Austen August: A Pride and Prejudice Read-A-Long discussion
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Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice Read-A-Long
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Pride and Prejudice- Chapter 23- END OF VOL 1
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I didn't even realize there were volumes! My copy doesn't specify that haha. But yaaaay!
haha both versions I have owned have all seperated the story into volumes :)
Elizabeth is debating whether to mention Charlotte marrying Collins to her mother and sisters, when Sir William Lucas appears to deliver the news himself. Despite the instant messages of congratulations, Mrs Bennet insists that Sir Lucas must be mistaken and Lydia outright exclaims he must be wrong because Collins wanted to marry Lizzie.
Due to his good upbringing, apparently, he was able to listen to their doubts and “impertinence” with a courtesy. Elizabeth supports Lucas' statement with her own account of Charlotte telling her the news herself. Elizabeth offers her truest congrats to the happy couple which helps to cement it in the minds of the Bennet sisters, and they all join in (eventually). Mrs Bennet was too stunned to say much while Sir Lucas was still there but once he had gone, she unleashed a full blown rant about her feelings on the matter: that she insists on not believing Lucas at all, that Collins and Charlotte aren't really to marry, and secondly, that Collins has been taken in while vulnerable, that the couple will never be happy and that there is still time to intervene with the plans.
Oh Mrs Bennet.
She insists on blaming Elizabeth for all of this, and does not speak to her for the rest of the week, and it was a month before she spoke to the Lucas' again!
Mr Bennet however was gratified to think that Charlotte Lucas who was once perceived by him as “sensible” was actually as foolish as his wife and more foolish than his daughter! (LOL nice)
Lady Lucas makes frequent calls at Longbourn now to watch Mrs Bennet's sour expression as she goes on and on about how nice it is to have a daughter married and settled and looked after.
Elizabeth feels a rift between her and Charlotte, and while they are still friends, she feels like “nothing could ever subsist between them again”. Due to her own disappointment with Charlotte's decision, she turns to Jane, who she feels could never shake her opinion of her.
Jane had sent Caroline a letter as soon as she received the first one, and was waiting for a reply (I wouldn't hold your breath, love). Speaking of letters, Collins sends them a letter worthy of a novel, noting his thanks and gratitude for his week of staying with them He tells them he will be returning soon for the wedding and Mrs Bennet is not amused.
Jane's anxiety around Bingley returning is growing but they try not to talk of the subject, to distract Jane and take her mind off it- no such luck with their mother around, who never shuts up about Bingley and when the Bingleys will return.
Collins returns to stay at Longbourn (Mrs Bennet is thrilled- see sarcasm), and spends most of his days at the Lucas' estate. Leading to a Mrs Bennet rant about how Charlotte is sneaking her way into taking posession of Longbourn and how she is not to be trusted. Mr Bennet asks her to try to stay positive and hope that he manages to live out a few more years first, haha!
NB: sorry for the slight delay here- I was busy yesterday so I never got to post my two summaries. I basically owe you guys two extra, which I will do on my day off on friday- bear with me I'll catch up :)
BUT WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF VOLUME 1!! WAHEY! How are you guys feeling about it so far? Enjoying it? Any issues with the books or chapters? Anything you are struggling to follow? Anything at all, feel free to leave comments!