Jane Austen discussion
This topic is about
Pride and Prejudice
Favorite moment from Pride & Prejudice?
I think my favorite momente is when Lizzy is visiting Pemberly and she meets Darcy and she starts looking at him differently...she's falling for him and they have funny conversations
Teri wrote: "What is your favorite moment from Pride & Predudice?"Well obviously nobody mentioned the proposal scene of Mr.Darcy I just fall for him hehehe!
"You must know, surely you must know, it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I would have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love... I love... I love you. And I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
Heather wrote: Well obviously nobody mentioned the proposal scene of Mr.Darcy I just fall for him hehehe! "You must know, surely you must know,..."
Ahhhh, if only that particular wording were actually in the book. lol.
I do like the proposal scene though - the failed one. You learn a lot about each of the characters in that one, probably because it is not their finest hour.
My favorite moment has to be the first time Mr Darcy Proposes to Lizzy. He was so sure of himself and she shot him down by using his logic for them getting married against him. The sparing between the two make this my favorite Austin book with Emma coming in a close second. I love a strong woman challenging a strong man.
March wrote: "Mr. Darcy, setting impossible standards for men since 1813.Pride and Prejudice is the only Jane Austen book I've ever read, and I read it again, and again, and again. I cry every time too. My fav..."
March, I love what you said about Mr Darcy setting impossible standards, it made me laugh out loud :-) It quite true really!
sorry - meant to say "It's quite true really!"
I think that this is probably one of the most challenging questions to answer because the book itself is absolutely brimming with dazzling moments. One of my top favorites is when Elizabeth and Darcy face off, after Elizabeth has just learned of Darcy's assistance in Mr. Bingley's sudden removal from Netherfield Park, and dear Jane's life. Elizabeth sure did a number on his subtle arrogance, and Darcy on Elizabeth's assumptions concerning his relations with Mr. Wickham.
I like when Lizzy asks Darcy when he fell in love with her and he states he was "in the middle before he knew he'd begun." I think falling in love with her must've been challenging for Darcy and his comment shows a wonderful vulnerability.
That is why the book is wonderful. His pride. Her prejudice. But also, her pride and his prejudice :-) One of my favourite moments is the botched proposal when Lizzie really gives it to him straight, something which of course, no one in his entire life up until that moment, had ever done before. It's very much a "go girlfriend" moment!
The complete happiness of Jane Bennet upon the proposal of Bingley.
I have several favorite moments. But the ones I liked the most where the scene where Lady Katherine and Lizzy speak and have that small disagreement. I didn't like Lady Katherine since the beginning so this was like a ride for me. There's also the part where Mr. Darcy asks Lizzy to marry him the first time. I though that was hilarious and so embarrassing.In the movie, I loved the scene of their dance. The way they represented it with that violin (or viola, not sure) in the background with those intense eyes looking at each others and those words and how at times they were alone. I though it was magnificent. Also, when Lizzy visits Pemberly for the first time and her face is like "ok, so, I did not only reject him but this as well, how funny". And when Mr. Darcy ask her to marry her the first time. When it's pouring rain and thunders. It's amazing.
Mr.Darcy's second proposal.
When Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennett tries to convince Mr. Bennett to force her to accept him.
Tracey, librarian on strike wrote: "I think I have to second Mr. Collins's proposal - it's just so awful, yet so completely self-assured - and so very entertaining. Of the films, one of my favorite moments (maybe an odd choice) is..."
I like that moment in the film, too! I think the filmmakers did a good job of portraying through visuals and music the serenity, gracefulness, and order that permeates Pemberley -- in contrast to Lizzie's own home.
Sandi wrote: "My favorite, by far, has to be Mr. Collins preposterous proposal to Elizabeth Bennet. What a complete dolt he must be to think that's the way to win a woman.
Runner up: Mr. Darcy's first proposal..."
I loved the awkwardness of Mr Darcy's first proposal, it was endearing and enraging.
Runner up: Mr. Darcy's first proposal..."
I loved the awkwardness of Mr Darcy's first proposal, it was endearing and enraging.
I do love Mr. and Mrs. Bennet at the beginning, when they're discussing the Meryton Ball while Kitty won't stop coughing.
Dâmaris wrote: "I do love Mr. and Mrs. Bennet at the beginning, when they're discussing the Meryton Ball while Kitty won't stop coughing."Especially when Mrs. Bennett tells Kitty to stop coughing as she has no pity on her nerves.
When Darcy says, “I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”
Sandi wrote: "My favorite, by far, has to be Mr. Collins preposterous proposal to Elizabeth Bennet. What a complete dolt he must be to think that's the way to win a woman.Runner up: Mr. Darcy's first proposal..."
Those two proposals have me in laughing fits every time!!
