YEAH!
We are discussing part 2 of Pride & Prejudice!
How Exciting!
Chapters 1-9 of Part 2 caused a lot of drama in the book.
If you've been following along, you should have noticed that the focus of the novel is not entirely on the relationship between Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth Bennet, with new characters in the plot line…
the novel takes on many more twists and turns.
Like always, a few key points from the novel thus far…
J
Part II, Chapter One
A letter from Miss Bingley arrives at long last, and it is clear that the Bingleys will not return for the winter.
Jane’s matrimonial hopes are dashed.
Elizabeth spends a lot of time wondering what happened. Was Bingley waylaid by his sister? Did his friend Mr. Darcy convince him not to pay any more attention to Jane?
Jane expresses her sorrow but says that she has nobody to reproach but herself.
Elizabeth declares that the world doesn’t make sense – and by this, she means Bingley's loss of interest in Jane, Darcy’s treatment of Wickham, and Charlotte’s marriage to Mr. Collins.
She also lets Jane know that she believes Mr. Bingley was negatively influenced by his sisters and Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Bennet jokes to Elizabeth that Jane has been crossed in love which, next to matrimony, is what girls want most.
Will Elizabeth be next to get a broken heart? Mr. Bennet asks. He suggests that Mr. Wickham is just the right man to jilt her.
The Bennets spend a lot of time with Wickham. The story of Mr. Darcy’s treatment of him becomes widely known in town.
Everybody congratulates themselves that they already disliked Mr. Darcy before even knowing the story.
Jane is the only one who refuses to condemn Mr. Darcy, suggesting that there might be more to the story. (Good job sticking up for your sister’s man)
Part II, Chapter Two
Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife, the Gardiners, arrive at Longbourn for a visit.
Mrs. Bennet complains to her sister-in-law, Mrs. Gardiner, about how she almost had two daughters married and now has nothing.
Mrs. Gardiner speaks to Elizabeth about her concern for Jane, who isn’t the type of girl to recover easily from the Mr. Bingley letdown.
Elizabeth also asserts that Mr. Bingley’s regard for Jane did appear to be genuine and deep.
Mrs. Gardiner suggests a change of scene. Would Jane like to come stay with them in London for a while? The likelihood that she will run into Bingley is small.
Mrs. Gardiner notices the attraction between Elizabeth and Wickham and it makes her uneasy. She resolves to speak to Elizabeth about it.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Gardiner and Wickham have a lot in common because she grew up near Pemberley, the Darcy estate, and knew the senior Mr. Darcy.
Part II, Chapter Three
Mrs. Gardiner warns Elizabeth not to fall in love with Wickham.
Elizabeth says she will not encourage him because, although he is the most agreeable man she has ever met, she sees that it wouldn’t be a smart match because he has no fortune to speak of. However, her father likes Wickham, so if it happens, it happens, she tells her aunt.
The Gardiners and Jane leave for London.
Charlotte and Mr. Collins are married and Charlotte asks Elizabeth to come visit her in Hunsford, on Lady Catherine’s estate. Elizabeth agrees.
Jane writes to say that she has visited Caroline Bingley and the visit went well; Miss Bingley said that her brother spends all his time with Mr. Darcy and she scarcely sees him herself. Jane hopes Miss Bingley would visit her soon.
Jane writes again to say that Miss Bingley visited after two weeks; her visit was short and her manner wasn't very affectionate. Jane realizes that all hope is gone. She has lost Mr. Bingley forever.
Wickham is now paying attention to another young lady who has a great deal more money than Elizabeth.
Elizabeth realizes she must not have been in love with Wickham since she is not very hurt by his sudden swerve in attention.
Part II, Chapter Four
In March, Elizabeth leaves to visit Charlotte in Hunsford along with Charlotte’s family.
She says an affectionate good-bye to Wickham, even though he is now paying attention to another woman.
Elizabeth reflects that Wickham will always be her model of perfect amiability in a man.
Elizabeth and Charlotte’s family stop to visit Jane in London on the way.
Jane looks OK, but Mrs. Gardiner lets Elizabeth know that Jane is still suffering, even though she had thoroughly given up any expectations of a relationship with Mr. or Miss Bingley.
Mrs. Gardiner also takes back her approval of Wickham, arguing that his switch in his affections from Elizabeth to a young woman who had recently inherited money makes him look bad.
Elizabeth defends him as best she can and reveals that perhaps she is more hurt by Wickham than she cares to admit.
Part II, Chapter Five
Elizabeth and the Lucases arrive in Hunsford. Mr. Collins takes care to point out every lovely thing in his home, to give Elizabeth the chance to regret that it’s not hers.
Charlotte takes her around the house and Elizabeth can tell that her friend likes her life, especially when she can forget that Mr. Collins is part of it.
At dinner, Elizabeth learns that she will be able to meet Lady Catherine during church on Sunday.
The next day, Elizabeth has a chance to observe Miss de Bourgh, Lady Catherine’s daughter. She looks "sickly and cross." This, Elizabeth reflects, is perfect. If Miss de Bourgh is to marry Mr. Darcy, she will be the perfect companion for him.
