Prom and Prejudice Vs Pride and Prejudice

Charles, beaming from ear to ear, turned to me. “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Charles Bingley.” “Lizzie Bennet.” He shook my hand and gave me a warm smile. “Lizzie, so good to meet you. I’ve heard all about you from Jane. She says nothing but the nicest things.” Charles turned to his quiet friend, who had been peering around. “Darcy, come here and say hi to Jane and her friend Lizzie. ”Darcy approached and gave Jane a quick kiss on the cheek. Then he turned toward me and his hazel eyes locked with mine. “Hello,” he said, shaking my hand and giving me a small, curious smile. “Hello,” I replied. I was slightly unnerved by his expression. He could have been judging me. Or he could have been making a slight overture toward acquaintance. Or he could have been plotting a way to throw me into the fountain outside He opened his mouth to say something else, then thought the better of it and decided to walk briskly away.

``Come, Darcy,'' said he, ``I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.''` `I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.'’ Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story however with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in any thing ridiculous.

Directions Please do the worksheet while we discuss!

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” What do you think the meaning of this quote is???

MEANING: This is the first sentence of Pride and Prejudice and stands as one of the most famous first lines in literature. Even as it briskly introduces the arrival of Mr. Bingley at Netherfield—the event that sets the novel in motion—this sentence also offers a miniature sketch of the entire plot, which concerns itself with the pursuit of “single men in possession of a good fortune” by various female characters. The preoccupation with socially advantageous marriage in nineteenth-century English society manifests itself here, for in claiming that a single man “must be in want of a wife,” the narrator reveals that the reverse is also true: a single woman, whose socially prescribed options are quite limited, is in (perhaps desperate) want of a husband.

“Which do you mean?” and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.” What do you think the meaning of the quote is?

MEANING: These words describe Darcy’s reaction at the Meryton ball in Chapter 3 to Bingley’s suggestion that he dance with Elizabeth. Darcy, who sees the people of Meryton as his social inferiors, haughtily refuses to condescend to dancing with someone “not handsome enough” for him. Moreover, he does so within range of Elizabeth, thereby establishing a reputation among the entire community for pride and bad manners. His sense of social superiority, artfully exposed in this passing comment, later proves his chief difficulty in admitting his love for Elizabeth. The rudeness with which Darcy treats Elizabeth creates a negative impression of him in her mind, one that will linger for nearly half of the novel, until the underlying nobility of his character is gradually revealed to her.

“I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but no on wih such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.” What do you think the meaning of the quote is?

MEANING: Elizabeth is extremely happy with Mr. Darcy