Pride and Prejudice pgs 88-183
Angelique, Lauren, and Mike
Social Standings
-The Bennet’s world is divided into the the Darcys and Bingleys, the Bennets, clergy, and the officers.
-This is seen as Mrs. Bennet wishes for at least one of her daughters to marry Mr. Bingley. Just as Miss Bingley wishes that her brother doesn’t marry someone without connections.
- Mrs. Gardiner speaks to Elizabeth about her interest in Officer Wickman: “I have nothing to say against him; he is a most interesting young man; and if he had the fortune he ought to have, I should think you could not do better,” (142).
-In the case of Mr. Collins his current connections with his patroness, Lady Catherine is what gives him the social connections he believes he deserves.
-However, for people like Charlotte, Mr. Collins’s social standing is all she need at that point in time in her life. When Mr. Collins and Charlotte become engaged, Charlotte says, “I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, and situations in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair, as most people can boast on entering the marriage state,” (123).
Question: In this time, what is the balance between love and social standing mean to people in this society?
Double Standards
-At this time women cannot inherit their parents’ estates and it is given to the closest male heir. While Lady Catherine’s daughter is to inherit the entire Rosing estate.
-Lady Catherine comments on the fact that all five Bennet girls have been received by society while none are married. Elizabeth states, “ I think it would very hard upon younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and amusement, because the elder may not have the means or inclination to marry early. The last-born has as good a right to pleasures of youth at the first,” (162).
Question: Why does society continue to accept double standards? Do you think there is a chance for them to change?
Parenting
- Mrs. Bennet is comic relief in the novel and her inability to hold a constant opinion of others is what allows her to pursue different men as suitors for her daughters if it benefits her family.
-Where Mrs. Bennet is pushy and obsessed with marrying her daughters off, Mr. Bennet is silent and only voices his opinion in order for his daughters to pursue their own happiness.
-As seen in the following quote, Mr. Bennet can take a stand against Mrs. Bennet if it impedes on his daughters happiness. “Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you agian if you do,” (110).
-Mrs. Gardiner on the other hand is the voice of reason compared to the Bennet parents. She takes Jane to London with her in order to clear her head of Bingley.
Question: How does Austen use Mr. and Mrs. Bennet to show the differences in parenting individually, versus what society should think?
Proposals
-There are two proposals in this section of the novel, both centered around Mr. Collins. When Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, Austen shows the comedy of it as he continuously tries to tell her that she will change her mind as she rejects him.
-On the other hand, Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte and the readers only see one sentence about it until it is announced publicly.
Question: Why does Austen write the proposals this way? What do you think about the different reactions to the proposals by Elizabeth and Charlotte?
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