Jane seems to have ended her relationship whith Bingley, and Elizabeth definitely seems to have ended any chance of a relationship between her and Wickham. Both are much happier. Jane was in a constant state of worry about Bingley, and Elizabeth unfortunately had to consider whether or not Wickham's personality would make up for his lack of money. Every "expectation from [Mr. Bingley is] now absolutely over," and this is upsetting to Jane at first (112). Jane is so upset that her mother "can have no idea of the pain she gives [Jane] by her continual reflections on [Mr. Bingley]" (101). After all "expectation" leaves Jane, she becomes much happier. Elizabeth sees "her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her health" (116). A similiar situation occurs with Elizabeth. Mr. Wickham is "now the admirer of someone else" whose "sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds [is her] most remarkable charm" (112). Elizabeth finds she had "no love in" Mr. Wickham at all, and she forgets him immediately when "the prospect of her northern tour [becomes] a constant source of delight" (113,116).
Austen juxtaposes Jane and Elizabeth's happiness after the "loss" of a man with Charlotte's pain in marriage. Actually, Charlotte does not show pain, she manages to retain "composure in bearing with her husband," but she is by no means ecstatic towards or in love with Mr. Collins (118). Charlotte is, however, "extremely well pleased...to have the opportunity of showing [her house] without her husband's help" (118). Elizabeth sees "Charlotte's evident enjoyment" of her house "when Mr. Collins could be forgotten" (118).
Jane's mood quickly improves when she lets go of Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth is fine with Mr. Wickham becoming a gold-digger. Charlotte is much happier whenever Mr. Collins is not around her. The men are bringing everyone down.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
What is Happiness?
After Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins' proposal, Mrs. Bennet reacts very strangely. At least, she reacts strangely compared to my idea of how a "good" mother should have reacted. Mrs. Bennet declares "that Lizzy shall be brought to reason" (84). Mrs. Bennet tries to force Mr. Bennet to "come and make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins" (84). Mrs. Bennet's behavior shows her complete indifference towards her daughter's happiness. Mrs. Bennet is only concerned with her own status in society, and she wants Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins so that Mrs. Bennet can have better connections (Lady Catherine). I think Mrs. Bennet's behavior as well as Charlotte's immediate acceptance of Collins' proposal "solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment" shows how little "love" means to the majority of society when Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice (93). Charlotte thinks her "chance of happiness...is as fair [with Mr. Collins] as most people can boast on entering the marriage state" because of his "connections" and "situation in life" (95). Maybe Mrs. Bennet and Charlotte think "happiness" is measured in money. Elizabeth thinks of happiness differently. She weighs the love factor more heavily, and that is why she rejected Collins. Also, Elizabeth does not desire Mr. Darcy at this point in the story. Mrs. Bennet also dislikes Darcy, but because she knows that he would not accept her daughters. I think if Mrs. Bennet saw even a small chance that Mr. Darcy would be willing to marry a Bennet, she would be very praising of him, as she was of Mr. Collins before he proposed to Charlotte. Elizabeth, however, is not going to like Mr. Darcy unless his personality improves.
I think Austen's diction regarding the Bennets' feelings towards Collins is hilarious. Mrs. Bennet is in a "most pitiable state" (99). She She finds it "inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome" that Collins is visiting her "while her health [is] so indifferent," although prior to his engagement with Charlotte, his visit was a "matter of pleasure" (98). Austen juxtaposes Mrs. Bennet's pessimistic self-pity with Mr. Bennet's sarcastic attitude towards Collins. He tells Mrs. Bennet to not "give way to such gloomy thoughts" as Collins inheriting the house, and to instead hope that Mr. Bennet "may be the survivor" (99). Mr. Bennet suggests that Collins could die before him, which he considers to be a more optimistic outlook than that of Mrs. Bennet. Austen characterizes Mr. and Mrs. Bennet through their attitudes towards Mr. Collins. Mrs. Bennet is selfish and whiny, while Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and clever. I find it funny how even Austen makes fun of Mrs. Bennet through sarcasm. She "was really in a most pitiable state" (99). Austen is being sarcastic, because nothing has even happened to Mrs. Bennet, she is just upset because Elizabeth refused to marry a retard.
