Hi there, book club members!
It's that time again. Can you believe February is almost over? Here are some questions to get us started on our discussion of this month's book, Pride and Prejudice.
1. Elizabeth Bennet says, ". . . people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever."
Do any of the characters in the book change substantially? Or do they, as Elizabeth says of Darcy, "in essentials" remain much as they ever were?
2. Elizabeth is furious with Darcy for breaking up the match between Jane and Mr. Bingley. Although he initially defends himself, she changes his mind. Later when Lady Catherine attempts to interfere in his own courtship, he describes this as unjustifiable.
Should people tell a friend if they think they're about to make a big mistake romantically?
3. What are your feelings about Mr. Bennet? Is he a good father? A good husband? A good man?
4. Darcy says that one of Wickham's motivations in his attempted elopement with Georgiana was revenge. What motivations might he have had for running off with Lydia? (Besides the obvious. . .)
5. Was Charlotte Lucas right to marry Reverend Collins?
6. You would be hard pressed to find a person who has read Pride and Prejudice and doesn't want Elizabeth and Darcy to end up together at the end. If they were a couple in real life, rather than a novel, do you think they would have a strong, healthy marriage? Why or why not?
(Questions partially taken from www.readinggroupguides.com)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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I am now a fan of Jane Austen as a writer. It took me years to become a fan of her movies, but after reading this book I am totally a fan of her writings. I have to admit that I did pull almost an all nighter to finish the book, because I had let myself fall a little behind my speed. This was a great choice for this month, I can't wait for "North Anger Abby" in October.
ReplyDelete1. I think that some of the characters do change a little bit, but not much. I think the changing that we kind of see is Elizabeth and Darcy. Because her mother and sisters and father pretty much stay as we have met them.
2. I think they should, God only knows I have tried before. But I also think that if you are going to stick your nose in there, you must take the time to get to know them and not just on first impressions only.
3. Mr. Bennet I think is a good father and husband but I think he is tired of trying to fight his daughters and his wife. He's a man in a world of women. My sister and I know one guy that has four daughters and has resigned to just saying yes to them and his wife, and doesn't really fight them. But He is still a great father and husband and man.
4. That is an excellent question, to which I don't know how to answer. Unless he knows Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth and knew that Lydia was naive about everything and knew he could get to Darcy through Lydia and Elizabeth.
5. LOL, I love how you call him Reverend Collins. Mr. Collins is an odd duck, and needs someone with patience who can deal with him. Charlotte wasn't an idealist on love, I kind of feel bad for her in the fact that she had no other interests and that she felt like she had to settle. But you know with some people love develops over time, so if she felt like this was her one and only chance, then I don't think it was right. But in that society and in those days, women didn't have much to look forward to other than marriage.
6. I think so, because they would keep each other in check.
I'm not even sure how many times I've read Pride and Prejudice over the years. I love Jane Austen in general, and P & P is no exception. I've found that as I've gotten older, I see things I never saw before in her work. It's fun to go back and reread these books that I loved growing up.
ReplyDelete1. Elizabeth and Darcy both change quite a bit. Their characters aren't altered, but their world view is definitely shifted as they learn what it means to set their own preconceived ideas aside, and truly come to know someone else on a heart level.
2. "Love is blind" is a famous saying for a reason. People in love often willingly overlook the bad in someone, or in a situation, because "All You Need is Love", right? An outside opinion from a trusted friend or family member is sometimes necessary to prevent a horrible mistake. However, in the end, each person is responsible for their own life decisions. I can't make someone's mind up for them. Forcing someone else in the direction you want them to go is often results in them doing exactly the opposite of what you want them to. Use interference with caution.
3. I don't think Mr. Bennett is necessarily a bad father. I think he's given up trying, which can be worse. He's an absent figure in the life of his three younger daughters, and his wife. He really only seems to care about Lizzy and Jane. Otherwise, he just kind of mentally checks out and hides in his library. But no, he's not a bad man.
