1) "There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth's mind, a more gentle sensation towards the original, than she had ever felt in the height of their acquaintance...and as she stood before the canvas, on which [Mr. Darcy] was represented, and fixed his eyes upon herself, she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before; she remembered its warmth, and softened its impropriety of expression" (Austen 189).
In this reading, we finally see that Elizabeth's feelings for Mr. Darcy become apparent to her. Before, she merely did not dislike him, nothing more. Now, however, she is starting to get over the initial fear of seeing him after their last meeting. I feel like this quote especially is the climax of her affections. Before, she was slowly going away from her vowed hatred. Now, the emotions that lay dormant from the very first moment she saw him--before she swore to despise him--are coming back to the surface. After seeing Darcy's visage in the painting, the emotions make themselves known and from here on, she is coming to terms with them. In the words of Mrs. Potts, "There's something there that wasn't there before..."
2) "[Mr. Darcy] who, [Elizabeth] had been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance...Such a change in a man of so much pride, excited not only astonishment but gratitude--for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed...She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses" (201).
Here, Elizabeth's realization of both her emotions and Mr. Darcy's culminates. As she lies in bed, unable to sleep, she ponders her own feelings, trying to get a grip on them. She sees that Darcy still loves her. Darcy loves her so much, in fact, that he still loves her despite everything she said to him in regards to the contrary. Through everything, he still has feelings for her. As Elizabeth realizes the degree of his affections, she also sees the extent of her own. She wants to be with him, and even wants to try and warrant his proposal once more, this time so she can say yes.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
P&P Ch. 12-18
1) "'There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it'" (Austen 172).
Elizabeth realized the error of her ways earlier in the reading, but I like this quote to sum everything up. Here she is talking of Wickham and Darcy, and, as she has realized, Darcy has all the goodness and Wickham has the appearance of it. The fact that she is also beating herself up over misjudging the two is making me like elizabeth better, now. We even see that in Chapter 18, Elizabeth even sticks up for Darcy for the first time when speaking to Mr. Wickham. Aside from Jane, this is the first time she's ever defend or even been on Darcy's side. This quote shows a clear explanation of the differences between the two men, directly from Elizabeth's mouth.
2) "'Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known, you must be respected and valued...We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton....At Brighton she will be of less importance even as a common flirt than she has been here...Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse, without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life'" (177).
Mr. Bennet is definitely one of the reasons this book is so good. I really liked this quote, as it exemplifies Mr. Bennet's serious side. He approaches Elizabeth with one of his numerous joking comments, but then follows right up with a serious input. I liked his reasoning for sending Lydia (whom might I add, is an airhead bimbo, pardon the language) to Brighton. He says it will be a reality check, something three of the five Bennets daughters desperately need. This quote shows that Mr. Bennet is not just the joking member of the family, but that he is smarter than he looks and honestly cares for his girls.
Elizabeth realized the error of her ways earlier in the reading, but I like this quote to sum everything up. Here she is talking of Wickham and Darcy, and, as she has realized, Darcy has all the goodness and Wickham has the appearance of it. The fact that she is also beating herself up over misjudging the two is making me like elizabeth better, now. We even see that in Chapter 18, Elizabeth even sticks up for Darcy for the first time when speaking to Mr. Wickham. Aside from Jane, this is the first time she's ever defend or even been on Darcy's side. This quote shows a clear explanation of the differences between the two men, directly from Elizabeth's mouth.
2) "'Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known, you must be respected and valued...We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton....At Brighton she will be of less importance even as a common flirt than she has been here...Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse, without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life'" (177).
Mr. Bennet is definitely one of the reasons this book is so good. I really liked this quote, as it exemplifies Mr. Bennet's serious side. He approaches Elizabeth with one of his numerous joking comments, but then follows right up with a serious input. I liked his reasoning for sending Lydia (whom might I add, is an airhead bimbo, pardon the language) to Brighton. He says it will be a reality check, something three of the five Bennets daughters desperately need. This quote shows that Mr. Bennet is not just the joking member of the family, but that he is smarter than he looks and honestly cares for his girls.
