1.) The novel begins with one of the most famous first sentences in literature, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (pg. 5). What does this sentence mean and how does it set the tone for the novel?
To me this sentence means.......He's got the money now he needs to find a wife. To me it seemed very important to have a wife but not necessarily a wife that he loved, and status plays a big part.
2.) What are your feelings about Mr. Bennet? Is he a good father? A good husband? A good man? A positive or negative figure?
I have no feeling one way or another about Mr. Bennet. He appears to be a good father. A father's role in those days was so different then a father's role of today. As a husband, he appears to be alittle abrasive with his wife. I don't think Mr Bennet is overly positive or overly negative.
3.) First impressions of Mr. Darcy. Good? Bad?
My first impression of Mr. Darcy was how rude he was, he also gave off this air about him as though he was better than every one else.
4.) What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?
A womens role was to become a wife or she will become an old maid, with no worth. Mothers appear to be obsessed with getting there girls married off to men with money, even if her daughters did not love the man. I can understand the obsession because if her daughter did not get married by a certain age they would be worthless. In those days being single and independent was not a womens lot in life, to me it appeared to be looked down upon from society, family, friends. Being a women in those days had to have been difficult, they had no rights, few ways to care for themselves, could not own property and if not married they were looked down upon.
5.) What does love and marriage mean to Mr. Collins?
At first love and marriage meant nothing until he found the right girl and fell in love. He was willing to help the Bennet's family out by marring one of his daughter's but there seem to be no love there, just willing to help him out.
6.) What do you think of the language Jane Austen uses throughout the novel? For example, “remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” (Ch. 9 pg. 43) What does this quote mean?
The language has been difficult to read, sometimes a sentence does not make sense with the words she uses. Sometimes she uses too many words to describe something simple, is this how they talked in those days or is this how a writer writes there stories. I think it is both. Sometimes i would read a sentence like page 43 and think why would you use the word suffer and why can't you just say this with more simple words. I noticed as i read on that she does this alot and i better get use to it.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Brenda's Response: Part One
Opening Comments from Brenda…Wow this is really fun. Thank you so much Rachel for putting this blog site together, and for getting everything all organized for us. You have done a beautiful job!!!. I was counting in my head today and have figured that so far we have been introduced to at least 18 characters in this book. WOW!!! As someone who likes to write stories, I find it mind boggling that she was able to do this, yet somehow Jane Austen does it so effortlessly. I felt instantly sucked into her world, hanging out with her friends. What an amazing writer Jane Austen is, and how exiting it is to be reading one of her masterpieces. Another mind blowing reality for me is thinking about how long ago this story was written, over 200 years ago, and yet it has a way of touching me so deeply even now in these modern times. To me this is a very relatable story, with interesting and relatable characters, and I am loving every second I spend in this world that Jane Austen created. Ok, now on to the questions…
1.) The novel begins with one of the most famous first sentences in literature, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (pg. 5). What does this sentence mean and how does it set the tone for the novel?
WOW, I’m so excited, question number one….YAY!!!… Oh no, I am already scratching my head. Hum….Okay, off the top of my head, I would say that the word “Want”, if I am understanding it correctly, could be exchanged for the word “need”??? So then this quote, to me means: “It is well known that a rich single man must be in need of a wife”. I think characters like Mrs. Bennet actually prey on this kind of knowledge. She gets herself all in a whirl knowing that there is a single rich man in town. Mrs. Bennet seems to make it her business to make sure that the wealthy Mr. Bingley takes a wife, and she’d like it to be her daughter Jane. So maybe in the eyes of someone like Mrs. Bennet, if you’re a single wealthy man, you are bait for women like her, and her wanting to make you a married man. Now how does it set the tone for the book? Hum….Thus far in the book, we have met at least 2 wealthy and single men Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy. And we are seeing how the love lives of each of these wealthy men is unfolding. This opening sentence really does seem to set the tone for the book, because the book so far is about, marriage, wealth, social class, and the potential to “up” your social class through marriage. Lets hope my answers get a little more intelligent as we go along.
2.) What are your feelings about Mr. Bennet? Is he a good father? A good husband? A good man? A positive or negative figure?
