I'm actually really enjoying Pride and Prejudice. I will say that I have a bit of a hard time keeping all of the characters straight because they tend to get mixed up in my brain, but in regards to the actual characters, Austen does a great job developing them. I really like Charlotte. She seems just so sweet and innocent, and seems as though she would never hurt a fly.
I totally and completely admire Lizzy. In the early 1800s, as we had mentioned in class, you don't deny potential spouses. Lizzy doesn't give a shit. Around page 130 (it may vary for each book), she basically just gives Mr. Darcy a piece of her mind and totally shuts him down. She literally lists off all the reasons he's an asshole. She calls him out for calling her ugly at the dance! Women did not speak to men like that in the 1800s, and if Lizzy's mother found out that that's how she was speaking to a man interested in her, Mrs. Bennet probably would have keeled over. Lizzy would rather be totally alone and happy than unhappy and married. I find Lizzy standing up for herself really admirable because women never did that. If I was alive during the 1800s, I probably would have been a Charlotte, just looking for a husband and going about my way. I wouldn't have half the guts that Lizzy did.
I think it's really interesting to see how Austen made Lizzy have all the guts, but can totally see why this book is a classic. If I was living in the 1800s and read this, I would have been absolutely fascinated because so much of the plot line goes against the societal norms.

Identify the pride and prejudice

Before this class, I have never read Pride and Prejudice. But I have heard about this novel. From the title, I assumed the book would be about two lovers from different social classes whose relationship was destined to fail because of their place in society and the disapproval from their families. However, after reading through this novel, I realized that it does not include the typical “cheesy love story” plot that we have seen over and over again. In fact the story does a good job at presenting all sides of a controversial topic that existed during the time. This story detailed how important marriage was for women and men.

One thing that is interesting about this book is that even though the characters are wealthy and come from notable families, some of them battle between whether love or status should be the primary base for a marriage. Even though this book was written a long time ago, I still believe that this can be applied to modern day times. In fact, there are other classic stories that present a similar motif. In Cinderella, it is expected that her stepsisters have more of a chance to dance with the prince than her because they are higher in status. However, the Prince decides to go after Cinderella despite her status. On the other hand, there was a bit of fairy magic that increased her chance, but you get my point.

Still as I continue to complete this book I apply “pride and prejudice” to my own life. Throughout the week, I have been asking myself what areas of pride and prejudice to I have in my life. In this book, it can be looked at from many different perspectives. The pride can be in the women or men marrying a spouse who is high in society and will continue the family fortune, and the prejudice is towards love or anyone who cannot offer high status to society. In fact, in chapter 35, Elizabeth grew weary and was ashamed of the fact that she was essentially being played. She stated “I, who have prided myself on discernment.” (127). In essence, what I took from this novel so far is that no matter if you’re rich or poor, love, status, and courting is not a simple task. With that being said, the many conflicts that Jane Austen presents throughout the book subliminally might question whether marriage is worth it. When I found out that the author never married, it helped my understanding. DON’T RUSH GUYS J

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is an interesting read. I still don’t know how I feel about it completely. Its set in a different time, a period where women were supposed to marry for money and not love.

                Personally, I like Lizzy Bennet. I like her because she is very self-aware. She knows what she wants out of life and she knows she won’t take much shit from anyone. She doesn’t want to end up with someone who doesn’t make her happy. I liked how she turned down two wedding proposals from Mr. Collins even if it meant she would be financially stable. Not only did she turn down Mr. Collins, she also turned down Mr. Darcy.

                Although she turned down Mr. Darcy’s wedding proposal, I didn’t find it surprising when he made it known that he liked her. Honestly the way he acted towards her, with all the attitude, it was kind of a giveaway.  It kind of reminded me of when kids are young and boys don’t know how to express they like a girl so they are mean to them. Although this is complete rubbish, it still reminds me of it.