Monday, November 9, 2009
P&P Ch. 6-11
1) "Elizabeth soon perceived that though [Lady Catherine de Bourgh] was not in the commission of the peace for the county, she was a most active magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were carried to her by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to be quarrelsom, discontented or too poor, she sallied forth into the village to settle their differences, silence their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty" (Austen 130).
In tonight's reading we are first introduced to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and we see she is very condescending, but it does not seem in a bad way. It is a type of condescending that you just brush of and think nothing of. She always has to know what everyone his doing and have everyone in her care and patronage under her thumb. Everyone should do things her way. The perfect example of this is Mr. Collins, her own little pet dog. He praises her as though she was a god, and is constantly at her beck and call. As Austen puts it, Lady Catherine would be perfectly fit to be a queen were it not for the fact she was merely a patroness. She is also highly interested in music, and always comments on others when they try to either play or sing. Every time someone plays, she mentions that if they practiced they would be better, like she also knows everything.
2) "That [Elizabeth] should receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy! that he should have been in love with her for so many months! so much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made him prevent his friend's marrying her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his own case, was almost incredible! it was gratifying to have inspired unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable pride, his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to Jane, his unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could not justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr. Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon overcame the pity which the cnsideration of his attachment had for a moment excited" (149).
In this reading, Darcy finally makes his move. You have to ive him some credit--this is a woman he has fallen madly in love with and he is very socially awkward. Having to reveal all this to her so he can relieve his pain is probably a terrifying thing. It is easy to see that Elizabeth is affected by the proposal as well. It seems like she would have fallen into his arms had she not remembered what he did to Jane and Bingley's relationship. That was a difference from the book and the movie. The movie went into detail explaining why Darcy did it, but the book never mentions. Still, though, his reasons were somewhat amiable. He was doing it in his friend's best interest. No matter what evil may have befallen because of it, his motives were still, in their urpose, amiable. Considering she had just found out Darcy was the one to break up Bingley and Jane, I can understand her reaction, but it soehow feels like she's being too hard on Darcy. Here he is professing his love for her, no easy feat in the least, and she is absolutely tearing him down. Yes, the sabotage of Jane and Bingley's relationship is a major reason, but still. Elizabeth even brings up Mr. Wickham, who has and should not have any more relevance to the story whatsoever. I can not help feeling bad for Darcy after this.
In tonight's reading we are first introduced to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and we see she is very condescending, but it does not seem in a bad way. It is a type of condescending that you just brush of and think nothing of. She always has to know what everyone his doing and have everyone in her care and patronage under her thumb. Everyone should do things her way. The perfect example of this is Mr. Collins, her own little pet dog. He praises her as though she was a god, and is constantly at her beck and call. As Austen puts it, Lady Catherine would be perfectly fit to be a queen were it not for the fact she was merely a patroness. She is also highly interested in music, and always comments on others when they try to either play or sing. Every time someone plays, she mentions that if they practiced they would be better, like she also knows everything.
2) "That [Elizabeth] should receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy! that he should have been in love with her for so many months! so much in love as to wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made him prevent his friend's marrying her sister, and which must appear at least with equal force in his own case, was almost incredible! it was gratifying to have inspired unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride, his abominable pride, his shameless avowal of what he had done with respect to Jane, his unpardonable assurance in acknowledging, though he could not justify it, and the unfeeling manner in which he had mentioned Mr. Wickham, his cruelty towards whom he had not attempted to deny, soon overcame the pity which the cnsideration of his attachment had for a moment excited" (149).