2.) What are your feelings about Mr. Bennet? Is he a good father? A good husband? A good man? A positive or negative figure?
My first impression of Mr. Bennet is that he is the head of the Bennet household, although, Mrs. Bennet seems to set the tone in the house. He seems amused by his wife and her extreme desire to see all her daughters married. He seems to tease his wife with sarcasm. He seems to be intelligent, and somewhat of a bookworm because he spends a lot of time in his library (unless library is old talk for bathroom, ha ha ha, Hmmm…anyway…). He seems somewhat withdrawn from society and finds his younger daughters silly and foolish. But he seems to think more highly of Jane and Elizabeth. Over all, to me, he seems to be a good father, and he really loves all these women in his life. He seems to be a supportive husband, yet enjoys a good laugh at his wife’s expense. He seems to be a man of integrity, a positive figure that all the daughters look up to, and listen to, and turn to. And although he and his wife seem to bicker back and forth, they seem to really respect and love each other too. I think he’s a good father, good husband, good man, and positive figure. (Now how many times did I use the word “seems” in this answer UGH…). Onto the next…
3.) First impressions of Mr. Darcy. Good? Bad?
3.) First impressions of Mr. Darcy. Good? Bad?
The words I would use to describe my first impressions of Mr. Darcy are distant, removed, thinking he’s better than those who surround him, arrogant, direct, rude, protective, somewhat anti-social, opinionated, yet strangely attracted to a women he views as being way below his social status. I think it will be interesting to see how Jane Austen unfolds these feelings he is having towards Elizabeth. You can definitely feel something going on between these two characters, with all the looks and snappy conversation between them. I think this makes Mr. Darcy a VERY interesting character. My first impression is neither good nor bad. I don’t think he is a bad person he just seems stern at this point, with definite opinions, guarded emotions, and he’s single, maybe lonely, and set in his ways. There is a lot of mystery in this character, and I look forward to getting to know him better as we read. For me Mr. Darcy is my favorite character, the one I look most forward to reading about.
4.) What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?
4.) What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?
Ahhhh…..The women……what different times Jane Austen writes about in view of women. The “role” of women in this text seems to be marriage and running the homes. They all seem to worry themselves about getting married. The women’s place seems to be in the home. The women seem to be completely dependant on the men in there lives and strive to marry “up” in order to have security and a home. Love seems to be secondary to security. The main mother figure, Mrs. Bennet, seems to me to be represented as a bit dramatic, but very, very concerned about marrying off her 5 daughters. The thought of getting them married consumes her. I question is it out of love and real care for her daughters or out of desperation to see them safe and secure, or is it a social appearance she wants to have the bragging rights to? Something along the lines of my daughter married better than yours kind of thing? To me the single women also seem to always be looking for a man who can support them financially, and after a certain age will settle for anyone and in the case of Charlotte. I think they hope for romance and love but will settle for security. On the other hand Elizabeth seems more independent minded and not willing to settle. She turned down security with Mr. Collins because she didn’t love him. I don’t see that the independent women like Elizabeth are really viewed differently than the more dependant ones like Charlotte, yet both exist in this story and are interesting to get to know. I do like the overall aspect of the women running the home though.
5.) What does love and marriage mean to Mr. Collins?
5.) What does love and marriage mean to Mr. Collins?
In my opinion marriage to Mr. Collins means, Absolutely nothing emotionally. And, Absolutely everything socially and financially. Although on some level, in his own flowery language way, he seems to desire happiness, but I question does he know what real happiness is? Or, is he just spouting off the words he thinks those around him to want to hear. I feel he would be thrilled with ANY women who would say yes to him. He seems to me to be all about the appearance. He always seems to be kissing up to his present audience. His affections changed quickly from Jane to Elizabeth to Charlotte with no real emotional attachment for any of them, just flowery empty words. He seemed more intent on pleasing Catherine De Bourgh and marrying because she suggested it than actually wanting to find the Love of his life. He treats Love like a financial deal. I can’t wait to read what you guys think about this one.
6.) What do you think of the language Jane Austen uses throughout the novel? For example, “remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” (Ch. 9 pg. 43) What does this quote mean?
6.) What do you think of the language Jane Austen uses throughout the novel? For example, “remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” (Ch. 9 pg. 43) What does this quote mean?