I think Austen's diction regarding the Bennets' feelings towards Collins is hilarious. Mrs. Bennet is in a "most pitiable state" (99). She She finds it "inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome" that Collins is visiting her "while her health [is] so indifferent," although prior to his engagement with Charlotte, his visit was a "matter of pleasure" (98). Austen juxtaposes Mrs. Bennet's pessimistic self-pity with Mr. Bennet's sarcastic attitude towards Collins. He tells Mrs. Bennet to not "give way to such gloomy thoughts" as Collins inheriting the house, and to instead hope that Mr. Bennet "may be the survivor" (99). Mr. Bennet suggests that Collins could die before him, which he considers to be a more optimistic outlook than that of Mrs. Bennet. Austen characterizes Mr. and Mrs. Bennet through their attitudes towards Mr. Collins. Mrs. Bennet is selfish and whiny, while Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and clever. I find it funny how even Austen makes fun of Mrs. Bennet through sarcasm. She "was really in a most pitiable state" (99). Austen is being sarcastic, because nothing has even happened to Mrs. Bennet, she is just upset because Elizabeth refused to marry a retard.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Pride and Prejudice Chapters 17-19
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth seem to be the only two people in the novel who can carry on a clever, witty conversation, although their conversations are not positive. Most of the characters in the book come off as either stupid or naive, with the exceptions of Mr. Bennet and Miss Lucas. Austen presents so many different personality that it is hard to determine her position on society as a whole. Elizabeth is smart and clever. Jane is kind of a bimbo, pretty but naive because she can only see good in everyone. Mrs. Bennet is an annoying control freak. Her character is interesting because she wants her daughters to get married which does not seem selfish, but she only wants then to get married to a suitable (rich) man, one that hould make her happy, not necessarily her daughters happy. Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and witty, but still succumbs to Mrs. Bennet's desires. Mr. Bingley is polite and modest despite his high social class, as opposed to Mr. Darcy who is conceited and "proud." Austen juxtaposes Wickham with Darcy. Wickham actually seems to be remarkably similar to Bingley, besides the fact that he is enemies with Darcy. Mr. Collins is a stubborn idiot. He chooses "to attribute [Elizabeth's rejection] to [her] wish of increasing [his] love by suspense" after she has repeatedly told him that her rejection is sincere (83). He says that "it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to" (83) Elizabeth when he has seen her talking to Mr. Wickham and dancing with Mr. Darcy. Mr. Collins is actually conceited (or stupid) enough to think that there is no chance that Elizabeth would reject him. The man is dumb.
Mr. Collins description of an "elegant female" (83) shows his perception, and perhaps Austen's, of society. He thinks that no "elegant woman" would reject a proposal of rich man "of consequence" who has important "connections" like Lady Catherine. Also, Mr. Collins is probably even more sure that Elizabeth will accept his offer because her mother approves of the marriage, which may have been all that really mattered in many proposals at that time. Elizabeth defies this perception, and this makes her character stand out. She possesses her own opinions and has her own values, and that is what shocks Collins, that is why she is Mr. Bennet's favorite, and that could be the reason behind Darcy's attraction. She is different.
Mr. Collins description of an "elegant female" (83) shows his perception, and perhaps Austen's, of society. He thinks that no "elegant woman" would reject a proposal of rich man "of consequence" who has important "connections" like Lady Catherine. Also, Mr. Collins is probably even more sure that Elizabeth will accept his offer because her mother approves of the marriage, which may have been all that really mattered in many proposals at that time. Elizabeth defies this perception, and this makes her character stand out. She possesses her own opinions and has her own values, and that is what shocks Collins, that is why she is Mr. Bennet's favorite, and that could be the reason behind Darcy's attraction. She is different.
Pride and Prejudice Chapters 11-16
Austen utilizes the same words with different meanings within Pride and Prejudice. This occurs particularly often with the word "pride." Sometime the word has a positive connotation, sometimes a negative connotation. Mr. Wickham describes Mr. Darcy's pride as a quality that "has often been [Mr. Darcy's] best friend. It has connected him nearer with virtue than any other feeling" (61). Elizabeth questions, "Can such abominable pride pride such as his have ever done him good?" (61). I think this shows a point that Austen is trying to make: there are different types of pride. Mr Darcy's pride "has often led him to be very liberal and generous--to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the poor" (61-62). Darcy's pride has helped him very positively and yet his sister "is too much like her brother--very, very proud" (62). This time, "pride" has a negative connotation. Austen uses repetition of the words "amiable" which is clearly positive and "vain" which is clearly negative. No character is described as both of these, but characters like Mr. Darcy are sometimes described as one of these as well as "proud." I think pride can fall somewhere in between these words, depending on how one handles the quality.
