Superiority?

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you...He spoke well, but there were feelings beside those of the heard to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of inferiority--of its being a degradation--of the family obstacles which judgement had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit."

 Austen portrays Darcy in a very interesting way. At first we hear him declaring his devout love for Elizabeth, but later we hear about his sense of "inferiority", it seems like he spends a bit more time putting her down, and in a sense degrading her than he does actually complementing her. To me it seems like the most botched proposal of all time. Why does Austen show this sort of incompetence in a male character? What is this saying about the dominance that a man thinks he has, and what sort of reaction would this proposal get in a modern age? 

Capitalism Spills Over

The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature, must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained . . . marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of gaining happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. (Ch. 22, p. 122)

Everyone can agree that there are numerous examples of perverse relationships in this book, but can we observe a trend that unites them all? I believe a strong argument can be made that most interactions we deem perverse carry an aura of enterprise. What drives the market drives the community, turning every interaction into a transaction. This is evident in the nature of Collins' proposal to Elizabeth, Charlotte's acceptance, all of Mrs. Bennet's actions, and other, numerous examples. At the core of all these interactions seems to lie this rule: "Give me that which I want, and you shall have this which you want." This rule does not seem the same core that sustains family, friendships, and marriages, or at least the core that should.

Relationships

I'm finding that I to like to concentrate on the depiction of relationships in our readings, so I'm not going to pass up this opportunity. Austen provides us with such an array of relationships that it's fairly difficult to keep track of them all. Whether it's the Jane/Elizabeth (or Bingley/Darcy) relationship, the Mr/Mrs Bennet, Collins/Charlotte, Elizabeth or Jane/Miss Bingley, or even Elizabeth's inner relationship, we are given a wide array of examples of relationships from which we might pick and choose the "proper" model. I have a bunch of questions running through my head, but here are a few as clear as I can get them out. Though clearly not the best option, is the optimism in the Collins' marriage merely a naive perspective/avoidance of the obvious truth, or is it the best way to cope with an unfit marriage/inability to find a better match? Elizabeth seems to flip between correct and incorrect judgements of people, both resulting from [over]thinking about everything. Are we to see this as a "get out of your head" type of advice, or can we find a way to think the right amount about things? And so that I stop for your sake, my final question is about the friendships between Jane and Elizabeth, Bingley and Darcy, and even Elizabeth and Charlotte. Elizabeth and Charlotte's relationship seems to drift apart, while the others stay strong and provide guidance and comfort for each other. Which, then, is more important: the relationship between friends, or the relationship between lovers (by which I mean people who are interested romantically in each other, not the sexual version)? Are they one in the same? Does marriage change the importance of that relationship? Sorry, I guess that wasn't really one question.

Intensity, Honesty, and Relationality

"Elizabeth tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sentences" (Ch 38).

"I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to... any person so wholly unconnected with me" (Elizabeth, Ch 56).

"Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here" (Ch56).

"[My upbringing] almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing, to care for none beyond my own family circle" (Darcy, Ch 58).

Last class we talked of a possible "great" contribution of Ms. Austen to the conversation across centuries was the notion of a delightful quickness in conversation and a demand to be interesting, both of which were contained in a deadly serious game; all this I call intensity. Elizabeth seemed the model of it, with her "spunk."

After Peter's quote however, Elizabeth's character takes a marked change. She realizes she has been confined to a limited world of prejudices, thanks to Mr.Darcy's prideful honesty. While she does become more absent-minded for a time, she is nevertheless very reluctant to leave the world of social connections ("civility") that she knows so well. However false this world of relations and the false appearances it requires, it seems to be necessary and also good, at least in part (from the point of view both of Elizabeth and, I think, Austen). Perhaps Elizabeth retains her ideas of the general goodness of people from Jane.

Sensing the importance of civil relations, but being now awakened to what lies beyond appearances, Elizabeth tries to unite truth and civility. But the factors of the game (many of which now come from herself) have increased so much that it becomes nearly impossible to play by all the rules, so to speak. Elizabeth finds herself struggling to conceal the secrets of others and her own natural feelings. She is often torn about how to act.

