How important a character is Mr Collins? Write a paragraph in response, clearly arguing your point of view. In developing your thesis, include a discussion of the way the reader is positioned to respond to him and the importance of this for dealing with at least one of the ideas underpinning the novel. Consider the work we have done in class on satire and irony as you plan your response.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
The importance of Charlotte Lucas
How important a character is Charlotte Lucas?
Write a paragraph in response, clearly arguing your point of view. In developing your thesis, compare her with Elizabeth and Jane. How is the reader positioned through this comparison? Consider ideas, attitudes and values in your response. Post to your blog by Wednesday.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Notes on Charlotte Lucas
Charlotte Lucas
Accepts the views on marriage for women of the era
o “When you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” Pg 123
Privileged – value on being married
o Lizzy cannot believe Charlotte is to be married to Mr Collins
Binary Opposition
o Surrenders to society and does not persist in her principles
o Also believes that Mr Collins is the best man for her
o “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance…”
Sensible
o Accepts her status and bravely tells Lizzy about her marriage
o She waited for a long time to find the right husband
She had her own thoughts on what the good husband should be like
o Under great pressure because her family does not have large amounts of money or with good appearance
o Introduced as; “sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven”
The reader immediately feels sorry for her because we know that she has not married
27 is considered an old age to be unmarried
o She knows that she does not have much of a chance of winning the hand of another man and is therefore happy that she is able to get married and not end out as an old maid or spinster.
“I ask only a comfortable home … I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.”
Accepts the views on marriage for women of the era
o “When you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” Pg 123
Privileged – value on being married
o Lizzy cannot believe Charlotte is to be married to Mr Collins
Binary Opposition
o Surrenders to society and does not persist in her principles
o Also believes that Mr Collins is the best man for her
o “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance…”
Sensible
o Accepts her status and bravely tells Lizzy about her marriage
o She waited for a long time to find the right husband
She had her own thoughts on what the good husband should be like
o Under great pressure because her family does not have large amounts of money or with good appearance
o Introduced as; “sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven”
The reader immediately feels sorry for her because we know that she has not married
27 is considered an old age to be unmarried
o She knows that she does not have much of a chance of winning the hand of another man and is therefore happy that she is able to get married and not end out as an old maid or spinster.
“I ask only a comfortable home … I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.”
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Notes on Mr Collins
MR COLLINS:
·
Patronizing
o
During his proposal to Elizabeth he states: ‘it is by no means
certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is
unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness
and amiable qualifications.’ (p.106)
à He is
describing why he cannot take Elizabeth’s refusal seriously because he cannot
believe that Lizzy would not take this opportunity because she cannot expect to
marry well due to her lack of wealth and connections
o
Mr Collin’s writes to come and visit in preparation for taking
over the Bennet’s estate, a very touchy topic for the Bennets, but signs the
letter ‘your well-wisher and friend.’ (p. 62)
·
Socially inept and insensitive
o
Mr Collins has barely exchanged pleasantries before has bagan
talking of marriage to one of the Bennet daughters. As a guest and the
principle reason why the Bennet daughters must marry well, his choice of
conversation is very insensitive as such a topic is the cause of much grief for
the Bennet familyo However, we are positioned to believe that he is unaware of his socially unacceptable behavior
o
He compliments Mrs Bennet on the meal, asking which member of the
family cooked it, inferring unknowingly that the Bennets are not in a financial
position to employ a cook.
à He
believes he is paying a compliment, but is actually insulting Mrs Bennet
‘Mr Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor agreeable; his
society was irksome.’ (p.120) – Narrative voice
à Occurs
when charlotte was convincing herself as to why she accepted his proposal
·
False Modesty and arrogant/self important – his
self-regarding nature makes a mockery of his position as a minister.
à Ministers are expected to be humble men of honesty who seek to do
good because it is the right thing to do, however Collin’s motives for his role
as minister are revealed when he describes himself as ‘distinguished’ and
‘highly commendable’ (p.62)
à ‘I flatter myself that
my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable.’ (p.62)
à This quote is taken from
the letter Mr Collins writes to the Bennet family before he comes to visit them
for the first time.
