Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
December 17, 2009
The Crucible Characterization
Abigail Williams
Abigail Williams is a treacherous young woman whose appearance as the word of God conceals her devilish nature.
As she is first introduced, Abigail is beautiful with a knack of dissembling which summarizes her ability to flaunt herself and tear things apart very well. Her strong personality and overbearing pride is what allows her to bend other young women to her will. Other girls are not the only people she bends to her will; using her overwhelming beauty to lead John Proctor to adultery. In fact, this is her beginning motive for all of the “witch” non-sense. Abigail wishes so much to be with John that she will do anything to be with him: “You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!”(Miller 24). Following his rejection, Abigail seeks her revenge and begins accusing Proctor’s wife Elizabeth of witchcraft: “She thinks to dance with [Proctor] on [his] wife’s grave!” (110). The power continues to go to Abigail’s head which leads her to accuse more and more people of witchcraft: “A wind, a cold wind, has come. Her eyes fall on Mary Warren” (108).
Abigail Williams is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. From the start, she a conniving and sly, but is unable to steal her prize--John Proctor's heart. She disguises herself as a holy follower of God, like the rest of the townsfolk, to deceive them. She walks among them, appearing like the exact opposite of what she is: innocent and pure when she is really vile and deceitful. Abigail is forever on the prowl and trying to get to Proctor. Keeping with her facade, she lashes out at other villagers in an attempt to secure John for herself.
A modern day parallel would be from the movie Coraline. In Coraline, Coraline meets her ‘other-mother’ who treats her in just the way Coraline wishes. The other-mother seems to be a great find from wonderful turn of events; however this is a gross misnomer. In the end, it is revealed that all the other-mother is after is Coraline’s eyes.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Crucible Apology Letter
December 18, 1698
Dear Elizabeth,
I know that as you are reading this right now, you are ready to counter and criticize everything I am about to say. But I beg you to open your heart and listen to what I have to say. I am not writing to defend myself or justify my actions; I only wish to apologize. I was stupid all those years ago, when I made John commit lechery. Then I sent all those people to their deaths, by my corrupt, childish vengeance. I find it hard every day to pull myself from my covers, and live with what I have done.
You have no need to punish me (though I do not blame you if it is your desire), I am already destined for Hell. No matter what I do, no matter how I change now, there is no way I can change what I did or who I was then. The demons of what I did, not only to you, John, and the townspeople, but my friends as well will haunt me for eternity. I twisted girls of a young age to become as demented as I was; how many of them will have further troubled lives because of what I did? I am still continually tormented by the extreme immaturity of my actions. I have affected so many people lives, all through one single temptation of the flesh.
I know you were angry at John, but if there was one favor I could ever ask, it is thus: Do not blame, or even be upset with John. The lechery was not even his doing! In actuality, I pressed him harder than he pressed me. I approached him and forced myself onto him, rather than the feeling being mutual. The entire ordeal was my fault, I beg for forgiveness, not for me, but for John. I lied, and by doing this I hurt someone I actually cared about.
I believe that what perhaps hurts me above all of this, is the fact that I abused a gift from God. God bestowed me with radiant beauty, a wonderful gift meant to bring joy to others, but instead I used it for personal gain. Oh how I will burn!
I do not deserve absolution for what I have done, but all I desire is that you know my sincerely apology.
Genuinely apologetic,
Abigail Williams
P.S. - I lied. Everything you just read was an out-right fallacy. I am happy that I got so many people involved; I am proud that I sent so many people to the gallows; I am exuberant that I was able to manipulate people with my beauty. Especially John. Oh, and I did not press him, he pressed me. He wanted it, he liked it. He told me that you were so frigid, he needed me! Do not think that this is the end, Elizabeth. Oh no, I have not yet finished my job. I got John, now it’s time to the rest of your family, starting with your children. See you again soon.
