret and misinterpret each other, ie Lydia underestimating the reaction to her eloping with Wickham and not anticipating the consequences.