She smiles too much?

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She smiles too much? Written by Tori Marie (1/12/2004 12:37 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Smiles, penned by Vanessa M

I agree with your point about Jane smiling an awful lot and that it was natural, Vanessa. Jane Bennet is not one to be insincere about anything, including a smile. :-)

Do you think it's possible that this remark of Darcy's about Jane smiling too much is a Regency-era fashion issue? Could smiling so much of the time be considered out-of-style, countrified or somehow lower-class than what Darcy sees in London? Or could too much smiling be simply annoying, in the way in which some people find excessive perkiness annoying nowadays?

If this were the case, Darcy's comment about Jane would then be not only a remark on her beauty, but also on her standing in society. ("She is handsome, I suppose, but not fashionable enough to tempt me."?)

I admit that I have no facts whatsoever to back this up--it was just an idea I had in thinking about why Darcy would say Jane smiles too much. But I like it to well to dismiss it without mention. ;-)

Apart from this, what do you think JA is telling us about Darcy by having him say this line? What do we think of a man who can see a beautiful young woman, one who is seen as all goodness and light and say that she smiles too much? For my part, it adds to the ill opinion I formed of him when he slighted Lizzy at the Assembly.

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The Bennet Sisters -- basic descriptions kathleen (elder) (1/11/2004 12:33 a.m.)

Strictly speaking Lucy Jean (1/11/2004 12:07 p.m.)
- He did think well of Elizabeth's (and Jane's) sense, IMO kathleen (elder) (1/11/2004 12:18 p.m.)
  - You're right... Lucy Jean (1/11/2004 1:21 p.m.)
Kitty asks Lizzy about the next ball, Linda (1/11/2004 6:43 a.m.)
- Interesting how differently we can see things Lucy Jean (1/11/2004 1:50 p.m.)
  - He is the promotor Ann2 (1/11/2004 2:46 p.m.)
- I think so too Alessia (1/11/2004 8:29 a.m.)
- That certainly does make more sense kathleen (elder) (1/11/2004 7:05 a.m.)
  - The hat Vanessa M (1/11/2004 10:02 a.m.)
    - Lizzy and repartee Gill (1/12/2004 3:23 a.m.)
    - You're right ... (tiny spoiler) Line (1/11/2004 1:01 p.m.)
      - Rather than writing "spoiler" -- kathleen (elder) (1/11/2004 1:05 p.m.)
The sisters Nasima (1/11/2004 4:14 a.m.)
- Lonely Mary JOhanna Elisabet (1/11/2004 8:31 a.m.)
  - Odd girl out Tara O'Donnell (1/11/2004 9:35 a.m.)
    - needing to be noticed Johanna Elisabet (1/11/2004 9:55 a.m.)
      - In chapter six...   Vanessa M (1/11/2004 10:12 a.m.)
        
        Marys inferiority   Johanna Elisabet (1/11/2004 10:38 a.m.)
        
        Daddy   Lucy Jean (1/11/2004 12:27 p.m.)
        
        Mr. Bennet as a father of young children   Kathi (1/13/2004 9:46 a.m.)
        
        Mr. Bennet, as a Regency-era father   Johanna Elisabet (1/13/2004 2:47 p.m.)
        
        Tutors   Ramya (1/14/2004 3:32 a.m.)
        
        Her father's disdain   Kristi (1/12/2004 7:55 p.m.)
        
        Mary - A "nerd" of her time   Chandra S (1/11/2004 3:04 p.m.)
        
        Excellent points!   Diana (1/11/2004 7:12 p.m.)
        
        Comparison   Vanessa M (1/11/2004 11:02 a.m.)
        
        More about Mary   Johanna Elisabet (1/12/2004 6:50 a.m.)
        
        Mary is seeking a role.   Mandy N (1/11/2004 11:48 a.m.)
- P&P2's Lydia kathleen (elder) (1/11/2004 7:16 a.m.)
  - The actress who played Kitty Karrie (1/13/2004 8:47 a.m.)
    - How differently we see things! kathleen (elder) (1/13/2004 9:04 a.m.)
      - Heavens! I hope I haven't offended Karrie (1/13/2004 2:34 p.m.)
Lizzy and Jane Hannah M (1/11/2004 2:25 a.m.)
- Smiles Vanessa M (1/11/2004 10:24 a.m.)
  - She smiles too much? Tori Marie (1/12/2004 12:37 a.m.)
    - "She smiles too much" Vanessa M (1/12/2004 9:51 p.m.)
      - Actually...   BarbaraB (1/13/2004 10:38 p.m.)
        
        Narrator   Vanessa M (1/14/2004 8:31 a.m.)
        
        I see...   BarbaraB (1/15/2004 7:46 p.m.)
      - Sorry Nasima (1/13/2004 5:53 a.m.)
      - Okay, I didn't laugh...   Tori Marie (1/13/2004 1:46 a.m.)
        
        Excellent point, Vanessa M!   Line (1/13/2004 7:39 p.m.)
        
        The tide of his popularity...   Vanessa M (1/13/2004 6:10 p.m.)
        
        For half of the evening.   Kristi (1/14/2004 12:08 a.m.)
        
        That's a good point   kathleen (elder) (1/14/2004 8:26 a.m.)
        
        Did Lizzy contribute?   Lucy Jean (1/16/2004 1:28 a.m.)
        
        Interesting take   Ramya (1/16/2004 1:47 a.m.)
        
        smiles too much   Karrie (1/13/2004 8:57 a.m.)
- JA's irony here? Ramya (1/11/2004 3:15 a.m.)
  - Lizzy Not Mother's Favorite Annette J (1/11/2004 7:02 a.m.)
    - Lizzie's superior intelligence? Lucy Jean (1/11/2004 12:44 p.m.)
      - A Gentle Reminder not to discuss ahead kathleen (elder) (1/11/2004 12:50 p.m.)
        
        Point taken... Lucy Jean (1/11/2004 1:05 p.m.)
    - But Jane is one of Mrs Bennet's favorites, and kathleen (elder) (1/11/2004 7:30 a.m.)
      - Yes ...   Line (1/11/2004 12:43 p.m.)
        
        I agree, Line!   Tori Marie (1/12/2004 12:55 a.m.)
        
        Yes, the only times   Ramya (1/11/2004 1:00 p.m.)
        
        "Running on in that wild manner..."   Diana (1/11/2004 6:59 p.m.)
      - Jane & Mrs B Annette J (1/11/2004 7:58 a.m.)
        
        The business of her life Lucy Jean (1/11/2004 12:57 p.m.)

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