Dear Elizabeth,
I know that as you are reading this right now, you are ready to counter and criticize everything I am about to say. But I beg you to open your heart and listen to what I have to say. I am not writing to defend myself or justify my actions; I only wish to apologize. I was stupid all those years ago, when I made John commit lechery. Then I sent all those people to their deaths, by my corrupt, childish vengeance. I find it hard every day to pull myself from my covers, and live with what I have done.
You have no need to punish me (though I do not blame you if it is your desire), I am already destined for Hell. No matter what I do, no matter how I change now, there is no way I can change what I did or who I was then. The demons of what I did, not only to you, John, and the townspeople, but my friends as well will haunt me for eternity. I twisted girls of a young age to become as demented as I was; how many of them will have further troubled lives because of what I did? I am still continually tormented by the extreme immaturity of my actions. I have affected so many people lives, all through one single temptation of the flesh.
I know you were angry at John, but if there was one favor I could ever ask, it is thus: Do not blame, or even be upset with John. The lechery was not even his doing! In actuality, I pressed him harder than he pressed me. I approached him and forced myself onto him, rather than the feeling being mutual. The entire ordeal was my fault, I beg for forgiveness, not for me, but for John. I lied, and by doing this I hurt someone I actually cared about.
I believe that what perhaps hurts me above all of this, is the fact that I abused a gift from God. God bestowed me with radiant beauty, a wonderful gift meant to bring joy to others, but instead I used it for personal gain. Oh how I will burn!
I do not deserve absolution for what I have done, but all I desire is that you know my sincerely apology.
Genuinely apologetic,
Abigail Williams
P.S. - I lied. Everything you just read was an out-right fallacy. I am happy that I got so many people involved; I am proud that I sent so many people to the gallows; I am exuberant that I was able to manipulate people with my beauty. Especially John. Oh, and I did not press him, he pressed me. He wanted it, he liked it. He told me that you were so frigid, he needed me! Do not think that this is the end, Elizabeth. Oh no, I have not yet finished my job. I got John, now it’s time to the rest of your family, starting with your children. See you again soon.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Pride and Prejudice Assignment 2
Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
December 3, 2009
Pride and Prejudice- Assignment #2
Lady Catherine as a Critiquing Point
In the most obvious sense, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was a critique on the absurdity of the class system. She demonstrates this through a multitude of ways, but namely one of the most hated characters in the novel. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the deserving antagonist of the novel largely because of her disposition towards those of lower classes; Lady Catherine is a snobbish, haughty heiress obsessed with the class system. Although Lady Catherine is not the only character of such a high class (Mr. Darcy is practically of equal status), by using an easily-detestable character, the negative points are more easily accepted. Lady Catherine is used because of her stereotypical nature and her contrast to Mr. Darcy. By using a highly undesirable character to personify the class system, Austen establishes her critique with a more substantial impact than if she used a likable character such as Mr. Darcy.
Lady Catherine is the most bothersome, disagreeable character, which is why she is a perfect representation for the critiques of high society. Lady Catherine is a prejudice elitist who lacks manners and a legitimate reason for her status beside marriage, yet “whatever she said, was spoken in [an] authoritative […] tone, [which] marked her self-importance”(Austen 125). Here, Austen demonstrates her first few problems with upper class citizens. Firstly, towards those of the lower class, they are intensely rude no matter what kind of person they are. Secondly, they are aware of their status, and take pride in the ability to flaunt it. Thirdly, they throw their status around so as to strike fear into the hearts of the lower class. However, these are not the only ways in which Austen reveals the flaws in high class society; she also does this through juxtaposition.
Another upper class citizen would be Lady Catherine’s nephew Fitzwilliam Darcy; although related, Darcy is acts nothing like her. Darcy realizes any proud faults he has: “I was spoilt by my parents who…allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing” (282). By placing these two in the same class (nonetheless the same family), Austen not only continues her critiques, but stays away from attacking the entire class. By critiquing the entire class, Austen would be stereotyping because not everyone in upper class is like Lady Catherine. This is Darcy’s job; by introducing him in the story, Austen demonstrates that her critiques do not apply to everyone, only those who are guilty of what she expresses.
