Apologies.

Hi.

Please don't hate me?

I know you don't. You all still loooove me, even though I've completely dropped the ball on this P&P blog, right? *gulp*

I'm so sorry about my absence. I think I just piled one too many things up on my plate, and this one fell to the wayside and I completely spaced about it. This book has been a hard one to lead an ongoing discussion about, because, really? It's just a good, quick read about love and romance. It doesn't exactly delve into heated life-topics that can carry a lively discussion over weeks of time. Or, maybe it does, but I just haven't had the energy to carry it through to the end.

All of that to say, I have finished the book because I got to the point where I couldn't put it down and read about 1 bazillion chapters in one night. But, if you guys are still chugging along, I encourage you to keep going! Keep posting! Keep letting us know if you're thinking or feeling anything specific!

If you haven't picked up the book in awhile, or (gak!) you've been patiently waiting for me to assign the next chunk of reading, just keep at it- go at your own pace!

How would you guys feel about just letting me know when you're done with the book as well, and then we could still do the 'group movie watching night' all together and then discuss the movie after enough of us have finished the novel?

What do you all think about this new game plan?

I think you all are precious and I'm sorry gain for not keeping up with this fun project we started together. You can either email me your thoughts or, as always, just post them here!

Cheers!

Finally feeling semi smart

Since I'm having all these preggo problems, one of my limitations is that I can't lift Brandon. This also means that I can not put Brandon in time out and he knows it. This morning Brandon was really testing my patience. First he started tugging the computer cord. I said NO or you will go in time out. Basically he laughed at me and tugged harder. I lost it. I pulled his milk out of his hand and I grabbed his hands and looked at him and said "You need to listen!" Very sternly. He didn't care what I was saying all he cared about was his milk out of his reach. I HAD HIM! So a few minutes later he's being bad so I take his milk and he's good. Then he climbs up on the bar stool and starts pulling push pins out of the message board. I say stop and he doesn't. So, I grab his milk, which is ten feet away and he is totally uninterested in, and I take it away and put it in the fridge. HOLY MELT DOWN PEOPLE. Bye this point I've had it, so he doesn't get the milk back. Then I realize I'm out of leverage. Shit now what. I go to get something in the garage and he follows me out and proceeds to sit down and refuses to come in, so I say...

"Brandon if you don't come inside I am putting Elmo in time out!"

I've never seen a little boy run so fast. He ran right inside, grabbed Elmo and sat down and behaved for the next 20 minutes till grandpa came to get him.

MOM WINS ONE!

Just Curious

Hi Ladies

I was just curious where you all are in your reading? Any new thoughts or revelations? I am still behind in my reading but every time I pick it up I enjoy it more and more. I wish I had the wit and courage of Elisabeth.

The story has also made me very curious about rituals of "courtship" then and now. It all seems so complicated and a lot of work for women and men during that time period. And is it any less complicated now? Anyhoo...

Amy

A question

Don't know if it's a good one, but something that I thought a lot about.
Even though I knew Charlotte would marry Mr. Collins because I've seen both movies, I don't think either movie depicted it to be such a calculated act on her part. What do you think of the whole situation? Should she have made her intentions known to Elizabeth from the beginning, instead of letting her friend think she was just trying to give her a break from him? Does anyone else think she's as nuts as I do for marrying him? =)

This Week's Discussion Questions (a plea)

Blag!

I'm a bad moderator. (Bad moderator, bad!) I am very late with the discussion questions, and so very busy at the moment, that I am going to ask you all to help me out this week...

Do any of you have a question for us all regarding the book so far? Post it! Do my job! I take nap! harhar.

I'm sorry for my lackluster this week. I promise to return full force by the next discussion chunk. You are all the best and DOING GREAT!


This week's chapters:
VOLUME TWO! Wooo woooo!

Chapters 1-6

Oh, wait... Here's a quick question for you all:

Which character (ANY chracter- man or woman) would you have the most fun playing the part of in a movie or play and why?

