"'But surely,' said she, "I may enter his county with impunity, and rob it of a few petrified spars, without his perceiving me,'" (224).
Petrified spars are actually crystalline minerals. From Jane Austen wording it this way it adds a different tone into her writing. When the reader reads the word "petrified" it makes one think of a dark object that can no longer moved. It creates a dreary scene, which is perfect for what Jane Austen has Elizabeth enduring throughout this scene. Elizabeth is headed to a town where Mr. Darcy may appear and Elizabeth does not want to see him. Austen threw in this comparison to "petrified spars" to demonstrate the fear and anguish Elizabeth is feeling as she embarks towards the direction of where Mr. Darcy is residing.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
14. Pride and Prejudice
"Other books were produced...Fordyce's Sermons" (67).
The "Fordyce's Sermons" were sermons written for women and men (separate books) regarding how they should behave in society and how they should behave in general. By having Mr. Collins read this book to the Bennet ladies, it immediately sets them off to him. None of them truly care for him and from him choosing to read these sermons, it is as if these girls need some extra help and that they need to know more about how they should present themselves. Mr. Collins is a very pushy character and does not take no as an answer, but keeps pushing until he gets his way. Jane Austen may have included Mr. Collins with the "Fordyce's Sermons" to represent Mr. Collin's fixation with religion and to clarify his character a bit more.
"James Fordyce." James Boswell.info. 14 March 2010. 2004-2009.
http://www.jamesboswell.info/biography/james-fordyce-author-sermon-young-women
The "Fordyce's Sermons" were sermons written for women and men (separate books) regarding how they should behave in society and how they should behave in general. By having Mr. Collins read this book to the Bennet ladies, it immediately sets them off to him. None of them truly care for him and from him choosing to read these sermons, it is as if these girls need some extra help and that they need to know more about how they should present themselves. Mr. Collins is a very pushy character and does not take no as an answer, but keeps pushing until he gets his way. Jane Austen may have included Mr. Collins with the "Fordyce's Sermons" to represent Mr. Collin's fixation with religion and to clarify his character a bit more.
"James Fordyce." James Boswell.info. 14 March 2010. 2004-2009.
http://www.jamesboswell.info/biography/james-fordyce-author-sermon-young-women
13. Pride and Prejudice
"'I do assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man...My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart'"(105).
A lot of the quotes within the pages of Pride and Prejudice represent the feelings of independence and speaking from one's own heart. Elizabeth represents both, how Jane Austen wanted to behave during her younger years, and how she viewed the world as she grew older. The lessons she has learned from her life experiences are clearly depicted through her writing. She knows that in order to get what she wants out of life she must first stand up for what she knows is the right thing for herself.
"Jane Austen's Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010. http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
A lot of the quotes within the pages of Pride and Prejudice represent the feelings of independence and speaking from one's own heart. Elizabeth represents both, how Jane Austen wanted to behave during her younger years, and how she viewed the world as she grew older. The lessons she has learned from her life experiences are clearly depicted through her writing. She knows that in order to get what she wants out of life she must first stand up for what she knows is the right thing for herself.
"Jane Austen's Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010. http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
12. Pride and Prejudice
"'I have been used... 'food of love,' said Darcy" (44).
The words 'food of love' are from William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." This play is about a man who loves a woman, but she does not pay him any attention. Eventually, after the man schemes to get her to notice him, his plan backfires and she falls for another man whom he hired to help him. Jane Austen has Mr. Darcy claiming that poetry is known as the 'food of love' to him, and if Austen used this as a reference to the "Twelfth Night" then it could be viewed as Mr. Darcy's attempt to get Elizabeth Bennet to notice him. This could be one of the first clues that Jane Austen throws out to the reader of Mr. Darcy's affection towards Elizabeth.
"Plot Summary." Twelfth Night, or What You Will. 14 March 2010. http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xTwelfth.html
11. Pride and Prejudice
"Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly...was least expected" (357).
Jane Austen was very close to her father and she too, was the second female daughter born in her family. The relationship in the novel, Pride and Prejudice, between Elizabeth and her father clearly demonstrates the same bond that Austen had with her own father. Throughout the novel, it is evident how Austen cared for her father and respected his opinions. They thought the same way and admired each other. I do not believe that the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet was included within this piece of literature by accident.