In this reading, Darcy finally makes his move. You have to ive him some credit--this is a woman he has fallen madly in love with and he is very socially awkward. Having to reveal all this to her so he can relieve his pain is probably a terrifying thing. It is easy to see that Elizabeth is affected by the proposal as well. It seems like she would have fallen into his arms had she not remembered what he did to Jane and Bingley's relationship. That was a difference from the book and the movie. The movie went into detail explaining why Darcy did it, but the book never mentions. Still, though, his reasons were somewhat amiable. He was doing it in his friend's best interest. No matter what evil may have befallen because of it, his motives were still, in their urpose, amiable. Considering she had just found out Darcy was the one to break up Bingley and Jane, I can understand her reaction, but it soehow feels like she's being too hard on Darcy. Here he is professing his love for her, no easy feat in the least, and she is absolutely tearing him down. Yes, the sabotage of Jane and Bingley's relationship is a major reason, but still. Elizabeth even brings up Mr. Wickham, who has and should not have any more relevance to the story whatsoever. I can not help feeling bad for Darcy after this.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
P&P Ch. 2-5
"' I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much in love; for had I really experienced that pure and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name, and wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial to him; they are even impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in this'" (Austen 116).
In this reading we find out about Mr. Wickham and how his affections for Elizabeth are no more. Somehow, the phrase, "I told you so" in regards to Elizabeth come to mind. Elizabeth was letting her feelings for him cloud the fact that he was not a good person in general. Yes, he was handsome and a military general, but he was not of good character compared to other men in the novel. Elizabeth, to be frank, let the fact that he was "hot" replace all the other obvious bad things about him. Now she sees, after he leaves her--for someone of a larger fortune--that she does not actually have any feelings toward him after all. I do not feel sorry for Elizabeth at all in regards to this. It is actually quite funny.
"'I like her appearance,' said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. 'She looks sickly and cross.--Yes, she will do for him very well. She will make him a very proper wife'" (122).
In this quote, when Elizabeth sees Miss de Bourgh for the first time, I believe it is interesting to note that she can only think of Mr. (Fitzwilliam) Darcy. She does not think of her social status, or her mother, but, knowing Mr. Darcy is supposed to marry her, she only thinks of him. There was no previous mention of Mr. Darcy either, but he is the first person that pops into her mind. For someone ho is determined to despise his very essence, she thinks about him quite often. I think she shows Elizabeth's blooming feelings for Darcy, as she snidly remarks on how 'perfect' a wife Miss de Bourgh would be.
In this reading we find out about Mr. Wickham and how his affections for Elizabeth are no more. Somehow, the phrase, "I told you so" in regards to Elizabeth come to mind. Elizabeth was letting her feelings for him cloud the fact that he was not a good person in general. Yes, he was handsome and a military general, but he was not of good character compared to other men in the novel. Elizabeth, to be frank, let the fact that he was "hot" replace all the other obvious bad things about him. Now she sees, after he leaves her--for someone of a larger fortune--that she does not actually have any feelings toward him after all. I do not feel sorry for Elizabeth at all in regards to this. It is actually quite funny.
"'I like her appearance,' said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. 'She looks sickly and cross.--Yes, she will do for him very well. She will make him a very proper wife'" (122).
In this quote, when Elizabeth sees Miss de Bourgh for the first time, I believe it is interesting to note that she can only think of Mr. (Fitzwilliam) Darcy. She does not think of her social status, or her mother, but, knowing Mr. Darcy is supposed to marry her, she only thinks of him. There was no previous mention of Mr. Darcy either, but he is the first person that pops into her mind. For someone ho is determined to despise his very essence, she thinks about him quite often. I think she shows Elizabeth's blooming feelings for Darcy, as she snidly remarks on how 'perfect' a wife Miss de Bourgh would be.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
P&P Ch. 21-1
1) "'Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza?--Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?'" (Austen 96).
I get the feeling that Charlotte has ulterior motives for her marriage to Mr. Collins. The way she said it made it--at least to me--feel like she was rubbing it in Elizabeth's face. I think she has always been slightly jealous of Elizabeth's beauty and intelligence, when she's always simply described as plain. I do not doubt she is still friends with Elizabeth, but now this is a small payback for everything. Charlotte does not care for marriage or for men for that matter, but when she sees Mr. Collins, she only takes him up as a way to be better than Elizabeth. In a novel about class and reputation, this seems like it would make perfect sense even among the best of friends.
