follow-up to the Bingley/Darcy question

[Kressel]

Here's a follow-up question to the Bingley/Darcy thread. If you were in Jane's position (as yourself, and not super-forgiving like Jane), would you have taken Bingley back?

My answer is that I probably would, but not without some harsh words first. More the fool me, I guess, because I'd harm the relationship.

[Adriana]

I probably would forgive him, too. Maybe not as easily as Jane, but I don't think I would have given him too much grief either. It's been a while since I read the book, but I don't think Elizabeth had the heart to tell Jane the truth (I may be entirely wrong here), in which case Jane had no reason to suspect Bingley had been so easily swayed.

[Kelly]

I would have taken Mr. Bingley back. No harsh words or anything. I would have wanted to be away from Mrs. Bennett for all the world. :)

[CindySR]

Kressel wrote: "If you were in Jane's position (as yourself, and not super-forgiving like Jane), would you have taken Bingley back?

"

In her position but as myself, I wouldn't have gone for Bingley at all ;)

[Sarah]

There is so much that is built into that relationship that is based on the culture of the times, that I do not think I could accurately depict what I would do. I am not like Jane in that I am very skeptical, however I do believe in forgiveness. I guess it would really depend on how much groveling he did, what words of affection were spoken, and whether I really was that much in love with him.

[Sorrel]

Forgive him for what, specifically?

[Kressel]

For listening to Darcy instead of sticking by her. I suppose she chalked it all up to his insecurity.

[Sorrel]

@ Kressel Thanks :-D
I think I would have forgiven him. Mr Bingley cared a lot about Mr Darcy's opinion and he was unassuming enough to be assured of Jane's lack of feelings for him. Plus, he had a lot of people advising him against becoming closer to Jane. It was basically a refined type of peer pressure and because Mr Bingley was quite a passive person, I think I could understand. I'd be more annoyed at his sisters, I think.

[Kressel]

Jane being Jane, she probably wasn't even that.

[Sorrel]

That's true, she'd porbably put it down to them wanting the best for him or thinking that he truly loved Georgina? Georgiana?

[Kressel]

I think she'd understand that more as a financial decision. Georgiana would have been the more "prudent" choice, and Jane probably had no illusions about her parents' financial situation.

[Aurora Borealis]

Keeping in mind that we're talking about the early 19th century, there wasn't much to forgive. It wasn't like Jane and Bingley were dating or anything (as in the 21st century). Besides Jane didn't know about Darcy's interference, Elizabeth didn't tell her.

As for me personally, I'm not like Jane and men as mild and easily persuaded as Mr Bingley are not my cup of tea, so I wouldn't fall for him anyway.

I can see why she forgave him, though. After all, they loved each other, so why not?

[Victoria]

Jane doesn't know about that specific point, but I think she does have cause to wonder if Bingley is too easily influenced. Jane's a gentle person herself, but she doesn't let other people do her thinking for her, which Bingley seems to do.

And I think Elizabeth lets Darcy off the hook too easily over his interference. It was none of his business, after all.