I see these two issues of appearances/reality (prejudice) and self/others (pride) as being intimately related. (These themes relate to several books we have read.) Once the true self enters into the picture, one cannot stay confined in the realm of societies prejudices, and one becomes marked, as Elizabeth does. But one cannot and should not escape society either, because of its importance and goodness. Is a happy medium ever reached? Elizabeth's and Darcy's quotations above seem to propose a medium and then strike it down. But perhaps, in uniting such different, seemingly contradictorry characters in their marriage, they will change each other to allow for a self-aware honesty and an all important civil relationality to be joined in the delightful, but credible intensity which may be the contribution of this book. Do all of the paradoxes and complexities get resolved with the marriages, as the book seems to suggest?

Narrator and Elizabeth's voices

"Till this moment, I never knew myself." (Ch 36)

These are the words Elizabeth speaks to herself after reading Darcy's letter a couple times and realizing her previous prejudice of him. However, revisiting the first ball scene, wherein Darcy is made out (apparently by objective observation) to be arrogant. Nothing has happened to make him change, yet from this point on, we as readers are positively disposed to Darcy.

I am fascinated by Austen's tension between an omniscient narrator, who can get into the heads of many characters, and the way Elizabeth's limited view of Darcy informs the narration's own limits. This tension makes Elizabeth's discovery so surprising to us.

The best people are the people who change

I was thinking about how every significant character is put through some sort of test, and there are those who fail and those who pass.  Lydia remains as stupid as ever after the terrible decisions she makes, Mr. Bennet doesn't become a better father, Mrs. Bennet is still ridiculous, Lady Catherine and the Bingley sisters are still snobby, Mr. Collins becomes even more self-righteous, Charlotte Lucas is unhappy but stands by her decision to marry Collins, Wickham's character is still wicked, etc.  Those who pass, Elizabeth, Darcy, Georgiana, Bingley, and Jane, are the best characters and the best people because they take it upon themselves to improve and come out of their trials a better person.  They are forced to see how they really are, and if they do not like what they see they must change it for the better.  I think Austen is making a comment in this book that the best people are the ones who are interesting, have the potential to change for the better, and actually do so, and the better the person the greater the change. I was also thinking about the only characters who are exceptionally good from the beginning of the text: the Gardiners. They are both of good sense and character, classy, hardworking, entertaining, and a moral, intellectual, and social bedrock for Elizabeth. Are they Austen's idea of an ideal couple and ideal people? Are Elizabeth and Darcy ideals by the end of the text?

Found It

"What does Mr. Darcy mean," she (Elizabeth) said to Charlotte, "by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?"

"That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer."

"But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about.  He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him."  Ch. 6, p. 24-25

In this quote Elizabeth is aware that someone is scrutinizing her, a reversal of situation because usually it is Lizzy who scrutinizes everyone else.  She is nervous about losing the upper ground and of becoming the object of Mr. Darcy's satire, so she claims she must do what she does best--say something witty and impertinent--in order to assure that she will not drop rank from "satirizing observer" to "she-who-is-satirized."  Elizabeth is used to being at the top of the witty scale, and to fall lower under the watchful eye of Mr. Darcy would be grave indeed.  She is afraid of being satirized, but is she worthy/needy of it?  Does she merely escape satire because she is clever enough to manipulate the situation in her favor?  Does that make her immune to satire or just a good dodger?

Fiction

The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people!
--ch. 6

What really fascinates me about Pride and Prejudice is the interplay between the author, the characters, and their personae. There are clear rifts between the characters as they are and the way they self-conceive and/or are seen by others, and this is brought out by the contrasts between the indirect and the direct characterization. What does this say about the artifice of society? Are these fictional characters living in a fiction themselves?

I apologize for the very late, and very short post. I have not left myself enough time this morning to fully flesh out and support this idea, but I hope what I have done will yet be useful.

Mary: PLS Student?

"What say you, Mary?  for you are a young lady of deep reflection I know, and read great books, and make extracts."  -Mr. Bennet, Chapter 2, pg. 9 (Penguin edition)

"Pride," observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, "is a very common failing I believe.  By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed, that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary.  Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonimously.  A person may be proud without being vain.  Pride relates more to our opinions of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us."  -Mary, Chapter 5, pg. 21

"... but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required."  -Mary, Chapter 7, pg. 33

I was particularly interested in the characterization of the members of the Bennet family.  Very little attention is given to the middle daughter, Mary, but I think that she has some of the most insightful comments.  Her father refers to her as a reader of great books, and it is obvious that she draws much of her insight from her readings.  It is rather telling that the middle quotation, one of the most well-known of the book, is said by Mary.  She seems to have a more complete, philosophical understanding of human nature than the rest of her family.  I found myself wondering what it would be like to be Mary, the sole PLS student of the Bennet family.  I think that she would be frustrated with her situation, but have pride in the fact that she actively pursues a love of wisdom rather than a husband.  Pride, according to Mary, relates to an opinion of oneself but is a failing.  Is Mary guilty of being prideful?  What do you think it would be like to be Mary?   