My answer: I'd like to play the part of Mr. Bennet because his dialouge is so funny and brilliant and brutally honest... I'd be sure to get a laugh! :)

Little "Peace" of Happiness

So reading this book has made me really want to watch girly movies...especially "Sense and Sensibility" (I wonder why?!) It was so amazing today...I was really wanting to watch that movie, but anyone who has or has had a four month old baby knows that getting to watch a movie all the way through is pretty much impossible. So I thought I would put it on and see how far we could get. Teagan fell asleep about ten minutes into the movie and then my miracle occurred, she slept through the whole movie!!! I just sat on the couch and held her and she slept for two and a half hours...a very uncommon nap amount of time. I think it was a little gift from the Lord...thank you! It was so nice. I got to watch my girly movie (my husband doesn't like any Jane Austen movies) and hold my beautiful little sleeping girl...what a wonderful day! I hope you all had a little piece of happiness on your Friday today. :-)

I'm Elizabeth

I tried to answer as truthfully as possible, although I noticed in the test that if you know the characters of these different Jane Austen books well enough, you can stage your answers and get the character of your choice. But it's only for fun so who cares??
That was way fun, and I knew I'd be Elizabeth! ^_^

Who is Ann Elliot?

I AM

I will have to research her a bit to see just how we are alike. Very fun Quiz!

got my girl!

Take the Quiz here!

love it!

I knew I'd be Emma.

Even though I've never read or seen Emma, I knew I'd be her! I just had a feeling! haha.

Take the Quiz here!

Quiz Results...

Well, even though some of the questions didn't apply (I don't have any sisters), I did my best to answer all the other ones and it said I am most like Elizabeth Bennett. Not sure if I totally agree, but it was fun taking it!
I am beginning to enjoy the book more and more as I read. I think I am ahead of our reading a bit b/c once I get reading it's hard to stop sometimes. The chapters are so short that I end just saying to myself, "just one more chapter..." I love reading too, so once I get going it's always hard to put a book down, that is of course when Teagan wakes up...book goes down. :-) She is so worth it though! :-)

Take the Quiz here!

I got an "A" in slacking ;)

I haven't posted recently, probably because finishing up with school, submitting grades, and moving completely pooped me out! However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE P&P and will do my best to submit more regularly from now on.
Favorites from the book: Miss Bingley's teasing of Mr. Darcy about the "fine eyes." I'm sure she thinks it will get her closer to Mr. Darcy, but it seems to be having the opposite effect. It makes me wonder how many times I've tried to get closer to someone whose company I enjoy by putting others down and have alienated myself in the process. I'm also loving the fact that I can escape the world of "dude, yeah, like, awesome, for sure," by immersing myself in P&P. It's quite lovely :)
I also took the quiz, and turned out to be Emma! She is certainly one of my favorite Austen characters, and I have definitely meddled in a friend's love life a time or two.
Here's to finishing volume 1!!!!

Take the Quiz here!

Me too!!

I'm an Elinor as well!
Too fun.

Speaking of Jane Austen...

I found an online quiz that tells you which Jane Austen heroine is most like you.

Take the Quiz here!

I've never read Sense & Sensibility but perhaps I should. Take the quiz if you have time. I'd love to see your results!

eek!

I'm such a slacker! It's like since school ended my mind has shut off -- working 60 hours a week helps too! I'm on like..chapter 11? ish. I'm going to try my dangdest to catch up this week--this is kind of disappointing tho : (

Really enjoying this book, but being a blog slacker !

Hi all
Sorry I haven't posted at all. I'm really enjoying this book. I do find myself delighting in Mr. Bennett's sarcasm, and how literally nutty Mrs. Bennett is. And a bit thankful I don't have go play cards, recite literature, and learn the piano to be a "good catch". But truthfully, we probably have just different ways of "promoting" ourselves these days.

I do wonder if Mr. Bennett's commentary is Jane Austen's vehicle for getting her opinions out or if she is more like Elizabeth. The story has make me think a lot about Jane Austen.

Mr. Darcy is likable even with his brash first, second and third impressions.

I haven't quite caught up on all the reading but plan to do so this week!

whoops

I have to apologize for not commenting last week. It's been one of those weeks where it flew by, yet seem to drag on at the same time. I felt like I had time for NOTHING. Hate that.