I LOVE the language that Jane Austen uses in writing this book. It is so fun to get lost in her words. I find my brain defining each word as it passes by, and almost feel honored, when I put the book down, that I have had the privilege of being a part of her world for a little while. Although this makes reading this story very slow for me, I am thoroughly enjoying getting lost in the language of her time. It all seems very proper. As for this quote…I know Laura questioned the word “Suffered” and wondered why this word was chosen. In this part of the story I think Elizabeth is talking to Mr. Bingley in the presence of her mother. She seems to be telling him that she can read his character very clearly, to which he seems amused. However Mrs. Bennet sort of reprimands Elizabeth for speaking to him in this manner. As if she is embarrassed by her daughter a little bit. She seems to be saying, do not run on at the mouth with your silly ramblings, here in this place of wealth and luxury, in front of this (wealthy) man, like you do at home. Do not subject these people, (we want to impress), with the ramblings we are forced to put up with from you at home.
I think the word “Suffered” is used to just exaggerate Mrs. Bennet’s extreme displeasure, and it is Jane Austens way of showing a dramatic opinion of one of her characters. I think this is a good example of Jane Austen using the English language and making us really think as we read. Although in her time I wonder if this would have been an easy read, cause maybe they all talked like this in that time when she wrote this. Where as now we have to (or at least I have to) really concentrate as I read in order to understand what is going on.
Rachel's Response: Part One!
1.) The novel begins with one of the most famous first sentences in literature, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (pg. 5). What does this sentence mean and how does it set the tone for the novel?
This sentence not only is a great opening line and hooks the reader right away but it also does a great job in setting the tone for the novel. This opening line is basically saying that everyone knows (or at least women assume) if a man is single, and has a decent amount of money/fortune, he has to be in search of a wife to share that fortune with. It gives the impression that this is how everyone in society thought/believed life to be, especially women during the late 18th/early 19th century English society. One of the themes/tones throughout the novel is social status/wealth, which plays a huge role throughout the novel. The reader gets a sense of this right off the bat when Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Bennet talk about the new bachelor in town Mr. Bingley who is single with no prospects of a wife yet, and a great fortune of $4,000-$5,000 a year. Women during this period of time did not have very many options or paths to take and the only way to move up in society and secure their future is to marry above or with-in their social status. Side note: How sad is it that the main goal of marriage is to secure a future financially and marrying for love takes a back seat the majority of the time. Ok back to the my answer: Take the Bennet’s for example; we learn that because there is no male heir to take over the family land it must go to the closest male relative which is Mr. Collins. As soon as Mr. Bennet passes away their estate will be turned over to Mr. Collins and the rest of the Bennet’s will be left with nothing. So in order to secure their future it is essential that the Bennet sisters marry into a financially secure family and it is also why Mrs. Bennet is so obsessed with marrying off her daughters.
This sentence not only is a great opening line and hooks the reader right away but it also does a great job in setting the tone for the novel. This opening line is basically saying that everyone knows (or at least women assume) if a man is single, and has a decent amount of money/fortune, he has to be in search of a wife to share that fortune with. It gives the impression that this is how everyone in society thought/believed life to be, especially women during the late 18th/early 19th century English society. One of the themes/tones throughout the novel is social status/wealth, which plays a huge role throughout the novel. The reader gets a sense of this right off the bat when Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Bennet talk about the new bachelor in town Mr. Bingley who is single with no prospects of a wife yet, and a great fortune of $4,000-$5,000 a year. Women during this period of time did not have very many options or paths to take and the only way to move up in society and secure their future is to marry above or with-in their social status. Side note: How sad is it that the main goal of marriage is to secure a future financially and marrying for love takes a back seat the majority of the time. Ok back to the my answer: Take the Bennet’s for example; we learn that because there is no male heir to take over the family land it must go to the closest male relative which is Mr. Collins. As soon as Mr. Bennet passes away their estate will be turned over to Mr. Collins and the rest of the Bennet’s will be left with nothing. So in order to secure their future it is essential that the Bennet sisters marry into a financially secure family and it is also why Mrs. Bennet is so obsessed with marrying off her daughters.