2) "'My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They will ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference of situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins's respectability, and Charlotte's prudent, steady character. Remember that she is one of a large family; that as to fortune, it is a most eligible match; and be ready to believe, for every body's sake, that she may feel something like regard and esteem for our cousin'" (105).
Once again, Jane serves as the voice of reason of the Bennet sisters. She is the perfect antithesis of Elizabeth's prejudiced statements. Here, Lizy is arguing with knowledge of only her own side, that no woman can find Mr. Collins suitable enough to marry, and that she's puzzled as to why Chrlotte would marry him. Jane comes right back at her and points out the logical steps in Charlotte and Mr. Collins's mainly mercenary marriage.
I get the feeling that Charlotte has ulterior motives for her marriage to Mr. Collins. The way she said it made it--at least to me--feel like she was rubbing it in Elizabeth's face. I think she has always been slightly jealous of Elizabeth's beauty and intelligence, when she's always simply described as plain. I do not doubt she is still friends with Elizabeth, but now this is a small payback for everything. Charlotte does not care for marriage or for men for that matter, but when she sees Mr. Collins, she only takes him up as a way to be better than Elizabeth. In a novel about class and reputation, this seems like it would make perfect sense even among the best of friends.
2) "'My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They will ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference of situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins's respectability, and Charlotte's prudent, steady character. Remember that she is one of a large family; that as to fortune, it is a most eligible match; and be ready to believe, for every body's sake, that she may feel something like regard and esteem for our cousin'" (105).
Once again, Jane serves as the voice of reason of the Bennet sisters. She is the perfect antithesis of Elizabeth's prejudiced statements. Here, Lizy is arguing with knowledge of only her own side, that no woman can find Mr. Collins suitable enough to marry, and that she's puzzled as to why Chrlotte would marry him. Jane comes right back at her and points out the logical steps in Charlotte and Mr. Collins's mainly mercenary marriage.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
P&P Ch. 17-20
1) "'My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father's favourite in such a manner,--one, whom his father has promised to provide for.--It is impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had any value for his character, could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so excessively deceived in him? oh! no'" (Austen 65).
Besides exhibiting Jane's uncanny ability to find the good in everyone, this quote shows a possible, rational way of thinking and approaching the subject and Darcy vs. Wickham rather than Elizabeth's one-sided attack on Darcy. Jane, being the forever optimist, made a defense for Darcy against Elizabeth's assault, and for all we know, this is the way Darcy sees it. Yes, his father gave everything to Mr. Wickham instead of him. Of course he would be angry over that, but he is also angry at the same person his father favored. Everytime Darcy must feel like hating Wickham, he probably remembers that Wickham was his father's favorite. He hates the same person his father loved, so he cannot really hate Wickham without bringing up his father in the process.
2) "'I can readily believe, ' answered he gravely, 'that report may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either" (71).
I really like this quote by Darcy. Here, Elizabeth is interrogating him about his character. Darcy is saying that, depending on who you ask, their opinion of him will change. There are some who he is nice to, and therefore believe him nice, but then again there are those like Elizabeth who hear one bad thing and hate him. He then goes on to ask Elizabeth not to presume his character just yet. He knows that she has spoken to Wickham, so he knows that she probably doesn't think highly of him after it. Therefore, if she presumed his character, it would not give credit to him because, going on Wickham's word, he would be painted as a bad person, and it would not credit Elizabeth because she judged before, in Darcy's eyes, she got to know him.
Besides exhibiting Jane's uncanny ability to find the good in everyone, this quote shows a possible, rational way of thinking and approaching the subject and Darcy vs. Wickham rather than Elizabeth's one-sided attack on Darcy. Jane, being the forever optimist, made a defense for Darcy against Elizabeth's assault, and for all we know, this is the way Darcy sees it. Yes, his father gave everything to Mr. Wickham instead of him. Of course he would be angry over that, but he is also angry at the same person his father favored. Everytime Darcy must feel like hating Wickham, he probably remembers that Wickham was his father's favorite. He hates the same person his father loved, so he cannot really hate Wickham without bringing up his father in the process.