The introduction of the two new male characters, Mr. Collins and Mr Wickham, is making the story much more complex. Mr. Darcy now must not only win Elizabeth's love, he must do so with the competition of Mr. Wickham. On the other hand, Elizabeth of "nothing but Mr. Wickham, and of what he told her" (64). If Elizabeth wants to marry Mr. Wickham, she will have to do so with the competition of just about every girl in Meryton, since so many girls desire him. However, because she is also thinking about "what he told her," which was mainly things about Mr. Darcy, I wonder if Elizabeth is a little intrigued by Mr. Darcy. I do not think Elizabeth has her sights set only on Mr. Wickham yet. Although Darcy was awful to Wickham, I think the peculiar way in which Darcy's pride affects his actions makes him of interest to Elizabeth. I think she will end up having feelings for both men later in the story.
The introduction of the two new male characters, Mr. Collins and Mr Wickham, is making the story much more complex. Mr. Darcy now must not only win Elizabeth's love, he must do so with the competition of Mr. Wickham. On the other hand, Elizabeth of "nothing but Mr. Wickham, and of what he told her" (64). If Elizabeth wants to marry Mr. Wickham, she will have to do so with the competition of just about every girl in Meryton, since so many girls desire him. However, because she is also thinking about "what he told her," which was mainly things about Mr. Darcy, I wonder if Elizabeth is a little intrigued by Mr. Darcy. I do not think Elizabeth has her sights set only on Mr. Wickham yet. Although Darcy was awful to Wickham, I think the peculiar way in which Darcy's pride affects his actions makes him of interest to Elizabeth. I think she will end up having feelings for both men later in the story.
Pride and Prejudice Chapters 7-10
The first page of Chapter 7 shows that Mrs. Bennet cares more about money in her daughters' husbands than any other quality, while the daughter care more about other aspects. Soldiers have entered a town adjacent to Longbourn, and the officers delight the two youngest Bennets. While "Mr. Bingley's fortune...gave animation to their mother, [it] was worthless in [the daughters'] eyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign" (20-21). Mrs. Bennet's insensitivity astounds me. I find her really annoying, as Austen probably means for her to be. Mrs. Bennet tells Elizabeth "not [to] run on in the wild manner that [she is] suffered to do at home" (31). I find this comment ridiculous, because Mrs. Bennet is acting much more in a "wild manner" than Elizabeth. "Everybody was surprised" (31) by a comment Mrs. Bennet made, and Elizabeth is so embarrassed that she blushes on her mother's behalf. Another obnoxious action of Mrs. Bennet's was that "she would not listen...to her daughter's proposal of [Jane] being carried home" because that "would...remove her from Netherfield" (30). This was not only insensitive to Jane, but to the Bingley's who had to host Jane and Elizabeth because of Jane's illness.
Elizabeth, who is very smart and intuitive, cannot seem to correctly perceive Mr. Darcy's feelings towards her. Elizabeth can "only imagine...that she drew his notice because there was something about her more wrong and reprehensible , according to his ideas of rights, than in any other person present" (38). Mr. Darcy probably does consider Elizabeth to be more "wrong and reprehensible" than anyone else in the room, but the reason she catches his attention is that no one has probably ever treated him like Elizabeth is now, like a normal person. He is probably so used to people praising him because of his high social status like Miss Bingley that he he finds it refreshing when Elizabeth does not give consideration to his social status. I think this is the reason that Mr. Darcy "had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her" (38). Mr. Darcy's actions towards Elizabeth show that his acceptance of lower social classes seems to be growing already. Elizabeth "is amazed at his gallantry," (38) and although he still thinks about "the inferiority of her connections," (38) he is now "bewitched" (38) by Elizabeth as opposed to considering her "tolerable" (7). Darcy "felt their rudeness" (39) and made a kind gesture to avoid the rudeness when he meets Elizabeth and Mrs. Hurst while he is walking with Miss Bingley. I do not think he would have done this before he interacted with Elizabeth, and I think his level of conceitedness is decreasing. Elizabeth "had not the least inclination to remain with them" (39) however, so I think Darcy will have to entirely change his old personality and get rid of his "pride" before he can gain Elizabeth's affection.
