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Post subject:  Posted: June 19th, 2008, 8:47 pm |
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Location: Where there are handsome heroes and sexy villains.. all that need some lovin' ;)
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Well I think it is mentioned that at the time, Mrs. Bennett was one of the prettiest girls around, so I don't think he married her to improve his station as I think he was the one worthy of being caught. I think he is relatively immune from his wife's antics, and instead makes fun of her which usually goes completely over her head.
Whether or not he is still in love with her, I don't know, although I have often wondered. Usually in novels, older partnerships do lead me to wonder if the love has cooled, mainly because their romance is not what is being written about, as it happened years ago, and what the author allows the reader to see, is usually to further the plot, not to show whether they are still in love.
For instance, Mrs. Bennett's antics are soley what the book is about really, her trying to marry her children and being embarrasing is what leads to a few incidents which have major effects on the rest of the characters. Any quieter, happier moments with Mr. Bennett would have no bearing on the story at all.
[/end rambling]
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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*
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Post subject: Posted: June 20th, 2008, 6:24 am |
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Eä |
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Thank you for your observations, Gimli.
If Mrs Bennet used to be pretty... well, that explains a lot, for she hasn't got much sense compared to Mr Bennet. 
The love and affection of newly-weds and couples who have been together for many years can never be compared. I'm completely sure the notion of love changes from the head-over-heels bubbly excitement to a more stable, caring relationship over the years. I have read vol. 1 and a couple of chapters of vol. 2 (Elisabeth is visiting Charlotte and Mr Darcy has just arrived) and I can't figure out whether it is real love between the Bennets or, like you said, it has cooled considerably. Sometimes (and I may be influenced by Donald Sutherland's portrait of Mr Bennet in the movie) it looks like Mr Bennet just only bears the burden of so much female gossipping around him.
I'm sure he uses his own little ironic remarks and to 'survive' and keep his sanity in this environment, but the romantic part of me (and we all know how little that is!) believes that Mr Bennet is as content with his life and his family as can be.
After reading your post I am convinced that Mrs Bennet's character cannot possibly have changed that much since they married so Mr Bennet knew what he was getting, and he, on his part, probably entertains himself with it. I mean he also found the visit of Mr Collins quite amusing, and sometimes even stays in the room just to amuse himself by observing him.
Yeah, true, the book is very much about Mrs Bennet's antics.. and Austen does ironise very much on her account, but I honestly hope she is exaggerating... I mean imagine if there were more Mrs Bennet-types on the loose 'back then'. 
Alright, another question. Aren't they doing just a liiitle too much inter-marrying? Mr Collins would marry one of his cousins, Mr Darcy is to marry his cousin too and so on. Was it really such a common thing to do? I mean surely there is a point in trying to keep fortune and property on the same family but still.. they should know better...?
Especially, when they talk so much about being 'well-bred' when referring to good manners and civility, which I, by the way, find immensely funny. I know it doesn't have quite the same meaning as today, but still it just sounds so...like a racehorse!!! _________________ >>Be the change you wish to see in the world<<
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Post subject: Posted: June 20th, 2008, 1:36 pm |
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I think Mr. Bennett is used to his wife and most of his daughter's silliness, but in some ways I think he aggravates them. You'll learn more as you go along. I also don't think he is the most caring father on the planet. Not that he is cruel to them, but I think sometimes he is too aloof (something which he comes to understand later on), I've never understood why Mary falls under the category of silly daughters, she's just more intelligent and sensitive than Kitty and Lydia.
I think probably Mrs. Bennett has only showed her true side as she got older and became more obsessed with marrying her daughters well. She's probably always behaved like that, but I doubt when she and Mr. B were courting. I think it was mentioned that he paid the price for her beauty or something like that. But I agree, I think he is content with his lot, and he also has Lizzie and Jane.
Oh, yes. If you could keep the wealth within your own family, and the good breeding and good blood, then why not. And in some cases, like Mr. Darcy, you had no choice who within your family you would marry, as soon as you were born you were matched up. Mr. Collins was trying to do the Bennett's a favour by marrying one of the daughters, to keep the land within the family, so in a way it was the same sort of thing as the rich people were doing.
I think good manners is something we lack today. I'm not saying we need to go back to bowing and kissing people's hands, but there are things we could be taught from the 18th century.
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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*
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Post subject: Posted: June 20th, 2008, 2:28 pm |
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Actually, I'd love having all the dashing gentlemen bowing and kissing my hand and I'd even practice my curtsey just for their sake!! Awww and I want dresses too... Well, don't get me wrong I love my jeans and miniskirts but it would be great to be able to go to a place, like on holiday where they had manners like that and behaved like at Austen's time. You know like the Spanish they kiss on both cheeks when they meet, it's just a costumary greeting even (or especially) when you are introduced to a person for the first time. I kinda like it.. since handshaking sometimes can be a little too formal between young people and a hug might be too close with people you don't know!
Anyway, you're right about manners. The world does in general lack civility.
Alright, Elisabeth and Jane have just returned from Hunsford and London respectively.. and Darcy has confessed his love and written the letter and all that jazz... Yeah, I see already now what you said about Mr Bennet... he clearly favourises Elisabeth - and Jane too, which Austen is quite straightforward about.. And all the talk of Jane being the prettiest all the time... again like she was a race horse.. True, one might feel pity for Mary who is so clearly misunderstood in that family... it's interesting why Austen has included her, because she doesn't play any role at all (so far), other than adding a bit to the disgraceful, unsensible behaviour of the Bennet girls. She doesn't offer her much ink so the reader don't get to know her or feel anything for her.. other than... well, I'm just seeing her as a little annoying... because that's the was Austen portraits her...
I'm enjoying the novel more now that I've read further but I just still don't get why Mr Darcy is the number 1 eligible bachelor of all fiction of all time... I mean I would've probably have taken him by now.. but I'm afraid it would be for more of the same reasons as Charlotte Lucas accepted nerdy Mr Collins, than for love...
EDIT: Just read this about Mr Bennet and his affection for Mrs Bennet:
"Her father captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour, which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and iliberal mind, had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respct, esteem and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views of domestic happiness were overthrown." ~ Chapter XIX _________________ >>Be the change you wish to see in the world<<
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Post subject: Posted: June 21st, 2008, 5:53 pm |
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Eä |
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I finished the book and can now talk about any topic!
Let me put my favourite quote - and please do keep in mind that Eä is not a romantic! But I almost burst into tears of squee and melancholy joy and emotion! 
"You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever." ~ Mr Darcy _________________ >>Be the change you wish to see in the world<<
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