"Pride and Prejudice" Quote Analysis
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1. Chapter I
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Chapter 1 of Pride and Prejudice opens up with this famous quote. This is a central theme in the novel. We see this unfold in many ways. A lot of the men who are rich propose to a woman which confirms the meaning of this quote. Mr. Collins proposes, Mr. Darcy proposes, and Mr. Bingley proposes. Each of these men were rich in the novel, or they were soon to be rich. They were also all loking for a wife. Some of them proposed to multiple women; if not multiple, then the same woman multiple times. In this time, being a rich man attracted a wife, which is why it says if a man is wealthy, he is looking for a wife.
I think this quote is an excellent way to start the novel because it cleverly expresses the idea that men were looking for wives. It subtly gives the message of how marriages worked back then to the readers.
2. Chapter 34
In chapter 34 of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy propose to Elizabeth. He approaches Elizabeth in a room and confesses that he loves and admires her. She is shocked by that fact that he would even ask that question. She bluntly refuses his offer. Later in the chapter, he says that her pride was hurt by his confession of love to her. She quickly denies this and says that his confession did not have an impact on her. Elizabeth tells Mr. Darcy he should behave like a gentleman even though she rejected him. She later goes on to say that she would have not said yes to him in any way he could have asked for her hand in marriage.
Elizabeth, in my eyes, sounds very powerful and in charge when she she says this to Mr. Darcy. She basically says that what he said didn't have an effect on her. However some people might say she seems defensive because Mr. Darcy called her out on what he thought was the truth about her pride being hurt.
Questions
Since there are two quotes that I chose, you may choose one set of questions to think on:
1. Do you think this quote was a good way to start the novel? By just reading this first sentence, what did you think a theme of this novel was going to be?
2. Do you think Elizabeth sounds powerful or defensive when saying this?
I do think that this is a fitting introduction to the novel considering the plot. The entirety of the novel is about who will marry who. After reading the first sentence, I knew it was going to revolve around marriage, but I did not anticipate so many plot twists.
ReplyDeleteI think these are both very important quotes in the book because they reflect the central idea of this story and I love your explanation of them. I honestly see Elizabeth as a more powerful character, especially in that quote. Throughout the story, Elizabeth is clearly set apart from other woman of that era. She's very independent, so I think her own pride showcases her confidence and strength in her own self when she responds to Darcy's proposal.
ReplyDeleteI also think the first quote is very important. It's a great way to start the book because it shows the importance of marriage and wealth of that time and the importance they are going to give in the story. For the second quote I think that Elizabeth sounds powerful too. Her answer makes us know her point of view and her strong personality and she doesn't let anything change her opinion.
ReplyDeleteI think Elizabeth replied in a powerful manner because she has the power over Darcy to accept or reject his offer. Also, throughout the book, Elizabeth goes against the social standard of a woman. She does not hesitate to give her opinion or to openly oppose high-class authority. This does get her into trouble sometimes; however, it leads her to gain Darcy's admiration.
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