Coralie Casimir
A.P. English
Mr. George
November 29, 2009
Paper
The Scandalous Miss Lydia Bennet
Lydia Bennet is a flirtatious and ridiculous young woman who has a sole purpose is to unconsciously devalue her family social statue with her thoughtless actions.
Lydia has no real depth to her character. She lives in her sister’s shadow. Lydia does not have Jane’s beauty or Elizabeth rationality. Lydia is very capricious and seems to inherit it from the neglect she feels from her family. In the hopes of drawing more attention to her, she goes around flirting with countless militia men stationed in Meryton and even follows them to the town of Brighton. The most scandalous thing was eloping with Mr. Wickham. A man, who had to be paid to marry her. Nevertheless, Lydia feels like she had accomplished a lot because all the attention was finally on her: “‘Ah! Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman” (240). She says this completely disregarding the fact that what she had done was deplorable but finally has the attention she is so desperately craving for.
Lydia is like Cinderella’s stepsisters. They are unattractive and constantly want the attention drawn to them. Among Lydia and Cinderella’s stepsister, they form the perfect trio of superficiality and stupidity, who leaves outside of the world rationality. Both Lydia and Cinderella’s stepsister strive for men that are outside of their ranks. Lydia marries Mr. Wickham who is below her and does not deserve her. Just like Cinderella’s stepsisters who strive for a prince that is too good for them.
A modern example of Lydia Bennet is Yamilee Casimir. They are attention craving young women who revolve their whole world around the opposite sex.

Coralie Casimir
A.P. English Mr. George
November 29, 2009
The Many Layer to Elizabeth Bennet’s Character
Elizabeth Bennet is a remarkable woman who is often govern by rationality, and does not let class and social status decide how she will live her life.
Elizabeth is a reasonable person and has a lot more profundity to her character. Nonetheless, she has her flaws; like her occasional misconception in someone character which is aroused by her prejudice. Another remarkable trait Elizabeth has is the fact that she defies all the social norms with her actions. She does not let her social stature lessens who she is. She will not be disrespect by anyone not even Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh who is at the highest social class. When Lady Catherine was trying to scare Elizabeth to not marrying Darcy. She defends herself: “‘You have widely mistaken my character, if you think I can be worked by such persuasions’” (273). Elizabeth was like revolutionary women who broke the social status quo for women of her social rank.
Elizabeth is like a rose. Each of the rose’s petals represents one of the many aspects of Elizabeth’s personality. As a whole the rose looks suiting and agreeable but when closely observed one can notices its personal flaws. Few of the petals might darker, while others dried up by the sun, or some wrinkled over time. Every rose has its thorns to protect them from its predators. Although, she not lethal but if she is held without delicacy she will leave an unpleasant and lasting impression, like Elizabeth’s attitude toward Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh.
Elizabeth Bennet is like Michelle Obama, ambitious and intelligent women who will overcome every social obstacle that will discourage them from having the best life has to offer.

“You are joking, Lizzy. This cannot be! engaged to Mr. Darcy … I know it to be impossible” (285).

Beside Mr. Darcy’s aloof manners in the first half of the novel, he is a genuine person. He has all the qualities of an honest man and is the best thing I happened to the Bennet family. Nonetheless, most of them disliked him and thought Elizabeth did also. When she announced her engagement to him everyone had different reactions. Jane her best friend and her confident thought it was false. Her father believes that Elizabeth was marrying him because it would be advantageous to her. Further more, Elizabeth would never choose him to be her husband because he is too proud and she would have to look up to him and please his vanity. Ignoring the fact that he would bend over backwards to please Elizabeth and this has been his mission shortly after he met her for the first time. Mrs. Bennet before rejoicing as an exploiter actually sat in chock and thought about what Elizabeth told her, but she after she was happy that he made ten thousand a year. Everyone’s reaction was sparked by there first impression of Mr. Darcy. They let that guide their attitude towards him and not really giving him a chance to show who he really is, a good man and perfect for Elizabeth.

