Now wait a minute...
Posted by Mark/MR on August 21, 1998 at 15:02:53:
In response to Both are very different, written by Patricia R. /MR on August 21, 1998 at 15:01:25
] ]*snip* WH makes for a much more intresting and thought provoking novel.
]
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] Personally I prefer WH because it is a deep book,
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I take umbrage at the assertion that that Pride and Prejudice is not "a(n) interesting and thought provoking novel", or that it is not a "deep" one. I could not disagree more.
Jane Austen deals with some very cruel and harsh realities. Mr. Bennet takes every oppurtunity to demean, put down, and belittle, (read "emotionally abuse") his wife and three of his own daughters. He shows zero interest in their welfare. He does nothing to try to see they are supported after he is gone.
As a result, his wife is a laughing stock, his third and fourth daughters don't know who or what they are, and his youngest runs off with the first scoundrel that comes along.
Just because he is witty and clever doesn't change the reality one jot.
Lydia, if not rescued by Darcy, would be dumped by Wickham. What would be left for her to do? Very likely, the only recourse would be to become a women of the streets; or, if she were "lucky", to be passed from one man to another.
At the core of the story, we have a family of five girls, who through no fault of their own, will be disenherited upon the death of their father. And because of this, their chances of marrying well are greatly reduced. Therefore they are in a catch-22 situation with no way out. Mrs. Bennet, who is supposedly a comic figure, has the right of it.
You have Wickham, who seeking to revenge hiimself upon Darcy, attempts to seduce Darcy's innocent sister and very nearly succeeds He then insinuates himself into the society that Darcy finds himself, spreading falsehoods and innuendo knowing full well Darcy will not and cannot reveal the truth without bringing disgrace and scorn upon his cherished sister.
What about Elizabeth. Here is one smart lady, yet she is condemned to live in a society where "accomplished" ladies cover purses and knit screens. No wonder she takes long walks.
Pride and Prejudice not deep or thought-provoking? Please look again. You may be pleasantly surprized.
Mark
- What's all the *name*/MR stuff about? Haley 21:28:53 8/21/98
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- I think it means the post was moved from another board. *nfm* AmandaB 01:13:34 8/22/98
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- I think it means the post was moved from another board. *nfm* AmandaB 01:13:34 8/22/98
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