socially respectable

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socially respectable Written by Ra (6/15/2007 8:12 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Not so much a sign of affection as of approval, IMO, penned by Line

Mrs Bennet is right, IMHO, to get upset about Lydia's lack of new clothes. It's a very physical symbol that her wedding was a quick one-two to make everything legal. New clothes and the whole shebang would make her look as normal as possible. But by insisting on this to everyone she meets, Mrs B actually underlines the fact that Lydia isn't quite respectable. Mr B, of course, is angry with her, IMHO for all the trouble she caused him, and so wants to punish her. He's not going to pretend Lydia's any better than she should be.

IMO, this is a running theme throughout the book - Mrs B is a bit thick, but genuinely concerned for her children. Mr B just seems to yell at them "you're useless" and then leave them to suffer their own mistakes, but he knows how to get them - or at least his wife, as I agree Lydia is probably oblivious - right where it hurts, because he's clever. Of course, he's nicer to Lizzie, but he could have intervened with her and Mr Collins if he was clever enough to work everything out.

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clothes question Carolyn (6/14/2007 10:43 p.m.)

I think that the narrator is being ironical Mary Ellen (6/15/2007 1:45 a.m.)
- Wedding clothes Helen B (6/15/2007 5:00 a.m.)
  - Not so much a sign of affection as of approval, IMO Line (6/15/2007 7:58 a.m.)
    - socially respectable Ra (6/15/2007 8:12 a.m.)

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