Other Characters

[Asia]

Do you think that Jane's love with Bingley would have become as Mr. Bennett - sarcastically joked about - in the library "spend more that what they ought" or "have their servants steal from them"? Of course, this is all exaggerated on purpose, but I believe that Mr. Darcy married and Bingley on his own and a wife he became more hard core (?).

[A.]

Actually I think that Mr. Bennet's prediction is accurate to a certain extent.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

In a way, but I also think they would be very happy, but I think the best relationship would be the Darcy's still....
So maybe he was right to some extent...

[Asia]

They both cannot view the "negative" side in others, but they are not stupid so with time they'll probably mature and become more aware. Why do you think , Soph, that Darcy's relationship is better? I never thought of it.

[A.]

I never said I didn't think they'd be happy. I firmly believe that they would be. I said that they'll be so good and kind that everybody will be able to take advantage of them. Although I do like Darcy and Lizzie's relationship much better. But both will be happy marriages. Where there is true love, there's bound to be happiness.

[Katherine]

I think in Jane's marriage there is also true respect for each and that goes a long way in a marriage. Bingley has been living his life so far and still has money so I don't think with a wife that will change much. Jane has lived a frugal life so I don't see her going crazy with money. They will be giving and care for their servants but I don't see them going over board.

Darcy and Lizzy's relationship I think is deeper. Though I don't really know how to explain it in words. I think they would have some huge fights and some very steamy make-ups. :) Lizzy would be very good for Darcy. I think she would have all kinds of ideas and projects for him. Her mind is not the kind to be restfull.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

Well it is hard to explain. Katherine put it well. Theirs is deeper. I think that as it wasn't the cliched love at first site, it goes deeper and I also think that because their views changed on each other as they discovered their true characters, it would really help to see deep down into the character of each other and their relationship will be based on very good foundations. Darcy himself says he was humbled by Lizzy. So Darcy will relax and lean to be teased by Lizzy and Darcy will treat Lizzy very well and they will just be happy. I think the way Austen portrays their relationship compared with all the many others in the novel makes theirs seem as though it will be the best out of all of them. Sorry I haven't put myself well. If I can think of a better way to praise, I will let you know! ;)

[Asia]

I completely agree with you Soph, and your explanation was just perfect. Their love has the right equilibrium. It is something I love about Jane Austen's "couples": they grow together throughout the novel and understand how they are perfect for each other in good and in bad. They accept and respect the other person, and would try to maintain the relationship at any cost because they love the other person. Perfect in the sense that they find the person that is a person that pulls out the best of them. Even in Emma the main character, in my opinion, turns out to be a better towards the end. At the beginning she is a bit selfish and "up-stuck." As Soph also said, the same occurs for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.

[Katherine]

I agree with you both. They will bring the best out in each other.

I love "Emma" also.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

Thanks for adding to my explanation!! And love Emma as well!!

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

Let get some discussion going... I know these may have been discussed but what did we think of Caroline Bingley and the Hurst's?

[Irene]

I join the discussion at the right time! You know, I really like Caroline Bingley!
Don't misunderstand me, she is arrogant and nasty. But among Jane Austen's "bad girls" she is my favourite, together with Mary Crawford.
I think she is clever, but she misuse her cleverness and she is incapable of accepts her defeat.

Louisa Hurst seems to be the weak one. She reminds me of Kitty, always influenced by Lydia; she is influencede by Caroline and maybe without her she could be a better person.
Her marriage didn't help her. Mr. Hurst is... insipid. This is the only word I can think to describe him.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

You like Caroline!? Really? Well I do know what you mean. She is preferable to an Isabella Thorpe. And you like Mary! Wow! I think she is annoying!! But yes she is clever (just Darcy is cleverer than her and can see what she is trying to do!)
Do you like Caroline because she is easy to dislike or do you actually like her? Does she no annoy you At all in her insults to Lizzy (and compliments to Darcy!) or is that what you like about her?
Sorry, haven't written that well!!

