During Jane in June, the month-long Austen-filled event hosted by Book Rat, I will be reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen for the read-along. Once a week, I’ll be answering the discussion questions Misty has posed on her blog. For those of you who haven’t yet read Pride and Prejudice, I hope these posts persuade you to give it a try. For those of you who have already read the book, I hope you’ll weigh in with your thoughts. Check out the Round One questions and other readers’ thoughts here.
Round 1: First Impressions + Chapters 1-17
1. Tell us a little about your experience with Jane: is this your first time reading Pride and Prejudice/Austen? If so, what were you expecting going in? If this is not your first Jane, what makes you want to read this again?
I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time in 2000 when I was pregnant with my daughter. I had the house to myself all day and was kind of lonely, so I read it aloud for the noise and because it’s never too early for your kids to start reading Austen. It was my second Jane Austen book, having read Sense and Sensibility was I was a senior in high school in 1995 (but I read it on my own, not in class). Since then, I’ve read all of Austen’s novels, except Emma (which I’m slowly savoring), and I’m working my way through her minor works and letters.
I’ve been looking forward to re-reading Pride and Prejudice, mainly because I absolutely loved it the first time I read it and because I read so many variations of the novel that it’s nice to revisit the real story.
2. Share your first impressions of the book so far. What have the highlights been for you? Any favorite parts so far? Least favorite parts? Things you found confusing?
Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favorite books. Actually, it was my favorite until I read Austen’s Persuasion last year, and I’m sure as time goes on and I reread them over and over, these two books will continue to compete for the top spot. Right now, I’m just enjoying falling in love with these characters again and remembering why I started reading Austen fan fiction. I love the scenes at Netherfield where Elizabeth teases Darcy and all the while doesn’t realize Darcy actually is admiring her.
3. Jane Austen is known for her memorable characters. What do you think so far of the characterization? Do any stand out to you? If this is a reread for you, do you notice new things in the characters with each reread? Do your favorite characters change with each reread?
In all of the Austen novels I’ve read, I love the exaggerated characters, the ones who provide comic relief. Even though Mrs. Bennet has a right to be worried about her daughters’ marriage prospects, she’s so over-the-top that I can’t help but chuckle reading nearly every scene in which she appears. Mr. Collins and Mary Bennet both crack me up, too, with their ridiculousness. Of course, I love Elizabeth and her impertinence and Darcy and his secret admiration for Elizabeth and her eyes. This time around, I’m noticing Jane Bennet more. I’m more like Elizabeth, but I’d like to be more like Jane, seeing the good in everyone and not making assumptions.
4. What do you make of the principal characters so far? Do you relate to any particular one?
So far, I relate with Elizabeth the most. She sees right through Miss Bingley’s and Mrs. Hurst’s polite exteriors and knows they are merely tolerating the Bennets. She’s not a goody-two-shoes, but she’s not an awful person either. I love how she’s not intimidated by the Netherfield party’s social status and says what she thinks. I especially love how she cares more about her sister’s health than her appearance and shows up at Netherfield all muddy and flustered.
5. Discuss the eligible men of P&P: Impressions of Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Collins.
I have a soft spot for Mr. Bingley. He seems a bit flighty, but he’s such a nice guy. Mr. Darcy does seem a little stiff, but he seems more quiet and reserved to me than arrogant. But after his comment about Elizabeth at the assembly and how she’s merely tolerable, I can’t blame her for not liking him. Mr. Wickham seems charming on the one hand, but all woe-is-me on the other. He doesn’t really want to talk ill of the Darcys, but of course, that’s exactly what he’s done. And there’s always two sides to every story. Mr. Collins is just ridiculous, and I couldn’t stand his prattling for a minute, never mind having to put up with him in my home for a long stay. If he had as much money as Mr. Darcy, I’d still run for the hills if he wanted to marry me.
6. Discuss the Bennet girls’ stay at Netherfield: What do you make of Mrs. Bennet sending Jane to Netherfield in bad weather? Or Lizzy’s visit to her sick sister, and the interactions with the members of the Netherfield household, as well as their reactions to her? Of the visit as a whole?
