Week 3 homework

Write a paragraph in which you compare the attitudes of  Pearl and Olive to relationships as seen during Act 1.

Do you think the audience is positioned to agree with either character? If so, how is this achieved through the aesthetic features of the play?

Make specific reference to the play and include two quotations, one within a sentence and one which is separate.

"Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" Act 1 Scene 1

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is categorised as modern realism. Write a paragraph explaining the characteristics of this style of drama and giving examples of how language is used in Act 1 Scene 1 in a way that is consistent with this style.  

Mr Collins

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.

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.

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.”




 

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 family

o   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.