But LOVE LOVE LOVE the book. While on vacay last weekend I finally made myself put it down at chapter 22, for fear I would read to far ahead and then have to reread what was going on to discuss the chapters we were on. But now that I've put it down I haven't had time to pick it back up. And unfortunately am about to enter a busy month, so I guess it's good that I read ahead a little bit.

Mrs. Bennet reminds me of my mother-n-law---in a good way. She's just the mother hen. She wants all her kids to be happy and provided for and her life to be all in a row. My MIL is not nearly as embarrassing, but she definitely could talk your ear off.

Mr. Darcy is so fun to read. To try and figure out what's going on behind the dark persona. I like that he's in battle with himself. That he finds himself thinking about Elizabeth, and wants to be around her, yet knows he shouldn't and tries to maintain his distance. (Even if not successfully) How often do we go and do what we know we shouldn't, instead of taking a step back? Like dating someone that you know is clearly not the right person for you. I think that is an admirable quality of Darcy.

Any way, there's some of my thoughts.

I love it

I absolutely love this book. It makes me want to kiss my husband and be all romantic. It makes me mad and uncomfortable at times. I think it is amazing, that is how a book should make you feel. All the emotions at once. I really do love Mrs. Bennet. In those days that is what you did and her husband loves her so much! I am still falling in love with Darcy even tho he is a jerk. Heheheh.

Taking Your Pulse.

OK, since last week the discussion questions didn't seem to spark much interest, I've only got ONE discussion question for you all regarding the last chapters:

How are you liking the book so far?

Do you love it? Hate it? Find yourselves having a hard time putting it down? Find yourselves avoiding and dreading it like your high school reading days?

I'm just wanting to hear your opinions so far...

Also: Are the reading increments too short or long? Are you way ahead or falling behind?

Here's the next chunk of chapters for this week!

Chapters 19-23

After that, we'll on the Second Volume! You guys are doing great- hang in there!!

Discussion Q's Ch. 7-12

Okay, so I read these chapters all at the beginning of last week, so my memory might not be that great. There is so much going on that it is sometimes hard to remember the details. So, if any of my responses don't make sense, please just disregard them and have mercy on a momma getting by on limited sleep! :-)

1. Does Darcy's reaction to Miss Bingley's flattery surprise you? Why?
No. I like that he pretty much ignores her flattery because it is quite annoying how hard she tries to get his attention. I think he does respond in some ways to her, but in a way that shows he is not interested. Poor just isn't getting the hint!

2. Ummm, can you even BELIEVE Mrs. Bennet in these chapters???
She is a funny woman! So completely focused on getting her daughters married...it is sad though that this is her only focus in life...think of all the other amazing things she is missing. It is a bit frustrating though how she will put others down to make her daughters stand out.

3. Could Elizabeth be judging the character of the people around her too abrruptly?
I think she does jump the gun a bit in judging character, but at the same time, she seems like someone who pays close attention to people and is able to read them fairly quickly. I like this in her...this confidence and strength. She seems to be very okay with who she is, not concerned with what others think. (Sorry, bit of a tangent there). :-)

4. Do any characters appear to have false humility to you? Do any appear to be truly humble?
Miss Bingley has some false humility I think. She acts so concerned about Jane one moment and then the next she is pushing for her to leave. Then she seems all chummy with Elizabeth one moment and the next she is putting her down in front of others. I think she definitely struggles with some pride and this false humility she uses to cover it up. I think she struggles with some low self-esteem and acting humble and sweet is her way of gaining attention.

I think Mr. Bingley show some true humility. He has lots of money and a high social standing which could easily lead him to acting very prideful, yet he is very cordial to the Bennett family (as crazy as some of them can be at times) and he never seems to talk illy of others.

5. Lizzie tells Darcy quite dramatically: "Your defect is a propensity to everyone." What a firecracker she is! Darcy responds: "And yours is wilfully to misunderstand them." Who's character assessment do you think to be more accurate?
I'd have to say Mr. Darcy is the one on the money with this one. I think Lizzie is assuming a lot about Mr. Darcy at this point and he is picking up on it. It is so fun watching these two characters begin to interact. I think something is beginning to spark!!!

Discussion Questions. (Chapters 7-12)

Discussion Questions
Chapters 7-12
THEME: THE CHARACTER'S CHARACTERS!

