And the following lines make the irony even

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And the following lines make the irony even Written by kathleen (elder) (4/12/2010 7:49 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, "It is a truth universally acknowledged....", penned by Elizabeth K

more pronounced, imo.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.
"My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"
... "Is he married or single?"
"Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!"

So the opening statement is not only NOT a truth, it is not even universally acknowledged. The very next paragraph brings the concept into a neighbourhood, and then a specific family (more especially, the wife/mother in that family). When I first read P&P, I think this opening, ironic statement is what captured my fancy. :-)

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"It is a truth universally acknowledged...." Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 6:05 a.m.)

The First Two Lines of the Story Kathryn Ann (4/13/2010 9:37 a.m.)
- Another Book for my List Lenora (4/13/2010 10:37 a.m.)
- Very interesting! Elizabeth K (4/13/2010 10:25 a.m.)
I fancy she was wanted Stephanie (4/12/2010 2:31 p.m.)
Minor detail question Nina RG (4/12/2010 10:17 a.m.)
- all 6 of my editions (Yes I know ;-) are "good fortune" Jean B (4/12/2010 11:06 a.m.)
  - I checked my three editions... Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 11:33 a.m.)
    - JA uses "large fortune" though Karen G (4/12/2010 12:54 p.m.)
      - In that case then my quick theory is down the tubes... Jean B (4/12/2010 1:32 p.m.)
While ostensibly referring to Bingley... Connie (4/12/2010 9:51 a.m.)
- Small minded local mothers Akaruihi (4/12/2010 10:08 a.m.)
  - Context is important Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 11:55 a.m.)
    - Thanks Elizabeth k. Akaruihi (4/14/2010 10:15 a.m.)
- Agreed. Akaruihi (4/12/2010 9:59 a.m.)
  - And girls want rich men! ;-) (nfm) Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 11:56 a.m.)
This hook also made me want to read more back in 1981(nfm) Benedicte (4/12/2010 8:53 a.m.)
And the following lines make the irony even kathleen (elder) (4/12/2010 7:49 a.m.)
- Kathleen elder + Elizabeth k , brilliant ! Akaruihi (4/14/2010 10:23 a.m.)
  - That's not what I said, however kathleen (elder) (4/14/2010 1:01 p.m.)
- Roughly my thoughts too Kevin S (4/12/2010 12:18 p.m.)
Quite Robbin (4/12/2010 6:36 a.m.)
- She would be happy indeed! Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 9:47 a.m.)
- Very clever of Jane Austen to understand the way our AnnetteJ (4/12/2010 8:21 a.m.)

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