Pride and Prejudice Chapters 13-23 Illustration: Mr. Collins proposes. (source)

Outline Review: Chaps 1-12 Judgment and Prejudice Pride Communication through Letters

Chaps 1-12 Two major themes: Marriage – Views of marriage; Efforts of different characters; Women’s positions (accomplishments) and the issue of entail Education (Irony vs. Discrimination) Definitions of pride vs. vanity and prejudice (wrong judgment) The use of irony and laughter Snobbishness Lack of judgment

Chaps 13- 23 Judgment & Prejudice (focus: Netherfield ball) Mr. Collins (and Mrs. Philips) appearance and reality; Elizebeth’s prejudice; The Bennets: Inappropriate manners of the Bennet sisters; Lack of scruples of the Bennet parents Communication, Class Distinction & Marriage  Collins: a caricature of social climber & admirer of upper class. (e.g. chap 15) (manners vs. feelings: D and E’s dance); rhetoric vs. feelings: Mr. Collins’ proposal Letter writings: Mr. Collins’ and Ms. Bingley’s. Departure of the Bingleys (group) Charlotte’s decision (group)

Judgment & Prejudice (Mis)Understanding of characters and their appearance Understanding of or fixing class distinction Of social propriety –the proper things to do; following social manners strictly. Morality Individual □ Social

Mr. Collins’ Lack of Judgment Collins –pride + flattering manners + lack of judgment 1. A mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility. 2. admires Mrs. Philips's manners and politeness; 55 Mrs. Philips was quite awed by such an excess of good breeding (of Collins) 3. admires her house and compares it to LC’s small summer breakfast parlour. 3. self-introduction to Darcy 74; his response after being rejected 75  His refusal to take Elizabeth no for no.

Mr. Collins’ Lack of Judgment: example LC chap 14 -- reckoned proud by many people he knew, but he had never seen any thing but affability in her. She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the neighbourhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week or two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself, -- some shelves in the closets up stairs. His proposal: Twice she . . .give[s] me her opinion (unasked too!) on this subject. (81)

Elizebeth’s prejudice (1) for Wickham: 57 –W “the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned” p. 61 (in her mind) you, whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable'‘ Traces of Wickham’s inconsistencies: not attending the ball. His “judgment” reflects his envy of high class: Wickham on Georgiana: very very proud; Wickham on LC: 64--dictatorial and insolent. She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever because . . . Joins the regiment because he needs “good society.”

Elizebeth’s prejudice Elizabeth against Darcy: XVIII: She was resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away with a degree of ill humour, which she could not wholly surmount even in speaking to Mr. Bingley, whose blind partiality provoked her. (to Charlotte) That would be the greatest misfortune of all! -- To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! - Ms. Bingley’s defense of Darcy 72; Jane’s/Bingley’s of Darcy 73 Wickham on Darcy’s pride: pride 61-64 (XVI; for almost all his actions may be traced to pride; -- and pride has often been his best friend. … It has often led him to be liberal and generous, -- to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the poor )

Elizebeth’s prejudice—conversation with Darcy p. 69: 1) goes by the rule and exposes the manners in dance conversation; 2) not communicative E: Suggest proper topics; E: Defends with witticism, which she later denies by refusing to judge her own “performance.” E: Mentions Wickham E: Tries three subjects without success D: Books  begs to differ; D: avoids prejudice, Elizabeth: the only chance to do sketch it.

The Bennets Mrs. Bennet's misbehavior 76; Mary’s 77 Mr. Bennet –bemused by human follies, instead of trying to prevent them in his daughters. XIII 48: I have great hopes of finding him quite the reverse. There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter, which promises well. I am impatient to see him.'' p. 79 – enjoying the scene of his family’s misbehavior p. 86 -- I shall be glad to have the library to myself as soon as may be. Ending of Volume 1

Mr. Collins’ Marriage Proposal No feelings when he said he has. All reasons. Praises LC but not Eliza; Denies his emphasis on money when he does (the issue of entail and inheritance)

Letter Writing— social exchange chap. 7: Caroline Bingley to Jane, inviting her to come to Netherfield. Jane to Elizabeth, reporting her illness. chap. 13 & 23: Mr. Collins to Mr. Bennet, proposing to visit Longbourn. Jane to C. Bingley, expressing thanks.

Letter Writing— social decorum One important rule of protocol of the period is that a correspondence between two unmarried and marriageable unrelated young people of the opposite sex is a sign that the two are engaged. (source) chap 13, 23: Collins writes to Mr. Bennet. Darcy to his sister; Ms. Bingley to Jane.  Darcy hand-delivers his letter to Elizabeth.

Letter Writing— personal style Mr. Bennet Chap 48: "a most negligent and dilatory correspondent"; Chap 27: he "so little liked [Elizabeth's] going that he told her to write to him, and almost promised to answer her letter". Chapter 10 – Darcy writes long and careful letters to his sister. Caroline "It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter, with ease, cannot write ill." Bingley: "He studies too much for words of four syllables.” Bingley writes carelessly.

Letter Writing (2) –different usages of language--Collins -- 54 pompous nothings; Chaps 13: Collins’ letter mention Lady Catherine twice. Seeks peace because of his position and because LC has no use of him then. Chap 23—why doesn’t he write to Sir Lucas? Redundant? A matter of formality? Showing his victory?  later he’ll write even more unfeeling letter.

Letter Writing (2) –different usages of language chap. 21: Caroline Bingley to Jane, informing her that the Netherfield party have all gone to London. 1. go after Charles; 2. will not come back for winter; 3. Georgia Darcy; 4. Bingley’s ability to engage any woman’s heart. Uses the letter to indirectly stop the relationship between Jane and Bingley.