“Lady Catherine’s unjustifiable endeavours to separate us, were the means of removing all my doubts” (292).

It is ironic that what Lady Catherine was trying to prevent is what she made happen. She gave Mr. Darcy hope that Elizabeth might be in love with him. By going around badmouthing Lizzy, for not promising her that if Mr. Darcy asked her to get married she would not deny his proposal. This made Mr. Darcy realize that he had a chance to be with her. So her went back and took another stab at his proposal and Lizzy accepted. If it was not for Lady Catherine would who knows, maybe they would of never had been engaged; because Mr. Darcy probably would not have wanted to proposed again just to get rejected. He wanted proof of her love and Lady Catherine brought him all the proof he need.

“You have widely mistaken my character, if you think that I can be worked on by such persuasions as these” (Austen 273).

Lady Catherine de Bourgh visit to Longbourn was incited by the news that her nephew was engaged to Elizabeth Bennet. She goes Elizabeth home in the hope persuading out the engagement; even though Elizabeth was not engage to Mr. Darcy. Lady Catherine came into her home and insulted her. She tried to use her name and the fact that she was of a higher class than Lizzy as a way to frighten her. Nevertheless, Lady Catherine did not know that she would meet her match. Elizabeth would have none of it. What is so amazing about her character is that she does not bow down to people and has a lot of pride, which are characteristics that are not proper for someone of her class. She was breaking the rules that had been set from the beginning of time. First she was a women in a society that predominantly dominated by man and secondly she did not have connections, but that never stops her from speaking her mind.

“Mr. Darcy, you see, is the man! Now, Lizzy, I think I have surprised you… Mr. Darcy who looks at woman but to see blemish” (277).

If Elizabeth was to tell anyone she was in love with Mr. Darcy everyone would be chocked. For the first half of the novel, she tore his character to shreds. She accused him of being overbearingly proud, selfish, and arrogant. She went around finding every excuse to hate him. Now her father gets a letter from Mr. Collins expressing his best wish for Jane engagement and also mentions that Elizabeth was soon to be engagement. Mr. Bennet who ignored the fact that anyone had interest in her daughter address the issue with Elizabeth. He would have never guessed because Darcy seemed to be very indifferent towards his family. He thinks it is all a joke and treats it with much sarcasm.

“If he [Mr. Bingley] our society, let him seek it. He knows where we live. I will not spend my hours in running after my neighbours” (Austen 253).

Upon hearing about Mr. Bingley’s return, Mrs. Bennet urges her husband to go and talk to them so the family has the chance to acquaint with him. This quote shows that for this first time Mr. Bennet is taking a role in his daughters’ lives. He knows that Jane was hurt by Mr. Bingley, so he does not see the necessity for him to go at their feet to beg for their association. If Bingley want to come see them he knows where there are. He is trying to restore dignity to his family name and not let his wife and daughters dictate what he should do. He is taking the fatherly figure that he should have ever since he had Jane. His character had not change much he still make silly sarcastic joke; nevertheless he became stricter and does not let the girls just run around and do what they please. He is trying to prevent the recurrence of pass, his daughter getting hurt or similar situation to Lydia’s.

“I think you [Jane] are in very great danger of making him [Mr. Bingley] as much in love with you as ever” (258).

When Mr. Bingley returned, he is as much in love with Jane as he was before he left. It seemed that he is probably falling head over hills for Jane. The current situation between Jane and Bingley is a bit awkward. Mr. Bingley was very nervous around Jane. He does not really know what to say but being in her company was comforting enough for him. Jane was constantly trying to keep her composure. She was obviously angry the he left her but she was happy that he came back. Jane does not want to rejoice in his return because she fears that he will leave her again. Nonetheless, it was clear she is still in love with him.

“No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her triumph. The marriage of her daughter, which had been her first object… was now on the point of accomplishment” (Austen 235).