In the last batch of chapters, many first impressions were made by each character upon the others. In Chapters 7-12, we begin to see those first impressions change and shift as the characters are revealed more fully. We become painfully aware that Miss Bingley has the hots for Darcy and that she is annoyingly compliant because of it.

1. Miss Bingley is smothering Darcy in flattery. Yet, Darcy doesn't seem to respond. We know that flattery can feed and swell a person's pride quicker than anything else... Does Darcy's reaction to Miss Bingley's flattery surprise you? Why?


2. Ummm, can you even BELIEVE Mrs. Bennet in these chapters???


3. In Chapter 9, Elizabeth speaks of examining people's characters. Bingley seems offended that Elizabeth claims to have 'seen through him' or 'figured him out' so quickly. Elizabeth tells him that "a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable that such a one as yours." Ouch? Could Elizabeth be judging the character of the people around her too abrruptly?


4. In Chapter 10, Darcy states that "Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility... It is sometimes an indirect boast." True humility is the opposite of pride, but he is saying that FALSE humility is nothing more than pride in disguise. Do any characters appear to have false humility to you? Do any appear to be truly humble?


5. Woo wee! Things get heated at the very end of Chapter 11. Again, we seem to see Elizabeth trying to corner Darcy's character. She tells Darcy quite dramatically: "Your defect is a propensity to hate everyone." What a firecracker she is! Darcy responds: "And yours is wilfully to misunderstand them." Who's character assessment do you think to be more accurate?

Delayed Discussion!

Hello, fellow P&Pers!

I'm SO very sorry for the delay in discussion questions... I have been really busy the past couple of days and haven't had a chance to relay them to you all! I will post them later tomorrow. Your answers to last week's discussion q's were very interesting and very helpful for me to read through! You are all some brilliant women!

If any of you have any questions you'd like to throw out there before I get around to posting my own questions tomorrow, please feel free!

KEPP UP THE GOOD WORK, I'm having so much fun! Hoot!

:) emery jo

a bit late

My term paper took over my life this week, so P&P has (sadly) been relegated to a back burner. But I turned in my paper night before last and I'm hoping to get these answers in before Emery posts new ones. Forgive me if I write too much...I'm still in paper-writing mode. Once I added the references and double spaced it, my term paper wound up to be a whopping 50 PAGES! Grad school does sick, sick things to your brain.
Anyways, here are my responses:

I deeply admire Jane's ability to think the best of people. However, I think that Elizabeth has a point in critiquing Jane. While Jane is busy looking for the best in everyone, Elizabeth seems to be making an effort to discern the true character of others, which I think is an equally valuable quality to have. Thinking of the two sisters reminds me of Jesus's admonition to us to be "as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves." Perhaps the two sisters together fulfill this statement. Ultimately, it's difficult for me to decide which is better. Maybe the answer to this will be revealed more fully as the book goes on.

It's funny, but I've begun to answer this question just as the track "Sister don't go" comes up on my iTunes. I deeply believe that choice is a big part of love. I don't think it's about retaining the same KIND of love you have for each other in that first little while, but in continuing to find NEW ways to love each other and letting the relationship grow and mature. However, I also think that in order to experience real happiness in marriage you have to be lucky (or blessed) enough to find someone that really gets you.
I think that Charlotte does speak from a certain amount of bitterness. Mrs. Bennett describes her as being plain, and Charlotte doesn't seem to have much hope of getting married or escaping being a burden to her family. Perhaps she maintains that marriage is a matter of chance in order to feel better about not having made her own match yet. If love IS a matter of luck, then she doesn't have to acknowledge the fact that there might be something wrong with her that has kept her from finding a man of her own.

I think it's interesting that Austen tries to create a distinction between pride and vanity, as these two terms are often conflated. In our society, it seems that pride and vanity are almost synonymous. However, the kind of vanity we see a la Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan seems to be much more acceptable than straight pride. In terms of the book, it seems that the most proud character is Mr. Darcy thus far. If pride is the tendency of someone to think well of him or herself over others, Mr. Darcy certainly fits the bill. His interactions with everyone at the dance are a perfect example. The most vain character, in my opinion, is Miss Bingley. She seems to constantly do things to draw attention to herself (or perhaps just the attention of Mr. Darcy). Beyond thinking highly of herself, Miss Bingley strikes me as being wholly self-absorbed. It's not enough that she holds a high position in society, she also has to draw attention her status and accomplishments constantly.

