Thank You, But No Thank You...

The future relationships seem to be headed in the right direction, perhaps making Mrs. Bennet a very happy mother. But as the reader recites the next few chapters, one by one, the Bennet sisters begin to see miscarriage in their happy futures. Due to series of unfortunate events, the audience is left with nothing but suspense and intrigue at the end of chapter 23.

The ball. Such an important event for these powerful ritzy people. Between the two eldest Bennet sisters, Jane was obviously having a better time than Elizabeth at the party. Spending most of the time with Bingley, things looked pretty good for her, each time feeling the relationship grow stronger. In the other hand, Elizabeth was having an awful night. The disaster began when Wickham was not able to attend, leaving it more than obvious that Darcy's presence at the ball made him uncomfortable. That only left Elizabeth with the other two men that were "competing" for her attention, Darcy and Mr. Collins. I personally understand her when she complains about the two sloppy dances with snobby Collins, because I too have shared dances with old aunts and they are NOT a positive moment for the over all satisfaction of the party. So after spending some time with Collins, it was Darcys turn to dance with Elizabeth, not that it would make her any happier. At attempting some small chat while dancing, Darcy obviously avoided speaking with her about Wickham leaving the readers with more certainty about their unknown rivalry. Also, we suspect that Wickham isn't really as nice and great person as he comes off as, because of all the hate and enmity there is between him and other men. In fact, not only do men tell Elizabeth not to trust Wickham, but also Ms Bingley dares talk to her about it and warn her about the military man. Yet wouldn't it be convenient for Ms Bingley to attempt to separate her "enemy" from happiness? I myself believe Ms Bingley has some honesty in her intention, yet hides some vile purposes. Perhaps just another question the author leaves us with to ponder upon.

Now, as it all starts coming down into which bachelor will propose first. Of course we are referring to times in history where an unwedded woman had barely any significance what so ever in society, creating a male-dominating culture. Having this said, maybe Mrs. Bennet's intentions weren't so immoral as we thought. She just desperately hopes the best for her daughters, crafting a bright future for them next to any socially relevant spouse. So back to what I was saying, the moment of truth in proposal was near, and the first one to attempt anything, unsurprisingly, was Mr. Collins. His infinite confidence only tributes to his gullible and self-devoting being, always making a fool out of himself in front of others. After proposing to Elizabeth, no wasn't a valid answer for him. Although she declined his offer in a very tender way, he only believed that soon she would change her mind. Here we see a complete "rebel", if you will, in Elizabeths personality; She knows her family isn't very rich, she knows a single woman gets no where in life, she knows many opportunities like that won't come very often, yet she decides to go for what she really wants, love and passion. Isn't that just the kind of fantasy and fiction the author wanted the readers to find? She creates a contrast between "responsibilities" as a woman, and her own personal desires. Then, to create even a greater effect on the audience, we find out that Mr. Collins, very shortly after proposing to Elizabeth, attempts his "charms" on Charlotte Lucas who shockingly accepts. Now, in one hand we have the rebel child who does things her way and hopes for the best, and in the other we have the typical yielding woman who would settle with any man with the optimism of not being left behind in society. Charlotte does confess though, that she is not looking for love or romance, just a man who can support her. In a way this does make sense, but will she really be happy? I would go the rebel way.

Jane Austen just kept the surprises coming. As Bingley and Darcy leave Neatherfield, Jane receives a letter from Miss Bingley in which she crudely implies that they are planning on staying in the city and, shockingly, affirms that Bingley is going to marry Darcy's sister Georgiana. No, this isn't right. From what we have read and understood from Bingley's personality, he is not highly concerned about Jane's social status, and is becoming very fond of her. Why would such a colossal news be sent to Jane from someone but not Bingley himself? I don't buy this letter at all, it is simply a plan from Darcy and Miss Bingley to try to separate Jane and Bingley, considering they both classify Jane unworthy for Bingley. Any how, the readers are left with doubts and questions to what will happen next in this soap-opera-like novel; Is there really a sad ending to this love story?

Restrained Desire

As I've continued reading through the book and the story is yet beginning to unfold, the same traits of social superiority and deceiving affection are clear. In chapters 9-17, the readers meet new characters creating a bigger "noodle soup" of relationships and fondness between them. Specifically in these chapters we start to understand better the main characters, noticing each time how their actions leak their true desires.

I would like to start by pointing out the mixup of affections in these chapters. We find out that each time Elizabeth denies Darcy, his cravings to have her grow, creating a dilemma between his high social class and his appeal for someone not good enough. Miss Bingley cannot make it more obvious she likes Darcy, continuously showing him the kind of spouse she believes he wants, but each time getting less and less attention from him. There is great rivalry between these two girls although Elizabeth has no intentions making Miss Bingley jealous, being said that she has been instantly hooked by Wickham's charm. This whole situation very confusing, but in a way it makes the audience feel intrigued to what might happen next. Will Darcy ignore Elizabeths social class and tell her how he feels? Will Wickham and Darcy fight for her love? or will the snobby Miss Bingley finally get Darcy because of her appropriate social status? All these troubles the characters suffer will ultimately end in them overcoming their "pride" and succumb to their desires, in some cases meaning partners of poor marriage proposition.

I believe this complex spiderweb of affection is what makes this novel so fascinating. Yes, there are many predictable events but still the author keeps finding a way to seduce the reader into the novel. As we read these chapters, we continue finding love and restrained desire to be sort of the theme. These factors give the whole book a great push start to a possible surprising climax, giving the readers an unforeseen thrill.

A Little Lost? Here is a Family Tree

Is Lacking Social Connections a Problem?

As we read Jane Austin's novel "Pride and Prejudice", the readers feel the setting convey the story. Taking place in the 19th Century we find social classes, power, and plain superficiality all over the text giving the audience a flashback to what life was back then.

The fact that the Bennet's had five daughters and the only true desire their mother had was to find a rich and powerful spouse for them, let's us know immediately the lack of freedom and self-decision women had in those times. What if one daughter fell in love with the town's messenger boy? Would this mean the end of the relationship between her and her parents? It may sound cheesy, but one person doesn't choose with whom they fall in love with. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (1). I believe the whole novel might just run on this first quote. This is exactly the intentions of Jane and Elizabeths mother, Mrs. Bennet, of course after we analyze and understand her, who insisted on Mr. Bennet on meeting the young, rich, single newcomer Charles Bingley who had just moved into Netherfield Park. This desperate need Mrs. Bennet feels to find a wealthy mate for her daughter is a perfect example of superficiality at its highest. We are talking about England, which through centuries has lived generations and generations of royal, famous, elegant monarchy. Had that culture of social ranking not existed in England, the needs of this snobby arrogant mother would not have been the same.

But even though marriages were fixed and love was forced, some feelings did exist between these couples. I am referring of course to Jane and Bingley as to Elizabeth and Darcy. The Bingley family was well aware that the Bennets were upper-middle class, and not as rich as they might had intended appear, but still the superficial desires these people felt, kept up the interest to continue meeting and mingling with each other. Mrs. Bennets mischievous plan to settle her daughters in the hands of rich men, unveils slowly making sure that every step to the goal is just right.

In the first 8 chapters of the novel, we get to understand most of the characters and how each person is defined by their social class. Back then superiority was a bold aspect in a person and relates very much to the setting in England around the 19th century. The readers will have to have that in mind as the story continues.