No one is asking Mrs. Bennet to take Mr. Collins advice as in wishing for the death of her daughter or to deny Lydia of their parental love. Nonetheless, her actions are deplorable and it is not something that should be revered by anyone; certainly not by her mother. Everyone in the Bennet family should be ashamed about of what Lydia has done because is taints their name and lowers their social stature. Every rational person in the house seemed to be angry but Mrs. Bennet seemed to be overjoyed. Lydia had done it fulfilled her wildest dreams. Lydia got married and that was it. For all Mrs. Bennet cared, she could had met him in a strange alley as long he could settle down with her and they got married she would have been fine with it. This reflects on her poor parental skills and her personality. By accepting this marriage Mrs. Bennet is basically disrespecting all of her daughters and setting very low standards for the men she wants the other daughters to marry.

“Mr. Darcy had been at her sister’s wedding” (243).

Has Mr. Darcy done it again? Did Mr. Darcy go and clean up Mr. Wickham’s mess once again. There is no really reason why he should have been to the wedding. Mr. Wickham is the last person that he would have ever wanted to be in acquaintance with. Nonetheless he was at there wedding witnessing his enemy marry a brainless and promiscuous child. This chocks Elizabeth because of the fact that she knows that Mr. Darcy cannot stand the sight of Mr. Wickham. Nevertheless that should give her hope this shows Mr. Darcy loves her relentlessly and he would stop at nothing to protect her honor. This also proves that Elizabeth wrong that he still want to be with her besides every obstacle he has to overcome, no matter how ridiculous they seem to be.

“All of Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man, who, but there months before, had been almost an angel of light” (Austen 223).

The thing that amazes me in this chapter was the fact that what happened to Lydia could have been prevented by so many people. Sure, Elizabeth and Jane were not allowed to tell what Mr. Darcy had told them but there were warning sign. From the very beginning, Elizabeth warns her father and tell him that it was not proper you Lydia to go around flirting with military men. That reflect bad on Lydia and also that is going to tarnish the family’s name. Secondly the people in the town had some knowledge of who he was but totally disregard. One reason for the people to disregard it was they did not think that he was capable of such a thing and only thing they had to support their belief was that he was an agreeable man. Nonetheless, when they heard of what happened to Lydia; everyone had something bad to say about him even if they were hypnotized his good looks and his charm. They were all blinded to the truth but when something bad was mentioned about him everyone had an input. He owned some money others claim that they could see right through him but no one ever said anything but none ever said anything.


“Loss off virtue in a female is irretrievable that one false step involves endless ruins” (219).

For a young woman to run off with a man does not look good in any situation. First of all she completely lower her standard and bring a bad name to her family. There is absolutely no reason for her to run off with Mr. Wickham. First if he really wanted to marry Lydia no one would have stopped them. The only thing Mrs. Bennet wants is to have her daughters married. This also reflects on Lydia’s reasoning skills she knows her parents would probably agree to the marriage why then would she run off with this man. He really cannot give anything but a last name. The worst thing in this situation is the fact that she does not understand what she is doing and wrong it is. At that time it brings shame to women for doing things of the sort and once a women good name is lost it is nearly impossible to retrieve it. That why the family want them to get married because that would bring elevation to the problem.

“Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw any thing of it… it is only because he does not rattle away like other young men” (Austen 188)

For a man whose character had been diminished for the first half of the novel, it is nice to see Mr. Darcy in a new light. When Elizabeth goes to Pemberley to Mr. Darcy’s house she gets to know more about him and she seems to be very pleased. She also has to chance to see him. His personality had completely changed. It was like; he went and traded his old demeanor for new manners that reflect more on his good personality. Beside everything he is a good man. Even the Gardiners, Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle, could not believe that Mr. Darcy was the same man they had heard so much about. Mr. Darcy treated them so well; he welcomed them into his home with open arms and also urged Elizabeth to meet his sister. This goes to show that he still has feeling for Elizabeth and maybe he may have change for her. She even questioned it. This may be his attempt to make her fall in love with him. No one really knows at this point but Elizabeth seems enjoy it.

“ She [Elizabeth] blushed again and again over the perverseness of the meeting. And his [Mr. Darcy’s] behaviour, so strikingly altered” (191).