2.) What are your feelings about Mr. Bennet? Is he a good father? A good husband? A good man? A positive or negative figure?
Mr. Bennet is a very interesting character. On one hand I find him to be very humorous/funny. He has a bite/wit about him that has a hint of sarcasm, especially when he is talking with his wife. But on the other hand I feel like he takes a back seat to his family and at times he can be rather neglectant towards them. He seems more annoyed and there is a certain lack of respect towards his wife, especially when it comes to Mrs. Bennet trying to find suitable husbands for his five daughters. Throughout the novel the reader can tell he has a special soft spot in his heart for Elizabeth and that he is very protective over her. You really get a sense of this in chapter 20 where he sides with Elizabeth over Mrs. Bennet whether she should marry Mr. Collins or not, even though if she accepted his hand it would have secured his family’s future. The reader also gets a sense that he seems to be withdrawn from not only his family but society a bit too. Maybe he feels like he has disappointed his family by not having a male heir to pass the estate too and in turn will leave his family with nothing when he passes. As of right now my opinion of Mr. Bennet is still in the air. I have a feeling we will learn more about him as the novel goes on.
Mr. Bennet is a very interesting character. On one hand I find him to be very humorous/funny. He has a bite/wit about him that has a hint of sarcasm, especially when he is talking with his wife. But on the other hand I feel like he takes a back seat to his family and at times he can be rather neglectant towards them. He seems more annoyed and there is a certain lack of respect towards his wife, especially when it comes to Mrs. Bennet trying to find suitable husbands for his five daughters. Throughout the novel the reader can tell he has a special soft spot in his heart for Elizabeth and that he is very protective over her. You really get a sense of this in chapter 20 where he sides with Elizabeth over Mrs. Bennet whether she should marry Mr. Collins or not, even though if she accepted his hand it would have secured his family’s future. The reader also gets a sense that he seems to be withdrawn from not only his family but society a bit too. Maybe he feels like he has disappointed his family by not having a male heir to pass the estate too and in turn will leave his family with nothing when he passes. As of right now my opinion of Mr. Bennet is still in the air. I have a feeling we will learn more about him as the novel goes on.
3.) First impressions of Mr. Darcy. Good? Bad?
I get the feeling Mr. Darcy is like an onion. He has a personality type with many layers to him that one must go through in order to fully grasp and understand who he is. It seems that my dear Mr. Darcy tends to not give a favorable first impression. People tend to think he comes off as arrogant, proud, reserved, and rude. Even with those horrible first impressions, there is something about him that really draws the reader into his character. You get hints that he isn’t just this stuck up guy as Austen takes us through Elizabeth’s and his growing relationship. He seems to keep an eye on her at all times and seems to genuinely care if she is ok or not. The reader gets hints of this while Elizabeth is staying at Netherfield and especially chapters 10-12. One can tell there is a spark between them but Mr. Darcy is holding back a bit because I think he does not want to bring any attention to the fact he is starting to develop feelings towards her, which may make him come off as uncaring or apathetic.
Sometimes first impressions aren’t always right; the layers are starting to unpeel! I am team Darcy!!!!
4.) What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?
The overall/general role of women in this book is to get married and preferably marry into a higher social class to create a better life for one’s self. Women in the early 19th century did not have many options before them; they definitely were at a disadvantage. They were not able to move up and into the world as easily as men could. They could not go out and be career women, get the best well rounded education (and if they did an education it wasn’t the same as it is today for women), create their own fortune, or even have the same rights as men had. In all reality the easiest and only ways to create a different and better life for one’s self was to marry someone with decent wealth and social connections. The mothers in this book are definitely represented as having only one plan/goal and that is to marry their daughters to the most eligible bachelor and of a higher social class then them to secure their future. Elizabeth does break out of this mold. She is a very strong female character with intelligence, independence, wit, and follows her heart when making decisions. On the other hand you have young women like Charlotte who admits (in chap. 22) not necessarily believing in marriage or even liking Mr. Collins. But she goes through with it anyways to create a new world of opportunities for herself. Instead of love and romance Charlotte was looking for a comfortable home which Mr. Collins would provide for her. I cannot even imagine being a woman in the early 19th century it would have been so limiting to not be able to marry for love or go out there and become a Dr. if I wanted to or not having equal rights as men had.