The critiques of the upper class can be listed as such: pride in and awareness of social status, stereotyping lower class, ill-will towards that lower class, and lack of legitimacy in their deserving to be in their position; Lady Catherine is the perfect personification of all of these. Austen uses a high class character that is abhorred by the reader- Lady Catherine-opposed to a high class character than can be adored by them- Mr. Darcy- so as to more evidently bring to light the upper class’s flaws. When Austen exposes Lady Catherine’s flaws, there are no doubts in any reader’s mind that she is guilty and deserves judgment, whereas if she were to use Mr. Darcy, there would be some second thoughts. Such use is a clever way to ensure that Austen’s commentary is clearly received, understood, and accepted. In addition, by introducing Mr. Darcy as Lady Catherine’s nephew, Austen authenticates her knowledge that not everyone in upper class is deserving of these criticisms. This use refutes the argument of stereotyping against her point. Both of these literary devices allow an insightful and definitive assessment of the flaws in that of the upper class elitists.
AP English 11
December 3, 2009
Pride and Prejudice- Assignment #2
Lady Catherine as a Critiquing Point
In the most obvious sense, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was a critique on the absurdity of the class system. She demonstrates this through a multitude of ways, but namely one of the most hated characters in the novel. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the deserving antagonist of the novel largely because of her disposition towards those of lower classes; Lady Catherine is a snobbish, haughty heiress obsessed with the class system. Although Lady Catherine is not the only character of such a high class (Mr. Darcy is practically of equal status), by using an easily-detestable character, the negative points are more easily accepted. Lady Catherine is used because of her stereotypical nature and her contrast to Mr. Darcy. By using a highly undesirable character to personify the class system, Austen establishes her critique with a more substantial impact than if she used a likable character such as Mr. Darcy.
Lady Catherine is the most bothersome, disagreeable character, which is why she is a perfect representation for the critiques of high society. Lady Catherine is a prejudice elitist who lacks manners and a legitimate reason for her status beside marriage, yet “whatever she said, was spoken in [an] authoritative […] tone, [which] marked her self-importance”(Austen 125). Here, Austen demonstrates her first few problems with upper class citizens. Firstly, towards those of the lower class, they are intensely rude no matter what kind of person they are. Secondly, they are aware of their status, and take pride in the ability to flaunt it. Thirdly, they throw their status around so as to strike fear into the hearts of the lower class. However, these are not the only ways in which Austen reveals the flaws in high class society; she also does this through juxtaposition.
Another upper class citizen would be Lady Catherine’s nephew Fitzwilliam Darcy; although related, Darcy is acts nothing like her. Darcy realizes any proud faults he has: “I was spoilt by my parents who…allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing” (282). By placing these two in the same class (nonetheless the same family), Austen not only continues her critiques, but stays away from attacking the entire class. By critiquing the entire class, Austen would be stereotyping because not everyone in upper class is like Lady Catherine. This is Darcy’s job; by introducing him in the story, Austen demonstrates that her critiques do not apply to everyone, only those who are guilty of what she expresses.