One thing that has changed during this whole story is Elizabeth thoughts and actions toward Mr. Darcy. She is starting to become fond of him. She no longer hated him. She revered and respected him but there was still something within him that attracted her very much. The Gardiners notice that Mr. Darcy might be in love with her and there are also some hints that she might slowly but surely be falling in love with him also. She was very embarrassed when she saw him at his house. Elizabeth was so honored when he asked her to meet his sister. She also felt compelled to defend him when her aunt and uncle badmouthed him because of Mr. Wickham’s accusation. Even if she is not really noticing Elizabeth likes Mr. Darcy. In the whole novel there is not other man worthy to be her companion but Mr. Darcy.

“She grew absolutely ashamed of herself… Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, and absurd” (Austen 159).

After being completely blind by her prejudice, Elizabeth finally realize how wrong she was about Mr. Darcy’s character. She had not forgiving him for breaking up Jane and Bingley but she was learning not he was not as horrible had she claimed. Mr. Darcy wrote her a letter explaining his reasons for breaking up Jane and his whole ordeal with Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth first took the letter with resentment but she read it many times over and realized how horrible Wickham. What Mr. Darcy said about him were things that she had evidence of. Mr. Wickham was planning on marrying Miss King for her money like he was going to do with Miss Darcy. He was a worthless coward, who could not even face Mr. Darcy at the ball and gained enough courage to spread false rumors about him after he left town. Elizabeth’s attitude toward Mr. Wickham changed drastically. It was good that she was angry at Wickham but again she hears a story and runs with it. Elizabeth seemed to be ruled by strong emotions. She has every right to dislike Wickham but it seemed to be the same way she disliked Mr. Darcy and she was deceived the first time. She has to learn to control her emotion and not let them govern her thoughts.

“One has the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it” (172).

This quote is very interesting because it describes it is a recurring theme in the book. People are not what that seemed to be and a lot of times the first impressions appears to be everlasting. First Mr. Wickham, he is a heartless person who only seemed to do what is at his best interest and does not care about who about whom he hurts in the process. Nonetheless, he gives the impression that he is an agreeable man and everyone likes him. He has giving some hints about who he really is but people seem to be blinded by his charms. Mr. Darcy, who has an aloof manner toward people but is a good man at heart, is hated by mostly everyone. This is also a good lesson to be learned that appearance do not dictates ones character.

“He [Mr. Collins] carved, and ate, and praised with delighted alacrity… in a manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear. But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration” (Austen 125).

In the reading, news characters were introduced. Lady Catherine who was much talked about by Mr. Collins was finally brought into the picture. She seems to have condescending character. She also enjoys having people look up to her and compliment her. Many people would get bored with Collins repeated compliment but Lady Catherine seems to be please with them. It was like Mr. Collins was raised to praise her. Nonetheless, everyone seems treated in such a way, except for Elizabeth. The goes to show people with no social status were the puppets of those who were. They could use them and depose of them, which ever way.

“‘My dear Eliza he must be in love with you’” (138).

Mr. Darcy who is usually ruled by his good reason and right judgment is now over so whelmed with the feeling of love that he does really know what do to. He follows Miss Elizabeth around, gets embarrassed that his aunt is talking ill over, and even expresses his love for her through a proposal. For he first time in his life Mr. Darcy seems to be defeated by someone. Miss Elizabeth character was everything he was wanted in a woman, he was in love and there is nothing he could do about to suppress the feeling. He even had the strength to over look her social status and everything he disliked her or her family because he is truly in love with her

“I confess myself to have been entirely deceived by Miss Bingley’s regards for me… I cannot help blaming her…But I pity her because she must feel that she has been acting wrong” (Austen 114).