Elizabeth, who is very smart and intuitive, cannot seem to correctly perceive Mr. Darcy's feelings towards her. Elizabeth can "only imagine...that she drew his notice because there was something about her more wrong and reprehensible , according to his ideas of rights, than in any other person present" (38). Mr. Darcy probably does consider Elizabeth to be more "wrong and reprehensible" than anyone else in the room, but the reason she catches his attention is that no one has probably ever treated him like Elizabeth is now, like a normal person. He is probably so used to people praising him because of his high social status like Miss Bingley that he he finds it refreshing when Elizabeth does not give consideration to his social status. I think this is the reason that Mr. Darcy "had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her" (38). Mr. Darcy's actions towards Elizabeth show that his acceptance of lower social classes seems to be growing already. Elizabeth "is amazed at his gallantry," (38) and although he still thinks about "the inferiority of her connections," (38) he is now "bewitched" (38) by Elizabeth as opposed to considering her "tolerable" (7). Darcy "felt their rudeness" (39) and made a kind gesture to avoid the rudeness when he meets Elizabeth and Mrs. Hurst while he is walking with Miss Bingley. I do not think he would have done this before he interacted with Elizabeth, and I think his level of conceitedness is decreasing. Elizabeth "had not the least inclination to remain with them" (39) however, so I think Darcy will have to entirely change his old personality and get rid of his "pride" before he can gain Elizabeth's affection.
Pride and Prejudice Chapters 1-6
The parents attempt to choose the spouses of their children in Pride and Prejudice. Mrs. Bennet is excited in the beginning of the book when Mr. Bingley moves to Netherfield because she is "thinking of his marrying one of" her daughters (1). Mrs. Bennet feels like it is her decision as to whether Mr. Bingley will marry one of the Bennet girls or not.
Parents seem more concerned with a man's money than any other quality if he is a possible candidate for the husband of one of their daughters. Mr. Bingley earns "four or five thousand a year." Mrs. Bennet considers this to be "a fine thing for [her] girls" (1). It "was in general circulation within five minutes after [Mr. Darcy's] entrance" (6) that he earned ten thousand a year. This made Mr. Darcy a wonderful option to the parents. The daughters are not concerned only with a man's money, at least the Bennet's are not, Elizabeth in particular. I think the daughters and parents view the fact that Mr. Darcy "was discovered...to be proud" (6) differently. Mrs. Bennet becomes resentful towards Mr. Darcy because she thinks he will not consider being with any of her daughters. Elizabeth is resentful towards Mr. Darcy because he appears to have a terrible personality and she does not want to be with someone so "proud."
I do not think Mr. Darcy actually has a terrible personality, because although he seems snotty and conceited, he starts to like Elizabeth for her personality. Darcy finds that "in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness" (16). Darcy's reasons for liking Elizabeth suggest that he is not as shallow as he first appeared at the ball. I wonder if Elizabeth will end up changing Darcy into a nice, down to Earth person. I think she will. He already appears to be infinitely kinder than Miss Bingley at the end of Chapter 6, who had "never [been] more annoyed" by "the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people!" (19).
Mr. Darcy replies that her "conjecture is totally wrong," (19) which makes me think that Elizabeth will end up making him less conceited.
Parents seem more concerned with a man's money than any other quality if he is a possible candidate for the husband of one of their daughters. Mr. Bingley earns "four or five thousand a year." Mrs. Bennet considers this to be "a fine thing for [her] girls" (1). It "was in general circulation within five minutes after [Mr. Darcy's] entrance" (6) that he earned ten thousand a year. This made Mr. Darcy a wonderful option to the parents. The daughters are not concerned only with a man's money, at least the Bennet's are not, Elizabeth in particular. I think the daughters and parents view the fact that Mr. Darcy "was discovered...to be proud" (6) differently. Mrs. Bennet becomes resentful towards Mr. Darcy because she thinks he will not consider being with any of her daughters. Elizabeth is resentful towards Mr. Darcy because he appears to have a terrible personality and she does not want to be with someone so "proud."