The critiques of the upper class can be listed as such: pride in and awareness of social status, stereotyping lower class, ill-will towards that lower class, and lack of legitimacy in their deserving to be in their position; Lady Catherine is the perfect personification of all of these. Austen uses a high class character that is abhorred by the reader- Lady Catherine-opposed to a high class character than can be adored by them- Mr. Darcy- so as to more evidently bring to light the upper class’s flaws. When Austen exposes Lady Catherine’s flaws, there are no doubts in any reader’s mind that she is guilty and deserves judgment, whereas if she were to use Mr. Darcy, there would be some second thoughts. Such use is a clever way to ensure that Austen’s commentary is clearly received, understood, and accepted. In addition, by introducing Mr. Darcy as Lady Catherine’s nephew, Austen authenticates her knowledge that not everyone in upper class is deserving of these criticisms. This use refutes the argument of stereotyping against her point. Both of these literary devices allow an insightful and definitive assessment of the flaws in that of the upper class elitists.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Character Analysis- Darcy and Lady Catherine
Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
November 28, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
Character Description-Darcy
Although at first, Darcy is revealed in a light that makes him seem haughty and pompous, Darcy turns about to be a good-natured, logistical, yet laconic man who is constantly observing himself and others, looking for improvements.
Darcy starts out as perhaps an antagonist, by insulting the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet: “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me”(Austen 7). Later it is revealed that he said this because he did not want to seem awkward by not dancing, so he simply stated that there was no one he desired to dance with. Although he was not drawn to Lizzy yet, as the story progressed, so did his love for her. Darcy begins to take an interest in Lizzy more and more, yet she believes that he still harbors a hatred for her after that comment he made around her unknowingly. In fact, Darcy goes as far as to propose to her: “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you”(145); although he is abruptly turned down because of false information of his treatment of Wickaham and the fact that he stopped the marriage of Jane and Bingley. However, this proposal demonstrated Darcy’s character even more because of all the obstacles he would be called to overcome in marrying Lizzy; Lizzy was of a much lower class, making the marriage undesirable, and (perhaps the more prevalent problem) Lizzy’s family and friends are absolutely ridiculous, and by marrying her, he would be related to them. After receiving the ultimate rejection, Darcy continues to show his love for Lizzy by paying for the ludicrous marriage of Wickham and Lydia, which adds another obstacle by making his worst enemy, Wickham, his potential brother-in-law. Then as if it were not hard enough, Lady Catherine expresses her extreme malice towards a marriage between them. And still, through all of this, he continues to grow closer to Lizzy, until finally proposing again. After her acceptation, he gushes to her his love and gratitude for changing him:“I have been a selfish being all my life…as a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper…I was spoilt by my parents who…allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing…I might still have been but for you…Elizabeth! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous” (282).
Darcy reminds me of any Grimm’s Fairytale prince. He begins being selfish and rude, thinking only of himself. Until one day, he finds a clever, yet lower class maiden that he must overcome obstacle to get to. Obstacles like dragons and mountains can be seen a metaphorical, requiring courage like that need for battling a dragon, or the time and frustration in scaling a mountain. And of course, the queen will always try and get in the way with her magic, just like Lady Catherine constantly butting in, and using the magic of her position to bend subjects to her will. Yet in the end, the prince is changed for the better and marries the maiden. Sure, marrying someone that is lower class could be socially marring, but the prince will be happier than he ever was, side by side with the beautiful maiden.
A modern-day parallel can be made to a member of my family, Richard Pupi. Although Richard may come off as a bit of a prude with his constantly serious countenance, he will always do what is best for others when the time comes.
Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
November 28,2009
Pride and Prejudice
Character Description-Lady Catherine
Lady Catherine is a pompous, overbearing snob obsessed with class and propriety who is constantly getting involved in situations that she does not belong in, all the while striking fear into the hearts of those who should oppose her.
Lady Catherine is the epitome of the antagonist in this story, and demonstrates extreme upper-class snobbery. She is introduced into the story by her number one fan-boy, Mr. Collins, and even then is seen as haughty. It would not be as bad if she was just terrible and mean, but Lizzy never had to deal with her, but her nephew is none other than the desirable Mr. Darcy. Just this relation is Lady Catherine’s biggest problem. In fact, when Lady Catherine hears of a possible marriage between her nephew and Lizzy, she herself goes to Lizzy’s house to try and find it untrue: “I was told…that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would …be soon afterwords united to my nephew…Mr. Darcy. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood”(Austen 270). Lady Catherine lives by stepping on the toes of the lower class, but this is not the only thing that makes her a braggart. Lady Catherine can always be caught being condescending with obvious advice and mentioning what ‘she always says’ or what she has done for other people; “I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women travelling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life. When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her having two men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those things. You must send John with the young ladies, Mrs. Collins. I am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to you to let them go alone” (162). Here, we can see what Lady Catherine said, said she did, and what she feels is proper and improper(*insert peanuts teacher noise here*). In fact, that’s all she ever talks about; she displays her morals and practices, stating them almost as laws to follow.