There only a certain amount of time someone have to be wronged before they figure it out. Jane was lied to by Caroline so many times that even her blind faith in people had failed her. She could not longer believe Caroline lies and even noticed her unpleasant attitude toward her. Nonetheless, still had some reluctance in accusing Caroline of a crime she had committed but this only a reflection of Jane’s true character. It was time for Jane to realize that she could no longer have trust Miss Bingley this also terminated her hopes of ever seeing Bingley. This was a learning experience for Jane because she should know that not all people are good and trustworthy. Hopefully, she will not make the same mistake again.

“Elizabeth was prepared to see him at his glory… he address himself particularly to her as if wishing to make to make her feel what she had lost refusing him” (120).

Elizabeth decided to go visit Charlotte with her parents and sister. When she got there Mr. Collins made it his goal to make Elizabeth to regret not marring him. It would satisfy his sense pride if Elizabeth remorse for not choosing to be his wife. He did in the Collins fashion by showing off and praising Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Nevertheless none of this really impressed Elizabeth but the Lucas’ seemed to dumbfound by everything, especially Lady Catherine; which goes to show how that the union between Charlotte and Collins was not as bad. They seem to be same kind of people they are probably complimenting each others flaws.

“Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte impossible!” (96).

It is a laughing matter that Miss Lucas would possibly answer to Mr. Collins ridiculous address. Nonetheless it would have been utterly absurd if Charlotte had rejected his proposal. Yes, it does look bad especially to Elizabeth who is her best friend but when analyzing it from the Lucas’s prospective Mr. Collins is the best thing that could ever happened to them. Charlotte was not blessed with good looks, agreeable manners, or intelligence. She was get older and older and her chances of getting married were slowly dwindling, and she wanted a comfortable life after her parents were gone. The only way she could get that was if she had to marry and get a husband that would provide for all her needs. Lizzy wants to marry for happiness and love things that marriage was not really based on at time period. Then, girls got married so they could have a home, children, and move up the social ladder and that is exactly what Charlotte did. Mr. Collins could provide all of these things for her, so Charlotte had to marry him. The circumstances are very unfortunate but the Lucas’s were just being practical.

“ Miss Bingley sees that her brother isin love with you and want him to marry Miss Darcy. She follows him to town in the hope of keeping him there and tris to ppersuade you that he does not care about you" (91).

The Blingleys, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, and Mr. Darcy all left under false pretence. The fact that they said they had business in the town was not very true. Caroline letter seemed to have some truth to but a lot of the things said were lies. For example Mr. Bingley love affair with Miss Darcy could not be true. Because it was very visible that Mr. Bingley was very fond of Jane and he was developing feeling for her. The real reasons for his departure were not discussed in the chapter but one can assume certain things. First Mr. Blingley would not have left on his own he would have been forced or convince to leave Netherfield. Secondly, Mr. Bingley is not the type of man who would just break a young girl’s heart in this manner, to just leave without saying goodbye or explaining himself. Another reason is that they Blingley sisters and Mr. Darcy are trying to avoid what they thing would be an unholy matrimony. No one can really blame them the Bennet family loves to make fools out of themselves.

“‘What is Mr. Darcy to me pray that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not like to hear’” (Ansten 76).

Few members of the Bennet family and Mr. Collins insist to make complete fools of themselves at the Netherfield ball. In the competition for will make the biggest fool out themselves, Mrs. Bennet’s insult on Mr. Darcy defeats Mr. Collins’ attempts at singing, by only a small margin. There are many reasons why Mrs. Bennet won this title. The first is, Mr. Darcy could see right through people and he knows that the only reason that Mrs. Bennet wants Jane to marry Mr. Bingley is because he has money and is from a higher social class then she is. Secondly, she does not know that the Bingley sister finds Jane agreeable Jane but dislikes everyone else in the Bennet. By putting such an image into Mr. Darcy’s mind he is more prone to protect his friend, Mr. Bingley, from marrying into this family filled with ridiculous people. This would be a disadvantage to Jane who is falling in love with Mr. Bingley. Third is Mr. Bingley is ruled by emotion. Emotions can be easily swayed, and if his sisters and Mr. Darcy are telling him that this union will not be favorable and he would be unwise to marry Jane, there is a chance that they might listen to them.