Pride and Prejudice, pt. 1

(Mr. Darcy) wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity (Chap 12, pg. 59).

When dinner was over, (Elizabeth) returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room (Chap 8, pg. 35).

Mr. Bingley and Jane were standing together, a little detached from the rest, and talked only to each other (Chap 18, pg. 100).

As we read Pride and Prejudice, I'm sure we would all like to separate ourselves from the pettiness and the gossip of the characters, writing them off as normal for a time when communication what much less open, especially between men and women. Are we so different, however, from those who either hide their affection by ignoring the one for which they have feelings, or by waiting until someone is gone before talking badly about him, or by noticing that those who are in love talk are perfectly happy being in discussion only with each other? Other than rejecting the incessant use of formal titles, are things today really that different?

Pride and Prejudice!

"Miss Bennet was therefore extablished as a sweet girl, and their brother felt authorized by such commendation to think of her as he chose."

- end of Ch. 4

"There are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a woman had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister, undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on . . . When she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses . . . if she were married to him tomorrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth . . . "

"You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself."(irony!)

"But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, han he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying."

- Ch. 6

It seems that our leading ladies - and perhaps our leading men - are torn between what is practical and what is romantic. Austen makes the situation humorous, but the girls' situation really is a serious one. They have no option but to marry, and the person they marry will determine most aspects of their lives. Luckily Austen always gives us a happy ending, but real life isn't so easy. What is one to do? What is the best option? Specifically, should one rely on the advice of others, or on one's own experience? In Jane's case, she nearly loses (and indeed would have lost, if she hadn't been so lucky) Bingley because she takes her time determing his character for herself. On the other hand, Lizzie almost loses Darcy because she bases her opinion of him on the opinion of others. The men have an easier time of it - not so much depends on their decision - but they also struggle with how to deal with common opinion. Bingley is easily swayed, while Mr. Darcy appears to be the most honest character of all (although he is hard to read, he does always act on his genuine feelings). Sometimes appearences are useful things, as per Charlotte's advice. How should one solve these problems? Is there a right way or a wrong way? How honest should one be about one's opinions, especially since those opinions are liable to drastic changes?

Great Books

Her mind was less difficult to develope. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news. p. 7

"You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," p. 13

The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which excercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to the occasion's justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast. p. 33

What do these quotes have to do with each other? Nothing - except that they make this novel perhaps the most enjoyable "text" I have yet read in PLS. I feel like a 7th grade girl who just got asked to her first dance. I'm going to leave that statement as is. Austen's writing is drastically different from anything we have yet read: her language is very crisp, the dialogue bounces back and forth, and her omniscient narrator seems reveals characterizations that are far more introspective (I think that's the wrong word) than any author we have yet read. Austen is an author - we have read poets, philosophers, and theologians, but I don't think we have yet read a text in Sem that is intended by the author primarily to entertain.  Austen loves dropping in wise and witty aphorisms, but this is through and through a novel. While Gulliver's Travels is very entertaining, (I would say) it is clear that Swift wrote it primarily to educate, and secondarily to entertain. So my question is simple: What makes Pride and Prejudice a "Great Book?"

Complexing Characters

"Pride," observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, "is a very common failing I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed, that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us." (p. 21)

Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. (p. 25)

Austen seems very coy in revealing the personalities of her characters, specifically through comparing the content of her dialogue and her narration, i.e. the voice of her characters and her voice. The above quotes reveal direct opposite personalities of Mary Bennet - the first being a statement of Mary's and the second being a statement of the author's. My high opinion of Mary formed from her moving speech was starkly contrasted by Austen's disapproving description a few pages further. Returning to Mary's quote, I noticed Austen reveals a little of this opinion in describing how Mary "piqued," or "prided" herself upon "the solidity of her reflections." Nevertheless, I still wonder how truthfully and comprehensively Austen describes her characters, and how much she expects readers to discover by themselves. I tend to think it more of the latter, especially with Elizabeth and Darcy, and it appears to force the reader's participation in one of the novel's themes: deducing true character from appearance, words, and actions.