Expeditiously Tying Up Loose Ends 101: With Jane Austen

"With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate terms. Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them." (Chapter 61, the last chapter, the last lines)

I finished the last chapters last night, and so, with this post, I am officially done Pride and Prejudice. The chapters in P&P get literally longer the further in the book you go, not because you are anxious for it to be done, but because they go from being 2-3 pages at the beginning, to 8-10 at the end. It felt like I was not making progress for a while. I am on schedule for reading though. I wanted to be starting my third Austen novel during the last week of March, so I am in good time. Mansfield Park is up next.

I like the last few chapters of Pride and Prejudice. Austen is really good at expeditiously tying up loose ends, while still making it all seem calming. Read the novel, and I am sure you will see what I mean. In English class in the past semesters, we have discussed how there is a sense of katharis, or a release of pent up emotion, followed by relaxation, at the end of a conflict. This is true of the last couple chapters of P&P. I especially like the way that she describes Kitty's ending. After the marriages of Elizabeth and Jane, Kitty spends most of her time visiting one sister or another. Between the two of them, Lizzy and Jane are able to council Kitty in being a gentlewoman. She becomes a sister they can be proud of. I wish that this could be shown in some of the movie adaptations. You always kind of wonder what will happen to Kitty, because she was often at a disadvantage, and lacked the charm and finesse of her older sisters.

Speaking of movie adaptations, I did say that I would comment on my favourites. My favourite, by far, is the A&E version starring Jennifer Ehle and Collin Firth. They follow the original story line so well, and do an amazing job of developing characters. The recent "Keira Knightly version" does do an excellent job of condensing the book down into a feature length film, and several of the scenes are genius, filled with chuckle-worthy script. However, because it is shorter, I do not see the character development that is so clear in the A&E version. For example, in the new version, I find Elizabeth's character to be more sarcastic, and less loving, than the Lizzy I see in the book. Also, I do not see a huge change in the personality of Darcy from the beginning to the end. He does several good things, but I do not see a big change in him. While the Knightly one has its positives, I do not think that it lends that "classical" air that the novel seems to exude. Maybe Austen would have preferred the humorous side of the Knightly version, but I suppose we will never know.

As for other adaptations of P&P, I have seen the black and white version starring Greer Garson as Elizabeth. It was odd, to be perfectly honest. The costumes were weird, the time period was odd, and don't get me started about the plot. There is a HUGE plot twist near the end that turns bad characters into good ones at a moments notice. I disliked it so much, and startled my mother by throwing a knitting needle across the room in anger and astonishment! I encourage all Austen fans to watch it though; it becomes a nice scapegoat for all misinterpretations of Austen!

Well, here ends my account of Pride and Prejudice. I sure that there is much more I could add to this post, but nothing is coming to mind, so I suppose for now, I will call it a day. Tomorrow, I will travel to the estate of Mansfield Park. What scandals await us there, I wonder?.....

Disposition and Talents

"Elizabeth received her congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this folly, took refuge in her own room, that she might think with freedom." (Chapter 49)

We now come to the part of the novel when the romance of Darcy and Elizabeth begins to blossom. "It was evident that she was much better aquainted with Mr Darcy than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. " (Chapter 44) I know that I commented earlier on the wholesomeness of Jane Austen, and how her plot lines do have elements of realism, but who does not like a good piece of romance? Jane Austen does romance well and though it was written nearly 200 years ago, it has elements of truth today. For example, Pride and Prejudice is about a woman who has an annoying family, a strong conscience, and love interest. So yes, I would argue, Jane Austen never goes out of style.