à Austen uses Collins to
satirize the type of clergyman who grovels before the aristocrats on whim his
livelihood depends. Instead of worshipping God, Collins is preoccupied with
social status and wealth
à ‘My situation in life,
my connections with the family of de Bourgh, and my relationship to your own
are circumstances highly in my favour.’ (p.106)
àThis quote occurs soon
after Elizabeth refuses Mr Collin’s proposal, and it is the voice of Mr Collins
· POSITIONING
TECHNIQUES – NARRATIVE VOICE, IRONY, CHARACTERISATION
Notes on Jane Bennet
JANE:
·
Finds it difficult to see the flaws in others
à Jane seems shy and less
confident than Elizabeth
à She reads social
situations differently to her sister
à As a result, Jane does not
realise the nastiness of the Bingley sisters, but it also allows her not to be
so quick to believe Wickham’s story about Darcy, when Elizabeth immediately
takes Wickham’s side
o
‘With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense
of others’ (p.16)
o
You never see a fault in anybody.’ (p.16)
à Both quotes are said by
Elizabeth after the ball at Netherfield when they both encounter Darcy and
Bingley for the first time
à Elizabeth argues that Jane
can only see the good in others, but Jane believes she should not be quick to
judge someone else (as Elizabeth does) before she understands everything about
a person
o
‘But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has
been misunderstood’ (p.260)
à Occurs when Elizabeth
receives a letter from Jane that Lydia has run off with Wickham
à Despite all the evidence
suggesting that Wickham has ulterior motives for running away with Lydia, Jane
still wants to believe that he has good intentions
·
Modest and unassuming
o
‘I was very much flattered by his asking to dance a second time.’
(p.16)
à From the voice of Jane,
after the Netherfield ball. Elizabeth is complimenting Jane of attracting the
attention of respectable Mr Bingley
à Everyone knows that Jane
is likeable and very beautiful, and yet she is still surprised that Bingley
would ask her to dance again
·
Well-liked
o
‘I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet
girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But, with such a
father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid that there is no
chance of it.’ (p.36)
à Even though the Bingley
sisters obviously look down on the Bennet family, and want to dislike Jane,
they genuinely like her, despite her family and low connections.
Notes on Elizabeth Bennet
ELIZABETH:
• Sees other’s flaws – not her own chapter 4, after the Ball, Elizabeth reasons that Jane can only see the good in others, while Elizabeth mainly notices the negative traits.
o ‘More quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister’ (p.17)
Narrative voice
o ‘Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her father’s behavior as a husband…She endeavored to forget what she could not overlook.’ (p. 228)
Narrative voice, occurs soon after Elizabeth confronts Wickham once hearing the truth from Darcy
The narrative voice describes Mr Bennet as being a bad example of a husband and Elizabeth is aware of this, but is willing to overlook her father’s flaws for her own comfort (a flaw of her own in that she can recognize issues, but does nothing about it)
o ‘There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.’ (p.133)
This occurs after Elizabeth returns to see Jane, Jane is heartbroken over Bingley’s behavior.
Elizabeth admits that she focuses too much on people’s flaws and as a result is not close to many people
o POSITIONING TECHNIQUE – NARRATIVE VOICE, BINARY OPPOSITION
• Strong willed - despite her family’s wish and need to marry Mr. Collins, she refuses as the marriage would not be based on love
o ‘She is a very head strong, foolish girl.” (p.108)
Mrs Bennet, cannot understand Elizabeth’s view that marriage should be based on love, rather than financial security, thus Mrs Bennet perceives Elizabeth as foolish and headstrong, when in reality, Elizabeth is standing up for what she believes in. (The reader is positioned to agree with Lizzie on this point, although, given the way society operated, Mrs Bennet has a point! Lizzie turns down two offers of marriage and could have put herself and her family in danger of grave poverty in doing so. Because we are positioned through characterization to admire Lizzie and see Mrs Bennet as foolish, the reader is positioned to agree with Lizzie’s attitudes to llove and marriage and her values.)
o ‘Mr. Darcy with grave propriety requested to be allowed the honor of her hand; but in vain. Elizabeth was determined.’ (p. 27)
Narrative voice
o ‘Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had.’ (p.32)
Narrative voice, just before Elizabeth walks Netherfield to visit Jane, who is ill and staying with the Bingley
Despite the possibility of falling sick, or appearing ‘unsightly’ Elizabeth is determined to see her ill sister, and is not phased by what others may say or think about her actions.
• POSITIONING TECHNIQUE – NARRATIVE VOICE, BINARY OPPOSITION, CHARACTERISATION
• Doesn’t fit the mold for women of the time
o Her view on marriage:
- Women should have choice
- Choice based on love
“ I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies… who are so daring to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time… You could not make me happy.” - Lizzy (p.105)
Other women’s views:
- Expected to marry for family (babies, help larger family)
- May find love
- Doesn’t matter if you don’t
- Security (financial)
Positioning techniques - Dialogue & language choices:
- Lizzy’s conversations with Jane or Charlotte
- With the mother and father (regarding Collins’ proposal)
- Charlotte marrying Mr Collins – Lizzy visiting her – conversation
• Opinionated
o She refused to marry Mr Collins
- “You forget that I have made no answer … except for the thanks of the compliment you paid me … but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them” – Lizzy pg 104
o Talks cruelly to Mr Darcy when he is rude to her
o Points out her own opinion at every possible moment
• Independent
o Walked to the house where her sister was sick
- “I hope you saw her petticoat, 6 inches deep in mud, I’m absolutely certain” – Ms Bingley pg 36
- “It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing” – Mr Bingley pg 36
o She doesn’t listen to her mother especially about being presentable
- “How can you be so silly as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit so seen when you get there.” – Mrs Bennet pg 32
Positioning technique -
Point of view – by giving both Mr and Ms Bingley’s point of view, as well as Mrs Bennet’s, in relation to this, we see that society views Lizzie’s independence negatively but it can be seen as a positive. Mr Bingley, and eventually Mr Darcy, see it this way positioning readers to do the same.
