Lizzy's cattiness with Darcy about Mr. Collins

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Lizzy's cattiness with Darcy about Mr. Collins Written by Louise H (4/29/2010 12:36 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Gossip in P&P, ch.26-34, penned by Line

This isn't quite the same as gossip, but I'm always surprised by the conversation where Darcy says to Lizzy, "Mr. Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a wife," and she replies, "Yes, indeed; his friends may well rejoice in his having met with one of the very few sensible women who would have accepted him, or have made him happy if they had. My friend has an excellent understanding -- though I am not certain that I consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the wisest thing she ever did." (Ch. 32)

This seems quite a catty conversation for Lizzy to have with someone she dislikes. It doesn't seem very appropriate to say such negative things about her (distant) cousin and her host to someone with whom she's not intimate.

Darcy brings up the subject, which is a little odd in itself I think, but I think it's appropriate because he only speaks praise. I'm also little surprised that he's not surprised by the cattiness of Lizzy's response. Maybe this is another instance where he's misled into thinking that she's encouraging him, seeing how open she is with him in her contempt of her cousin. There's a form of intimacy in saying in effect, "you and I both see how foolish Mr. Collins is."

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Gossip in P&P, ch.26-34 Line (4/29/2010 10:00 a.m.)

Lizzy's cattiness with Darcy about Mr. Collins Louise H (4/29/2010 12:36 p.m.)
- Missed Meows KatharineW (4/29/2010 3:03 p.m.)
  - It seems to me Louise H (4/29/2010 10:43 p.m.)
    - Elizabeth was called on [] to give her opinion Stephanie (4/30/2010 10:01 p.m.)
- Why did Darcy bring up the Collins marriage? Adrian (4/29/2010 12:56 p.m.)
  - Sounding her out about marriage Kathryn Ann (4/30/2010 2:56 p.m.)
    - Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the complime Stephanie (4/30/2010 10:12 p.m.)
      - ...or had attended school elsewhere (nfm) Line (5/1/2010 10:26 a.m.)
      - If we include ...   gianni (4/30/2010 10:33 p.m.)
        
        "strong local attachment" to Longbourn   Heather Leigh (5/3/2010 5:08 p.m.)
        
        Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing the subject   Stephanie (4/30/2010 10:43 p.m.)
        
        My Interpretation   BarbaraB (5/2/2010 5:28 p.m.)
        
        Nice idea - I like it! nfm   Stephanie (5/2/2010 6:31 p.m.)
    - Darcy undecided? Line (4/30/2010 7:06 p.m.)
  - Different times Line (4/29/2010 2:49 p.m.)
    - I also sometimes wonder at the irony. Adrian (4/29/2010 6:30 p.m.)
      - This he considered sufficient encouragement Stephanie (4/29/2010 7:57 p.m.)
  - YES, sounding out her ideas about marriage Heather Leigh (4/29/2010 2:18 p.m.)
    - Not sure if Mr. Collins' choices arise from wisdom Graciela (4/30/2010 1:56 a.m.)
      - fair enough! Collins more lucky than wise Heather Leigh (4/30/2010 10:46 a.m.)
    - That is a good summary of the choices so far. And while AnnetteJ (4/29/2010 3:29 p.m.)
      - and Darcy's reassessing his OWN values, too... Heather Leigh (4/29/2010 5:02 p.m.)
        
        Too true! Kathryn Ann (4/30/2010 3:05 p.m.)
  - Lizzies verbal escape Aaron (4/29/2010 1:14 p.m.)

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