Alice wrote: "Leah wrote: "My favorite line from the Keira Knightley version is when Mr. Bennet says, "Well, if Jane does die, it will be a comfort to know it was in pursuit of Mr. Bingley." I crack up every tim..."that has to be my favourite of Mr Bennet's line. I just want to high five him every time!
From the film adaptation staring Kiera Knightly, I'd have to go with both proposal scenes. But there are so many gems in the book, that I can't chose right now!
I would vote for the scene where Lizzy stands up to Lady Catherine, who is trying to dissuade her from marrying Darcy. "Obstinate, headstrong girl!"
Hand's down: Darcy jumps into the lake to get Lizzy out of his mind. Of course, that's just the film version ;-)I love the whole conversation with Lizzy and Charlotte when Charlotte talks about encouraging Mr. Collins to work in his garden A LOT. Anything with Lady de bourgh is amusing. And then, of course, the proposal scene (the first one).
Jane Austen was queen of the social scene--she nails the romance scenes equally as well as the uncomfortable social scenes.
Soph wrote: "As said earlier I love the talk around the piano scene and also I really like awkward scene when he comes to visit her and finds her alone and is asking strange, seemingly unrelated questions about..."I agree about the 2005 version. Though it might not be a popular opinion, I think the 2005 version with Keira captures the spirit of the book very well (and better than the other adaptions I've seen), though the 1995 version is more accurate to the book (but I thought the actors were a bit too old and I didn't like their take on the personalities). I find the 2005 movie more humoristic; I mean, Mr. Collins is brilliant, and Lizzie is witty. Mr. Bingley is awkward and Darcy is fantastic too.
My favorite scene (in the 2005 movie) however, must be the rain scene where Darcy proposes for the first time. It's so nerve wracking and he's really exposing himself and so anxious about it. Love it.
The scene with Mr. Collins complimenting the vegetable (as commented before by LadyDisdain; "...what excellent boiled potatoes; it's been many years since I've had such an exemplary vegetable") is also very funny.
The scene where Darcy follows Lizzie and takes her hand to lead her into her wagon is also so sweet.
Favorite moments in the book, however is more difficult, so I just chose my favorites from the movie :)
Soph wrote: "Agree Nicole!! And when Mr Bennet says about being a stranger to one of our parents... Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry mr collins and I will never see you again of you do!!..."Agreed! I was just about to put this down as one of my favourite moments, but was lingering over the other replies first, and your answer came up!
I think you’re right about the 2005 version. When I first saw it I was aghast and appalled—at the way the famous lines were needlessly changed, the ridiculous mishmash of costumes, the exaggerations of the fine social distinctions that are so important in the novel, the hyping of emotions (more Emily Brontë than Jane Austen). But I had to confess after a couple of years that when I needed my Pride and Prejudice fix, I came back to the 2005 version more than to any other filmed adaptation. There must be some core of emotional truth there that I was responding to, however disparaging my mind chose to be.
Favourite moment from the book: any time Darcy and Elizabeth talk. She is always so witty and yet Darcy always somehow gets the last word (which is how you know they suit one another). Absolute favourite moment would therefore have to be their conversations at the end after his second proposal, when they are both at their most endearing and funniest.Favourite moment from P&P95: the scene at the piano in Rosings (because they correctly interpreted that scene as his first hinting at her that he liked her) and the scenes in the Pemberley drawing rooms (when she plays with Georgiana and later when he at last tells Caroline "what!" in that way that finally shut that woman up :))
Favourite moment from P&P05: the ball scenes. They were lively parties, they had a great atmosphere and felt very regency and were beautifully shot.
When Lizzy goes to Pemberley for the first time!
Not sure which scene is my favorite, there are so many. But one that other seem to have missed...When Mr. Bennet is teasing his wife, suggesting that he can write a letter and then Mrs Bennet and the girls can go over and introduce themselves to Bingly. Then he has second thoughts and says perhaps the girls should go alone as Mrs. Bennet is still lovely and Mr. Bingly might prefer her to her daughters... A compliment wrapped up in teasing! Wonderful!
Mr. Darcy's letter. When Lizzie visits Pemberly.
Ballroom scene when Darcy and Lizzie share their first dance.
"Obstinate, headstrong girl!" (The confrontation with Lady Catherine.)
Too good to pick just one. So, with three being a charm... lol Darcy and Lizzie's first dance, visit from Darcy when he declares his admiration for Lizzie but-- and Abigail's pick: confrontation with Lady C. Okay, I feel better now. lol
Jane Bennet's happiness after accepting Bingley!
My favorite read-over-and-over-again moment is when Elizabeth reencounters Darcy at Pemberley."Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House, whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy then was. She longed to know what at that moment was passing in his mind; in what manner he thought of her, and whether, in defiance of every thing, she was still dear to him."
