"About Brighton." 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.brightonvisitor.com/About_Brighton.html>.
Chatsworth house official website. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.chatsworth.org/>.
"Conservative Conduct Manuals." Www.users.muohio.edu. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.users.muohio.edu/mandellc/projects/mclainjl/beinecke.htm#Sermons>.
"Dovedale Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District, UK." Nature Wallpapers and Free Desktop Backgrounds. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.natures-desktop.com/Derbyshire-Days-Out/dovedale-valley.php>.
"George IV." Spartacus Educational - Home Page. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRgeorgeIV.htm>.
"Lake District National Park - Visiting." Lake District National Park - Home page. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/visiting.htm>.
"Visit Derbyshire - Matlock Information." Visit Derbyshire - The Online Tourism Guide. 29 Mar. 2009 <http://www.visitderbyshire.co.uk/towns-20.ihtml>.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Walking
"As soon as they were gone, Elizabeth walked out to recover her spirits; or, in other words, to dwell without interruption on those subjects that must deaden them more."
As I have said in another post, walking and traveling plays a large part in Pride and Prejudice. They are ways to clear one's head or "recover [one's] spirits." Elizabeth is very excited when she and her aunt and uncle are going to take a trip around the countryside--she will no longer have to worry about marriage or men while she is gone. However, traveling in the book also creates more problems and strife. Many events take place while traveling that change the plot, thus adding new things to think about and brood over, as Elizabeth says in this quote. Lydia runs off with Wickham while she is gone at Brighton, and Elizabeth and Darcy become engaged while they are walking.
As I have said in another post, walking and traveling plays a large part in Pride and Prejudice. They are ways to clear one's head or "recover [one's] spirits." Elizabeth is very excited when she and her aunt and uncle are going to take a trip around the countryside--she will no longer have to worry about marriage or men while she is gone. However, traveling in the book also creates more problems and strife. Many events take place while traveling that change the plot, thus adding new things to think about and brood over, as Elizabeth says in this quote. Lydia runs off with Wickham while she is gone at Brighton, and Elizabeth and Darcy become engaged while they are walking.
The Lakes
"'We have not quite determined how far it shall carry us,' said Mrs. Gardiner; 'but, perhaps, to the Lakes.'" (Austen 148).
"The Lakes" is an area of England, now the Lake District National Park, which contains twelve of England's largest lakes and beautiful mountain peaks. Elizabeth is very excited about taking this trip with her aunt and uncle, thinking it will distract her from all the problems and qualms regarding matrimony. "What are men to rocks and mountains?" she says (Austen 148). Travel is a theme in Pride and Prejudice, with the characters always taking walks or traveling to Meryton, London or Rosings. It seems to be a way to clear ones' mind and release stress. Also, most of the main plot changes in the novel take place while traveling; Darcy and Elizabeth's engagement takes place on a walk, and Lydia elopes with Wickham while at Brighton.
http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/visiting.htm
"The Lakes" is an area of England, now the Lake District National Park, which contains twelve of England's largest lakes and beautiful mountain peaks. Elizabeth is very excited about taking this trip with her aunt and uncle, thinking it will distract her from all the problems and qualms regarding matrimony. "What are men to rocks and mountains?" she says (Austen 148). Travel is a theme in Pride and Prejudice, with the characters always taking walks or traveling to Meryton, London or Rosings. It seems to be a way to clear ones' mind and release stress. Also, most of the main plot changes in the novel take place while traveling; Darcy and Elizabeth's engagement takes place on a walk, and Lydia elopes with Wickham while at Brighton.
http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/visiting.htm
Derbyshire
"...all the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth, Dovedale, or the Peak." (Austen 224).
