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| Fact: Jane Austen was often cited in legal decisions. According to Matthew Birkhold of Electric Lit, jurists often use Austen as a kind of shorthand to explain matters involving relationships or class distinctions. Half of the decisions don't engage further than the opening line from Pride and Prejudice: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." The sentence is often rewritten to reflect the specifics of a case: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a recently widowed woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of an estate planner," as one 2008 tax court case put it. In a medical malpractice case, the court denied the plaintiff’s cause of action because "it is a truth universally acknowledged that she who comes into equity must come with clean hands." Or the far more upsetting quotation from New Jersey Superior Court Judge Clarkson Fischer: "it is a truth universally acknowledged, that leaving an infant unattended in a filled bathtub constitutes gross negligence." |
| ASIN: 0995498113 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 19.95
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"She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper." Mrs. Bennet, whom Jane Austen never granted the first name, was a typical woman of her time. Her ultimate goal through the entire novel was to see all her five daughters married to men of great fortune.
Everyone who read Jane Austen novels knows that she loved her characters so much that, in the end, everyone got what they wanted. In Pride & Prejudice neither Jane nor Elizabeth Bennet would have their 'happily ever after' if there wasn't their overly dramatic mother though. Even though the older Bennet sisters were coming to an age when they supposed to have a husband, they weren't quite active and organized in pursuing one. And most of the time they didn't need to do anything because their mother definitely made sure her daughters are being in the center of attention during social gatherings (and private visits) even if it meant putting them in awkward, even dangerous situations.
She didn't shy away from gossiping and expressing her displeasure about certain people behind their back, yet so loudly they could hear her. But she also didn't shy away from changing her opinions within a matter of seconds when she hears how wealthy these people are. Such behavior definitely would not be appropriate on a daily basis in today's society— a woman is an obvious golddigger— but the reader must understand that things were different in that time period. It was a necessity to secure a good husband, especially in Bennet family who was threatened to be homeless after Mr. Bennet's death. For this matter, let's consider Mrs. Bennet as a woman who knows exactly what she's doing when she decides to take things in her hands after the news of Mr. Bingley coming to Netherfield. This doesn't justify ALL her actions of course nor do I imply she is a wonderful mother who only wants the best for her children, but she is certainly an interesting character who will get stuck in your mind years after you get to know her.
Why is Mrs. Bennet one of my favorite drama queens?
Well, drama queens are recognized for their melodramatic response to various situations. In Pride & Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet is a perfect example of one.
According to witty Jane Austen,
a) she was a woman of mean understanding
As we continue reading the novel, we learn that her marriage with Mr. Bennet is rather miserable because he takes every chance to amuse himself (and his daughters) by somewhat cynical remarks given on his wife's behavior after which she would say that he doesn't have compassion for her poor nerves nor that he knows what she suffers. Still, she is trying to push one of her older daughters into the marriage with their rich cousin, Mr. Collins, a marriage that would soon become like her own because neither of them could care for each other better than that. Of course, she creates a huge drama in the house after Elizabeth refuses him. She even says that Elizabeth will never see her again if she refuses Mr. Collins. Little too much, isn't it?
b) she was a woman who had a little information
When she first hears about Mr. Bingley she says that she doesn't know anything about him other than he has a five thousand per year which makes him 'a fine thing for our girls'. She immediately makes plans to introduce her daughters to him. Mr. Bingley could be a serial killer, abuser, or simply someone who wouldn't be able to love or care for a young girl like her Jane but that didn't matter at all. The only thing that mattered was FIVE THOUSAND per year.
c) she was a woman of uncertain temper
Not a single event happened without having Mrs. Bennet crying and dramatizing while sitting in her chair, with a handkerchief in her hand when things didn't go into her favor and the way she wanted. Apart from blowing everything out of proportions, she was also known for being someone who is able to change her opinion as quickly as changing your socks every day. When she first met Mr. Darcy she thought he is very handsome because she heard he is even wealthier than Mr. Bingley but when Mr. Darcy refused to dance with Elizabeth a few moments later she considers him the most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. And this would be a legit reason to think ill of someone but when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth find the way to each other's hearts she again changes her opinion about him because 'TEN THOUSAND per year! What a fine thing for our girl!' She is ready to immediately forget everything else that happened before. Let's hope that was her definite opinion about her son-in-law.
Despite sounding like the most horrid person, Mrs. Bennet would never be an interesting character without her dramatic background. We can think ill of her for the way she doesn't care about her daughters and for being the most annoying woman you ever got to know but you can't deny that it is her drama that secured her daughters' happiness. I always remember her pity quote: "Not that I have much pleasure indeed in talking to anybody. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no great inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer!–But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied."
I don't think we should allow someone to pity us but it is true that if you don't complain you will never get attention... any kind of attention. Think about this more often.
Until next time, let's take time to appreciate Jane Austen
~Minja~
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A group dedicated to the lovers of all things Jane Austen— from her personal life to her widely popular novels.
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| | | Unbelievable (E)
The latest news brought to you by the town gossip. Flash fiction contest entry. (Winner)
#2192383 by BlueJay  |
Excerpt: "Well, he got to the corner of Maple and turned left! He knows that I know he lives down that way. He wanted me to think he was going home so I'd stop watching him so he could double back to get another good look."
"You're right. I don't believe it."
"I know, right? What's the world coming to when you can't walk down the street without someone staring at you?"
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| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1998807 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: She hated such drama
and whispers of strangers,
or opinions of others.
Stated in her gossip column
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| |  | Tantrum (13+)
A melodramatic loop poem about being home alone. Writer's Cramp entry.
#2169396 by Jeff  |
Excerpt: Soon I’ll make them pay
Pay so very dearly
Dearly for abandoning me
Me who they’ll soon see clearly
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Excerpt: In this little article, Lornda points out the new genre- Dramedy.
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Drama: August 07, 2019 Issue [#9693]
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