Lady Catherine is like someone trying to teach first graders manners. The subjects are far too uninterested to listen, but would not dare interrupt because then the teacher would know they were not paying attention. Instead they let her go on monologing, believing that what she is saying will change the toddlers’ lives, when most of what she is saying they already knew. But when there is one subject brave and clever enough to trip her up in what she is saying, she becomes so cross that she cannot come back with a rebuttal, but instead goes on by saying that they should not have interrupted.
A connection to a real life character can be made to another member of my family, but her name will remain unmentioned. She constantly lectures on what we should and should not do, how a lady should act, and what she feels is the correct way to do something. Like Lady Catherine, she will go on long tangents about obvious practical advice, and if you interrupt her, she will explode on you about everything you just did wrong.
AP English 11
November 28, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
Character Description-Darcy
Although at first, Darcy is revealed in a light that makes him seem haughty and pompous, Darcy turns about to be a good-natured, logistical, yet laconic man who is constantly observing himself and others, looking for improvements.
Darcy starts out as perhaps an antagonist, by insulting the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet: “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me”(Austen 7). Later it is revealed that he said this because he did not want to seem awkward by not dancing, so he simply stated that there was no one he desired to dance with. Although he was not drawn to Lizzy yet, as the story progressed, so did his love for her. Darcy begins to take an interest in Lizzy more and more, yet she believes that he still harbors a hatred for her after that comment he made around her unknowingly. In fact, Darcy goes as far as to propose to her: “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you”(145); although he is abruptly turned down because of false information of his treatment of Wickaham and the fact that he stopped the marriage of Jane and Bingley. However, this proposal demonstrated Darcy’s character even more because of all the obstacles he would be called to overcome in marrying Lizzy; Lizzy was of a much lower class, making the marriage undesirable, and (perhaps the more prevalent problem) Lizzy’s family and friends are absolutely ridiculous, and by marrying her, he would be related to them. After receiving the ultimate rejection, Darcy continues to show his love for Lizzy by paying for the ludicrous marriage of Wickham and Lydia, which adds another obstacle by making his worst enemy, Wickham, his potential brother-in-law. Then as if it were not hard enough, Lady Catherine expresses her extreme malice towards a marriage between them. And still, through all of this, he continues to grow closer to Lizzy, until finally proposing again. After her acceptation, he gushes to her his love and gratitude for changing him:“I have been a selfish being all my life…as a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper…I was spoilt by my parents who…allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing…I might still have been but for you…Elizabeth! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous” (282).
Darcy reminds me of any Grimm’s Fairytale prince. He begins being selfish and rude, thinking only of himself. Until one day, he finds a clever, yet lower class maiden that he must overcome obstacle to get to. Obstacles like dragons and mountains can be seen a metaphorical, requiring courage like that need for battling a dragon, or the time and frustration in scaling a mountain. And of course, the queen will always try and get in the way with her magic, just like Lady Catherine constantly butting in, and using the magic of her position to bend subjects to her will. Yet in the end, the prince is changed for the better and marries the maiden. Sure, marrying someone that is lower class could be socially marring, but the prince will be happier than he ever was, side by side with the beautiful maiden.
A modern-day parallel can be made to a member of my family, Richard Pupi. Although Richard may come off as a bit of a prude with his constantly serious countenance, he will always do what is best for others when the time comes.
Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
November 28,2009
Pride and Prejudice
Character Description-Lady Catherine
Lady Catherine is a pompous, overbearing snob obsessed with class and propriety who is constantly getting involved in situations that she does not belong in, all the while striking fear into the hearts of those who should oppose her.
Lady Catherine is the epitome of the antagonist in this story, and demonstrates extreme upper-class snobbery. She is introduced into the story by her number one fan-boy, Mr. Collins, and even then is seen as haughty. It would not be as bad if she was just terrible and mean, but Lizzy never had to deal with her, but her nephew is none other than the desirable Mr. Darcy. Just this relation is Lady Catherine’s biggest problem. In fact, when Lady Catherine hears of a possible marriage between her nephew and Lizzy, she herself goes to Lizzy’s house to try and find it untrue: “I was told…that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would …be soon afterwords united to my nephew…Mr. Darcy. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood”(Austen 270). Lady Catherine lives by stepping on the toes of the lower class, but this is not the only thing that makes her a braggart. Lady Catherine can always be caught being condescending with obvious advice and mentioning what ‘she always says’ or what she has done for other people; “I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women travelling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life. When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her having two men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those things. You must send John with the young ladies, Mrs. Collins. I am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to you to let them go alone” (162). Here, we can see what Lady Catherine said, said she did, and what she feels is proper and improper(*insert peanuts teacher noise here*). In fact, that’s all she ever talks about; she displays her morals and practices, stating them almost as laws to follow.
Lady Catherine is like someone trying to teach first graders manners. The subjects are far too uninterested to listen, but would not dare interrupt because then the teacher would know they were not paying attention. Instead they let her go on monologing, believing that what she is saying will change the toddlers’ lives, when most of what she is saying they already knew. But when there is one subject brave and clever enough to trip her up in what she is saying, she becomes so cross that she cannot come back with a rebuttal, but instead goes on by saying that they should not have interrupted.
A connection to a real life character can be made to another member of my family, but her name will remain unmentioned. She constantly lectures on what we should and should not do, how a lady should act, and what she feels is the correct way to do something. Like Lady Catherine, she will go on long tangents about obvious practical advice, and if you interrupt her, she will explode on you about everything you just did wrong.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Pride&Prejudice Ch. 21-1
Quote 1:
'Charlotte's kindness extended father than Elizabeth had any conception of;-its object was nothing less, than to secure her from any return of Mr.Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards herself' (Austen 93).
This quotation shows what Charlotte actually planned, compared to her previous statement. Charlotte told Elizabeth that she was just letting his talk because that's what he liked to do, but what she really wanted was to establish a more intimate relationship with him. That is exactly what she does, and he proposes to her. This shows a lack of regard for not only what marriage is supposed to be, but Elizabeth's family.
Quote 2:
'Marriage...was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want' (94).
This quote is very important because I feel that it is a very strong argument for what Mrs. Bennet is trying to convince her daughters of. In addition, this shows a relation between the character of Mrs. Bennet and Miss Bingley (which is ironic, because Mrs. Bennet now strongly dislikes her). Both have a shallow expectation of what marriage is supposed to be; they just see it as proper or advantageous, not a way to make yourself happy.
'Charlotte's kindness extended father than Elizabeth had any conception of;-its object was nothing less, than to secure her from any return of Mr.Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards herself' (Austen 93).
This quotation shows what Charlotte actually planned, compared to her previous statement. Charlotte told Elizabeth that she was just letting his talk because that's what he liked to do, but what she really wanted was to establish a more intimate relationship with him. That is exactly what she does, and he proposes to her. This shows a lack of regard for not only what marriage is supposed to be, but Elizabeth's family.
Quote 2:
'Marriage...was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want' (94).
