In reading everyone's insightful comments about Mr. Bennet and his daughters a couple of questions came to mind. Hope no one minds me putting them out there??...

Is it possible that part of reason that Mr. Bennet seems to put down and tease his daughters is in part to the frustration that he may feel at not having any sons?

How much of an influence would Mr Bennet have in the teaching and upbringing of the daughters to ready them for marriage? Wouldn't it be more in the hands of Mrs. Bennet? Could then the comments about the girls being silly that Mr. Bennet makes in fact be a statement on the job he thinks his wife has done? Especially in reference to the younger girls.