Melts.
I love how awkward and yet romantic this part is.
For me is that part when she's reading Darcy's letter and comes to self-discovery."Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself."
Perfect simply perfect.
Jessica wrote: "My favorite read-over-and-over-again moment is when Elizabeth reencounters Darcy at Pemberley."Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House, whichever it might be, where Mr. Da..."
What I like is that she was never attracted to his wealth but when she sees his house (not because of it grandeur) because of what the housekeeper says about him (coupled with her own knowledge of his letter) change her feelings completely about him.
Lariela wrote: "Mr. Darcy's letter. When Lizzie visits Pemberly."Do you mean Rosings the parsonage of Lady Catherine when she's visiting Mrs. Collins (AKA Charlotte)? If so yes that is one of my favorite parts.
That is when they both begin to see their own faults and how foolishly they both acted. Love it.
Abigail wrote: "I think you’re right about the 2005 version. When I first saw it I was aghast and appalled—at the way the famous lines were needlessly changed, the ridiculous mishmash of costumes, the exaggeration..."Jessica wrote: "My favorite read-over-and-over-again moment is when Elizabeth reencounters Darcy at Pemberley.
"Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House, whichever it might be, where Mr. Da..."
Oh the 1995 Mini Series version is very accurate (very well done) and does not diminish the literary work although not as Romantic as the 2005 version.
Just having re-read the book again I forgot how much I liked the scenes after the Lydia affair was resolved and Darcy and Bingley returned to Hertfordshire. This is not shown in the adaptations but it is so good: after all this time of Elizabeth teasing Darcy and the man being hopelessly in love with her, at last the coin has turned:``He could be still amiable, still pleasing, to my uncle and aunt, when he was in town; and why not to me? If he fears me, why come hither? If he no longer cares for me, why silent? Teazing, teazing, man! I will think no more about him.''
And then, the dinner party at Longbourn:
Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with her eyes, envied every one to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged against herself for being so silly!
If you watch the 1980 BBC adaptation you will find a lot more book scenes, including the one where Bingley and Darcy dine at Longbourn (but obviously, no Colin Firth!) ;)
Emily wrote: "Just having re-read the book again I forgot how much I liked the scenes after the Lydia affair was resolved and Darcy and Bingley returned to Hertfordshire. This is not shown in the adaptations but..."Man I love her writing, she's so great at conveying so much and without really telling much. I love it.
In the 1995 version, I love the scene at Pemberley when Georgiana is playing the piano and Caroline Bingley is so eager to jab one on Lizzy that she mentions Mr Wickham and poor Georgiana falters and Lizzy jumps up to hold the music for her. Darcy looks at her and their eyes meld, OOOH! the sparks and hearts a throbbing. Then my other favorite scene is poor Mary trying to "exhibit" and playing and singing that horrible song. We all sing "Sluuummmmmber deeear Maid" and laugh. Poor Mary, she was the middle child so she tried to be perfect and she came out self righteous. That was a time where she was truly embarrassed. I liked the scene in the Keira Knightly film where she cries and her father holds her afterwards. Such a tender scene I never would have thought of Mr Bennett.
the train-wreck scene from the 2005 remake."...I love you most ardently."
this scene is hot... almost kissed....
I love the scene too! It just goes to show that stuff doesn't have to be 'in your face' to be hot! :0
Darcy's first proposal.
Watching the Firth version. Again. lol Loved The Darcy/Lizzie dance at the ball. That was a pivotal moment in the story for me. Plus, loved the particular tune they played for that dance.Many other scenes. Like The Proposal. Actor Allison as Mrs. Bennett is a gem. The casting superb in this adaptation. Everyone was excellent right down to the extras keeping the action going in backdrop. Superb!
Bringing this up because I watched the '95 version again and was thinking, during the Elizabeth/Darcy dancing scene what must have been involved in blocking that out, how many takes they had to do to get it to look so seamless.One scene from the book that doesn't seem to make it onto the screen was Mrs. Bennet's reaction when Elizabeth tells her about Darcy's proposal. "Jane is nothing to it, nothing at all!...I shall go distracted...ten thousand a year...
Cracks me up every time I read it.
I like the extended chapter in which Elizabeth absorbs Darcy’s letter and slowly, kicking and screaming all the way, begins to accept that she was mistaken in her understanding of events. The battle of ego vs. conscience is so beautifully conveyed. The moments when a heroine wrestles with herself to transform her ideas and act accordingly seem to be very important to Jane Austen, and they seem like sterling examples of what it means to act rightly in relation to others. I wish there were more attention to the ethical underpinnings of her work.
Pride and Prejudice is the only Jane Austen book I've ever read, and I read it again, and again, and again. I cry every time too. My favourite part is probably the letter...