Summer Reading
Posted: March 26th, 2020
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Summer Reading
| Section 1: pages 3 – 14 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife…” | Foreshadowing | This quote assumes the role of foreshadowing that precedes the protagonist’s (Elizabeth Bennet) involvement with the British gentry that occupied England in the early 19th century. Bennet acknowledges this in relation to the issues that she has to deal with regarding her and her sisters’ courtship. |
| “Well, said Charlotte, “I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him tomorrow, I should think she has a good chance of happiness if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance…and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” | Character Development | This quote specifically adds to the character development of the persona, Charlotte. Earlier, she accentuates the notion that happiness in matrimony is solely a concern of chance. For her, being unaware of the faults of her husband is a way of her tolerations towards him in order to exist passively for her whole life. |
| “Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.” | Irony | Mr. Bennet’s quote is ironic as intended. He only states this as a measure of keeping Mrs. Bennet quiet since she appears as an annoying person to him. The quote also reminds me of another scene in Pride and Prejudice where Lizzie uses the same approach. |
| Section II: pages 18 – 34 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “For she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I ever met with.” | Oxymoron | The description of Miss Bennet by Mrs. Bennet characterizes a heavy use of oxymoron. For instance, the assertion that Miss Bennet possesses ‘the sweetest temper’ contradicts the way in which anger or rage is viewed negatively, which is in contrast to Mrs. Bennet’s opinion. |
| “Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger.” | Character Development | The author shows the way the characters of Elizabeth and Darcy develops in spite of the initial stereotypical opinions that each character towards the other at the beginning of the narrative. Both characters develop a romantic stance towards each other contrary to what one might have expected. |
| “That is a failing indeed!” cried Elizabeth. “Implacable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.” | Metaphor | The quote comes after an argument ensues between Elizabeth and Darcy. Regardless of their emotions towards one another, each character is faced with the expectations that society has for them. Hence, the statement, ‘Implacable resentment is a shade in a character’, acts as a metaphor for the unexpected faults that Darcy possesses. |
| Section III: pages 35 – 50 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth—and it was soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire.” | Idiomatic Expression | The assertion ‘stirring the fire’ is a figure of speech, particularly an idiom that illustrates the development of a conflict. In this instance, the idiom is used to show the actions that Mrs. Bennet took in order to instigate Mr. Collins’ woos towards her daughters. |
| “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” | Cynicism | The quote poised by Mr. Bennet is a cynical remark. Mr. Bennet defines the objective of life as something akin ‘to make sport for our neighbors and to laugh at them in our turn’ hence showing his lack of empathy towards Lizzie’s hurt feelings. |
| “The happiness which this reply produced, was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do.” | Hyperbole | The author uses hyperbole in order to illustrate the considerable degree to which Darcy had intense romantic feelings for Elizabeth. The description that Darcy was ‘violently in love’ exaggerates the notion of romantic sentiments between the two. |
| Section IV: pages 57 – 72 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “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 marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.” | Moral Dilemma | The statement made by Mr. Bennet creates the moral dilemma that Elizabeth is faced with regarding her decisions to either marry or not marry Mr. Collins. Despite it being her decision, the consequences that await her illustrate the difficult choices that women faced concerning such issues. |
| “…it is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us”. | Personification | In the quote, the device of personification is used in order to humanize the abstract concept of vanity. Jane’s personified view of vanity describes the disappointed expectations that she had regarding Bingley’s supposed romantic stance towards her. |
| “Miss Bennet was the only creature who could suppose there might be any extenuating circumstances in the case, unknown to the society of Hertfordshire; her mild and steady candor always pleaded for allowances, and urged the possibility of mistakes—but by everybody else Mr. Darcy was condemned as the worst of men.” | Imagery | The author’s description of Miss Bennet utilizes imagery strategically. Accordingly, Miss Bennet is likened to a ‘creature’. The author’s inclusion of this description acts as a way of contrasting the respective society’s biased opinions or judgments towards Darcy. |
| Section V: pages 75 – 88 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are men to rocks and mountains?” | Possible Interpretation | This particular quote displays ambiguity. However, in its context, it is subject to possible interpretation. Specifically, this statement by Elizabeth sees her contemplating traveling is far better than dealing with men. For her, engaging in a visual journey is a way of ridding herself of romantic issues. |
| “I like her appearance,” said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. “She looks sickly and cross. Yes, she will do for him very well. She will make him a very proper wife.” | Sarcasm | Sarcasm is employed to inspire a comical effect on the reader. The quote simply indicates Elizabeth’s new yet unorthodox attitude towards the aspect of marriage and romance based on the way she describes Lady Catherine negatively. |
| “…the mere stateliness of money and rank (Elizabeth) thought she could witness without trepidation.” | Character Development | This quote advances the idea that social stature and rank possessed a considerable influence on the society in 19th century England. In this respect, Elizabeth’s character develops from that of a conventional woman towards that of a deviant, which is in stark contrast to the novel’s characters. |