"Jane Austen's Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
Jane Austen was very close to her father and she too, was the second female daughter born in her family. The relationship in the novel, Pride and Prejudice, between Elizabeth and her father clearly demonstrates the same bond that Austen had with her own father. Throughout the novel, it is evident how Austen cared for her father and respected his opinions. They thought the same way and admired each other. I do not believe that the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet was included within this piece of literature by accident.
"Jane Austen's Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
10. Pride and Prejudice
"'I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior'" (349).
Jane Austen never married because she never found another man after Tom Lefroy, who made her genuinely happy. When Lizzy is told this, it clearly defines Jane Austen's thoughts on the subject of her own life. She is not a woman who is easily pushed around. If she has no passion towards the subject or scenario, she will not chase after it, but wait until her time comes around to fully enjoy what she is doing. She is a highly respectable woman, much like Elizabeth Bennet, for not sinking to lower levels than what she knows she is capable of reaching. It takes a strong woman, especially in her time period to start writing literature like this and to even think like this. Woman were still gaining their independence and voices.
"Jane Austen's Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
Jane Austen never married because she never found another man after Tom Lefroy, who made her genuinely happy. When Lizzy is told this, it clearly defines Jane Austen's thoughts on the subject of her own life. She is not a woman who is easily pushed around. If she has no passion towards the subject or scenario, she will not chase after it, but wait until her time comes around to fully enjoy what she is doing. She is a highly respectable woman, much like Elizabeth Bennet, for not sinking to lower levels than what she knows she is capable of reaching. It takes a strong woman, especially in her time period to start writing literature like this and to even think like this. Woman were still gaining their independence and voices.
"Jane Austen's Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
9. Pride and Prejudice
"'I have said no such thing...so wholly unconnected with me'" (332).
In this scene, Jane Austen has Elizabeth Bennet standing up to what she knows is right for herself. Back in the day, Jane Austen may not have voiced her desires and needs, but through Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen is portraying her own views on life. She is a stronger woman now and knows that the most important things in life are worth working for and worth waiting for. Elizabeth is everything that Jane Austen was not during the time in her life that she was in love. Elizabeth is standing up for herself, finding the truth, and then finding herself falling in love with the one man she had detested. Elizabeth is a clear image of how Jane Austen wishes she had been instead of letting other people control her own life.
"Jane Austen Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
In this scene, Jane Austen has Elizabeth Bennet standing up to what she knows is right for herself. Back in the day, Jane Austen may not have voiced her desires and needs, but through Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen is portraying her own views on life. She is a stronger woman now and knows that the most important things in life are worth working for and worth waiting for. Elizabeth is everything that Jane Austen was not during the time in her life that she was in love. Elizabeth is standing up for herself, finding the truth, and then finding herself falling in love with the one man she had detested. Elizabeth is a clear image of how Jane Austen wishes she had been instead of letting other people control her own life.
"Jane Austen Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
7. Pride and Prejudice
"'To be sure...Little Theatre...was open'"(296).
It is a rather curious thought that Jane Austen included the Little Theatre within her novel. It was a rather popular theater up to 1737 when the License Act was established. The License Act "require[d] that all theaters either hold a royal patent or receive a special licence from the Lord Chamberlain, and that new plays for which admission was to be charged were submitted to the Lord Chamberlain in advance two weeks before performance" (The Literary Encyclopedia). The government wanted to cut back on plays that criticized the government and led others to believe false or true accusations. From Jane Austen including this factual building into her novel, it clarifies the theme of fake and materialistic people, which can be clearly found in the Bennet household, particularly with the mother, Mrs. Bennet.
Editors. "Stage Licensing Act." The Literary Encyclopedia. 14 March 2010. 25 March 2004. www.litencyc.com/php/stopics?rec=true&UID=1115
Saturday, March 13, 2010
8. Pride and Prejudice
"'The engagement...we planned the union...by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family!...destined for his cousin?'" (329).