Mrs. Bennet is one crafty mama! When she sets her sights on something, nobody better stand in her way. She’s really serious about marrying off her dear beautiful Jane to Mr. Bingley. Not sure how well Jane getting sick helped matters, given that it’s not said whether Mr. Bingley actually sees her while she’s in her sick bed (unless I missed it). The whole visit seemed to merely provide an opportunity for Mr. Darcy to admire Elizabeth and Miss Bingley to become jealous whenever Darcy ignores her and looks Lizzy’s way. I especially loved the scenes where Miss Bingley disturbs Mr. Darcy while he’s writing a letter and reading a book; she really doesn’t get that he’s not interested, or maybe she does (because she notices his interest in Elizabeth) but isn’t one to take a hint.
7. Discuss Wickham’s revelation of Darcy’s character: Judging solely on the text so far (not what you know of the story) do you believe the things Wickham tells Lizzy? What impressions do you have of Wickham, Lizzy, and Darcy after this?
I’m not surprised that Lizzy believes Wickham, given that she’s only seen Darcy’s haughtiness and Wickham has been nothing but charming. If I was in her shoes, I’d probably believe him, too. However, I’m actually with Jane on this one…there’s two sides to every story. I’d really be curious about what Darcy has to say, and I’d be thinking of ways to get the scoop from him. At this point in the book, acting as if I haven’t read it before, I’d say Wickham seems at least partly charming, Lizzy seems to have a crush on Wickham and a lot of anger against Darcy, and Darcy seems like he has a stick up his butt and needs to learn how to have some fun.
8. Discuss the humor in the book so far: there are a lot of different types of humor on display throughout the book, from Mr. Bennet’s dry indifference, Lizzy’s witty banter, Mr. Collins’ ridiculousness, etc. Discuss, discuss!
I love Mr. Bennet, even though he spends a lot of time avoiding things and thinks everything is amusing. It’s almost like he’s given up thinking his wife and younger daughters could be anything but silly, so why not make the most of it? Lizzy’s witty banter is the best part of the book! And the ridiculous characters — i.e. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet — offer much comic relief. At least Austen gives us only small doses of them because they border on annoying, but they’re supposed to be annoying so it works.
I always say if someone finds Austen boring or thinks her characters are obnoxious and annoying, they’re missing the humor!
9. Freeform: Discuss whatever the hell you want! Ask questions, give your opinions, engage your readers – go crazy. 🙂
There are very few books I would consider rereading, mainly because there are so many books that I want to read but haven’t yet, but Austen’s novels are ones that I could read over and over again. In fact, when I’m bored, I sometimes pick up one of her books and just read random passages. There’s just something about Austen — her humor, how the romance isn’t the meat of the story — that I just love.
What I want to know is if you haven’t yet read Pride and Prejudice, why?
Stay tuned for the Round 2 discussion on Chapter 18-29 next week!
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I’ve read P&P so many times. I just love that book. As you know I had to replace my book because it was detaching from the cover…lol thank goodness for wonder books and their cheap used books.
I’ve always loved this story since high school — when I read it on my own with Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte since we didn’t read female writers in class.
I have yet to read Persuasion, but I will.
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I have to replace mine, too! I ripped a page just putting my bookmark in it one morning, it’s so brittle. And the cover is starting to detach. Since this book holds so many memories of my dad, I’m going to retire it to the shelf after I read it this last time. I’ll have to go buy a new copy of P&P soon.
Please, please, read Persuasion soon! I really want to discuss it with you!!
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1. Tell us a little about your experience with Jane: is this your first time reading Pride and Prejudice/Austen? If so, what were you expecting going in? If this is not your first Jane, what makes you want to read this again?
I picked it up at a bookstore because I wanted to read a classic by a female author since we didn’t read those in high school. I read it again every few years or at least parts of it once in a while…I just love Austen’s humor…she makes me giggle.
