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READ BLOG FIRST! You might wonder why I didn't simply put the videos last instead of this message...well it's 10:56 PM and I'm on a tight schedule that allows no time for excessive copying and pasting..only for writing unnecessarily long statements of instruction like this one. 

Okay, so Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, I have concluded, is a throwback version of one of my all time favorite movies from my pre-teen and teenaged years, A Cinderella Story. A Cinderella Story is a story about a young girl who's parents have passed away and who lives with her "evil step mom and step sisters." In this case, the step mom represents Lady Catherine in this last part of the book. Upon hearing that Darcy plans on marrying Elizabeth, Lady Catherine pulls Elizabeth aside and tells her how absurd of an idea that is!!! She tells Elizabeth that she is not to marry Darcy because of her low social status and that Elizabeth is obligated to obey her because of “the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude” (Austen, 282). Elizabeth objects saying, “I am . . . resolved,” she says, “to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me" (Austen, 282) (YOU GO GIRL!!!!!). This reminds me of one of my favorite scenes from the movie, that I regret to admit, I was unable to find on YouTube. The scene shows Hilary Duff's character Sam asserting her independence and quitting her job at the diner to live her dreams and end the control that her step mother has so wrongly imposed on her throughout her life (spoiler alert). However, I was able to find a scene from earlier in the movie (the lower video) accurately displaying the relationship between the Sam and her step mother. Both Sam and Elizabeth are looked down upon for who they are and where they come from; however, in the end, the defy the opinions of others to find true happiness for themselves. 

For the fun of it, in the trailer, I like to imagine the two evil step sisters as Miss Bingley and her sister. Hahahahahahhaha. Enjoy!

Love

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen truly revolves around a theme of love. All the important action seems to be driven by love. For instance, Jane and Bingley's engagement was driven not only by Bingley's undying love for Jane. Darcy's love for Elizabeth also played a role. Originally, Darcy had Bingley convinced that Jane was not a good prospective wife for a large part because of the family she came from. However, by Chapter 54, Mrs. Bennet "had seen enough of Bingley's behavior to Jane to be convinced that she would get him at last; and her expectations of advantage to her family, when in a happy humour, were so far beyond reason...." (Austen, 270). Darcy's tremendous influence on Bingley palys a big role in Bingley's decisions. Thus, Darcy had to have convinced Bingley that Jane's family was not a deterrent from their potential marriage. Darcy did this because he knew that Elizabeth would never forgive him if Jane and Bingley did not end up together, because she rightfully blamed him for their original separation. Thus, in order to be on good terms with Elizabeth again, the woman he loves, Darcy had to convince Bingley that his love for Jane should suffice for marriage. These two men are driven by love in different ways. A happy ending seems inevitable!

Irony

Great irony unfolds with the plot of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. As the story continues, Elizabeth grows more and more fond of Mr. Darcy. In fact, she realizes that Darcy is “exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her" (Austen, 251). Elizabeth says this, just months (or a year or so) after absolutely detesting the man. In fact, in Chapter 2, Mrs. Bennet makes a comment about Mr. Darcy that, at the time, was congruous with Elizabeth's feelings toward him. Mrs. Bennet said, "But I can assure you that Lizzy does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing" (Austen, 9). And now, Elizabeth wishes that Darcy will court her and propose once more so that this time, she can offer him a different answer! I would never have guessed this if Elizabeth's immediate hatred for Darcy wasn't so outright and strong; one could almost suspect that such a crazy plot turn was bound to take place, but this is ironic and exciting nonetheless! Moreover, further irony is present in the fact that Elizabeth now wants Darcy when he apparently does not want her back, whereas before, it was the other way around. The tables have turned!