4. I think the obvious is really the answer to this question. He was looking for a good time, and was basically forced into marrying Lydia by Darcy. I don't think he ever would have married her if Darcy hadn't come along. She would have been a ruined woman at 15, and he would have disappeared.
5. I think Charlotte did what she felt she had to do. We can all look at Mr. Collins and think, "Ew, how could she?!" But consider the time she lived in. She was already 27, she had many brothers and sisters, and if she had ended up an old maid, she would have been a huge burden on her family. She secured a future for herself. I'll be 27 in June, and I have the luxury of earning my own living and holding out for the right man. Charlotte didn't have that option.
6. I think Lizzy and Darcy had been through a lot together already, and knew each other well before they even became engaged. I think their personalities were very compatible. It's pretty obvious they were made for each other. :)
Ohh the loveliness of Miss Austen! I have also come to truly love her works, in print and in film. I never read the books when I was younger, unfortunately - I watched the adapted films first. I now realize how much better the books are than the films - and that's surprising, because the films are very well-done - but isn't that usually the case with books vs films? :) Anyway, P&P has become my favourite of hers, apart from the wonderful Persuasion. I had read it once before this, but upon re-reading it, as Jodi said as well, I found so many new things that made me like it even more! To me, it is one of the best love stories ever written. So true and real.
ReplyDelete1. I think that the main characters do alter significantly, but only in their perspectives and opinions, rather than in essentials. On greater acquaintance with people and situations, they are strong enough to give up their prejudices - they're not obstinate, which is a sign of their good characters. As far as I can see, the other characters don't go through much change in the book. They seem to remain as they ever were. ;)
2. Here again, I tend to agree with you two :) I feel that love can definitely be blind and I think a close family member or close and trusted friend could be right, upon very careful consideration, to at least discuss their concerns with their friend if they really believe they are making a mistake, but to have a full respect for their friend and to leave the final decision up to them. This usually helps to bring the person 'down to earth' and opens their eyes a bit more anyway, so they can soundly make the final decision. Lady Catherine had been extremely direct and forceful in her objections, which can make matters worse right away. Haha crazy woman!
3. I tend to really like Mr Bennett. :) I also think he has just given up on getting much involved in the lives of all the women in his family, rather than being a bad father. I think he's a good man - he does seem to want the best for his family and is kind and intelligent - but he also appears to be slightly influenced by his wife in some unfortunate ways. He can sometimes be thoughtless, but he means well. As a father, I think he could be a bit more present, but I think he does his best under the circumstances, bless him ;)
4. I'm not entirely sure either, but I thought the same thing that Courtney mentioned - the possibility that Wickham was conscious of Darcy's attachments to Elizabeth and thought that by running away with her sister, it would help to ruin both their reputations and thus avenge them both. Also, he might have wanted to be impulsive after losing Elizabeth's affections (especially to Darcy!) and couldn't find anyone more silly, flirtatious and ready for such a thing than Lydia. Haha I really don't know.
5. I agree completely that she felt that she must marry Collins. I think she felt that he was the best she could do at the time and he was tolerable to live with - she was comfortable. Whether she was 'right' in this decision or not, I can't say. I mean, I think that under the circumstances, she made the right choice, but I can't help feeling sad for her, for those kind of women in general. I like to think she even secretly wanted to benefit Elizabeth's family in the process - even though she's not actually part of their family, she might have felt that it would be nice for their family to have someone close to them live in their house when their father died. :)
6. Ooo I think so! Even after thinking about it logically, I still think they would make a great married couple in the real world. I mean, they're so compatible and they would complement each other and balance each other out very well. They seemed to have a very true and pure relationship in the end - they knew each other better than anyone else and still adored each other - they admired each other's characters. :) I love this couple!
1. I'm still not sure if its a complete change or just a better understanding of each other.
ReplyDelete2. Totally agree Taylor! Jodi, a lot of that takes time and age. But completely true.
3. I just feel bad for the guy, lol.
4. Yeah I don't believe he would have married her if it hadn't been for Darcy
5. Again I feel bad/sorry for Charlotte.
6. Me TOO, Taylor!