And Louisa and Caroline are like the upper class Kitty and Lydia, that is a very good point!! Louisa does just seem to follow Caroline. And great word for Mr Hurst. Maybe if we had seen more of them through the Story? But this may have made no difference with those 2 characters.

[Katherine]

The Hurst's are too much. I don't miss them in the movie at all.

Caroline I think is bored. She is female so is limited to what she can do and where she can go. I think if she found her own Mr. Darcy she would be fine and happy, not so snippy.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

Haha I know what you mean about the Hurst's!

And good point. I think she may have been ok had she, as you said, has her own Darcy.
She was not in love with Darcy and wouldn't have been absolutes heartbroken when he went for Lizzy!!

[Irene]

I like Caroline because she reminds me of girls I really know. Through her, Jane Austen represents an entire social class, a kind of behaviour and a way of life, and I can't help but admire the way Jane Austen concentrates all of this in a single person.

I agree with Katherine! If Caroline found her own Mr. Darcy she would be much more like an Elizabeth Bennet. That's why I liked "The Other Mr.Darcy" by Monica Fairview, a sequel of P&P that has Caroline as main character.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

That is all true and it is amazing how Austen gets all that in one character.

And yes, he meanness came I guess mainly from jealously :)

[Samanta]

I am listening a Pride & Prejudice audiobook on youtube while working. Everytime I read this book I am reminded of how much I dislike Miss Bingley. She is such a pestering, conceited brat. The scene in Netherfield where Mr. Darcy writes a letter to his sister and she constantly interupts him with stupid comments. I have to say I really admire Darcy's strength and patience. I would have jumped at her throath. Grrrrrr..........

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

Oh she is so awful that woman!!! Poor Darcy! She couldn't be any more obvious in trying to catch Darcy if she tried!

[Samanta]

So obvious it's actually quite humiliating. I feel ashamed for our sex. Honestly!

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

Hahaha

[Samanta]

I don't know about others but this sentence had me laughing out loud.

"About a month ago I received this letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention."

I don't know how it was back then but when you wait for a fortnight to answer a letter it is not an early attention. For me this was just a show of Mr. Bennet's penchant for irony and sarcasm :D

[Maria]

Miss Bingley is so hideous in that part!! I feel ashamed for our sex, too, Samanta!

About Mr. Bennet's words... that's definitely an ironic quote! It's one of the best told by him :)

[Samanta]

I am listening the audiobook with headphones and when I burst out laughing at that sentence my girls from work just looked at me like I was crazy or something :D

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

Yes - evidence of Mr Bennet's irony!

[Samanta]

Mrs. Bennet sees flaws in other people that she herself actually has and does not see. Ah, the beautiful human nature! :D

[Maria]

Hahaha!! So true! You know, I have listened to some chapters, too. You've made me want to do that! :)

[Samanta]

Glad I managed to do that! :)

[Stephanie]

I listened to the first few chapters while I was walking the other night. I am sure I looked funny as I was laughing as I was walking so...love Mr. Bennet's humor regarding Collins.

[Samanta]

This is the one I'm listening to....it's quite good :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVHu5...

[Samanta]

Mrs. Bennet: "I do think Mrs. Long is as good a creature as ever lived -- and her nieces are very pretty behaved girls, and not at all handsome: I like them prodigiously."

I'm dying of laughter :D

[Sarah]

I liked Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet. They have a special affection from the start, which lasts even through their separation. (I'm frowning at Darcy here...) I'm always happy for them in the end when they're reunited.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

I do like Bingley but I am no jane and I couldn't live with a Bingley!

[Sarah]

Yeah, Mr. Bingley is a little too nice and his character is a perfect foil for Mr. Darcy. I always wonder if he thought Mr. Darcy and his sisters were purposely separating him from Jane...or was he clueless to the whole situation? It's a point that doesn't really matter, but it's interesting to wonder.

[Sophie, Your Lovely Moderator]

You would think it would be hard not to tell at least a little on some level. But he doesn't notice I don't think until they tell him she isn't suitable and is probably a fortune hunter.