I’ve also been noticing how differently I view the characters’ behavior if I keep their age in mind. Watching the Austen adaptations sometimes causes me forget that these are young people actively trying to mold themselves into people of character, not 30-somethings who have themselves and this whole love and society game figured out.
Love your insight into the potentially revealing nature of Mary's rather pedantic and out-of-step commentary. I was reading her simply as a snob full of her own learning, and unable to see intelligence in others. However, am now excited to see how her comments may "reflect the broader storyline," as you phrase it.
Jul 17Liked by Kelsie Hartley, Jessica Risma, Hannah Suire
Love these thoughts and what you're noticing! Great insights.
This is my first re-read since I listened to the Literary Life Podcast's "In Search of the Austen Adaptation" episode about P&P, where they talk about how blatantly obvious Darcy is being about his interest in Elizabeth, and how everyone can see it except for her. That's not often how their dynamic is depicted in films, but on my re-read I'm paying closer attention to that and enjoying it quite a bit. Reading his behavior at the age of 30, he doesn't seem quite so formidable and guarded as he did when I read this as a teenager. :)
So enjoyed your insights! Love the detail about the sisters’ names with Lydia as the outlier, never noticed or would have ever of thought of that. I also, like Jess, never connected Mary’s sayings with the broader themes of the book, so that will be fun to keep in mind.
I’ve also been noticing how differently I view the characters’ behavior if I keep their age in mind. Watching the Austen adaptations sometimes causes me forget that these are young people actively trying to mold themselves into people of character, not 30-somethings who have themselves and this whole love and society game figured out.
Love your insight into the potentially revealing nature of Mary's rather pedantic and out-of-step commentary. I was reading her simply as a snob full of her own learning, and unable to see intelligence in others. However, am now excited to see how her comments may "reflect the broader storyline," as you phrase it.
Love these thoughts and what you're noticing! Great insights.
This is my first re-read since I listened to the Literary Life Podcast's "In Search of the Austen Adaptation" episode about P&P, where they talk about how blatantly obvious Darcy is being about his interest in Elizabeth, and how everyone can see it except for her. That's not often how their dynamic is depicted in films, but on my re-read I'm paying closer attention to that and enjoying it quite a bit. Reading his behavior at the age of 30, he doesn't seem quite so formidable and guarded as he did when I read this as a teenager. :)
Excited to be reading along with the group!
Oh we should definitely link to that episode!! I'd love to relisten to that! I'm so excited you're joining us Jenny!
So enjoyed your insights! Love the detail about the sisters’ names with Lydia as the outlier, never noticed or would have ever of thought of that. I also, like Jess, never connected Mary’s sayings with the broader themes of the book, so that will be fun to keep in mind.