5. Discuss the eligible men of P&P: Impressions of Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Collins.
Ok, Mr. Bingley is too sweet for me, and Mr. Darcy’s my kind of guy with his reserve in public (I wish I had that sometimes in my husband), but he keen emotional declarations in privacy. Mr. Wickham is too charming to be real, everytime I read about him, I think about how false he sounds. Mr. Collins….o gee, he’s definitely entertaining, but can you laugh at the man you’re going to marry and laugh at him for the rest of your lives and be happy? remember what they say about not being able to change a man…
6. Discuss the Bennet girls’ stay at Netherfield: What do you make of Mrs. Bennet sending Jane to Netherfield in bad weather? Or Lizzy’s visit to her sick sister, and the interactions with the members of the Netherfield household, as well as their reactions to her? Of the visit as a whole?
I have the same thoughts that you do about these scenes.
7. Discuss Wickham’s revelation of Darcy’s character: Judging solely on the text so far (not what you know of the story) do you believe the things Wickham tells Lizzy? What impressions do you have of Wickham, Lizzy, and Darcy after this?
I think a lot of why Lizzy believes Wickham is because she doesn’t see Darcy as anything but haughty, so Wickham doesn’t have a lot to do in terms of snowing her. If it were me, I would reserve judgment like Jane.
8. Discuss the humor in the book so far: there are a lot of different types of humor on display throughout the book, from Mr. Bennet’s dry indifference, Lizzy’s witty banter, Mr. Collins’ ridiculousness, etc. Discuss, discuss!
Mr. Bennet is my favorite for humor.
9. Freeform: Discuss whatever the hell you want! Ask questions, give your opinions, engage your readers – go crazy. 🙂
Gosh, why isn’t everyone reading this book over and over…why aren’t they discussed in schools?! I can’t wrap my head around it. There is so much detail in the characterizations, the humor, and the societal jabs. I can’t even begin to talk about the inner workings of families, courting, etc. Too much to discuss for a little comment box. Why should kids have to wait until college to discuss Austen!
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Serena, JOIN THE READ-ALONG!
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I know! If she didn’t have the baby, I’m sure she would have.
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Don’t we all wish we could be more like Jane? 😉
I never read Jane Austen in school. It’s sad that my senior year English teacher introduced her through the old Laurence Olivier film. But if she hadn’t at least shown part of the movie, I might never had read the book and fallen in love with Austen!
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Shamefully, I have never read P&P!! I’ve read almost all of Austen’s other novels, but not THE Austen everyone loves. It definitely started out with my usual snobbishness over avoiding ‘popular’ novels but now it’s just a matter of time — so many books I’m ‘obligated’ to review now!
Your answers (and Serena’s) make me so eager to remedy this though — I can’t wait to watch the read-along and join in when I can!
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I really do hope you read P&P. It’s so worth it. I know what you mean about not wanting to read popular novels; for me, I’m always worried they won’t live up to the hype. If you’ve read other Austen novels and enjoyed them, you’ll definitely love P&P!
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“Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favorite books. Actually, it was my favorite until I read Austen’s Persuasion last year, and I’m sure as time goes on and I reread them over and over, these two books will continue to compete for the top spot.” <—– How I feel exactly. I have called both my favorite book (not just favorite Jane) at one time or another.
"Mrs. Bennet is one crafty mama! When she sets her sights on something, nobody better stand in her way. " <——- Have you seen Lost in Austen. It has my favorite portrayal of Mrs Bennet – she knows she is ruthless when it comes to marrying off her girls. There's a scene where the main character says something like " You really are a ball-breaker, aren't you. I know you don't know what that means -" and Mrs B interrupts and says she gets the gist and basically will destroy the MC if she gets in her daughters' way. Cracks me up.
Can't wait to see your thoughts on next week!
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I have not seen Lost in Austen, but I really want to!!
Persuasion and P&P are my faves of all the books I read, not just Austen. Glad you agree! LOL
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[…] Stay tuned for the Round Three discussion on Chapters 30-42 next week! Check out my Round 1 responses here. […]
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