This quote is very important because I feel that it is a very strong argument for what Mrs. Bennet is trying to convince her daughters of. In addition, this shows a relation between the character of Mrs. Bennet and Miss Bingley (which is ironic, because Mrs. Bennet now strongly dislikes her). Both have a shallow expectation of what marriage is supposed to be; they just see it as proper or advantageous, not a way to make yourself happy.
Pride&Prejudice Ch. 17-20
Quote 1:
'He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship' [...] 'and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life' (Austen 70).
This quote can be observed in several different ways to receive different bits of information. The first would be to see the verbal abuse Lizzy here dishes out to Mr. Darcy. From this, we can go into two more observations. One may be that Lizzy is so impacted by Mr. Wickham and his story, that she just lashed out at Darcy without any confirmation from himself or others. The second would be that this demonstrates that while she is very logical, Lizzy can be overtaken by emotions in a very negative way.
Quote 2:
'I have done with you from this very day- I told you in the library, you know, I should never speak to you again, and you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful daughters' (87).
This excerpt further characterizes Mrs. Bennet in the worse way. Not only does she finally reveal that selfish marriage was her motive, but she makes a complete antagonist of herself. She reveals that she is completely selfish, and driven towards moving up in life, rather than her daughter's happiness.
'He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship' [...] 'and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life' (Austen 70).
This quote can be observed in several different ways to receive different bits of information. The first would be to see the verbal abuse Lizzy here dishes out to Mr. Darcy. From this, we can go into two more observations. One may be that Lizzy is so impacted by Mr. Wickham and his story, that she just lashed out at Darcy without any confirmation from himself or others. The second would be that this demonstrates that while she is very logical, Lizzy can be overtaken by emotions in a very negative way.
Quote 2:
'I have done with you from this very day- I told you in the library, you know, I should never speak to you again, and you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful daughters' (87).
This excerpt further characterizes Mrs. Bennet in the worse way. Not only does she finally reveal that selfish marriage was her motive, but she makes a complete antagonist of herself. She reveals that she is completely selfish, and driven towards moving up in life, rather than her daughter's happiness.
Pride&Prejudice Ch. 11-16
Quote 1:
'Mr.Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth- and it was soon done' (Austen 53).
I selected this quote to expand on the twisted idea demonstrated in this quote, and how the same idea is shown in another character. This line shows that Mr. Collins opinion on marriage is skewed from what the established belief is; Collins shows that he believes that marriage is more like a business transactions, it doesn't matter if it's pretty or you like it (but those can be perks), it has to be beneficial to both parties. Mr. Collins' idea practically overlaps with that of Mrs. Bennet's; she uses her daughters' ability to marry in order to have an opportunity to move up in society.
Quote 2:
'Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home' (64).
I selected this quote because I feel it is an important first-time for Elizabeth (at least as far as we can see). Up until this point in the novel, we see Lizzy with this lack of interest in male characters; she finds Mr. Darcy self-conceited, and Mr. Collins utterly ridiculous. Here we see the lasting impression Mr. Wickham left on Lizzy, and we are left wondering if this impression will last.
'Mr.Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth- and it was soon done' (Austen 53).
I selected this quote to expand on the twisted idea demonstrated in this quote, and how the same idea is shown in another character. This line shows that Mr. Collins opinion on marriage is skewed from what the established belief is; Collins shows that he believes that marriage is more like a business transactions, it doesn't matter if it's pretty or you like it (but those can be perks), it has to be beneficial to both parties. Mr. Collins' idea practically overlaps with that of Mrs. Bennet's; she uses her daughters' ability to marry in order to have an opportunity to move up in society.
Quote 2:
'Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home' (64).
I selected this quote because I feel it is an important first-time for Elizabeth (at least as far as we can see). Up until this point in the novel, we see Lizzy with this lack of interest in male characters; she finds Mr. Darcy self-conceited, and Mr. Collins utterly ridiculous. Here we see the lasting impression Mr. Wickham left on Lizzy, and we are left wondering if this impression will last.
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