Rachel's Part Three Response

First, I want to say thank you to my fellow bookclubers my Mom and my aunt Laura. I had such a blast reading this book with you both and discussing it along the way. I love this bookclub and although I am very sad we are wrapping up Pride and Prejudice, I cannot wait and I am very much looking forward to the next Austen novel!!!!!!! Ok onto the response answers.... 

1.) What do you think motivated Lydia to run off with Mr. Wickham?

I think what it boils down to is immaturity on her part, which Mr. Wickham saw and took full advantage of.  Lydia, to me, is a very naïve character who is rather impulsive.  She demonstrates this by running off with Mr. Wickham and not even thinking twice about how the repercussions from it will affect not only her reputation, but her families. It almost felt like Lydia was considering this whole ordeal to be more of a joke than the serious matter, which it was for a lady during that time period. She was also probably flattered and excited someone from the militia was paying attention to her. She probably found a thrill in running off with a man in uniform. I’m still a little uncertain what Mr. Wickham’s motivation was. We all know by this point he is a scoundrel and is really only motivated by money, but when he first ran off with Lydia I wonder if he really thought her family was going to pay him off to marry their daughter, which is what ended up happening (and technically Mr. Darcy paid him off).  I still don’t think I fully get why he choose to run off with Lydia. Hmm…

2.) How do you think Elizabeth handled herself with Lady Catherine? Putting yourself in that time period, if you were in Elizabeth's shoes how would you have handled that situation?

I absolutely loved Elizabeth in this part. Elizabeth is such a strong force to be reckoned with.  She has such a strong sense of character, and she knows exactly who she is and will stand up for what she believes in. For women in those days this was definitely not the norm.  In this particular conversation with Lady Catherine I think Elizabeth took a stand and made sure Lady Catherine knew who she was and she wasn’t going to back down that easily. I didn’t think she was rude or disrespectful to Lady Catherine, just stern with her so she knew she wasn’t going to budge her decision and get walked over by her.    

If I put myself in that time period, and in that situation, I honestly think I would just cower down and wouldn’t stand up for myself. I am definitely more of a shy and quiet person and do not like to make a fuss about things, even if I disagree with people. Now saying that about myself, I absolutely loved reading this part and came out of this chapter feeling that this book changed a little piece of me. I thought I don’t want to be the type of person who doesn’t stand up for herself I want to be like Elizabeth Bennet who stands true to who she is and doesn’t get pushed around even by very intimidating individuals, such as Lady Catherine. Whenever I come into situations where I need to stick up for myself I just need to channel my inner Elizabeth Bennet. J

3.) What is your final impression of Mr. Darcy?
I think in the last part of the novel we really saw the true core of who Mr. Darcy is.  At the beginning of part three when Elizabeth was visiting Mr. Darcy’s home the readers got a glimpse of a softer more vulnerable Mr. Darcy vs. the rude stand offish Darcy we have seen in the past. We find out what a sweet, loyal, protective, generous, and kind person Mr. Darcy is. Throughout the rest of the novel you find out how he went around and made his wrongs into rights, for example confessing and bringing Mr. Bingley back so he and Jane would have a second shot.  One thing that I pulled away from part three that had only been hinted at prior was how romantic he is.  I must have read chapter 16 over and over again, especially the part when he told Elizabeth that she must have known he did everything only for her. Mr. Darcy has such a subtle yet strong romantic side to him that really came out in part three. It was such a thrill to read this book and see firsthand as the reader how this character of Mr. Darcy unfolded. Austen has created a remarkable and memorable character, and Mr. Darcy has truly become one of my favorite literary characters, ever!!!  Just goes to show sometimes first impressions are not always right. J

4.) Does the novel end the way you expected? How? Why?
As I was reading, I really felt as if Austen transported me into the world of early 19^th century England and into the lives of the characters in Pride and Prejudice. So as you are reading you start to feel as though these are your new friends and want to see everything turn out for them. Austen does not disappoint readers at the end of the novel. I loved how Austen ended the novel, especially the way Austen wrapped up everyone’s story with the last chapter. I can’t tell you how many times you end a novel and wonder what happened to these characters that you have read about and almost feel a part of their world or the author gives you only a little closure to the end of the novel. I, along with most of the readers out there, was so happy to see Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth end up together. One of the more romantic love stories out there.