Closely related to the the idea of pride and vanity is social prejudice. In Austen's book there is a definite social hierarchy. In Austen's world, money is definitely a factor. However, social prejudice extends beyond bank accounts into the realm of behavior. Mrs. Bennett is highly scrutinized by others for her improper behavior at the party, as are her younger daughters. I think that this kind of social prejudice is present in our society, but more specifically in our churches. How often have people been criticized and ostracized for not behaving in a certain manner? How many times have you felt pushed toward a certain kind of "spiritual reaction" in a worship service? Although Austen's characters are held to a different idea of propriety than we are currently, there is certainly a level of social acceptability that exists in both worlds, and the penalty for failing to fulfill either is social rejection.

My favorite character so far is Mr. Bennett. He seems to reject the idea of propriety, instead letting his daughters run wild. While this is frustrating at times, and may prove problematic later, it's also somewhat refreshing. Most of Austen's characters seem to be highly structured and follow a strict set of unspoken rules, but Mr. Bennett marches to his own drumbeat. He is sarcastic with the ridiculous Mrs. Bennett and seems to care more for his daughters' happiness than fulfilling the role society has imposed on him. My favorite quotation so far comes from him, in response to his wife's assertion that he has no respect for her nerves. He says, "You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.''

Soooo disapointed

I went to Barnes and Noble Monday to buy this book, because so far I've been reading online. I went back to the section it was in and as I was walking out...about five isles away I saw a book sticking out that turns out to be the sequel to Pride and Prejudice, only written by a totally different author. Against my better judgment I read the back of it and nooooooooow I know how Pride and Prejudice is going to turn out and I'm pretty mad at myself for doing that!

This week...

So I've fallen slightly behind in my reading this week. Mostly because I got so confused on the dialogue in chapter 10 that I've made myself put it down until I can sit and really read it. And maybe re-read it.
So I don't have a quote of the week, (which I know you are all holding your breath for. I kid I kid)
but that means next week you shall get two.

But I'm off, as of noon today, to enjoy the beautiful central coast for the next 4 glorious days. I shall shop at the Cottonball in Morro Bay. Eat as many Firestone ABC burgers as I can stomach in SLO. Shop in every antique store possible in Cayucos. And quite possibly drag my brother and sister-in-law to my favorite crumbly old house off north 46 for some pictures of them, because they're cute. But first things first, tonight I shall stock up on yummy fruit and barbeque and maybe even some flowers at the Farmers Market in SLO.
I can't wait. Vacation is glorious is it not?
So I shall be thinking of you all as I'm reading P&P on my beloved Morro Strand beach, watching the dogs play, and my husband and brother do their best to destroy the new wiffle ball and bat I bought them for the occasion. Oh glorious California!!!! Watch it be foggy all weekend. That is such my luck.

Happy weekend to you all!

Um...Totally Unrelated

So Jerry Falwell died today...is it ironic that he died from "heart related complications?" Perhaps it's best that he's in heaven now? I know this is kind of touchy...but was wondering your thoughts. <3

Discussion questions

1. Jane seems to be extremely eager to please. In Chapter 4, Elizabeth says this about her:
"Oh, you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in any body. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes... to take the good of every body's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad, --belongs to you alone."
Do you think it is noble or naive for Jane to be this optimistic and "honestly blind"?

I think it is terribly naive for her to be this way. I feel people like this tend to get used or walked on with out realizing it is happening.

2.In Chapter 6, Charlotte states that "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." What are your feelings towards this statement? Do you believe there is truth in it? Or do you feel it is spoken from a place of inexperience, or perhaps even selfishness?

I feel it is true. You can date someone for a long time and then get married only to find they change or even you change and you are no longer happy. You see a lot of married people who are unhappy and a lot who are blissful and I think it is purely chance that those two people found each other and were open and honest from day one so when marriage happened there were no surprises and they just continued being happy.

3. The words 'pride' and 'vanity' are written more times than I can count throughout chapters 4, 5, and 6. It is obvious that Jane Austen is stressing a point, here. Who do you find to be the most proud thus far? The most vain?

