In this act of The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Bracknell comes to the country to see her daughter and nephew. At this point in the play, Algernon and Cecily are engaged, without Lady Bracknell's knowledge. Lady Bracknell is first appalled at the engagement, until she hears of Cecily's inheritance: 130,000 pounds. After she hears this, Lady Bracknell agrees to let the two be married.
Lady Bracknell: Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can't get into it do that. [To Cecily.] Dear child, of course you know that Algernon has nothing but his debts to depend upon. But I do not approve of mercenary marriages. When I married Lord Bracknell I had no fortune of any kind. But I never dreamed for a moment of allowing that to stand in my way. Well, I suppose I must give my consent. (Act III).
Here, Lady Bracknell is much like Lady Catherine. Both women married into a fortune, and because of this, they feel as if it is acceptable to judge others based on the amount of money they have. Both women also believe that marriage is arranged due to social class. When Lady Bracknell discovers Cecily's fortune, she allows the marriage to remain valid because of Cecily's sums of money in the bank. In both works of literature, both women find it socially acceptable to interrogate the women engaged, which it its not. Lady Bracknell and Lady Catherine also portray extremes of upper class Victorian society.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Importance of Being Earnest, Act II
In this act, Algernon and Jack are at Jack's country house. Algernon pretends to be Jack's brother Ernest Worthing, and falls in love with Cecily and asks her to marry him.
Algernon: Oh, I don't care about Jack. I don't care for anybody in the whole world but you. I love you, Cecily. You will marry me, wont you? (Act II).
This question posed by Algernon makes him hypocritical, and it also makes him seem a bit crazy. Earlier on in the novel, Jack calls Algernon unromantic. Algernon also says that a proposal is business, and not pleasure. Here, he goes against himself and proposes to Cecily after knowing her for a very short period of time. It seems as if a premise for marriage is not serious here, for a proposal came so quickly that it is impossible that Algernon really does love Cecily.
Algernon: Oh, I don't care about Jack. I don't care for anybody in the whole world but you. I love you, Cecily. You will marry me, wont you? (Act II).
This question posed by Algernon makes him hypocritical, and it also makes him seem a bit crazy. Earlier on in the novel, Jack calls Algernon unromantic. Algernon also says that a proposal is business, and not pleasure. Here, he goes against himself and proposes to Cecily after knowing her for a very short period of time. It seems as if a premise for marriage is not serious here, for a proposal came so quickly that it is impossible that Algernon really does love Cecily.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Pride and Prejudice #13
"'You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever'" (Austen 307).
At this point in the novel, Elizabeth has just accepted Darcy's proposal for marriage. Although the proposal did not precipitate, Elizabeth is very happy that she will marry the man she loves. Despite the previous conversation with the insolent Lady Catherine, Elizabeth accepts the proposal and ignores the threats Lady Catherine says regarding her social inferiority. Darcy's second proposal is imminent because of his intervention on behalf of Lydia, making obvious his continuing devotion to Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet's felicity for her two eldest daughters to become married is very grand. She also is pleased with the fact that both of her daughters will be married into money, Elizabeth more than Jane: "'Oh my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Jane's is nothing to it--nothing at all'" (Austen 318).
At this point in the novel, Elizabeth has just accepted Darcy's proposal for marriage. Although the proposal did not precipitate, Elizabeth is very happy that she will marry the man she loves. Despite the previous conversation with the insolent Lady Catherine, Elizabeth accepts the proposal and ignores the threats Lady Catherine says regarding her social inferiority. Darcy's second proposal is imminent because of his intervention on behalf of Lydia, making obvious his continuing devotion to Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet's felicity for her two eldest daughters to become married is very grand. She also is pleased with the fact that both of her daughters will be married into money, Elizabeth more than Jane: "'Oh my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Jane's is nothing to it--nothing at all'" (Austen 318).
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Pride and Prejudice #12
"'Becuase honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. yes, Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family and friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and despised, by everyone connected with him. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never be mentioned by any of us" (Austen 298).
