Our Five Lenses

Today, we pooled our observations on our lenses. Here's what we discussed:

1. Courtship Practices: Before the proposal, Darcy tries hard to woo Elizabeth, but once he stops trying to woo her, Elizabeth becomes interested. He acts more himself, and the real Darcy is the man to whom Elizabeth finds herself attracted. Darcy does not try to gain her affection; he's more natural and less forced. He's being far more civil. As Mr. Gardiner notes, "He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming" (Chapter 43).

Before the proposal, Darcy and Elizabeth have done through the first nine steps of intimacy. After the proposal and at Pemberley, they spend a lot of time looking at one another and talking without conflict.

2. Distinctions of Rank: Darcy loses all arrogance and sense of superiority in Pemberley. He is civil and well-mannered. He's more comfortable in his own place. He is more confident and at home; he's not trying to impress anyone. He's just being Darcy without any airs. He's not putting on a show to put him above his guests. The Bennets in their household always strive to appear of a higher class. Pemberley is not ostentatious like Rosings; it does not have that extravagance of opulence.

The pride that he displays before his proposal disappears when he writes the letter. He is a supplicant to her. He lowers himself in writing the letter and erases the class distinction between them.

Mrs. Reynolds breaks down Elizabeth's prejudice. As a master and a brother, there is none better than Darcy. "He is the best landlord and the best master."

3. Marriage: Elizabeth continues to reflect on how completely incompatible her parents are. They are a bad match and bad parents.

Darcy's proposal and their reactions could be a preview of their marriage; they bicker; Her parents bicker; Mr. Bennet talks down to Mrs. Bennet, but Elizabeth and Darcy are more equal. At Pemberley, their actions are different. She immediately thinks of living at Pemberley. She thinks about marrying him.

The Gardiners have the only good marriage in the novel. They have similar values and have an equal partnership.

4. Parenting: It's one thing to have a marriage with or without love. Mrs. Bennet's desire to see her daughters married is more important than her marriage to Mr. Bennet. Her duty as a mother is more important than her duties as a wife.

5. Sisters: Jane and Elizabeth have the strongest sister connection. Kitty and Lydia also have a bond, but Lydia leaves Kitty to go off with the Forsters. Lydia is more selfish as a sister.

We also meet Darcy's sister, Georgiana: "There is nothing that he would not do for her." People have accused him of being selfish, but his treatment of his sister proves that he is selfless.