This quote clearly represents something that Jane Austen herself endured when she fell in love for the first time in her life. She was not allowed to be with the boy, Tom Lefroy. They had met and established a meaningful close relationship, however neither of their families saw it as something worth going after. Lefroy's family ended up "intervening and sen[ding] Tom away" (Jane Austen Biography). The scenario that happens is similar to that of Jane Austen's own life experience. She is living through both her character's, Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. She is doing this most likely to demonstrate the pain she felt and the truth about what she has had to endure. Austen also may have included her views on this to demonstrate what she wished had happened in the end. She let the world see the direction in which she wanted life to travel.
"Jane Austen Biography." Jane Austen.org. 14 March 2010. 2010. http://janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.asp
6. Pride and Prejudice
"'How despicably I have acted...I never knew myself'" (196).
After all of the quotes on vanity, pride, and prejudice behavior, the true realization of a mistake is portrayed within Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen represents this truth perfectly. That truth would be that one does not realize their true behavior or how they continue time after time until something smacks them square in the face. It does not change them until they are the ones who have ended up hurt and embarrassed. When that happens, their pride is hurt and their prejudice thoughts are exposed. It is a vicious cycle and Jane Austen clearly explains how it all happens and how the outcomes can be. Austen may have come by this truth when she was in love with a boy, but after his family did not approve, her family did nothing to help them be together either. They eventually got separated and Jane Austen's story is a lot like the character Jane in her novel, however, she added a twist to her story in the respect that Mr. Bingley does come back because of true love. This story is half of Jane Austen's life and the other half is that of what she wished had happened and what she would have learned had it all happened.
"Jane Austen Biography." Jane Austen.org. 13 March 2010. 2008-2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography-page-1.asp
After all of the quotes on vanity, pride, and prejudice behavior, the true realization of a mistake is portrayed within Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen represents this truth perfectly. That truth would be that one does not realize their true behavior or how they continue time after time until something smacks them square in the face. It does not change them until they are the ones who have ended up hurt and embarrassed. When that happens, their pride is hurt and their prejudice thoughts are exposed. It is a vicious cycle and Jane Austen clearly explains how it all happens and how the outcomes can be. Austen may have come by this truth when she was in love with a boy, but after his family did not approve, her family did nothing to help them be together either. They eventually got separated and Jane Austen's story is a lot like the character Jane in her novel, however, she added a twist to her story in the respect that Mr. Bingley does come back because of true love. This story is half of Jane Austen's life and the other half is that of what she wished had happened and what she would have learned had it all happened.
"Jane Austen Biography." Jane Austen.org. 13 March 2010. 2008-2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography-page-1.asp
5. Pride and Prejudice
"About a year ago...Ramsgate...to consent to an elopement" (190).
Jane Austen uses the reference of Ramsgate within Mr. Darcy's letter to Elizabeth when he replies back to Elizabeth's accusations. Jane Austen used the reference to Ramsgate because it is an actual place and in writing from reality it lets the reader relate better to what is being said and they are also able to imagine the actual place within their minds. The relation between fiction and reality become intertwined, which causes a book to become more realistic and believable to the readers.
"Ramsgate." The World in Photos. 13 March 2010. 2006-2010.
http://www.theworldinphotos.info/29-0-0-info-ramsgate.html
Jane Austen uses the reference of Ramsgate within Mr. Darcy's letter to Elizabeth when he replies back to Elizabeth's accusations. Jane Austen used the reference to Ramsgate because it is an actual place and in writing from reality it lets the reader relate better to what is being said and they are also able to imagine the actual place within their minds. The relation between fiction and reality become intertwined, which causes a book to become more realistic and believable to the readers.
"Ramsgate." The World in Photos. 13 March 2010. 2006-2010.
http://www.theworldinphotos.info/29-0-0-info-ramsgate.html
4. Pride and Prejudice
"'We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to prosperity with all the eclat of a proverb'"(89).
This quote written by Mary Shelley represents the truth that humans want fame and to be recognized as wise creatures or ones that are wiser than the rest. Through the desire of wanting this selfish recognition, one holds thoughts inside their mind so that they may either hold back lame remarks, or later say something brilliant. This book speaks of shallow behavior throughout its entirety and by having this quote it just, again, explains how people are thinking throughout the book.