At this point in the novel, lady Catherine has come to visit Elizabeth at her home to talk about Darcy. Lady Catherine's visit has to do with the fact that she heard a rumor regarding a proposal between Elizabeth and Darcy. Lady Catherine insists that it is ridiculous, given Elizabeth’s low status and the supposed engagement of Darcy to her own daughter. Lady Catherine affronts Elizabeth, possibly to intimidate her out of marrying Darcy, if he ever proposes to her. Lady Catherine's haughty attitude has started to vex Elizabeth, for she says that Darcy will not fully appreciate Elizabeth because of her social status.
This convergence between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth emphasizes the tensions that their difference in social status has created. Elizabeth handles the conversation with intelligence and lack of pretense. Lady Catherine responds to Elizabeth’s boldness with a sense of snobbery that shows her obsession of social status and demonstrates her lack of appreciation for the zest of Elizabeth’s character.
At this point in the novel, lady Catherine has come to visit Elizabeth at her home to talk about Darcy. Lady Catherine's visit has to do with the fact that she heard a rumor regarding a proposal between Elizabeth and Darcy. Lady Catherine insists that it is ridiculous, given Elizabeth’s low status and the supposed engagement of Darcy to her own daughter. Lady Catherine affronts Elizabeth, possibly to intimidate her out of marrying Darcy, if he ever proposes to her. Lady Catherine's haughty attitude has started to vex Elizabeth, for she says that Darcy will not fully appreciate Elizabeth because of her social status.
This convergence between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth emphasizes the tensions that their difference in social status has created. Elizabeth handles the conversation with intelligence and lack of pretense. Lady Catherine responds to Elizabeth’s boldness with a sense of snobbery that shows her obsession of social status and demonstrates her lack of appreciation for the zest of Elizabeth’s character.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Pride and Prejudice #11
"'Well, Mamma,' said she, when they all returned to the breakfast-room, 'and what do you think of my husband? Is not he a charming man? I am sure my sisters must all envy me. I only hope that they may have half my good luck. They must all go to Brighton. That is the place to get husbands. What a pity it is, Mamma, we did not all go'" (Austen 265).
At this point in the novel, Lydia and her husband have returned to Lydia's home for 10 days after their wedding. When talking with her sisters, Lydia is fastidious when describing her wedding day. When Lydia talks with Elizabeth, she sounds quite haughty for being so young, and already being married, unlike Jane. Lydia desperately wants approbation from her sisters regarding her marriage with Wickham. This is difficult for Lizzy and Jane especially, because they know what Wickham has done in the past, and do not admire his character because of that.
The 10 day visit with the Bennet family is difficult. Lydia is oblivious to all of the trouble that she has caused, and Wickham behaves as if he has done nothing wrong. This is important because it shows that Collins' letter to the Bennet family (mentioned in an earlier section) is somewhat true when it comes to Lydia's actions. What she has done is embarrassing to the family, especially Mr. Bennet who refuses to give Lydia more money. The marriage between Lydia and Wickham has also caused some controversy between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet as well. Mrs. Bennet sees no issue with the marriage, only because that is what she wants for her daughters, regardless of the consequences. Mr. Bennet completely disagrees with his wife's reasoning.
At this point in the novel, Lydia and her husband have returned to Lydia's home for 10 days after their wedding. When talking with her sisters, Lydia is fastidious when describing her wedding day. When Lydia talks with Elizabeth, she sounds quite haughty for being so young, and already being married, unlike Jane. Lydia desperately wants approbation from her sisters regarding her marriage with Wickham. This is difficult for Lizzy and Jane especially, because they know what Wickham has done in the past, and do not admire his character because of that.
The 10 day visit with the Bennet family is difficult. Lydia is oblivious to all of the trouble that she has caused, and Wickham behaves as if he has done nothing wrong. This is important because it shows that Collins' letter to the Bennet family (mentioned in an earlier section) is somewhat true when it comes to Lydia's actions. What she has done is embarrassing to the family, especially Mr. Bennet who refuses to give Lydia more money. The marriage between Lydia and Wickham has also caused some controversy between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet as well. Mrs. Bennet sees no issue with the marriage, only because that is what she wants for her daughters, regardless of the consequences. Mr. Bennet completely disagrees with his wife's reasoning.
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