The way that Austen reveals the characters largely through dialogue shows what a talented writer she was and how well she understood people. She also seems to have had particular talent for anticipating and shaping readers' responses to her characters: she knew what she wanted readers to think of certain characters and how to get readers to have that particular opinion.
Mr. Collins has stood out to me. I strongly dislike him, but at the same time I almost have to laugh at him along with Mr. Bennet. I was particularly struck by his ridiculous speech at Mr. Bingley's party - the speech in which he goes from talking about the innocence of singing to listing the many required duties of a clergyman. I was equally struck by his awful proposal to Elizabeth. Just from these two speeches, Austen has shown readers a man who cares too much about being humble because he is actually exceedingly proud. He draws far too much attention to his job - "Am I not a good man?" he seems to be saying while describing all of the things that he has to do as a clergyman. And his proposal to Elizabeth is anything but romantic. His real motivation is to make himself look good - "I'm doing this because I'm trying to set a good example, because Lady Catherine de Bourgh told me to, and because I'm trying to save you from poverty! Don't you want to marry me?!" If anyone thinks that he actually cares for Elizabeth at all, please tell me and give me evidence!
I am also thoroughly irritated by Mrs. Bennet, if only because of one line that felt like a slap in the face: "Elizabeth was the least dear to her of all her children" (71). Now, as I said, I think that Austen's characterization is very realistic. But I have a very difficult time wrapping my mind around a woman who has a least favorite child. At the very least, I want to shake her. But then, isn't that what Austen wants her readers to feel, especially because of the way that she has portrayed Elizabeth - the intended favorite?
Mrs. Bennet is my most hated character in this whole book. I can not find a single thing about her that i like. A real mother does not have a least favorite child.
ReplyDeleteCall me cynical, but I think plenty of real mothers have favorite and least favorite children! Society tells us that isn't right or fair (and it isn't, I guess), but it sure is reality in lots of cases.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I find Mrs. Bennet to be tedious and usually leaves a bad taste in my mouth after I read about her. I honestly believes she cares about all of her children.The problem that I mainly have is that Austen has a tendancy to tell us that Elizabeth is the least favorite. She (meaning Elizabeth) actually seems to be much beloved in my opinion. So this whole "her being the black sheep" does not really sit right with me.
ReplyDeleteYour cynical Dr. H! I am a mother and I do not have a favorite or least favorite child (wink). My daughter always claims to be my favorite and I always deny it! I always tell my kids "I have no favorites...I'm a mom."
ReplyDeleteYes, I am cynical--no doubt about that. However, I would argue that (sadly) not all moms are as awesome as you, Angela. :)
ReplyDeleteMrs, Bennet is annoying and shows none of what people then would call "good breeding" and what we now call "good sense and restraint". She has the tendency to babble about gossip and comes off as little more than an airhead gossip.
ReplyDeleteI think there could be a possibility that Mrs. Bennet is jealous of Mr. Bennet's favoritism towards Lizzy. He openly prefers Lizzy when he regards his wife as silly and even stupid. She obviously sees this and maybe resents it.
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