4.) What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?
The overall/general role of women in this book is to get married and preferably marry into a higher social class to create a better life for one’s self. Women in the early 19th century did not have many options before them; they definitely were at a disadvantage. They were not able to move up and into the world as easily as men could. They could not go out and be career women, get the best well rounded education (and if they did an education it wasn’t the same as it is today for women), create their own fortune, or even have the same rights as men had. In all reality the easiest and only ways to create a different and better life for one’s self was to marry someone with decent wealth and social connections. The mothers in this book are definitely represented as having only one plan/goal and that is to marry their daughters to the most eligible bachelor and of a higher social class then them to secure their future. Elizabeth does break out of this mold. She is a very strong female character with intelligence, independence, wit, and follows her heart when making decisions. On the other hand you have young women like Charlotte who admits (in chap. 22) not necessarily believing in marriage or even liking Mr. Collins. But she goes through with it anyways to create a new world of opportunities for herself. Instead of love and romance Charlotte was looking for a comfortable home which Mr. Collins would provide for her. I cannot even imagine being a woman in the early 19th century it would have been so limiting to not be able to marry for love or go out there and become a Dr. if I wanted to or not having equal rights as men had.
5.) What does love and marriage mean to Mr. Collins?
Mr. Collins has to be one of my least favorite characters! He is just flat out annoying, poor Charlotte. Ok now that I got that off my chest back to the question. I really think marriage means diddly squat to him. He proposed to two different women within three days and was thinking about marrying three different women within the time he came to visit. Obviously he wasn’t looking for a deep connection/love aspect with his future wife. Marriage seems to be almost like a business deal to him. He doesn’t really care who he marries just that he marries someone. I swear I was screaming you idiot when he was proposing to Elizabeth and stating his reasons for marrying and then not getting the clue when she basically told him he doesn’t have a chance in H-E-double hockey sticks. Let us review his reasons for marriage shall we (found in chap 19) 1.) He believes it is essential for clergy men to set an example by being married, 2.) It would add to his happiness 3.) It was the advice/recommendation from his dear Lady Catherine de Bourgh (this seems to be most important to him, that’s kind of awkward) and 4.) As a result of him ultimately inheriting the Bennet estate he was going to try and find a wife among the Bennet girls. Hmmm… Would any girl jump for joy and say yes after hearing that speech? I would think/hope not. (except maybe Charlotte. Poor girl)
6.) What do you think of the language Jane Austen uses throughout the novel? For example, “remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” (Ch. 9 pg. 43) What does this quote mean?
I LOVE the style Jane Austen writes in and how she uses the language so flawlessly. It truly brings the reader into the story with her language and makes one feel like they are a part of it. Take the quote above for example; she is scolding Elizabeth while visiting Netherfield when Jane was ill. She really paints a picture doesn’t she? She uses colorful language which only sucks the reader deeper into her stories. Such a talented writer, I cannot wait to read all of her novels!!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Discussion Questions for Part One
We came up with these six questions for Pride and Prejudice, part one. Answer these questions and feel free to ask your own question you would like the group to answer or write about other things you found interesting throughout part one.
1.) The novel begins with one of the most famous first sentences in literature, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (pg. 5). What does this sentence mean and how does it set the tone for the novel?
2.) What are your feelings about Mr. Bennet? Is he a good father? A good husband? A good man? A positive or negative figure?
3.) First impressions of Mr. Darcy. Good? Bad?
4.) What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?
5.) What does love and marriage mean to Mr. Collins?
6.) What do you think of the language Jane Austen uses throughout the novel? For example, “remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” (Ch. 9 pg. 43) What does this quote mean?
1.) The novel begins with one of the most famous first sentences in literature, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (pg. 5). What does this sentence mean and how does it set the tone for the novel?
2.) What are your feelings about Mr. Bennet? Is he a good father? A good husband? A good man? A positive or negative figure?
3.) First impressions of Mr. Darcy. Good? Bad?
4.) What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?
5.) What does love and marriage mean to Mr. Collins?
6.) What do you think of the language Jane Austen uses throughout the novel? For example, “remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.” (Ch. 9 pg. 43) What does this quote mean?
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