2) "'I can readily believe, ' answered he gravely, 'that report may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either" (71).
I really like this quote by Darcy. Here, Elizabeth is interrogating him about his character. Darcy is saying that, depending on who you ask, their opinion of him will change. There are some who he is nice to, and therefore believe him nice, but then again there are those like Elizabeth who hear one bad thing and hate him. He then goes on to ask Elizabeth not to presume his character just yet. He knows that she has spoken to Wickham, so he knows that she probably doesn't think highly of him after it. Therefore, if she presumed his character, it would not give credit to him because, going on Wickham's word, he would be painted as a bad person, and it would not credit Elizabeth because she judged before, in Darcy's eyes, she got to know him.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
P&P Ch. 11-16
1) "[Miss Bingley] could not win [Mr. Darcy], however, to any conversation; he merely answered her questions, and read on. At length, quite exhausted by the attempt to be amused with her own book, which she had only chosen because it was the second volume of his, she gave a great yawn and said, 'How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way! I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book--When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have noy an excellent library'" (Austen 41).
I despise Caroline. I really do. She is too obsessive of Mr. Darcy, and not the romantic sort of way Darcy is feeling towards Elizabeth. She's like psycho-obsessive. Everything she does is either in response to Darcy or to evoke a response from Darcy. She's just like an annoying little bug that keeps flying around the light on your ceiling. every now and then you notice it out of the corner of your eye, and even that is enough to warrant annoyance. But it doesn't stop there, he keeps flying towards the light only to bounce back from the heat and stupidly try again. Every now and then Darcy notices her futile attempts and still finds them annoying. Caroline doesn't stop, and she just keeps going for Darcy no matter what he may say or show for Elizabeth. Caroline should just give up already.
2) "[Mr. Wickham's] appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed upon his side by a happy readiness of conversation--a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming" (54).
Here we see our first glimpse of Mr. Wickham, who is foretold to play a major role in the text. Like all of the male characters, he seems perfect at first--aesthetically pleasing as well as agreeable. Like all of the male characters so far, however, what is his flaw? With Bingley it is that he is too nice, with Darcy, his serious and laconic nature, and Mr. Collins, well, everything. We are hinted as to what that may be when Mr. Wickham meets Darcy, and they both share a silent greeting. The way it is described makes it feel like they've met before and had a past with each other in some way, and judging by the way Austen said one turned white and one turned red, one probably wronged the other in some way. It will be very inteesting to see how this will turn out(Go Darcy!).
I despise Caroline. I really do. She is too obsessive of Mr. Darcy, and not the romantic sort of way Darcy is feeling towards Elizabeth. She's like psycho-obsessive. Everything she does is either in response to Darcy or to evoke a response from Darcy. She's just like an annoying little bug that keeps flying around the light on your ceiling. every now and then you notice it out of the corner of your eye, and even that is enough to warrant annoyance. But it doesn't stop there, he keeps flying towards the light only to bounce back from the heat and stupidly try again. Every now and then Darcy notices her futile attempts and still finds them annoying. Caroline doesn't stop, and she just keeps going for Darcy no matter what he may say or show for Elizabeth. Caroline should just give up already.
2) "[Mr. Wickham's] appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed upon his side by a happy readiness of conversation--a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming" (54).
Here we see our first glimpse of Mr. Wickham, who is foretold to play a major role in the text. Like all of the male characters, he seems perfect at first--aesthetically pleasing as well as agreeable. Like all of the male characters so far, however, what is his flaw? With Bingley it is that he is too nice, with Darcy, his serious and laconic nature, and Mr. Collins, well, everything. We are hinted as to what that may be when Mr. Wickham meets Darcy, and they both share a silent greeting. The way it is described makes it feel like they've met before and had a past with each other in some way, and judging by the way Austen said one turned white and one turned red, one probably wronged the other in some way. It will be very inteesting to see how this will turn out(Go Darcy!).
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