Pride and Prejudice Blog 1

In the beginning of the book the Bennet family discovers that a wealthy man named Mr. Bingley is moving in at Netherfield Park. Mrs. Bennet seems especially excited by this news because she wants one of her daughters to marry him. Already I realize that Mrs. Bennet is very superficial and controlling. She hasn't even met Mr. Bingley and she wants one of her daughters to marry him! He could be a total creep for all she knows! It's obvious that she only cares about social rank and money. Later the Bennet girls and their mother go to a party along with Mr. Bingley and his friend Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is a very rude and arrogant man: "He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again." (pg. 12). It's strange that Darcy and Bingley are even friends since Darcy is cruel and cocky and Bingley is kind and friendly. When the Bennets return from the party Mrs. Bennet tells Mr. Bennet about the ball and how happy she was that Bingley danced with Jane twice. Mr. Bennet does not seem to care at all. In fact, he seems to get angry at his wife for going on and on about the ball: "If he had had any compassion for me he would not have danced half so much! For God's sake, say no more of his partners." (pg. 14). It's ironic that Mrs. Bennet calls Darcy a "high" and "conceited" man for not taking a liking to Elizabeth when she herself is being shallow and conceited for thinking that her daughters only deserve the richest and the best.
Later on, the unthinkable happens: Mr. Darcy becomes interested in Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy seems to be one of those people that has everything they could possibly want and the one thing they know they can't have they desperately try to get it. Darcy is only fascinated by Elizabeth and has no desire to be with her, not yet anyway. Caroline Bingley invites Jane over for dinner and Mrs. Bennet makes Jane go by horseback in order to stay overnight. Jane gets caught in a rainstorm and becomes sick. She has to stay at the manor until she recovers. She asks Lizzy to visit her, which stirs up a whole bunch of drama. Miss Bingley seems to be fighting Elizabeth for Darcy's attention and talks bad about her: "Eliza Bennet is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art." (pg. 45). Miss Bingley seems really foolish in my opinion. She tries so hard to get Darcy's attention by making herself seem perfect and Elizabeth so poor and unworthy of him. She actually makes herself look bad because she is so critical. It's funny how Darcy is falling for Elizabeth who has no interest in him whatsoever.
So far I actually sort of like this book. Even though it was written in the 1800s it's pretty easy to follow and I can relate to it. A lot of drama is going on in the book, just like in high school. The characters a pretty realistic and there is always something going on. I think that even though Elizabeth has absolutely no interest in Mr. Darcy she will eventually fall in love with him. I also think Jane and Bingley will end up together, but I guess I'll have to keep reading to discover what really happens.