Brenda's Response: Part 2

  

This part of the novel could be titled “The Turning Point” do you think this accurately describes part two? Explain your answer.   I think this very accurately describes this part of the book.  I think Elizabeth is finally seeing Mr. Darcy in a different light, which is really making her think about weather or not she has dramatically misjudged him, thus a turning point in her perspective of who she thought this man was.   I think Mr. Darcy finally gave into his feelings of love for Elizabeth thus a turning point for him.  I think Jane has allowed herself to do things maybe she normally wouldn’t have done in the hopes of love with Mr. Bingley thus a change in her.   A lot is happening in this part of the book that are major changes so I would say yes this is the turning point of this story. 

      

       What were your first impressions of Mr. Wickham? After you read Mr. Darcy’s letter, did your feelings change?  I think my first impressions of Mr. Wickham were that he was an ok sort of fellow, kind, considerate, humorous, attentive.  He came across as a nice guy, but I don’t think I always trusted him.   I don’t know why exactly, but something in Jane Austens writing of this character always made me sort of question him….Like maybe he was just too nice to believe.  I worried that he was a little to slick and little to sickeningly sweet.  Then after Mr. Darcy’s letter WOW, Mr Wickham--- can of worms spilling all over, ----an what a worm this guy is.  It seems he is only interested in money and getting it by whooing the ladies who have it.    

      

    

       What is your impression of Mr. Darcy at this point in the book?  What did you think about Mr. Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth? Ok here we go……My impression of Mr. Darcy at this point in the book is like WOW….I knew I was going to like this character and I was right.   I’m going to side track here a little to tell you guys an idea I have been tossing around in my head about Mr. Darcy.

       I have a theory about Mr. Darcy which I think I will share right now instead of waiting till the end as I had originally planned to.    What do you think of the idea that Mr. Darcy is Shy?   I was thinking in part one that possibly his abrupt social behavior was possibly due to feelings of shyness.  Shy people tend to come across as self absorbed, rude, arrogant.  They don’t mean to but that is the impression that others get of someone who is shy.   As I was writing my answer to part one’s Mr. Darcy question I started seeing these words….rude, arrogant etc….and thought Hummmmm, I bet he is just socially awkward and shy around girls and doesn’t always do or say the right thing.   Then now in part 2 when he proposed in such an abrupt way, just practically shouting out to her his feelings all in one big long take no breaths kind of way, well then it dawned on me, he is a really intelligent, wonderful guy who is just shy and awkward around girls and doesn’t know exactly how to act with them.  I personally thought his proposal was adorable albeit a bit abrupt and a little over honest about her social standing and family, but still somehow just very sweet.   Although I agree with Elizabeth in not accepting his proposal based on where things are in the story at this point.   But I soooooo look forward to part three.   I have the feeling there is going to be some real changes, especially after his letter, and especially since she is now viewing him differently, and especially because all the pieces of the Mr. Darcy puzzle are now coming together for her. 

      

       What did you think about the letter Mr. Darcy wrote to Elizabeth after he proposed to her?  Oh wow the letter.   First off may I say once again Jane Austen writes with such class and brilliance and she has not failed us in part 2 of this book with her proper use of the English language.  Then just when you don’t think it can get any better she writes this letter that her Character Mr. Darcy is to have written to Elizabeth to explain his position on the issues she had trouble with when he proposed to her.  At this point Jane Austen seems to enter a whole new WONDERFUL world of writing, because his letter to Elizabeth is worded and written so extremely well that we now have this beautiful glimpse in to who Mr. Darcy really is, how he really feels about Elizabeth and what kind of person he is.   I can tell from his letter how much he loves Elizabeth because at every point where he may offend or hurt her apologizes or warns her of the attack that is to come.  For example how he starts his letter “I write with no intention of paining you or humbling myself…” later in the letter he warns her of another possible offensive moment saying “…even by your father….pardon me….it pains me to offend you.”   He remains respectful and caring towards her feeling while very intelligently addressing the offenses she detests in him which to me just make him even more interesting and wonderful to read.  After the letter I really got the feeling that this is a strong, honest, caring man, who is not use to pouring his emotions out, but is willing to risk it all for Elizabeth.  I think his letter was wonderful and I think Elizabeth is finally starting to see the real man that dwells in Mr. Darcy.    And she is finally getting a taste of how protective of her he would be, because she can see how protective he was of his father’s good name, his friends father, Mr. Bingley his good friend, and his sister.   We got our first taste in this part of how deeply Mr. Darcy does care about the people he really does Love.  And how he will protect those he loves at all cost.  Mr. Darcy is coming across to me now as a real man, strong on the outside, sensitive and loving on the inside.   

      

       What is your first impression of Lady Catherine De Bourgh? Does her real life impression match all the hype Mr. Collins gave her?   My first impression of Catherine is snooty, very high class, extremely rich, not real emotional, doesn’t understand love, or compassion, judgemental, somewhat rude.   From the flowery way Mr. Collin talked about her I expected her to be rich and even a bit snooty, but I somehow thought she would be more sophisticated.  After he talked about her all the time in part one I thought she was probably a grand dame of some sort but he flowered her with such praise I thought maybe she would be a more caring and sophisticated.  But as it turned out I think she is just a real snob with no understanding or concern of those she deems below her social class.