I don’t think I like Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy. I also don’t like Mrs. Bennet. I don’t like Mr. Darcy because he is arrogant and thinks he is better than everyone. This isn’t a great aspect to have because usually no one will like you.  I don’t like Mr. Collins because he moved on so quickly after Lizzy said no to his wedding proposal. I mean yea she didn’t want him, but he didn’t have to move on like that. Mrs. Bennet isn’t my favorite because all she cares about is getting her daughters married. Yeah I understand during that time women wanted to make sure their daughters were taken care of but you don’t have to parade them like that. Don’t get me wrong, I like the fact that she wants nothing but the best for her daughters, but the way she goes about it as all wrong.

                Overall I don’t know exactly how I feel about the book. I am just waiting to see who Lizzy ends up with, if she even decides to get married. Honestly I don’t even think she’s that interested in finding a mate. I truly believe her sisters will marry before her. But yeah I don’t have any STRONG feelings of hate or love towards the book. 

Pride & Prejudice :^)

                This is my first time ever reading Pride and Prejudice. I must say that I have enjoyed reading this book thus far. I have found a real liking for Elizabeth in the story because she doesn’t settle with the social norms that her society tries forcing on her. Many women at this time are marrying men that they may not truly love and are committing to them for their wealth. Elizabeth denies the proposals of Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy, a huge shocker for both of the snobbish men. I admire that no matter how rich or handsome a man could be, Elizabeth will only marry that person if they prove to make her happy.

              

 I find Mr. Darcy to be one of the most interesting characters in the story. At first, I was not a fan of him at all. I thought of him as just an arrogant @$$hole. But eventually he started to remind me of Barney Stinson from How I met your Mother and I found him hilarious ever since. The way he carries (in the movie) and thinks of himself is so outlandish it is honestly humorous to me. Throughout the story, I feel that he really makes the reader start to care for him. He proves that he is not so bad after all through a few generous acts of kindness towards Elizabeth.

             
 At first I also had a hard time really liking Ms. Bennett. I did not like how she was raising her daughters how to marry so poorly. After reading further, I started to really find the mother-love in her. I know my mother has tried everything she can to raise me right and brighten my future. I finally saw that Ms. Bennett wants that same joyous future for her daughters. She wants her daughters to have a better adulthood than she has had and she really proves to be super unselfish for her daughters. 

Lots of Personalities

I get it, Jane Austen thought I was "smart" and "capable" enough to keep all these characters straight. WRONG! There are too many sisters and too many potential suitors for these sisters. The exercise we did in class as a group helped me tremendously, but I still get confused in group conversation (this also might be because some people know the full story and I do not). 

For this reason, I have come to really enjoy the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Following three sisters is much easier. I feel that this is much more manageable for the viewer, and allows a deeper incite into the characters, because there are only three sisters to develop ideas about. My favorite character is Lydia. She is so annoying and a bit of a slut, but I just love it. She plays the younger sister just right, and allows for a lot of contrast between the three sisters they chose to keep.

I think the youtube series kept the essential characters, and did not loose much of the plot line. Lizzie, the main vloger, even dresses up as her mother to retell stories, and often includes her friend Charlotte to play her sarcastic father. 

There are also guests on her Diary such as Mr. Collins, and eventually a very good looking Mr. Bingley.

Bingley and Jane

I have only watched the first 40 episodes, so I look forward to finishing it! Has anyone else started watching it? When you do, I suggest not reading the comments section. Those people get all wound up about a little fanfic. IT’S A FANFIC!! LET IT GO; IT WON’T BE JUST LIKE THE BOOK! What do you guys think of it, and do you like that there are only three sisters?  

            As for the other characters besides the sisters… I find myself loving to hate Mr. Darcy. I know from my classmates that he is just misunderstood, so maybe that influences my opinion, but as of now, I find him interesting. He seems to be an asshole for no reason, and because of that I love it. Most people give you some insight into why they act the way they act, but not Mr. Darcy. On top of that, he is best friends with the nicest guy in the world, Mr. Bingley. I wonder why such a nice guy would be friends with such an ass hole, so I figure there has to be some silver lining about Mr. Darcy.  

