Those are some of the most famous words in Austen, and certainly the most well known lines of Darcy's first proposal of marriage. I just thought that they should make their way into one of the posts.
Most of today's post focuses on Chapter 36. If you are unfimiliar with this chapter, or wish to refresh it in your memory, here is a link to an audiobook on youtube for this chapter, that I have taken the liberty of finding. Elizabeth has just received a letter from Mr Darcy, describing his account of Bingley's relationship with Jane, and his past with Mr Wickham.
This chapter seems to be a turning point for her. We see a lot of growth in Elizabeth's character. Three things stand out in this chapter; her sadness over Wickham's true character, her determination to understand the truth before judgement, and her decision to respect the privacy of Darcy despite the personal taxation of the information he had given her. When she hears of Wickham's true nature, she makes sure to read the letter again, to make sure that she is recalling her own time with him, and is not relying fully on Fitzwilliam Darcy's information. "She put down the letter, weighed every circumstance with what she meant to be impartiality - deliberated on the probability of each statement - but with little success."( Chapter 36) She also, "tried to recollect some instance of goodness, some distinguished trait of integrity or benevolence, that might rescue him from the attacks of Mr Darcy." She also sees the disaster that follows when many people know something that was meant to be kept quiet. She, in other words, learns now the value of secret keeping.
There are many traits in Elizabeth Bennet that I wish could be developed more quickly in my own personality. She is now thoughtful, seeks truth, and understands the delicacy of time and fortitude. I think that I have aspects of these things, but I want MORE! This chapter, if nothing else, is a testament to the deeper side of Austen's writings. Her works revolves around women meeting their ideal man, but they learn many valuable lessons along the way. This chapter also shows the reality that we often learn the most through suffering and hardship. It may be romance, but it has elements of realism.
I am more than 2/3 of the way done P&P. I am enjoying re-reading familiar scenes, and seeing them more widely. My two female cousins, who are around my age, are up for the weekend. They are both Austen fans, and I have enjoyed having them around to discuss these things. Last night, we took turns reading aloud from the place I am in P&P, because I needed to read before lights out, and we might as well read it aloud! We read nearly 3 chapters. However, some of those long words become really unintelligible around 11:30, 12:00am.
In the near future, I hope to do the inevitable post on my preferences regarding movie adaptations of this book. Please withhold your opinions until I have had a chance to state mine.
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