Pride and Prejudice Part 1

Through vol 1. ch 17

Happy Austen month, readers!

I must say, our summer reading lineup this year has been one for the books, (pun fully intended). I must admit I’m still processing the ache and beauty of East of Eden, and am sure that my mind will remain in the Salinas Valley for quite some time. Steinbeck will certainly be a tough act to follow; nonetheless, I’m confident that Austen is up to the task.

I am honored to be able to share my thoughts as we go through this lovely book. P&P is near and dear to me - in fact, you may have heard my confession in one or two podcast episodes that I have to keep track of my Austen reads to ensure that I don’t let myself read P&P more than once per year…not that it wouldn’t be extremely delightful, but apparently there are other worthy books, so I must limit myself.

I know we’re all excited to dive right in, so rather than sharing much in the way of a bio of Jane Austen, I’ll be sharing some links to great resources (articles, books, and podcast episodes) later on that would be great to jump into this month alongside the book for anyone who is interested in learning more about the woman of the hour.

Without further ado, we’ll get right into this opening section!

I’ve divided our section into three parts - this way we can focus on one chunk at a time.

Chapters 1-6

Summary:

In this section, we are introduced to the Bennet family and to the neighborhood news that sets the entire plot in motion: Netherfield park has been let at last! At a local assembly we meet Mr. Bingley along with his sisters, brother-in-law, and close friend, Mr. Darcy. At the assembly Jane is admired, Elizabeth snubbed, and Mrs. Bennet both delighted and vexed. Mr. Darcy, initially held in the highest esteem due to his great fortune and status, is marked by his own attitude and arrogant refusal to dance as “the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world.”

Charlotte and Elizabeth have an interesting conversation regarding the budding romance between Jane and Bingley in which Charlotte expresses her concern at Jane’s reserve in showing her affection. Charlotte’s somewhat cynical (if more pragmatic) views on what can be expected in marriage are challenged by Lizzy, but offer some interesting foreshadowing.

At yet another assembly, this time at Sir William Lucas’ home, Mr. Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth is heightened, and though she refuses his offer of a dance, he finds himself contemplating her “fine eyes” and pretty face, much to the chagrin of the jealous Miss Bingley.

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Let’s pause here and take a quick glance at our principal cast of characters so far - something that I LOVE about Austen is how well she does characterization through dialogue, and we see a lot of that in this section.

• Mr. and Mrs. Bennet: the book opens on these two having an extremely comical discussion about Mr. Bingley’s arrival in the neighborhood. In addition to setting the ironically comical tone of the novel, the brief discussion as to whether Mr. Bennet will visit the newcomer reveals the earnest frivolity of Mrs. Bennet and the sarcastic aloofness of her husband. These traits will be revealed more and more throughout the story.

• Jane: known for her great beauty, strength of feeling paired with great composure, and for being “a great deal too apt…to like people in general.” (ch 4)

• Elizabeth: Elizabeth’s character unfolds a bit more slowly throughout the novel. Her sharp wit and good sense stands out clearly against the background of her mother and younger sisters’ foolishness. Her selfless devotion to her family, especially Jane, her confident self-command, and (often very forgivable) tendency to stubbornness and pride, are all on display in this section. And don’t forget about her fine eyes.

• Mary: Perhaps the most pitiable of the Bennet sisters. Her conversational pontifications tend to sound something like the teacher from Charlie Brown in my mind, BUT are worth staying tuned in for as they often reflect the broader storyline.

• Kitty and Lydia: what could I say better than Mr. Bennet? “Must be two of the silliest girls in the country” (ch 7)

  • one small thing I noticed this time around (which may be a reach, so bear with me) is the fact that Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, and Katherine are all staunchly British names that appear frequently in the British royal line, nobility, etc., whereas the name Lydia is of Greek origin. This is something that stood out to me as I considered the part that Lydia will play in the story compared to the rest of her family/sisters.

• the Lucas family: Charlotte is the close friend of Lizzy. Her kindhearted father, Sir William Lucas, made his fortune in business (how people make their money and rise to status is something that was very important in Austen’s world) later risen to distinction which had “perhaps been felt too strongly” (ch 5)

• the Bingleys: “of a respectable family in the north of England” (ch 4), but another family whose wealth/inheritance was acquired in business. Mr. Bingley’s kind disposition is contrasted with his sisters’ arrogance. We’ll get to know them better in the coming sections.