“‘She is a very headstrong foolish girl and does not know her own interest’” (84)

Mrs. Bennet is so preoccupied by get her daughters married that she does not notice how intelligent her daughter Elizabeth is, and that Mr. Collins is much bellow Elizabeth standards of education and reasoning. Mrs. Bennet would see that Elizabeth is an amazing woman and marrying someone as brainless as Mr. Collins would be a disgrace. There is nothing about him that would complement Miss Elizabeth’s character. Lizzy has a lot of pride and would never bow down to the Darcy or De Bourgh family and Mr. Collins insist be subservient to their social stature. Also, expect Elizabeth to do the same. Mr. Collins who is a superficial character will greatly clash with Elizabeth’s strong personality. It would have been utterly ridiculous for these two characters to get married. She also seemed to be a woman ahead of her time. She does things that declares her independent and that would not be the type of woman Mr. Collins would want or need.

" Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint and trusted that that she might soon have two daughters married" (Austen 53).

Despite the preexisting hatred toward Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet could not restrain herself when he decided that it would have been wise for him to marry one of the daughters. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet had sat together and decided that Elizabeth would been the perfect wife for him; due to the fact that Jane already had a suitor.Mrs. Bennet is always relentless about marring off her daughters. When an opportunity comes knocking she will not turn it down. Besides Elizabeth and her might profit from this marriage. Even if, Mr. Collins had a very strange character and seemed to care about what Lady Catherine de Bourgh approves off. He boring ad very socially awkward. He does not seem to interact well with the family. Also, will never suit Miss Elizabeth.

“He [Mr. Darcy] began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention” (44).

After realizing that the more attention he pays to Elizabeth the more it will back fire on her, Mr. Darcy decided that if he continued that perhaps Miss Bingley would probably murder her out of jealousy. After many attempts at getting Mr. Darcy’s attention Miss Bingley turn to Elizabeth. She knew that he fancied her and was determined to taint Elizabeth’s character in any way she could. The most embarrassing thing about this ordeal was the fact that Mr. Darcy knew all about it.. He knew that she was acting pretty stupid and just to get his attention and in a way he enjoyed it. It is also peculiar because she craves for Mr. Darcy’s company will he only desires Miss Elizabeth attention, and she seems to be oblivious to the matte.

“Jane Bennet she is really a very sweet girl and I wish… she was well settled. But with such a father and mother with low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it” (Jane 26).

In a society, it was all about maintaining a strong social status it would have been understandable that marrying below your rank is a misfortune; but is it. It did not matter how agreeable Jane was, Bingley’s sisters still could not see passed her social status. Even though they know how much their brother admires and appreciates her company. Yes, she was had beauty and her character seemed to complement Mr. Bingley’s. Her parents really had nothing to offer the Bingley family. Even, after her sister made this remark Mr. Bingley tried to make case for her family rather than just accept her for what she was. Money and social class was deeply engraved in these people’s mind that it seemed like Mr. Bingley who enjoyed Jane’s company saw a defect in her character. Nonetheless, the power of love can hopefully help him surpass this because he seems to deeply care about her. He also very tormented by the fact that she is very ill.

“If your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness if she should die it would be a comfort to know that it was all in the pursuit of Mr. Bingley” (23).

For a woman a low status it was reasonable for Mrs. Bennet to want her daughter to be married and have a good life. Nonetheless, she at takes things she goes overboard with her little schemes on securing the right husband for her daughter Jane. She advise her daughter to go to the Bingley’s estate on horseback so she can get stranded there just she could get acquainted with the family but she did not thing of the consequence it will have. First, Jane got sick and could not return home and the longer they had to care of her the more tired they became of her company. They Bingley sisters did not want much to do with the family anyways. Miss Bingley want to get rid of her because she really wanted to get rid of Elizabeth who catching Mr. Darcy’s eyes, which now brings more ill feeling towards the Bennet family. Mrs. Bennet does have good intentions but she is just willing to sacrifice too much to realize her dream of marrying all her daughters to good and respectable men.