5.) One of the major themes throughout Pride and Prejudice is marriage. Compare and contrast the different kinds of marriages throughout the novel.
Austen introduces us to so many diverse and unique characters in the novel, so that could only lead to different types of marriages between the characters.

Mr. Bingley/Jane Bennet: They have a very simple romantic love story between them. You find yourself as the reader rooting them on because they are both good genuine individuals you want to see be happy. However, their relationship is somewhat common and lacks a certain amount of spice and adventure.

Mr. Darcy/Elizabeth: You just don’t read, hear, watch, see love stories like this in novels or television/movies anymore.  As a reader you read about their love story and watch it grow. It goes from them forming the wrong first impressions, to confronting their pride and prejudices between/for each other, and then into this love and romance that eventually leads them into marriage. I think this quote from the novel, when Elizabeth is writing back her aunt, sums up their marriage and fondness for each other and what a wonderful life/future they will have, "I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh."

Mr. Collins/Charlotte: This marriage is an example of a couple starting out barely knowing each other and getting married for different motivations (Mr. Collins: for his reasons he stated to Elizabeth and Charlotte because she was reaching the point of an “old maid” type age for back then). I think they were strangers basically when they got married and are going to discover if they are compatible or not as they live the rest of their lives together.  

Mr. Wickham/Lydia: If there was ever a couple who married out of impulse and greed this is the one. Lydia is still very naïve and Mr. Wickham only love is money and perhaps the things he uses it on, like gambling. As the readers find out in the last chapter they never stop asking for money and have no shame in asking for it. I would definitely say their marriage is one brought together by an impulsive action and perhaps loveless. I don’t think they have as much joy as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have together or even Jane and Mr. Bingley for that matter.

6.) Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet?
I found the majority of the characters likable. Austen really builds up her characters and fully develops them into a way which makes them very relatable. Austen gives us so many different and diverse characters throughout the novel. Focusing on the Bennet family alone there is such great differences among the sisters and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.  As a reader you can see you family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, etc., personalities among the different characters.  There are characteristics in each character that the reader can relate to their lives, which also makes Austen’s characters memorable and classic. 

OhMyGoodness!!! I wish I could just get transported into the world of Pride and Prejudice and meet them all, the good and the bad. If I had to narrow it down from everyone I guess on the top of my list would of course be Elizabeth, I would love to be able to find out what makes her tick and have such a strong independent personality. I would love to pick up a few pointers from her on building up that strong character and just embody who she is.  Also, of course, Mr. Darcy (part three version/aka the sweeter version hahah) everything about Mr. Darcy fascinates me. He is the ideal man that I assume many women hold close to their hearts/minds and match up future boyfriends/potential husbands too. He would definitely be one of the characters I would love to meet. But ultimately, I would love to be placed into the Bennet household and be there throughout the novel, just like that one movie, Lost in Austen.  

7.) What is the source of this novels immense and enduring popularity?

Austen wrote this novel over 200 years ago, and yet even in today’s world, which is amazingly different than the world was when she wrote this novel in, people can relate to her novels. I truly believe Austen had a unique gift. She was able to understand basic human emotions and bonds we form with one another and beautifully translated them through her characters in her novels. Austen touches upon these basic human emotions and needs that people of all ages, races, cultures, languages, and time periods can relate to and will continue to relate to in the future. Austen touched upon emotions such as love, betrayal, rejection, acceptance, desire, friendship, loyalty, and family to name a few.  I think that is the key to why her novels have this enduring popularity. She also has a unique ability of transporting the reader into the world she created and makes them feel as if they are a part of it and these are their new friends. For me personally, I have read very few novels that have actually moved me, shook me in my core, and changed me for the better. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of the very few novels that have touched my heart and I can truly say I am a different person for the better after reading this novel. If you have not read this novel yet I HIGHLY HIGHLY Recommend it!!!! It is truly beautiful, and now my absolute favorite novel!