All of these places that are considered on Elizabeth's trip with her aunt and uncle the Gardiners are located in Derbyshire. It is a very picturesque area, containing part of the Peak District National Park. Derbyshire is also where Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's home, is located. Chatsworth is a huge mansion, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. In those days, it was permitted and common to visit an estate that was someone's home, and take a tour of the house. Dovedale is a valley with the Dove Stream running through, a very beautiful country area. Matlock is a country town on the River Derwent. These are all very beautiful and picturesque places in Derbyshire.
http://www.visitderbyshire.co.uk/towns-20.ihtml
http://www.chatsworth.org/
http://www.natures-desktop.com/Derbyshire-Days-Out/dovedale-valley.php
All of these places that are considered on Elizabeth's trip with her aunt and uncle the Gardiners are located in Derbyshire. It is a very picturesque area, containing part of the Peak District National Park. Derbyshire is also where Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's home, is located. Chatsworth is a huge mansion, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. In those days, it was permitted and common to visit an estate that was someone's home, and take a tour of the house. Dovedale is a valley with the Dove Stream running through, a very beautiful country area. Matlock is a country town on the River Derwent. These are all very beautiful and picturesque places in Derbyshire.
http://www.visitderbyshire.co.uk/towns-20.ihtml
http://www.chatsworth.org/
http://www.natures-desktop.com/Derbyshire-Days-Out/dovedale-valley.php
Brighton
"But the gloom of Lydia's prospect was shortly cleared away; for she received an invitation from Mrs. Forster, the wife of the colonel of the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton." (Austen 215).
Many of the places mentioned in Jane Austen's novels, and in Pride and Prejudice, are imaginary, made up for the novel (such as Longbourn, Meryton and Rosings.) Brighton, however, is real and lived up to its reputation in Pride and Prejudice as a popular seaside hangout. It was frequented by the Prince Regent (or the Prince of Wales and later King George IV), which increased its popularity. Brighton could have easily been a place that Lydia may have, in actuality, visited with the militia.
http://www.brightonvisitor.com/About_Brighton.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRgeorgeIV.htm
Many of the places mentioned in Jane Austen's novels, and in Pride and Prejudice, are imaginary, made up for the novel (such as Longbourn, Meryton and Rosings.) Brighton, however, is real and lived up to its reputation in Pride and Prejudice as a popular seaside hangout. It was frequented by the Prince Regent (or the Prince of Wales and later King George IV), which increased its popularity. Brighton could have easily been a place that Lydia may have, in actuality, visited with the militia.
http://www.brightonvisitor.com/About_Brighton.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRgeorgeIV.htm
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Come Upon the Town
"The good news quickly spread through the house; and with proportionate speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in the latter with decent philosophy. To be sure it would have been more for the advantage of conversation, had Miss Lydia Bennett come upon the town..." (Austen 287).
This is a comment on the gossiping nature of the town society. Lydia and Wickham are found and are to be married reasonably happily, without too much of a fuss, and live poorly, although comfortably. The town, although they are happy for her, and a bit disappointed, it seems, that there is not more to gossip about. They would have had more to talk about had Lydia "come upon the town," or become a prostitute. Austen is pointing out their selfishness and stupidity here: they would rather something bad happen to someone for the sake of their conversation than for her to be happy and healthy.
This is a comment on the gossiping nature of the town society. Lydia and Wickham are found and are to be married reasonably happily, without too much of a fuss, and live poorly, although comfortably. The town, although they are happy for her, and a bit disappointed, it seems, that there is not more to gossip about. They would have had more to talk about had Lydia "come upon the town," or become a prostitute. Austen is pointing out their selfishness and stupidity here: they would rather something bad happen to someone for the sake of their conversation than for her to be happy and healthy.
Mistress of Pemberley
"Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!" (Austen 230).
This quote I took to be a mock of marriage and the way it was handled in the Romantic era. Elizabeth is appreciating the beauty and splendor of Pemberley, Darcy's home. She says that, at that moment, she would not might marrying Darcy to have the pleasure of being the mistress of Pemberley. Austen is pointing out how marriage was not about love or happiness, but only material gain.
This quote I took to be a mock of marriage and the way it was handled in the Romantic era. Elizabeth is appreciating the beauty and splendor of Pemberley, Darcy's home. She says that, at that moment, she would not might marrying Darcy to have the pleasure of being the mistress of Pemberley. Austen is pointing out how marriage was not about love or happiness, but only material gain.
Prejudice and Pride
"But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself." (Austen 196).
This passage is extremely important to the novel, I believe, because it states one of its most central themes, and also presents a major turning point. Elizabeth is saying that, because of her pride and vanity, she has held prejudices and been too quick to judge. When she first met Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy, she was immediately drawn to one and repelled by the other, but, as we now she, it was for the wrong reasons. Wickham was interested in her and showed her attention; immediately, she liked him and would hear no ill against him, although it was well-placed and correct. Darcy called Elizabeth, overheard by her, "not handsome enough to tempt [him]," insulting her pride and vanity. Therefore she thought of him as rude and unpleasant, and refused to see that he could be a good, kind man, and that he loved her. This theme of "pride and prejudice" is very important to the novel (as is shown by the title) because it reflect and creates the entire plot; all is based upon Elizabeth and Darcy's pride and their prejudice towards one another and others.