This quote written by Mary Shelley represents the truth that humans want fame and to be recognized as wise creatures or ones that are wiser than the rest. Through the desire of wanting this selfish recognition, one holds thoughts inside their mind so that they may either hold back lame remarks, or later say something brilliant. This book speaks of shallow behavior throughout its entirety and by having this quote it just, again, explains how people are thinking throughout the book.
3. Pride and Prejudice
"'Pride,' observed Mary...'is a very common failing, I believe...Vanity and pride are different things...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'"(21).
Jane Austen included this line in her book, Pride and Prejudice, to set the tone for the rest of the novel. Austen has Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy making false accusations at one another because they are trying to portray themselves as something they are not. By behaving in a false manner, they ended up pushing each other away. After they discovered the truth about each other, they were then brought back together because their pride and vanity no longer mattered. The statement of pride and vanity are demonstrated throughout the entire novel, so by having this quote near the beginning of the novel, it helped the reader to comprehend the hidden messages of what was really going on throughout the book.
Jane Austen included this line in her book, Pride and Prejudice, to set the tone for the rest of the novel. Austen has Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy making false accusations at one another because they are trying to portray themselves as something they are not. By behaving in a false manner, they ended up pushing each other away. After they discovered the truth about each other, they were then brought back together because their pride and vanity no longer mattered. The statement of pride and vanity are demonstrated throughout the entire novel, so by having this quote near the beginning of the novel, it helped the reader to comprehend the hidden messages of what was really going on throughout the book.
2. Pride and Prejudice
"'They have none of them...they are all silly and ignorant like other girls...quickness than her sisters'" (7).
Jane Austen included this line of "they are silly and ignorant like other girls" for a specific purpose. She realizes that girls, before they are put out into reality are naive and too trusting for their own good. From speaking straightforward like this, it is apparent that this realization has the possibility of coming out of her own experiences in life. Austen and her character, Jane portray the same storylines and the similarity can only mean that Jane Austen made them similar on purpose. Austen also created the character of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is an exceptional character, but can be viewed as someone Jane Austen wishes she were more like. She is forward and never too trusting, the opposite of Jane Austen's character of Jane.
"Jane Austen Biography." Jane Austen. org. 13 March 2010. 2008-2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography-page-1.asp
Jane Austen included this line of "they are silly and ignorant like other girls" for a specific purpose. She realizes that girls, before they are put out into reality are naive and too trusting for their own good. From speaking straightforward like this, it is apparent that this realization has the possibility of coming out of her own experiences in life. Austen and her character, Jane portray the same storylines and the similarity can only mean that Jane Austen made them similar on purpose. Austen also created the character of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is an exceptional character, but can be viewed as someone Jane Austen wishes she were more like. She is forward and never too trusting, the opposite of Jane Austen's character of Jane.
"Jane Austen Biography." Jane Austen. org. 13 March 2010. 2008-2010.
http://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography-page-1.asp
1. Pride and Prejudice
"'Why, my dear...to take possession before Michaelmas...end of next week'"(1).
"Michaelmas" is also known as the Feast of St. Michael, who is a famous archangel. St. Michael was called upon by the "popes as the special protector of the church whenever great evils threatened God's people" (Perrotta). Jane Austen may have included the reference to St. Michael to portray Mr. Bingley as a person who had the potential to save the family's appearance and money issues. He possessed a lot of money and if he fell for one of the Bennet ladies, they would no longer have to worry about how their daughters will make it out in the world after their parents have passed away. Also, by having Mr. Bingley use Michaelmas as a reference of time, it allows the reader to know what season it is in the book and it also gives the reader the feeling that Mr. Bingley is a religious man. Most people assume that when a person is religious, they are good and righteous, so right away it sheds a light onto Mr. Bingley's persona.
Perrotta, Andrew. "The Feast of St. Michael's." 13 March 2010. 2006.
Photo Credit:
Kenward, Bob. "Archive for November 2009." Prepare for Mass. 13 March 2010. 30 November 2009.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)