Quick Index Board Index Home FAQ Site Map

View thread | Previous message | Next message


Sarcasm and cynicism   Written by Tracy W (5/6/2007 5:18 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, "like other girls"???, penned by Maria Liourdi
Are you new?

In chapter 1 we have this description of Mr Bennet from the narrator: Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice...

I don't think we can rely on any single thing Mr Bennet says to be a true reflection of his feelings - except possibly at times of duress, which we haven't seen him in so far in the group read anyway.

There are I think two things behind it:
- Mr Bennet could be cynical about everyone, male and female, regardless of age
- He's a generation older than his daughters, and he comes across as reasonably intelligent, so his daughters probably do seem somewhat silly and ignorant to him. I've noticed as I've started to have responsibility for training new graduates at work, how young they seem, and of course they have to be taught a great deal of things.
Of course, that the Bennet daughters don't yet have the life experience of someone 24 years older is unlikely to make any difference to Mr Bingley's evaluation of them, Bingley's also young.


Previous message | Next message | Board index

All messages in the thread


Password:

Groupread is maintained by Myretta with WebBBS 3.21.


View thread | Previous message | Next message
Board index

Group Read Board Pride & Prejudice Board Emma Board Sense & Sensibility Board Persuasion Board Mansfield Park Board Northanger Abbey Board Austenuations Board Jane Austen's Life & Times Board Lady Catherine & Co. Board Library Board Virtual Views Board Ramble Board Meetings Board Newcomers' Board Milestones Board Help Board Pemberleans Board





- Jane Austen | Republic of Pemberley -

Quick Index Home Site Map JAInfo

© 2004 - 2012 The Republic of Pemberley

Get copyright permissions

Quantcast