Alright, back from that rabbit trail.... Darcy and Elizabeth begin to see the merit in each other before the shocking blow of Lydia's disgrace. I mean, I feel really sorry for the two of them. Find interest in the other, and then wham! All your hopes down the drain. I understand that it is difficult to fully understand why Elizabeth would believe that Darcy would no longer pay attention to her after Lydia elopes, but it had large cultural implications. Back then, men and women living together unmarried was completely unheard of. It is still wrong today, but is becoming more socially acceptable. If you consider how unacceptable it was only 50 years ago, imagine 200 years ago. This was a big deal. It is a big step for Darcy to completely disregard Elizabeth's connection with her sister, because he is a very wealthy and important man. You must understand that many people would have disliked any connection with her, and the names Bennet and Wickham would have been "tainted' for years to come. Elizabeth feels this disgrace with Lydia keenly, because she believes that it has injured all future hopes of marriage for her, and her remaining sisters; not to mention that she believes she has lost Darcy. Her more sensitive side can be seen when she bemoans this to herself: "She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been happy with him; when it was no longer likely they should meet..... She now began to comprehend that he was exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes."(Chapter 50) I can just feel her pain. Austen emphasises not only the scandalousness of Lydia's choice, but the personal impact that it has on Elizabeth. Imagine the despair of loosing one she loves because of a bratty 16 year-old sister. Yes, Lydia is 16.

I am awed by Lizzy's grace though. She has every right to be angry at her sister, but it is actually her and Jane who convince their father that Lydia and Wickham should visit Longbourn before they depart for the North; even knowing that it will be awkward and tense. "But Jane and Elizabeth, who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister's feelings and consequence, that she should be noticed on her marriage by her parents." (Chapter 50) Lizzy has incerdible fortitude considering that she has a very annoying family, and three annoying sisters. Thank heavens for Jane.

Chapter 52 of 61. Almost there. Hopefully I will finish tonight.

A Distinction Among her Companions

“Mr Collins was to attend them, at the request of Mr Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for thither Mr Collins had followed him after breakfast, and there he would continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mr Bennet, with little cessation, of his house and garden at Huntsford. Such doings discomposed Mr Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been always sure of leisure and tranquility; and though prepared, as he told Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit in every other room in the house, he was used to be free from them there." (Chapter 15)

I love this quotation, because, like most of the excellent quotations in Pride and Prejudice, it is about/from Mr Bennet. He ranks in my top three characters from the novel. The dialogue is always funny, and rarely serious.

I recently read an article on AustenBlog, about whether or not reading Austen makes us better people. Some said that we learn about other cultures/eras. Others said that we are exposed to a contrast between good morals and bad, and we find ourselves rooting for the moral in the novels. I think that the second is true. We women are constantly exposed in her novels to strong, upright, heroines. These ladies have overcome adversity, hardship, and heartache, and end up happy at the end. Even though everything turns out well for these women, I do not think that it is unrealistic. There is still disappointment, and not everything works out perfectly. The virtue of these women is that they are happy despite the imperfections. A character in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest says: "The good ended happily, and the bad unhappy. That is what fiction means." This is certainly true of Austen.

Jane herself voiced her belief in speaking truth and honour in a quotation from P&P. Elizabeth tells Mr Darcy, "I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can." (Chapter 11) I think that Austen left behind a little of herself in all of her heroines, and so I have to wonder whether this aspect, and indeed how many others, are actually Austen herself. Jane may have mocked many things, but she greatly valued good character and thought.

All this pondering on the character of Jane Austen lead me to wonder what she would think of my blog. Would she think my vocabulary small, my grammar horrid, and my tone crass? Would she scold me for my interpretations of her novels? Would she tell me to stop analyzing her work, and go write my own novel? I wonder....

While we are talking of wholesome values, I should take the time to discuss the book that Mr Collins chooses to read aloud to the Bennet sisters during his first visit. Fordyce's Sermons. I had heard this mentioned many times in Pride and Prejudice, and in Regency circles at large, that I decided to go take a look at them. I found them to be interesting, and still relevant to the struggles of women today. It talks about modesty, propriety, and being an upright, respectable, women in society. I have not read his addresses to young men, for obvious reasons, but I am sure that they are also excellent. Here is a link:http://books.google.ca/ebooks?id=XyBIAAAAMAAJ

Before end the post, I think that I should add in a few of the other wonderful quotations that I have found while reading; I promise only a few!

“Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions.” (Chapter 24) This is another of those great quotations from Mr Bennet.

“To Catherine and Lydia, neither the letter nor its writer were in any degree interesting. It was next to impossible that their cousin should come in a scarlet coat, and it was now some weeks since they has received pleasure from the society of a man in any other colour.” (Chapter 13)

This last one I really like. Kitty(Catherine) and Lydia are so fascinated with the militia quartered in Meryton, that they refuse to be interested in any other type of man. Kind of the equivalent of modern day puck-bunnies. As you can see from these quotations, the dialogue and the narration are equally wonderful!

Something More Substantial

" 'All this she must possess,' added Darcy, 'and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.' " (Chapter 8)

I am now ten chapters into Pride and Prejudice, and it is good to know that Mr. Darcy would approve a venture to read such vast amounts of literature. I figured that since I am now well established in the novel, I should provide a bit of an introduction to the next work. But before I do, here is another delightful quote to get you acquainted with the style of the book.

"In a few days Mr Bingley returned Mr Bennet's visit, and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose beauty he had heard much; but he only saw the father. The ladies were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper window, that he wore a blue coat and road a black horse." (Chapter 3)

Pride and Prejudice is was published in 1813, and is generally regarded as the most popular or well known of Jane Austen's major works. It was originally titled First Impressions, a title that fit the novel well, but the name did not suite the publisher, and it was re-titled. It is an ironic novel that mocks and celebrates the intricacies of 19th century British culture. This novel not only gives the modern reader a good batch of romance, but also serves as an excellent picture of Regency lifestyle. To fully appreciate it, you must begin reading it with the understanding that it was written to be humorous and satirical.

It follows the life of the Bennet family, and while it has its deeper scenes, is generally a light-hearted book. The Bennets have five unwed daughters, and because their estate is entailed to a male cousin, there is tremendous pressure on Mrs Bennet's part to see all of her girls well married. The book also unfolds the romance of the mysterious and famous Mr Darcy and the witty heroine, Elizabeth Bennet. The text is very quotable, and features more dialogue than say, Sense and Sensibility. I want to share so many quotations, because every other phrase is worthy of its own blog post. For your convenience, and my sanity, I will refrain from such an endeavor.

One of the most famous Jane Austen quotations comes from the opening lines of Pride and Prejudice. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." (Chapter 1) This quotation is often parodied by Janeites and scholars alike. Since I am taking the time to blog about all her novels, I figure that I am qualified to give it a go: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl, without the possession of a large fortune, might be enticed to read vast amounts of classical English literature. " (Julia de Boer, Reading Through Austen, 2011 !)

I am finding that in rereading familiar scenes, new, witty insight can be found. For example, while reading this time, I am have been flipping to the back of the book to read the footnotes. One in particular caught my attention. In this chapter, Elizabeth, Mr Darcy, Mrs Hurst, and Miss Bingley are out walking on the Netherfield estate. The two other women cut Elizabeth off, leaving no room for her to walk with them on the path. Although Mr Darcy amiably offers to switch to a larger path, she does not find enjoyment in their company, and decides to return to the great house. She says, " ' No, no; stay where you are. - You are charmingly group'd and appear to uncommon advantage. The picturesque would be spoilt by admitting a fourth. Goodbye.' " (Chapter 10) It turns out that "admitting a fourth" refers to an article published by an artist of the time, named Gilpin. The article explained how to picturesquely draw cattle in a field, and said that three was the ideal number, but that by adding a fourth, or subtracting one, the effect would be lost. It can be assumed that Elizabeth knew of this, and therefore, indirectly called all of them cows! They were likely affronted. But imagine a society where, in referencing an artist, one could call a group of the aristocracy a bunch of cows. I find the wit of Jane Austen amusing, and I wish that I could have met her.