Agree re. "snobbery"

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Agree re. "snobbery" Written by Rachel G (10/9/2008 3:26 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Elizabeth's companion..., penned by Mandy N

In the second paragraph of Ch.2 we are told of Lady R's "prejudices on the side of ancestry" and her"value for rank and consequence". She is "solicitous for the credit of the family" and "aristocratic in her ideas of what was due to them".

I agree with you that these prejudices are the main reason why Lady R objects so much to Mrs Clay as Elizabeth's companion and hopes that Elizabeth will find "more suitable intimates" in Bath. (As a "rational" woman Lady R must surely, after so many years, be giving up hope that E will start to prefer Anne as her intimate companion.)

However, the final paragraph of Ch.2 begins -

"From situation, Mrs. Clay was, in Lady Russell's estimate, a very unequal, and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion..."

The "danger" of Mrs Clay as a companion is clearly attributed to her "character" rather than to her unequal social rank. This might just mean that Mrs Clay's manners reveal her relatively low social status, and that Lady R fears that Elizabeth's public credit may be tainted by the association. However I think there is just a hint in this sentence that there may be something else about Mrs' Clay's character that is not quite nice or not quite right. Perhaps Lady R cannot identify it precisely - it could be just an uneasy feeling that she has. But perhaps I am reading way too much into a slightly ambiguous phrase.

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"Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit" Delories (10/6/2008 6:34 p.m.)

What's so bad about Mrs. Clay? nan duval (10/6/2008 9:37 p.m.)
- Another use for Mrs. Clay Martina (10/12/2008 12:45 a.m.)
  - Elizabeth is a snob Robbin (10/12/2008 1:33 p.m.)
- Agree, and... Helen Kaye (10/7/2008 6:42 a.m.)
  - Why wouldn't she think of it? CarolTS (10/7/2008 11:52 a.m.)
    - My thoughts. Helen Kaye (10/7/2008 3:51 p.m.)
- I agree with Robbin's third point Anna Ruby (10/7/2008 4:20 a.m.)
  - Why "clearly"? I don't think Lady R is a snob Delories (10/7/2008 4:29 p.m.)
    - Isn't she? Anna Ruby (10/8/2008 5:09 a.m.)
      - It's possible that "situation" meant something else   Delories (10/8/2008 1:06 p.m.)
        
        Elizabeth's companion...   Mandy N (10/9/2008 12:53 p.m.)
        
        Agree re. "snobbery"   Rachel G (10/9/2008 3:26 p.m.)
        
        Oh, right, Mrs "CLAY"! I never realized before...   Delories (10/9/2008 1:37 p.m.)
        
        What hidden meaning? Pray tell... I don't get it. Thanks. NFM   JanELT (10/12/2008 6:09 p.m.)
        
        Clay is easily molded into any shape desired...   Elbè (10/12/2008 7:00 p.m.)
        
        Ah.... shape shifter. That I understand.   JanELT (10/12/2008 7:06 p.m.)
        
        I agree! Never really caught on to the "Mrs. Clay" ...   Line (10/12/2008 10:17 p.m.)
        
        Was Mrs Clay paid to be a companion to Elizabeth?   JanELT (10/12/2008 11:54 p.m.)
        
        L&T: Interesting question!   Line (10/13/2008 9:54 a.m.)
        
        Was that specifically stated?   CarolTS (10/13/2008 11:46 a.m.)
        
        Interesting relationship   Susan L (10/14/2008 8:56 p.m.)
        
        I don't understand what you mean   Anna Ruby (10/9/2008 3:51 a.m.)
        
        After being widowed, she was presumably in...   Delories (10/9/2008 9:43 a.m.)
        
        So your point is that Lady Russell disapproves Mrs Clay   Anna Ruby (10/9/2008 1:46 p.m.)
      - If there are class distinctions,   CarolTS (10/8/2008 11:22 a.m.)
        
        My point is that to Lady Russell   Anna Ruby (10/9/2008 3:42 a.m.)
        
        I must agree with you.   nan duval (10/9/2008 8:25 a.m.)
- Mrs. Clay Robbin (10/6/2008 9:57 p.m.)
  - What we find out about Mrs. Clay Mia I. (10/7/2008 7:35 a.m.)
    - Clever Mrs. Clay Robbin (10/7/2008 4:45 p.m.)
      - Positive and negative connotations Mia I. (10/8/2008 6:59 a.m.)
        
        Negative impressions Robbin (10/9/2008 11:52 p.m.)

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