#TeamMr.Wickham

          This is my first experience with Pride and Prejudice and I actually enjoy it. I didn’t think I would because of the time period. I usually assume that if something is not as modern, it will be extremely boring, but that was not the case with Pride and Prejudice. I would have to say that my least favorite characters would be, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins. Darcy thinks he’s better than everyone else and he is rude. Collins thinks he has the right to move on the next woman available, since Elizabeth rejected his proposal. I thought that was such a cliché move. “It didn’t work with her so how about I move on to her dearest friend, Charlotte.” That’s basically what Mr. Collins had said in his head.

            I have started watching the “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries” and I find the episodes very entertaining. I also enjoy that most of the episodes are spot on with the passages in the book. I would have to say I do enjoy the diaries more than the actual book only because it is in modern day. The humor and sarcasm is still presentable in the diaries, which is what makes it entertaining. In the diaries there are only three sisters rather than five. I believe it is better to have three sisters instead of five because it makes it much easier to keep up with. There are so many unnecessary characters.

            I didn’t find it very shocking when Mr. Darcy exposed his love towards Lizzy. I honestly expected it because of the way he acted towards her. He was really rude towards her, but I’m not sure why, maybe that’s why he shows that he likes her. In the diaries Lizzie was shocked when Darcy told her he loved her. I’m glad Mr. Darcy and Lizzy don’t end up together. I would much rather see her with Mr. Wickham. He is the only sympathetic man in the story and he genuinely likes Lizzy.

            Overall I enjoy the book and the diaries. I can’t wait to see who Lizzy ends up or if she even gets married at all. I believe her sisters will get married first and she will be the last. I also believe that she will end up with Mr. Darcy rather than Mr. Wickham. Although, I would like her to end up with Mr. Wickham. The good girl always ends up choosing the bad guy. Why does this happen? I’ve seen many situations like this and they never end well.

The characters and morals of P. P.

So far, I think Pride and Prejudice has been an interesting story and mostly because of the characters in the story.  Like mostly if not all stories, there are some I like and others I don’t like. Elizabeth Bennett is one of the characters I do like because she is a woman who is very aware of who she is and what makes her happy. (self-awareness).  Also, unlike most of the other women in her society, she will only marry to someone who she will be happy with and not just of their wealth nor good looks. So much so that she refused two marriage proposals from Mr. Collins despite the possibility of being able to inherit the estate if she were to do so.  Then she refused Mr. Darcy’s proposal because he said that ever though it is against his good reason and his character to marry her despite his feelings toward her. Mr. Darcy did it in a way that made it uncomfortable for both, but what really bothered Elizabeth was that Mr. Darcy said it was against your reason and will to marry her, and his involvement in Elizabeth’s sister’s affairs. Elizabeth is one of those characters that I think is trying to find love and look after her family. Family is the most important thing in my life, and I think it is one of Elizabeth’s important things she values as well.

As for the characters, I don’t like in this story so far, Ms. Bennett is someone who although wants the best futures for her five daughters by marrying them quickly and as soon as an opportunity to be married to someone wealthy. She does it in a way that seems pushy and she is easily unsettled by her husband’s opinions about what is good for their daughters and who doesn’t push his daughters if at all to marry in a hurry. Not to mention that I can’t stand that way she speaks in a high-strung voice.

 As for the story, I do like how that story has different characters with different temperaments and their own views and goals in this Victorian, English society. It lets me get a better look and understanding of each character in this story rather than just the main and supporting characters. As for the matter of how marriage is done in that time period, it is similar to women are compelled to marry for their own as well as for their family’s benefit and wishes like in Romeo and Juliet when Juliet’s parents wanted her to marry Paris. But in this story, the women seem to have more sway and more choices to who they want to marry in terms of good looks and wealth. Still, I am glad I don’t live in a time where anyone is compelled or forced to marry anyone, but rather marry for love and the relationship between to people. Love is an important and precious thing in anyone’s life. I guess that is what this story is mostly about, his what makes people happy, their feelings of love, and their views and pursuits of them.