• Mr. Darcy: VIP…from an old, wealthy family and has 10,000 a year. (More on money later). His character is also directly contrasted with Bingley: 

  “The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently characteristic. Bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in his life; every body had been most kind and attentive to him…Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or pleasure.” (ch 4)

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things to note:

• A repeated theme we see in this section is the way people are quick to make character judgments for good or ill, (kind of like…Prejudice…wink wink). During Elizabeth’s conversation with Charlotte regarding the budding romance between Jane and Bingley, Elizabeth defends Jane’s apparent reticence, saying, “She has known him only a fortnight…This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.” (ch 6) There’s a bit of irony here in that Elizabeth herself has already formed strong opinions on both Darcy and Bingley’s sisters on an even slighter acquaintance.

• Charlotte and Lizzy’s tête-à-tête in chapter 6 is extremely revealing. The nature of marriage will go on to be a major theme here (and in all of Austen’s works). I’m paying special attention on this read to the way in which various husbands and wives interact. Charlotte’s disenchanted assertion that,

  “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” (ch 6)

  ought to be kept in mind as we take a look at the various marriages we’ll encounter in the story.

Chapters 7-11

Summary:

Chapter seven opens with a bit more background information on the Bennet family - we learn that although they live quite comfortably and highly respected in their community, their wealth is entirely dependent upon the Longhorn estate which can only be inherited by a male heir.

The acquaintance between the Bennets and the Bingleys deepens and Jane is invited to dine with the Bingley sisters. Her mother’s plan for Jane to make the journey on horseback and thus be forced to remain at Netherfield overnight due to the expected bad weather comes to fruition when Jane becomes ill. Elizabeth, out of concern for Jane, walks the three miles to Netherfield to check on her and is invited to stay for the duration of Jane’s illness which ends up being several days. Being thus thrown together with the Netherfield crowd we see the Bingley sisters acting coldly civil to Elizabeth, Mr. Bingley showing her every kind attention, Mr. Hurst sleeping and being otherwise extremely dull, and Mr. Darcy doing lots of brooding and staring.

During one after-dinner conversation we see Elizabeth challenge Mr. Darcy’s (and Miss Bingley’s…who remarkably seems to be of one mind with Darcy in nearly everything) ideas on what it means to be an accomplished woman:

“no one can be really esteemed accomplished, who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages to deserve the word;

“All this she must possess,” added Darcy, “and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

“I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.” (ch 8)

Mrs. Bennet comes, along with Kitty and Lydia, to visit Jane and has a very awkward conversation with the Netherfield party during which Mr. Bingley promises the youngest Bennet sisters to throw a ball at Netherfield once Jane has fully recovered.

During yet another after-dinner conversation, Elizabeth lightheartedly pokes fun at Mr. Darcy’s self-importance. An interesting conversation (absolutely dripping with subtext, I might add) ensues between them on the idea of pride.

things to note:

• The problem of entailment specifically (property being inheritable only by a male heir), but also of women being left dependent on male relatives more generally, was a major concern for Austen (think of the Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility).¹ This is important to keep in mind since, as ridiculous as she is, Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with her daughters entering into prosperous marriages is not solely a matter of vanity, but is looked to as something of a financial necessity.

• Something that is interesting to note is the way in which means of transportation are viewed as indicators of wealth. Mrs. Bennet delightedly announces that Mr. Bingley arrived in town in “a chaise and four” (ch 1), when discussing Mr. Darcy’s impolitely refusing to speak to a Mrs. Long, Mrs. Bennet says, “I dare say he heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and had come to the ball in a hack chaise” (ch 5). In chapter seven when Jane requests to use the coach to visit Netherfield, she is denied because the horses were needed for the farm that day - indicating that the Bennets do not have dedicated coach horses, but rather have to share horses between the coach and the farm.

