Welcome to Week 4 of the Pride & Prejudice read-along! You can learn more about the read-along schedule in this invitation post. (We're reading 2 chapters a day.)
Today we're going to discuss chapters 12-19 of volume 2 and chapters 1-6 of volume 3. If you came prepared, go ahead and share your thoughts in the comments section or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Pride & Prejudice read-along tag.) If you still have to catch up on some reading, you're welcome to check in later this week or whenever you're ready. :)
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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Pride & Prejudice Volume II: Chapters 12-19 and
Volume III: Chapters 1-6
Volume III: Chapters 1-6
Discussion Format: One favorite quote, some general impressions, and three questions for each week's reading.
Favorite Quote
"Elizabeth was shocked to think that, however incapable of such coarseness of expression herself, the coarseness of the sentiment was little other than her own breast had formerly harbored and fancied liberal!"
General Impressions
True character really comes to light in this section...
Mr. Darcy tells all in his letter, and then reveals a change in his attitude and interactions with Elizabeth when she visits Pemberley with her aunt and uncle. He displays forgiveness, care, and kindness.
Elizabeth begins to realize her own prejudice and the unkindness lurking in her heart. She opens her mind to the words of those who know Darcy and Wickham best, and she shows tenderness to Georgiana by seeing behind the "proud" mask to the fear and shyness beneath.
Jane is as sweet as ever, taking care of her aunt and uncle's children while they go off with her sister on vacation, and then displaying hope and love in the face of scandal and pain.
Mr. Bingley is also as sweet as ever, showing through his conversation and thoughtfulness that Jane and Elizabeth have been on his mind and heart during their time apart.
Miss Bingley sadly attacks Elizabeth (verbally, behind her back) and shows little to no cordiality upon their reunion. Her selfishness and pride leak through her actions and words.
Mr. Wickham and Lydia have run away together, with no guarantee of marriage or commitment, and no thought of how their choice would affect others.
Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet both show selfish tendencies. The narrator and Elizabeth come down rather harshly on Mr. Bennet in chapter 19 (volume II) for the way he views his wife and the way he chooses to hide among his books rather than lead his family. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bennet is quick to seek folly and blame others for the consequences, thinking too much of frivolity and little of propriety.
Mr. Collins...well, his letter in chapter 6 (volume III) really says it all, doesn't it? He may think he made a narrow escape, but I think Elizabeth's the one who can claim that victory.
And now we just have one more week of reading to go! But there is still a lot to be resolved. Lydia and Mr. Wickham are nowhere to be found... Mr. Darcy has disappeared, and his relationship with Elizabeth is a mystery to onlookers... Jane and Mr. Bingley obviously care for each other, but are still separated... And the fate of the Bennet family hinges on a marriage.
Discussion Questions
Feel free to answer one, two, or all three of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!
1. Who do you think has changed the most since the beginning of the story? What are some examples of how he or she has changed for the better or for the worse?
2. What are your impressions of Pemberley (Darcy's home), including the appearance, the location, and the people who work/live there?
3. If you were a Bennet daughter and got word of Lydia's disappearance, do you think you'd respond more like Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, or Kitty?
Join us next Tuesday for our final discussion!
(Vol. III: Ch. 7-19)
6 comments:
Loved loved loved your summary of all of the characters! Especially Mr. Collins! He's something else isn't he? And that letter! Odious man! ha! Are you liking Mr. Darcy a tad better after the events at Pemberley? I thought he was so changed and really went out of his way to show Lizzie that he could be more personable and agreeable. And the housekeepers account of his character was so glowing as was his treatment of his sister. Yup, I'm a Darcy fan. After you remedy the fact that you haven't watched a mini-series of P&P then you will have to branch out and watch: Bride and Prejudice(exellent Bollywood or is it Baliwood? musical), Lost in Austen, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies! hahahahahaha! All excellent versions of P&P. Here is my post for this week's reading.
https://myfavoritepastime.blogspot.com/2017/10/pride-and-prejudice-read-along.html
So much going on in these chaptera! So glad that Lizzy saw the light about Whickham. And eww, he gets on my nerves! My post: http://arealwriterslife.blogspot.com/2017/10/pride-and-prejudice-read-along-week-4.html
Julie,
Thank you so much! :) Mr. Collins is definitely something else! Between this letter and the one near the end, he really shows his true colors. :P
I've become more of a Darcy fan, now that I've read the whole story. ♥ I'm not quite sure where I would rank him in terms of Austen heroes... ;) But really, his growth is delightful and the truth of his character is admirable! And he's very, very sweet when all is said and done.
I think I've seen a couple of those shows you mention... At least Lost in Austen! If I saw the Bollywood one, it was quite a while ago, I believe... When Josh saw a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies somewhere, he joked about it being one we might both like. ;) I'm not quite sure if I could handle it, but maybe I'll have to see it sometime!
~Amber
Miranda,
Oh my goodness, Mr. Wickham! The more I learned about him, the worse it got. :( He's quite terrible!
Will head over to your blog! :)
~Amber
When I saw that Josh had co-wrote a zombie book I thought Amber will love P&P&Zombies! A perfect date night movie!!! It isn't extremely gory...but zombies do = gory! ha! And the Bollywood one is just laugh out loud fun! Plus a musical! And colorful! I love it! ha! Are you already thinking of our next Austen read-along? hahaha! Thanks so much for hosting this one. Now I have to go read your conclusion post :)
Julie,
Haha, for real! ;) It combines things we both love! And that's good to know it's not terribly gory, comparatively speaking.
And if I have seen the Bollywood one, I could definitely watch it again! Sounds like fun! :)
As for the next read-along, I do have something in mind...mostly based on the Austen paperback remaining on my bookshelf (a gift from a friend). :) Love having you participate in these read-alongs!
~Amber
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