This passage also shows a change of heart in Elizabeth that is very important to the novel. She decides here that she was foolish to have held a grudge against Darcy and foolish to have believed Wickham to be so good. She sees now that she has made a grave mistake in something she previously thought herself very adept at: judgement of character. She realizes this, saying "till this moment, I never knew myself."
This passage is extremely important to the novel, I believe, because it states one of its most central themes, and also presents a major turning point. Elizabeth is saying that, because of her pride and vanity, she has held prejudices and been too quick to judge. When she first met Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy, she was immediately drawn to one and repelled by the other, but, as we now she, it was for the wrong reasons. Wickham was interested in her and showed her attention; immediately, she liked him and would hear no ill against him, although it was well-placed and correct. Darcy called Elizabeth, overheard by her, "not handsome enough to tempt [him]," insulting her pride and vanity. Therefore she thought of him as rude and unpleasant, and refused to see that he could be a good, kind man, and that he loved her. This theme of "pride and prejudice" is very important to the novel (as is shown by the title) because it reflect and creates the entire plot; all is based upon Elizabeth and Darcy's pride and their prejudice towards one another and others.
This passage also shows a change of heart in Elizabeth that is very important to the novel. She decides here that she was foolish to have held a grudge against Darcy and foolish to have believed Wickham to be so good. She sees now that she has made a grave mistake in something she previously thought herself very adept at: judgement of character. She realizes this, saying "till this moment, I never knew myself."
Distinction of Rank
"Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and daughter. I would advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest, there is no occasion for any thing more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved." (Austen 154).
Here is another good example of class distinction and social structure governed by money, an important point in the novel. Lady Catherine is a woman of very high rank because she is very rich. Elizabeth, and the rest of the Bennetts, are well below her in this respect. This passage is interesting because it states that Lady Catherine prefers people to look especially inferior so that she will look even more superior to them in contrast. This may have been a gross exaggeration of the way the high class acted in the late 18th century, but it may also have been not far off base. Either way, Austen is expressing her own views on the absurdity of the high class here.
Here is another good example of class distinction and social structure governed by money, an important point in the novel. Lady Catherine is a woman of very high rank because she is very rich. Elizabeth, and the rest of the Bennetts, are well below her in this respect. This passage is interesting because it states that Lady Catherine prefers people to look especially inferior so that she will look even more superior to them in contrast. This may have been a gross exaggeration of the way the high class acted in the late 18th century, but it may also have been not far off base. Either way, Austen is expressing her own views on the absurdity of the high class here.
Discretion and Avarice
"Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end, and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were afraid of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary." (Austen 147).
Here Austen picks up on and mocks an absurdity of her society and the way it lives. In this book, as during Austen's lifetime, the women with little money, like the Bennetts, are trying hard to find themselves husbands who could well support them. But Elizabeth here asks, when do we know if we've gone too far? Where is the line between wanting to be comfortable in a marriage and being purely avaricious? Elizabeth says that, in Wickham's case, and by her aunt's standards, perhaps the line is very thin. When Wickham is interested in Elizabeth's hand, her aunt does not think it prudent, for neither have very much money. However, when he goes after a girl with a little more money, though not much more, she is quick to think him mercenary. Perhaps in those days, the line really was that thin.
Here Austen picks up on and mocks an absurdity of her society and the way it lives. In this book, as during Austen's lifetime, the women with little money, like the Bennetts, are trying hard to find themselves husbands who could well support them. But Elizabeth here asks, when do we know if we've gone too far? Where is the line between wanting to be comfortable in a marriage and being purely avaricious? Elizabeth says that, in Wickham's case, and by her aunt's standards, perhaps the line is very thin. When Wickham is interested in Elizabeth's hand, her aunt does not think it prudent, for neither have very much money. However, when he goes after a girl with a little more money, though not much more, she is quick to think him mercenary. Perhaps in those days, the line really was that thin.
