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.