I do not think Mr. Darcy actually has a terrible personality, because although he seems snotty and conceited, he starts to like Elizabeth for her personality. Darcy finds that "in spite of his asserting that her manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness" (16). Darcy's reasons for liking Elizabeth suggest that he is not as shallow as he first appeared at the ball. I wonder if Elizabeth will end up changing Darcy into a nice, down to Earth person. I think she will. He already appears to be infinitely kinder than Miss Bingley at the end of Chapter 6, who had "never [been] more annoyed" by "the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people!" (19).
Mr. Darcy replies that her "conjecture is totally wrong," (19) which makes me think that Elizabeth will end up making him less conceited.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Ending of Hamlet
Horatio is a logical character throughout Hamlet, and I think Shakespeare uses Horatio in Act 5 to show it is better to rely on logic than emotion. Horatio only speaks for more than two lines once in all of Act 5 until Hamlet dies. I think Shakespeare is showing a lack of logic in the situation, and the fact that everyone is dying shows that the lack of logic is a bad thing. Even when Horatio wants to make a logical point, other characters prevent him from doing so. After Osric has informed Hamlet of his upcoming battle with Laertes, Horatio says, "You will lose, my lord" (5.2.223). Hamlet, somewhat logically, points out that he has "been in continual practice" (5.2.225) since Laertes went to France, but because Hamlet's thoughts are still bloody, he does not realize that he is walking into a trap. Horatio can see that the King still wants to kill Hamlet, but Hamlet will not listen when Horatio tries to explain this. At the end of the play, Horatio, the logical character, is one of the few that did not die, and he continues to have logical ideas. He will "speak to th' yet unknowing world" (5.2.421) about the deadly events that recently occurred "lest more mischance on plots and errors happen" (5.2.438-440).
One aspect of the play that confused me is why Hamlet wants Fortinbras to take over Denmark. The reason Hamlet wanted to kill Claudius is because Claudius killed King Hamlet. One of King Hamlet's great accomplishments was defeating Fortinbras, so I would have thought that Hamlet would have wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, and uphold his dad's previous victory. Maybe Hamlet just wants what is best for Denmark, and he thinks Fortinbras will do the best job of leading the country. Maybe Hamlet thinks all of the royalty that would be next in line to take over the throne are corrupt. If he thinks they were loyal to Claudius, he would not want them to become King, so he wants the new king to be someone he knows was not loyal to Claudius, like Fortinbras.
Hamlet points out that "by the image of [his] cause [he sees] the portraiture of [Laertes's]" (5.2.87-88). Hamlet and Laertes were faced with very similar situations. The death of a loved one "in this case should stir [them] most to [their] revenge" (5.2.260-261), but they end up seeking revenge so that they do not lose honor. Claudius has already taken Hamlet's father, married his mother, and taken over the throne that Hamlet was supposed to inherit, so Claudius has completely disgraced Hamlet. Everyone thinks that Hamlet is going crazy, so by now he might feel that he wants to kill Claudius because of the honor Claudius took from him, instead of for the father he took from him. Hamlet and Laertes can forgive eachother when they are about to die because they both know that they are victims of bad situations, not bad people.
One aspect of the play that confused me is why Hamlet wants Fortinbras to take over Denmark. The reason Hamlet wanted to kill Claudius is because Claudius killed King Hamlet. One of King Hamlet's great accomplishments was defeating Fortinbras, so I would have thought that Hamlet would have wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, and uphold his dad's previous victory. Maybe Hamlet just wants what is best for Denmark, and he thinks Fortinbras will do the best job of leading the country. Maybe Hamlet thinks all of the royalty that would be next in line to take over the throne are corrupt. If he thinks they were loyal to Claudius, he would not want them to become King, so he wants the new king to be someone he knows was not loyal to Claudius, like Fortinbras.
Hamlet points out that "by the image of [his] cause [he sees] the portraiture of [Laertes's]" (5.2.87-88). Hamlet and Laertes were faced with very similar situations. The death of a loved one "in this case should stir [them] most to [their] revenge" (5.2.260-261), but they end up seeking revenge so that they do not lose honor. Claudius has already taken Hamlet's father, married his mother, and taken over the throne that Hamlet was supposed to inherit, so Claudius has completely disgraced Hamlet. Everyone thinks that Hamlet is going crazy, so by now he might feel that he wants to kill Claudius because of the honor Claudius took from him, instead of for the father he took from him. Hamlet and Laertes can forgive eachother when they are about to die because they both know that they are victims of bad situations, not bad people.
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