what seemed like endless teasing as a child and teenager, but from my mother instead of my father, IMO teasing borders is a form of bullying. Perhaps that seems beside the point in P&P, but there is so much of it that comes from Mr Bennet that I become weary just reading it. To me it still implies that your problems or concerns or heartbreak are not important and stop taking yourself so seriously, because I don't! The first and second time I read P&P, I thought Mr Bennet was so witty and wise, and his wife such a brainless dolt. But later readings have caused me to change my opinion of the character -- he is often cruel and thoughtless just at the time when he should be sympathetic and concerned. He is not a casual acquaintance of this family, he is the FATHER and he should be something more than a bystander in the events that occur in it.