Pride & Prejudice Discussion #3: Chapters 30-44

[peanutmuse]

Another post & run, but wanted to get the thread going for those who were ready to chat.

I will be back tonight to join the discussions, I've just been a little busier than anticipated.

[elsiemae]

I have really enjoyed this part of the book also. Mr. Collins is still a douche, but I'm glad that Lizzie and Charlotte's relationship seems to have survived the awkwardness. Lady Catherine is super obnoxious also. And I'm curious as to what Miss de Bourgh illness is. She never really goes into detail about it.

I thought Mr. Darcy's proposal was definitely crap, but fitting for his personality. But his letter was very interesting. It was good to hear his side of things. And it's nice to see Lizzie be a little humbled.

[kateisoptimistic]

Late to the party again

Mr. Collins is such a suck up to Lady Catherine, its gross. And Lady Catherine is a pretentious douche.

I notice a lot of people have a lot of love for Charlotte, I haven’t found a good connection to her, she is just kind of there IMO.

I found it interesting that Darcy didn’t have anything to say when Lizzie turned down his proposal and told him what she thought of him. I get that maybe he was too flabbergasted, but I still was hoping for him to stand up for himself. The letter did a good job of explaining everything, but it was too passive, I wanted more.
I did appreciate that Lizzie was humbled and taken down a notch after his letter, she realized she is not always right and that trusting the sleazy Wickham was not the best move.

I didn’t understand why she only told Jane about the contents of the letter – why not tell everyone how sleazy Wickham is? Or that Darcy was really a good guy? She just let them all talk smack. Also why didn’t she tell her Aunt that she knows and has a history with Darcy?

[elsiemae]

Feb 23, 2015 11:01:33 GMT -5 kateisoptimistic said:

Late to the party again

Mr. Collins is such a suck up to Lady Catherine, its gross. And Lady Catherine is a pretentious douche.

I notice a lot of people have a lot of love for Charlotte, I haven’t found a good connection to her, she is just kind of there IMO.

I found it interesting that Darcy didn’t have anything to say when Lizzie turned down his proposal and told him what she thought of him. I get that maybe he was too flabbergasted, but I still was hoping for him to stand up for himself. The letter did a good job of explaining everything, but it was too passive, I wanted more.
I did appreciate that Lizzie was humbled and taken down a notch after his letter, she realized she is not always right and that trusting the sleazy Wickham was not the best move.

I didn’t understand why she only told Jane about the contents of the letter – why not tell everyone how sleazy Wickham is? Or that Darcy was really a good guy? She just let them all talk smack. Also why didn’t she tell her Aunt that she knows and has a history with Darcy?

I think her main reason for not making it known that Wickham is a sleazeball, is because it drags Miss Darcy's name through the dirt also.

I also think that Elizabeth mentioned letting his character be known, but Jane was against it. But I might have misread that.

[kateisoptimistic]

Feb 23, 2015 14:44:06 GMT -5 elsiemae said:

Feb 23, 2015 11:01:33 GMT -5 kateisoptimistic said:

Late to the party again

Mr. Collins is such a suck up to Lady Catherine, its gross. And Lady Catherine is a pretentious douche.

I notice a lot of people have a lot of love for Charlotte, I haven’t found a good connection to her, she is just kind of there IMO.

I found it interesting that Darcy didn’t have anything to say when Lizzie turned down his proposal and told him what she thought of him. I get that maybe he was too flabbergasted, but I still was hoping for him to stand up for himself. The letter did a good job of explaining everything, but it was too passive, I wanted more.
I did appreciate that Lizzie was humbled and taken down a notch after his letter, she realized she is not always right and that trusting the sleazy Wickham was not the best move.

I didn’t understand why she only told Jane about the contents of the letter – why not tell everyone how sleazy Wickham is? Or that Darcy was really a good guy? She just let them all talk smack. Also why didn’t she tell her Aunt that she knows and has a history with Darcy?

I think her main reason for not making it known that Wickham is a sleazeball, is because it drags Miss Darcy's name through the dirt also.

I also think that Elizabeth mentioned letting his character be known, but Jane was against it. But I might have misread that.

I mean i get this, but even quietly to her family?

[joi922]

Feb 23, 2015 23:16:08 GMT -5 @enchanted said:

Feb 23, 2015 16:30:12 GMT -5 kateisoptimistic said:

I mean i get this, but even quietly to her family?

I think she keeps from telling her family because Mr. Bennett would think it all a big joke to be shared.

As for Mrs. Bennett, as soon as she had proof that a man worth that much money was actually a good guy, she would start spreading it around and angling to get him married to Lizzie. She also would have no scruples about running down Wickham and therefore dragging Miss Darcy into it.

I fell behind on my reading and am super late to this, but I had basically the same thoughts. That Jane and Lizzie agreed not to share the contents of the letter with anyone, including their family, because they didn't want to risk Miss Darcy's reputation being harmed. Mrs. Bennett would have shared the story with every single person she knew, and probably everyone she just met. She clearly loves drama. Lydia also probably couldn't have kept her mouth shut since she's a gossip.

[peanutmuse]

Chapter 35 is my favorite. I just love it. I felt like throwing my hands up in the air and fist pumping.

I have some further thoughts on the things that Darcy said about Lizzie in the beginning, but I want to finish reading and know the full story.