Pride and Prejudice Text Discussion Chapters 17-21

Thoughts on the novel thus far:

While I have read the novel before, I find myself having new perspectives of each character; to include Elizabeth having more bark this read around, as well as Mrs. Bennet being far more embarrasing and single minded than previously. Similarly, I find Mr. Darcy to be just as charming and Mr. Bennet just as witty as before. The quick wit and humor of all the characters is just as brilliant and entertaining as ever.

Chapter 17

1. Is this declaration that "there was truth in his looks," based on reason or feeling?

I believe the declaration that Elizabeth makes about Mr. Wickham speaking of Mr. Darcy, “there was truth in his looks” is purely based on feeling primarily because Elizabeth already ahs preconcieved notions of who Mr. Darcy supposeably is. However, feelings are beginning to blossom within Elizabeth and Darcy towards each other, thus, I believe that Elizabeth is trying to find a reason not to like him; ironically, all the information Mr. Wickham fed her about Mr. Darcy and their past falls right into her lap.

Chapter 18

1. This is a well-known quote from the novel. Is Austen leading the reader toward a conclusion by having Elizabeth utter this comment?

Austen is leading the reader to believe that even though Elizabeth knows the information Mr. Wickham provided her with was rather a “he said, she said” type situation, she truly wants to believe his statements of Mr. Darcy in order to ensure no more feelings develop for him. Austen is intending for the reader to find the underlying message that Elizabeth is developing stronger feelings for Mr. Darcy than she wants to allow herself to have.

2. What did this verbal battle between Elizabeth and Darcy achieve for each of them?

The verbal battle between Elizabeth and Darcy gave each of them a reason to return to their previous perceptions of each other. For example, Elizabeth initally thought Darcy to be pompous and rude, however, he began to grow on her with his wit and interesting banter; however, once Mr. Wickham revealed how “evil” Darcy was with finding a loophole in his fathers will, ensuring Mr. Wickham get nothing, she returns to believing he is again pompous and rude. Similarly, Darcy begins making statements commenting on Elizabeth’s beauty, or lack of, and finding her to be just as all the other young ladies attending the Bingley’s ball, intending to marry Mr. Bingley. Yet again, while Darcy’s personality grows on Elizabeth’s, Elizabeth’s also grows on Darcy’s with their intriguing banter and humurous converation. However, when Elizabeth brings up the topic of Mr. Wickham while they are dancing, Darcy returns to the idea that Elizabeth is another

3. Does Elizabeth doubt Caroline's comments on Mr. Wickham based on her previous prejudice toward Caroline?

I think that Elizabeth doesn’t necessarily doubt Caroline’s comments on Mr. Wickham based on her previous prejudice toward Caroline than Carolines affiliation with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth believes that Caroline has strong ties with both men, thus, is obviously going to have negative views of Mr. Wickham, particually due to what Elizabeth believes to be false and rude comments Mr. Darcy must have made about Mr. Wickham.

4. Is Elizabeth blinded by prejudice with regard to Mr. Wickham in the same way she accused Darcy of being so earlier?

Indeed, Elizabeth portrays a significant amount of prejudice towards other characters; in fact, Elizabeth is usually the first to judge another character. Thus, while she has a positive attitude toward Mr. Wickham upon initially meeting him, she is clouded by her ideas on him just as she is with everyone else, rather it be positive or negative; therefore, she is blinded by prejudice in the same way she accused Darcy of being so.

5. What does this paragraph reveal about the accepted modes of behavior among the members of this restricted social elite?

The aristocracy during nineteenth century British society was rather strong and the members of the restricted social elite were expected to have priority and particular rules as far as their life style but also how others approached them. For example, for Mr. Collins to introduce himself to Mr. Darcy at the ball without a proper introduction was seen to be very impolite and below high society’s standards.

6. What does this comment reveal about Mr. Collins' attitude toward women?

Most of Mr. Collins’ comments reveal that his attitude towards women includes believing his is far above them in intelligence, ettiquette, and life in general. While his attitude would have been most common during his time, it is astonishing the level he brings his disrespect for women. His speech at the ball after Mary sings just adds to the pride portrayed in Mr. Collins, who believes to be a very elite individual, yet is actually a pompous jerk.

7. In the beginning of the novel, we saw Elizabeth laugh away social improprieties. Why is she so mortified by her family's behavior in this instance?

She is mortified by her famiy’s behavior in this instance because she feels to be personally embarrased. With her mother’s words of implication that Jane and Mr. Bingley are surely to be engaged prior to a proper proposal, is indeed a massive sociatial faux pas. Similarly, Elizabeth finds her sisters behavior other than Jane’s to be rather appaling at such a social event,; thus, while Elizabeth shunns and to a degree mocks society’s rules, she still appreciates and expects propper manners at such events.