Charlotte lets them know that Miss de Bourgh has invited them all to dine at Rosings Park, the de Bourgh estate, the next day.
Part II, Chapter Six
Mr. Collins is deeply gratified that the visitors will be able to see the splendor of his benefactress’s estate. They talk of nothing else the rest of the day.
Lady Catherine is authoritative but kind. Her daughter is extremely thin, small, and sickly.
Lady Catherine is also a bit of a bore; there is little to do but listen to her, and she talks unceasingly.
She asks Elizabeth an amazing number of questions – how many sisters she has, whether one of them would soon get married, where they had been educated, what had been her mother’s maiden name, etc.
Elizabeth feels her questions are impertinent but answers as best she can.
Lady Catherine also chides Elizabeth for never having a governess, as if that was Elizabeth’s fault.
Part II, Chapter Seven
Elizabeth discovers that Lady Catherine is concerned with the tiniest details of her parish.
Charlotte and Mr. Collins spend a lot of time with Lady Catherine. They dine at Rosings twice a week.
As Easter approaches, they learn that Mr. Darcy is expected at Rosings in a few weeks’ time.
When Mr. Darcy arrives, Mr. Collins visits Rosings to meet him. When he returns, Mr. Darcy accompanies him.
Charlotte turns to Elizabeth to thank her, saying Darcy never would have come to visit so soon if Elizabeth hadn’t been there.
Mr. Darcy inquires after Elizabeth’s family’s health.
To jolt him, Elizabeth says her sister has been in London for three months. Has he never had opportunity to see her?
He seems a little confused as he answers that he has not been fortunate enough to meet Miss Bennet while in London.
Ok…. Chapter 8 is a little lengthy ….but very important J
Part II, Chapter Eight
A week later, they are invited to come to Rosings.
Lady Catherine greets them but it’s clear that she prefers other people’s company; she spends most of the time talking to her nephews, especially Darcy.
Darcy’s cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam seems very glad to see them, and Elizabeth catches his interest. He sits beside her and entertains her so well that Darcy’s eyes are repeatedly drawn to them.
Lady Catherine also notices. She wants to know what they are talking about.
When Fitzwilliam replies that they are discussing music, she starts jabbering on and on about it. She says that Charlotte doesn’t know how to play, but that Elizabeth is welcome to use the piano in the housekeeper’s room.
Fitzwilliam reminds Elizabeth that she promised to play for him and she does so.
Mr. Darcy positions himself so he can see Elizabeth’s entire face. She stops playing to let him know that he can’t intimidate her; she is too stubborn to let somebody else alter her behavior.
He replies that he will not tell her she’s mistaken because he believes she already knows that and, furthermore, she often expresses opinions that are not really hers.
She laughs at his witty reply. Then she says it is unwise of him to portray her thus, when she can reveal his own shocking behavior to his relatives.
What shocking behavior would this be? Elizabeth is probably thinking of Wickham’s story, but she chickens out and simply describes how, on the first night they met, he danced only four dances even though the male/female ratio left lots of women without partners.
Darcy explains that he has difficulty talking to people he doesn’t know. The man’s just shy!
Elizabeth doesn’t buy his excuse, arguing that although other women play the piano better than her, she can only blame herself because she does not take the time to practice. The lesson to Darcy is clear: he needs to practice talking to strangers and being nice.
Lady Catherine comes over and begins commenting on Elizabeth’s playing – her strengths and weaknesses and how much she would improve if she were to practice more.
Part II, Chapter Nine
Mr. Darcy comes to the Collins' house and finds Elizabeth alone. They have an awkward conversation.
When Charlotte returns, he stays for a few minutes, then makes his excuses and leaves.
Charlotte declares that he must be in love with Elizabeth to come calling in such a familiar way.
Elizabeth laughs at that idea, explaining that they barely talked to each other.
The two women decide that Darcy probably didn’t have anything better to do.
Darcy and Fitzwilliam visit often. Fitzwilliam is pleasant and reminds Elizabeth of George Wickham. Darcy is still Darcy – sullen and quiet.
Charlotte examines and analyzes Darcy. She still thinks it is possible that he has a crush on Elizabeth.
What a good stopping point!
If you’ve read the book before or seen any of the movies…then you obviously know what happens.
However, for those of you who have neither read nor seen the movie….at this point in the novel …anything can happen!
For our discussion today, I would like for you to think about what you wish to happen further in the novel. Most people think about these things already but some people become so involved in the novel that they never take the time to actually think about the possibilities. Someone once gave me a couple of ideas to go along with making this list…
1. Make your list of possibilities and tuck them away in the back of your book so that when you finish the novel, you can look at what you had written.
2. You could use your newly created list as a bookmark and check off the possibilities on your list as they either happen or cross them out when the opposite occurs.
*I'm doing the 2nd idea on another book that I am reading.
I'll have to share what I have with you on another post :)
Keep reading, Only 3 more weeks of discussion days!
Next Saturday we will be discussing the remaining chapters of part 2!!!!
Optimistically, Bethany Lea
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