• The question of what is an “accomplished woman” is an intriguing one that will come up again and again in the story and is yet another indicator of wealth and status. There was a certain pride in the idea of being well-off enough that one’s children, daughters especially, could be “at leisure”, to practice the fine arts, languages, etc.. We often see Mrs. Bennet’s pride in this. To an inquiry about whether Charlotte, on a visit to Longbourn, stayed to dine, the lady answers: “No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up differently.” (ch 9)

• So many things to unpack here, but for the sake of time I’ll just draw our attention to the drawing room conversation in chapter ten (really all of the drawing room conversations in this section are extremely significant). Here, again, is raised the question of pride/humility, of firmness of conviction, and finally of the merits of yielding to the persuasion of a friend. All themes that will come up in the coming chapters. Also shout out to Mr. Bingley’s comedic relief: “I assure you that if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with myself, I should not pay him half so much deference.” (ch 10)

Chapters 12-17

Summary:

The Bennet sisters return to Longbourn, to the chagrin of their mother who’d hoped their stay would be longer and the relief of Mr. Darcy who had begun “to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention”. Soon after their return home the news arrives that Mr. Collins, (cousin and future inheritor of Longbourn, “distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh”) is to visit Longbourn in order to make amends and “heal the breach” between the two families. He arrives and is, as suspected, quite ridiculous, but hopes to find a wife amongst the Bennet girls.

On a walk to Meryton we meet Mr. Wickham who is soon to join the corps stationed there, he is very popular among the ladies, but has an oddly cold meeting with Darcy. Elizabeth later learns that Wickham and Darcy have a long history, and Wickham has been betrayed out of his rightful “inheritance” (living as a clergyman) by Darcy. Jane doubts whether Wickham’s account can be entirely reliable, but Elizabeth is convinced and thus even less fond of Mr. Darcy. Our section ends with the promise of the upcoming Netherfield ball.

things to note:

• first, if you want to enhance your enjoyment of this book even further, take a drink every time Mr. Collins says, “Lady Catherine de Bourgh”…(but really, better not.. you’ll want all of your inhibitions to fully appreciate how subtly hilarious his character is.) Mr. Collins is the loyal subject utterly dazzled by the importance of his distinguished patroness. I’m paying special attention on this read to how people respond to wealth and status.

• What to say about Mr. Wickham. I’ll just point out something I noticed especially this time - not only are his good looks talked about, but his “happy readiness of conversation — a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming” (ch 15) is remarked on quite often. His charm and easy manners make him a quick favorite, and Elizabeth is inclined to believe him because, “there was truth in his looks.” (ch 17) Even before we known of their conflict we see Wickham being juxtaposed with Darcy who is known for his sullenness, lofty pride, and ill temper.

• Yet again, lots to unpack here but I’ll leave you with this interesting quote from the conversation between Wickham and Elizabeth in chapter sixteen as they discuss Mr. Darcy’s pride:

  “I wonder that the very pride of this Mr. Darcy has not made him just to you!…”

  “It is wonderful,” — replied Wickham, — “"for almost all his actions may be traced to pride;, —and pride has often been his best friend. It has connected him nearer with virtue than any other feeling…”

  “Can such abominable pride as his, have ever done him good?”

  “Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous,—to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the poor.”

  The question of motives will be an interesting one throughout the story. Pride, vanity, false humility - all of these ideas are raised in this sections and should remain in our minds as we move on.

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I hope you’ve all enjoyed the opening section of P&P! I assure you that my weekly posts will not all be quite so long, but I’ll leave you with a few Mr. Bennet gems that made it into my commonplace this week:

“You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party.” (ch 1)

“If he had had any compassion for me,” cried her husband impatiently, “he would not have danced half so much! For God’s sake, say no more of his partners. Oh! that he had sprained his ancle in the first dance!” (ch 3)

“Well, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet…, “if your daughter should have dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.” (ch 7)

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*Given the short chapters and plethora of available editions of this novel, I have merely listed chapter numbers for quotations*

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Until next time, keep revisiting the good books that enrich your life and nourish your soul.

In Case You Missed It:

• Reading Revisited ep. 6 - Our Favorite Summer Reads with

  Kelsie Hartley
  ,
  Hannah Suire
  , and
  Jessica Risma

• Pride and Prejudice Schedule

• East of Eden - Revisiting the Whole by

  Jessica Risma

• Reading Revisited ep.5 - The Remains of the Day with Kelsie Hartley, Hannah Suire, Brittney Hawver, and Jessica Risma

A Few Reminders:

• If you are wanting to get in on the in person or virtual community please contact us!

• Here is the whole list of this years book selections

• Book lists from previous years can be found here.

1. This was also a situation that Jane, her sister Cassandra, and her mother found themselves in following her father’s death.