Chapter 19

1. Do any of the reasons for marrying that Mr. Collins listed have anything to do with Elizabeth? Or, are they all impersonal?

All the reasons Mr. Collins listed to marry Elizabeth had actually nothing to do with her and were indeed all impersonal. The first had to do only with his clergy, which may indeed be a sensible reason if he were to also add emotion to the factor, such as trying to say he loved Elizabeth; however, he only states it would be a good reason for his work, his happiness, and his state of mind in inheriting the Bennet estate. While there could be arguably good intentions in trying to marry Elizabeth for the sake of not wanting to leave the Bennet girls with nothing other than their slim mother’s inheritence, he is primarily suggesting marriage so he doesn’t feel bad about taking it from them.

2. In his effort to convince Elizabeth to accept his proposal, Mr. Collins is extremely rational. Contrast his impersonal, practical approach to Elizabeth with Darcy's strong attraction to her individuality.

Where Mr. Collins is calm and practical, Mr. Darcy is passionate and ruthless. Although both men display equal amounts of pride and are often seen as too proud in the eyes of society, Mr. Collins is rather dull and boring in the shadow of Mr. Darcy’s interesting disposition.

3. By contrasting an "elegant female" with a "rational creature," is Austen taking a stance in the contemporary debates on womanhood?

Of course Austen is taking a stance in the contemporary debates on womanhood by contrasting “elegant female” with a “rational creature”. Austen is contributing to the notion that “elegant female” is a sexists way of differentiating not only between man and woman, but also society’s expectations that a woman must in fact be elegant. However, Austen pushes the idea that a woman should merely be expected to be a “rational creature”, the same as a man. Rationality should be the only expectation from both men and women in society.

Chapter 20

1. Elizabeth desires to marry for love. Is Mrs. Bennet capable of understanding such a desire? Why is the family matriarch so determined to have Elizabeth marry Mr. Collins despite her daughter's lack of feelings toward him?

Mrs. Bennet is not exactly capable of understanding the desire of marrying for love because I don’t believe she infact loves her husband, Mr. Bennet. Although Mrs. Bennet being the famy matriarch portrays much more attitude than a common woman at the time, particularly while speaking to her husband, she wants Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins despite her daughter’s lack of feelings for him because she wants her to be well off, “maintained”, and obident to her wishes.  

2. By representing Mrs. Bennet as ridiculous and Mr. Bennet as keen to ridicule her, what is Austen saying about parents in general? Is she issuing a critique against both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet? Be mindful of her comments on parents throughout the rest of the novel.

Austen is saying that while parents are often assigned roles to play, they frequently fall out of said roles and are not going to see eye to eye on every parenting issue. Similarly, she does manage to paint Mr. Bennet in a nicer light than Mrs. Bennet; with emphasis on Mr. Bennet’s keen desire to allow his daughters to be happy rather than merely wealthy and Mrs. Bennet’s desire of the opposite, Austen gives the reader a new perception of parents within this highly elite minded society.

Chapter 21

1. Why is it strategic for Caroline to identify Georgiana Darcy as the object of her brother's affection? Compare what little is known so far of Georgiana Darcy with your knowledge of Jane.

It is strategic for Caroline to identify Georgiana Darcy as the object of her brother’s affection for several reasons. First, Georgiana Darcy is known to be wealthy and of the same elite tier as the Bingley’s, thus Caroline is establishing she approves of Georgiana Darcy with her brother in a way she never did with Jane Bennet and her family. Secondly, using another woman as the object of a man’s affection to get a woman jealous almost always works; knowing that Jane is bound to get jealous and worried if Mr. Bingley is in contact with Georigana, due to having previous interest in her. Lastly, Caroline is attempting to belittle the entire relationship Jane thought she had been having with Mr. Bingley this whole time, trying to ignite insecuritise. With knowledge that Georigiana is wealthy, beautiful, and held Mr. Bingley’s affections at a previous point in time likely brings Jane to feel small and insecure.

2. Is it rebellious for someone of Elizabeth Bennet's social status to desire happiness and love from a marriage? Should she be more practical in her approach?

It is extremely rebellious for someone of Elizabeth Bennet’s social status to desire happiness and love from a marriage, due to the fact that she is only expected to marry into wealth and hold a position. Although denying a man’s hand in marriage during this time was seen as wrong in society’s eyes, Elizabeth refuses to heed anyone’s advice, to include her mother’s warning that no man wants a woman who has denied several other’s refusals.