Hmmm. I know the obvious answer for both would seem to be Mr. Darcy. However, I don't think we have learned enough about any of the characters to make this judgment yet. I think possibly Mr. Bennet would be the most proud because he doesn't seem to show much interest in pawning his daughters off to a rich man or making his family seem more fabulous then it is.

4. Austen is also setting us up for the theme of 'social prejudice' already in these early chapters. In Chapter 5, Miss Lucas says, "[Darcy] has a right to be proud." And the Bingley sisters are said to be "entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others." Can you imagine living in a time where your social status determined who you could love? Do you feel there is still some 'social prejudice' in society today?

I absolutely still feel like this occurs. To be perfectly honest growing up, in my own family my parents and grandparents have always made it clear they wanted me to end up with a certain kind of guy. My cousin married a guy who came from nothing and 7 years later my family still dislikes him because of this and they still attribute everything THEY have to her. I also have a ton of friends who felt they had to marry guys with a certain level of education and stature to please their family. I know when I brought Rob home the first time, and he was a simple construction worker from a normal ole family it took a lot of getting used to. Luckily he has the kind of personality that makes everyone love him!

5. Who is your favorite character so far, and why?

Again I'm not sure I know any of the characters well enough. Unlike a lot of you I haven't read the book or seen the movie yet so I am absolutely clueless to all of this. I think I would like to get to know all of the girls a little better before picking a favorite and all we know of the two men so far is that they are attractive and one is friendly one isn't. Because of this I will need to continue reading to make a decision

P&P on the road

Hi everyone; I just wanted to let you know that I will be out of town from the 14th to the 28th and I won't have access to a computer. I am bringing along the P&P book on the trip, but I'm wondering, is it 6 chapters every week? Just wanted to know so I could stay caught up. Thanks!!

Abby

Mr. Darcy... <3

It's been a LONG few days since I've read these chapters but here are my answers based on what I can remember! haha.

1. Do you think it is noble or naive for Jane to be this optimistic and "honestly blind"?--I think it is noble for Jane to be this optimistic. I was watching something on the news last night where psychologists are doing a study to see if optimists really do live longer. What's wrong with optimism? I admire Jane for this quality actually...

2.Charlotte states that "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." What are your feelings towards this statement?--I agree with whoever said this already in our blog...but I think happiness in marriage is entirely based on choice not chance. I see people who have amazing marriages...bc they WANT to have amazing marriages. Then there are some people who are just "too tired to try"...shouldnt be a surprise that their marriage isnt so amazing. Everyday is a choice to be happy.

3. Who do you find to be the most proud thus far? The most vain?--The most proud is definitely Mr. Darcy...Most vain to me either of the Lucas sisters...i'm not 100% sold on either of them for some reason.

4. Can you imagine living in a time where your social status determined who you could love? Do you feel there is still some 'social prejudice' in society today?--I think that we STILL live in a society where social status determines who you love. I believe that parents play a huge role in this...I actually dated a guy in high school -his family is VERY well to do (his dad is like the lieutenant general of the army or something)...and because I didnt come from a family that was as high on their status list they treated me like I was a nobody. I dated him for 2 years a put up with that crap until I literally couldn't take it anymore. It was almost borderline emotional harassment. Anyways, yes I think there still is social prejudice.

5. Who is your favorite character so far, and why? As I said before--
I would have to say that my favorite character believe it or not is Mr. Darcy! I've noticed that people in my life who initially act/react the way that he does have been hurt and do not wish to be hurt again. My personality bends towards people who are hard to read or those who take longer to open up. They're like a cadbury egg--hard outer shell but inside is this tasty richness that you never knew could be there. I look forward to wading through the mysteries of his personality and discovering his softer sides. : )



yay!

Call me crazy

But I think that Mr. Darcy doesn't like his position in "Society". I Think he is at most uncomfortable with the whole thing! You know how is was, or at least in this book back then. They loved to have the rich snobby good looking one at the party. They loved to hate him. They all believed he was above him and they talked bad about him for it. I don't think that Mr. Darcy truly believes this about himself, which shows his anger towards everyone and everything.
This man needs some love.........I want to love this man!