Handsome Young Men
"Kitty and Lydia take [Wickham's] defection much more to heart than I do. They are young in the ways of the world, and now yet open to the mortifying conviction that handsome young men must have something to live on, as well as the plain." (Austen 145).
This passage, spoken by Elizabeth to her aunt Mrs. Gardiner, is a good example not only of the themes of class structure and financials that are present in the novel, but also a good example of Austen's wonderful character-building in the characters of Lydia and Kitty. Mr. Wickham is an officer, a low-rank, without much money. This means that, in those days, although he was handsome, young, and appeared to be charming, he was not necessarily thought very highly of, and could not do whatever he liked, such as marry someone (like Elizabeth) without very much money; they would not have been well-supported. This theme is an important one in the book, as the girls are always trying to marry to their financial advantage since they have not very much inheritance.
Kitty and Lydia are, as Elizabeth says, young and foolish, which are the essential points of both their characters, although they try to make themselves mature and womanly by flirting and marrying at a young age. They don't yet know (and, in Lydia's case at least, perhaps never will know,) the social etiquette of the time, or these rules of class structure that held up their society.
This passage, spoken by Elizabeth to her aunt Mrs. Gardiner, is a good example not only of the themes of class structure and financials that are present in the novel, but also a good example of Austen's wonderful character-building in the characters of Lydia and Kitty. Mr. Wickham is an officer, a low-rank, without much money. This means that, in those days, although he was handsome, young, and appeared to be charming, he was not necessarily thought very highly of, and could not do whatever he liked, such as marry someone (like Elizabeth) without very much money; they would not have been well-supported. This theme is an important one in the book, as the girls are always trying to marry to their financial advantage since they have not very much inheritance.
Kitty and Lydia are, as Elizabeth says, young and foolish, which are the essential points of both their characters, although they try to make themselves mature and womanly by flirting and marrying at a young age. They don't yet know (and, in Lydia's case at least, perhaps never will know,) the social etiquette of the time, or these rules of class structure that held up their society.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Few People I Really Love
"There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well." (Austen 131).
This quote mocks Elizabeth's judgemental and calculating personality. This is a statement of such exaggerated prejudice as is shown in Elizabeth's character that it hardly makes sense any more. Austen is showing how little sense Elizabeth has in exaggerating her prejudices to this point of absurdity.
Elizabeth is probably also here making a comment about her family. Although she loves them because they are her kin, she does not, necessarily, think well of them, as is shown by her relationships with her mother, Kitty, Lydia and Mary.
This quote mocks Elizabeth's judgemental and calculating personality. This is a statement of such exaggerated prejudice as is shown in Elizabeth's character that it hardly makes sense any more. Austen is showing how little sense Elizabeth has in exaggerating her prejudices to this point of absurdity.
Elizabeth is probably also here making a comment about her family. Although she loves them because they are her kin, she does not, necessarily, think well of them, as is shown by her relationships with her mother, Kitty, Lydia and Mary.
Fordyce's Sermons
"Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons." (Austen 67).
This is a good example of Austen's use of wit in order to exaggerate a character point. Mr. Collins, the Bennett's cousin, reads James Fordyce's Sermons for Young Women to the young ladies at their home. He is a very straight-laced man, who thinks young women should be proper, kind, and sophisticated; his views on them, like Fordyce's in his Sermons, are very conservative. It is ironic that Austen would have chosen this book for Collins to be reading, seeing as he himself is a clergyman, and the book is not a real sermon, but only entitled as one. Also, the "Sermons" advise against young ladies reading novels and romances...like Pride and Prejudice.
http://www.users.muohio.edu/mandellc/projects/mclainjl/beinecke.htm#Sermons
This is a good example of Austen's use of wit in order to exaggerate a character point. Mr. Collins, the Bennett's cousin, reads James Fordyce's Sermons for Young Women to the young ladies at their home. He is a very straight-laced man, who thinks young women should be proper, kind, and sophisticated; his views on them, like Fordyce's in his Sermons, are very conservative. It is ironic that Austen would have chosen this book for Collins to be reading, seeing as he himself is a clergyman, and the book is not a real sermon, but only entitled as one. Also, the "Sermons" advise against young ladies reading novels and romances...like Pride and Prejudice.
http://www.users.muohio.edu/mandellc/projects/mclainjl/beinecke.htm#Sermons
Cheapside
"'Yes; and [the Bennetts] have another [uncle], who lives somewhere near Cheapside.'
