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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: type answers.

1) Many contemporary authors and critics did not appreciate Pride and Prejudice.
Charlotte Bronte felt that Jane Austen didn't write about her characters' hearts and minds
adequately enough.

Do you think this criticism from Bronte's is accurate?

Is Austen's treatment of her characters' feelings superficial or in depth?

Do they feel and/or express deep emotion?

Give several quotes examples from the text to support your claim.

2) Originally, Pride and Prejudice was entitled "First Impressions." L

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Descnbe the role that first lmpressIOns play in the story. M \0~ J0
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Are there cases where first impressions turn out to be inaccurate? (:)OJ
In which cases are first impressions correct? loD· i
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Again, give at least two quotes from the novel to illustrate your point.

3) Jane becomes engaged to Bingley, then she says she wishes Elizabeth could be as
happy as she is. Elizabeth replies, "If you were to give me forty such men, I never could
be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your
happiness." Do you think Elizabeth's statement is true in general? Is she being honest? Is
it better to be good, to think the best of people, and be happy? Or is it better to see the
world accurately, and feel less happiness? Give evidence to support your opinion.

4) The honesty and wry humor of dear Mr. Bennet make him one of the most appealing
characters in Pride and Prejudice. But, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that he has
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failed as a father. In what ways does Mr. Bennet let his children down? How does his o·
action, or inaction, affect the behavior of his daughters? His wife? The course of the
story? Again, give text evidence where appropriate-and it is appropriate here.

5) If Charlotte doesn't marry Mr. Collins for love, why does she marry Mr. Collins? Are
her reasons valid? Are they fair to Mr. Collins? Do you think marrying for similar
reasons is appropriate today? Is this still something that people do? Again, evidence is
needed.

6) Elizabeth and Darcy both experience transformations during the course of the book.
How does each of them change and how is the transformation brought about? Could
Elizabeth's transformation have happened without Darcy's? Or vice versa?
7) It seems clear that Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh are cornie
characters. What makes them so funny? How does Elizabeth's perception of them affect
your trust in Elizabeth's views of other people in the book, particularly of Wickham and
Darcy? Evidence! r
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8) In most of the book, pride prevents Darcy from having what he most desires. Why is
he so proud? How is his pride displayed? Is Elizabeth proud? Which characters are not
proud? Are they better off? Evidence!

9) Jane Austen did not mention current events nor did she use precise descriptions of
actual places in Pride and Prejudice, so that the larger historical events of the time did
not detract attention from the private drama of her characters. Does this perhaps
contribute to the element of timelessness in the novel? In what ways are the themes and
concerns of Pride and Prejudice timeless? In what ways are they particular to the times
in which Austen wrote the book? EVIDENCE!
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