| Section VI: pages 90-106 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “She was suddenly roused by the sound of the door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after her.” | Foreshadowing | The quote simply forecasts the eventual arrival of Mr. Darcy to her aid. Undeniably, the reader is forced to assume that it is Colonel Fitzwilliam. However, this event does not transpire since it is Mr. Darcy that eventually comes to see her. |
| “Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked at her with an expression of mingled incredulity and mortification.” | Imagery | The quote by the author uses imagery in order to describe Mr. Darcy’s reactions towards Elizabeth’s sentiments. Despite making advances towards her, Elizabeth continually rejects him leaving him in a state of confusion and perplexity. |
| “Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly… till this moment I never knew myself.” | Character Development | The quote further places emphasis on the development of Elizabeth’s character. Upon reading the letter sent to her by Darcy, Elizabeth comes to an epiphany since she is reminded of Wickham. She becomes aware of herself and reverts to the beginning, which shows her romantic feelings towards Darcy. |
| Section VII: pages 102 – 122 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane will die of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done.” | Hyperbole | The quote by Mrs. Bennet clearly illustrates the application of hyperbole. Mrs. Bennet exaggerates on the emotional hurt that her daughter, Jane, stands to face. Furthermore, the author’s use of exaggeration complements Mrs. Bennet’s lack of empathy towards her daughter’s emotional wellbeing since she is more focused on marrying her off. |
| “Elizabeth merely curtseyed to him without saying a word.” | Conflict | This quote illustrates the discomfort that Elizabeth felt towards Darcy. The respective statement identifies the recurring conflict that exists between the two characters who consistently doubt each other regarding their romantic sentiments. |
| Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders.” | Overshadowing | The quote places emphasis on the accepted notion that Colonel Fitzwilliam was the most noticeable suitor of the ceremony. His presence acts as a way of overshadowing Darcy as well as his pride towards Elizabeth, especially with the way she warms up to Fitzwilliam in order to possibly spite Darcy. |
| Section VIII: 125 – 148 | ||
| QUOTE | Option | RESPONSE |
| “But that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.” | Backstory | The quote acts as a backstory for events that transpired in the first chapter. Ironically, Darcy reveals that he did notice her, which is considerably different from the way he dismissed her while looking for a potential wife in the Bennet’s family. |
| “When I consider,” she added, in a yet more agitated voice, “that I might have prevented it! — I who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it only — some part of what I learnt — to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not have happened. But it is all, all too late now.” | Dramatic Visualization | The respective quote is used for purposes of dramatic visualization whereby Elizabeth regrets Lizzie’s eloping with Mr. Wickham with plentiful descriptive detail as well as dialogue in order to make the predicament more authentic. |
| “The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this … They agree with me in apprehending that this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family?” | Idea Development | The quote asserts that the conventions that were viewed regarding practices such as eloping. Lizzie’s act of matrimonial disobedience positions her as an absolute deviant. However, this aspect clearly functions as a means of developing the idea of eloping since it has not been revealed up until this point. |
| Section IX: 151 – 168 | ||
| “But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture”. | Foreshadowing | The quote acts as a foreshadowing of the events that will further transpire between Elizabeth and Darcy. Despite being focused on the elopement of Wickham and Lizzie, the respective statement implies the possible and universally acknowledgeable truth that towards the end, Darcy and Elizabeth will eventually be married. |
| “Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her…” | Stream of Consciousness | The quote illustrates a stream of consciousness narrative on the part of the narrator. In this case, the narrator happens to be the author of the book. The author utilizes this literary device in order to show the romantic feelings that Elizabeth possessed towards Darcy irrespective of their conflicts. |
| “If Mr. Darcy is neither by honor nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?” | Thoughtful Question | The respective quote raises the question concerning Elizabeth’s recurrent conflict with Darcy. If Elizabeth openly admits her love for Darcy despite his faults, why does she consistently express confusion? |
| Section X: 171 – 193 | ||
| “You ought certainly to forgive them as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing.” | Irony | The statement made by Mr. Collins is considerably ironic in relation to its setting. His idea of forgiveness does not comprise the said act at all. In fact, he is subliminally asserting that ostracizing and aversion are far much better approaches than forgiveness. |
| “He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal.” | Personal Connection | This respective quote personally connects to the way the patriarchal order has always posed hierarchy over women within the society. Even though women are capable of deciding their own marital fate, it is impossible to negate dimensions such as stereotypes that are raised especially regarding unmarried women or single mothers. |
| “Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters.” | Distancing Effect | The quote reveals the distancing effect that the author had established regarding the lesser-known daughters of Mrs. Bennet. A brief mention of them deliberately forces the audience to avert identifying with the respective characters and to simply imagine their fates. |
Work Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Ed. Clare West. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.
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