'That is capital,' added her sister; and they both laughed heartily." (Austen 36).
This quote is a good example of the condescending nature of the Bingley sisters. They are mocking the Bennett family because they have an uncle who lives in Cheapside, an unfashionable part of London. They laugh at the family behind their backs, and Austen exaggerates this to add to their cruel characters. Cheapside was unfashionable in those days purely because it was a commercial area, used only for trading and marketing and business, and no pleasure or fun. It was a place that the Bingley sisters would never dream of visiting or residing in.
http://www.bluemonkeyweb.co.uk/bmcms/cms/userfiles/cheapsidehistory.pdf
'That is capital,' added her sister; and they both laughed heartily." (Austen 36).
This quote is a good example of the condescending nature of the Bingley sisters. They are mocking the Bennett family because they have an uncle who lives in Cheapside, an unfashionable part of London. They laugh at the family behind their backs, and Austen exaggerates this to add to their cruel characters. Cheapside was unfashionable in those days purely because it was a commercial area, used only for trading and marketing and business, and no pleasure or fun. It was a place that the Bingley sisters would never dream of visiting or residing in.
http://www.bluemonkeyweb.co.uk/bmcms/cms/userfiles/cheapsidehistory.pdf
Entirely A Matter of Chance
"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." (Austen 23).
This quote is a good example both of Austen's irony and her character development. Pride and Prejudice is all about seeking a happy marriage. The Bennett sisters are, with their mother's avid encouragement, looking for a suitable marriage with a man whom they like who is in a good position financially. This line makes light of all this work, saying that there is no way to know whether a marriage will solicit felicity or not; it is a matter of luck.
This sentence, spoken in the book by Charlotte, Elizabeth's close friend, is also a good example of her character. She is portrayed as being very plain and unromantic. This quote exemplifies this; she doesn't believe that happiness in marriage is something easily attainable. Charlotte ends up in a marriage with a man she does not love because of this; she believes she would not get a better offer, so she took it.
This quote is a good example both of Austen's irony and her character development. Pride and Prejudice is all about seeking a happy marriage. The Bennett sisters are, with their mother's avid encouragement, looking for a suitable marriage with a man whom they like who is in a good position financially. This line makes light of all this work, saying that there is no way to know whether a marriage will solicit felicity or not; it is a matter of luck.
This sentence, spoken in the book by Charlotte, Elizabeth's close friend, is also a good example of her character. She is portrayed as being very plain and unromantic. This quote exemplifies this; she doesn't believe that happiness in marriage is something easily attainable. Charlotte ends up in a marriage with a man she does not love because of this; she believes she would not get a better offer, so she took it.
A Truth Universally Acknowledged
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." (Austen 1).
This sentence, being the opening to the novel, sets up right away a theme to the story, and states one of its central points. It immediately brings up the topic of matrimony, which is the driving point for all of the plot changes and shifts. The happiness of all characters depends upon marriage, either for themselves, as is the case with Darcy, Bingley, and the Bennett sister, or for their relative, as it is for Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and Lady Catherine.
This sentence also shows right away some of Austen's irony. This sentence seems as though it could be spoken by Mrs. Bennett, who is foolish and giddy, and chases any man with a large fortune that she thinks may marry one of her daughters. However, by saying that this way of thinking is a universally acknowledged truth, Austen is perhaps pointing out the foolhardiness of her entire culture and society that thinks the way Mrs. Bennett does.
This sentence, being the opening to the novel, sets up right away a theme to the story, and states one of its central points. It immediately brings up the topic of matrimony, which is the driving point for all of the plot changes and shifts. The happiness of all characters depends upon marriage, either for themselves, as is the case with Darcy, Bingley, and the Bennett sister, or for their relative, as it is for Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and Lady Catherine.
This sentence also shows right away some of Austen's irony. This sentence seems as though it could be spoken by Mrs. Bennett, who is foolish and giddy, and chases any man with a large fortune that she thinks may marry one of her daughters. However, by saying that this way of thinking is a universally acknowledged truth, Austen is perhaps pointing out the foolhardiness of her entire culture and society that thinks the way Mrs. Bennett does.
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