• Sees other’s flaws – not her own chapter 4, after the Ball, Elizabeth reasons that Jane can only see the good in others, while Elizabeth mainly notices the negative traits.
o ‘More quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister’ (p.17)
Narrative voice
o ‘Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her father’s behavior as a husband…She endeavored to forget what she could not overlook.’ (p. 228)
Narrative voice, occurs soon after Elizabeth confronts Wickham once hearing the truth from Darcy
The narrative voice describes Mr Bennet as being a bad example of a husband and Elizabeth is aware of this, but is willing to overlook her father’s flaws for her own comfort (a flaw of her own in that she can recognize issues, but does nothing about it)
o ‘There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.’ (p.133)
This occurs after Elizabeth returns to see Jane, Jane is heartbroken over Bingley’s behavior.
Elizabeth admits that she focuses too much on people’s flaws and as a result is not close to many people
o POSITIONING TECHNIQUE – NARRATIVE VOICE, BINARY OPPOSITION
• Strong willed - despite her family’s wish and need to marry Mr. Collins, she refuses as the marriage would not be based on love
o ‘She is a very head strong, foolish girl.” (p.108)
Mrs Bennet, cannot understand Elizabeth’s view that marriage should be based on love, rather than financial security, thus Mrs Bennet perceives Elizabeth as foolish and headstrong, when in reality, Elizabeth is standing up for what she believes in. (The reader is positioned to agree with Lizzie on this point, although, given the way society operated, Mrs Bennet has a point! Lizzie turns down two offers of marriage and could have put herself and her family in danger of grave poverty in doing so. Because we are positioned through characterization to admire Lizzie and see Mrs Bennet as foolish, the reader is positioned to agree with Lizzie’s attitudes to llove and marriage and her values.)
o ‘Mr. Darcy with grave propriety requested to be allowed the honor of her hand; but in vain. Elizabeth was determined.’ (p. 27)
Narrative voice
o ‘Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had.’ (p.32)
Narrative voice, just before Elizabeth walks Netherfield to visit Jane, who is ill and staying with the Bingley
Despite the possibility of falling sick, or appearing ‘unsightly’ Elizabeth is determined to see her ill sister, and is not phased by what others may say or think about her actions.
• POSITIONING TECHNIQUE – NARRATIVE VOICE, BINARY OPPOSITION, CHARACTERISATION
• Doesn’t fit the mold for women of the time
o Her view on marriage:
- Women should have choice
- Choice based on love
“ I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies… who are so daring to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time… You could not make me happy.” - Lizzy (p.105)
Other women’s views:
- Expected to marry for family (babies, help larger family)
- May find love
- Doesn’t matter if you don’t
- Security (financial)
Positioning techniques - Dialogue & language choices:
- Lizzy’s conversations with Jane or Charlotte
- With the mother and father (regarding Collins’ proposal)
- Charlotte marrying Mr Collins – Lizzy visiting her – conversation
• Opinionated
o She refused to marry Mr Collins
- “You forget that I have made no answer … except for the thanks of the compliment you paid me … but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them” – Lizzy pg 104
o Talks cruelly to Mr Darcy when he is rude to her
o Points out her own opinion at every possible moment
• Independent
o Walked to the house where her sister was sick
- “I hope you saw her petticoat, 6 inches deep in mud, I’m absolutely certain” – Ms Bingley pg 36
- “It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing” – Mr Bingley pg 36
o She doesn’t listen to her mother especially about being presentable
- “How can you be so silly as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit so seen when you get there.” – Mrs Bennet pg 32
Positioning technique -
Point of view – by giving both Mr and Ms Bingley’s point of view, as well as Mrs Bennet’s, in relation to this, we see that society views Lizzie’s independence negatively but it can be seen as a positive. Mr Bingley, and eventually Mr Darcy, see it this way positioning readers to do the same.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Pride and Prejudice homework - Elizabeth Bennet
Read through the notes we have made on Elizabeth Bennet and write a well-structured paragraph response to the following:
"Elizabeth Bennet is a character to whom today's young women can relate very easily because of her attitudes to love and marriage."
Do you agree?
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