Multiple Standards

In Pride and Prejudice, author Jane Austen sets multiple standards for her female characters. Obviously, Elizabeth is the main character. Thus, her personality traits are some of the most integral in the story. Elizabeth defies society and the male-domination that is present. However, at the same time, upon hearing that Lydia eloped with Wickham, Elizabeth reveals another standard she set for women. Elizabeth is worried that Wickham won't go through with the marriage, and if not, Lydia is scandalizing herself by living with him when the two aren't married. Moreover, despite Elizabeth's protests of society, she is constantly worried about the reputation that Lydia is establishing for her and her sisters because of her flirtatious ways. In fact, she claims that Lydia would be "lost forever" (Austen, 232) if she didn't end up marrying Wickham. Thus, the reader begins to wonder how much the views of society truly affect Elizabeth. She seems to want nothing to do with the standards of the rich, but at the same time, is continually embarrassed by the behavior of her family. Hmmmmmm!

Mr. Collins, oh Mr. Collins why?

Mr. Collins, of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is rather socially oblivious. As the reader, I often ask, "Why? Why on earth would you do that?" As frustrating as his actions are, however, his obtuseness is humorous. In section one, we first notice Collins' oblivious nature when he introduces himself to Darcy at the party, despite Elizabeth's warning. However, this blog is not about section one, is it? That's okay, because his ill-awareness continues in section two with his.. wait for it...PROPOSAL TO ELIZABETH?! NOOOO?! He made numerous advances that were unrequited, and still thought proposing was a good idea. This is what I am talking about (Lauren stuffs face in book out of embarrassment for Collins)! However, the obliviousness fails to stop there! Elizabeth says no; at this point, any normal man would cut his losses and head home. Rather, Collin responds, "I am not now to learn that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour, and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time" (Austen, 85). Poor Elizabeth! Austen does a great job of characterizing Collins as "that guy."

Mr. Bennet is hilarious

From the beginning of Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet has been characterized as whitty, sarcastic, and hilarious. In the first chapter, Bennet took pleasure in upsetting his wife by refusing to tell her that he called on Bingley as she requested. In section two, this type of behavior continues. Of course, the issue of finding husbands for her daughters is one of tremendous importance for Mrs. Bennet. Thus, as before, Mr. Bennet uses the subject as an opportunity to frustrate his wife. After Elizabeth refuses to accept Collin's proposal, Mr. Bennet says to her, "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. -Your mother will never see you again if you do not Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do" (Austen, 89). Bennet has no fear of upsetting his wife; in fact, he takes pleasure in it. He certainly provides common relief to the story at times when the rest of the characters seem to be the most distressed. Undoubtedly, he is my favorite character, though he isn't mentioned all that often. I predict that he will prove very important for some reason or another as the story continues.

Theme

A major theme of Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the separation of social class. Analyzing the characters, one can clearly distinguish between the classes of the families. In general, the more wealthy characters act more aloof, while the middle class or poorer characters seem more down to earth. Take, for instance, Jane and Miss Bingley. Jane is clearly one of the nicest and most well-regarded women in the story, while Miss Bingley is more conceited and less tolerable of other people. She is also more engulfed in drama, often gossiping about Jane and her family. Mrs. Bennet, however, is increasingly concerned with the status of her family and the quality of the husbands that her daughters end up with. For instance, Mrs. Bennet noticed the difference between Collins and Bingley and their wealth saying that the worth of Collins, who was poorer and less known, was "eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield" (Austen, 82).
In addition to characterization, class is also defined by the location of each family's home.  For instance, the poorer Bennets live in the city while the more wealthy Bingley family resides in the country. At times, even, Miss Bingley makes comments about how Elizabeth and her sisters don't belong in the country because of their lack of sophistication. This distinguishing between class is present throughout the novel.

Motif

A motif of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is that of courtship. Almost every character is either courting, being courted, worrying about someone else being courted, jealous that she is not being courted, etc. I knew that Pride and Prejudice was a love story, but not to this extent. Almost every aspect of the novel revolves around love and relationships.
For instance, the novel kicks off with the discussion of Mr. Bingeley and quickly delves into his courtship of Jane. Not long after, we learn that Darcy has plans to court Elizabeth. However, the courtship does not end with section one. In section two, right away, we learn of Mr. Collin's plans to court and marry Elizabeth as well. Collins says explicitly, "Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life" (Austen, 83-84). Also, Elizabeth begins to do some courting of her own after meeting Mr. Wickham. Aye aye aye!