Jane and Bingley are my absolute favorite characters in P&P, though partly because of how hilarious and sweet it is watching Jane make a mental pretzel of herself trying to make Darcy and Wickham both good. I do appreciate that she comes to see Caroline Bingley's flaws by the end of the book, but I don't want her to become jaded and cynical at all.
Exactly so! Jane married a fellow who doesn’t think more than one step ahead of himself, so he is going to fritter away his estate exactly as her father did. Mrs Bennett was shrewd enough to slow down the loss by keeping her servants in check, but Jane doesn’t have that suspicious eye.
They will likely have a bunch of daughters that need to be married off, all spoiled because Jane will be too indulgent with them and Charles will not bear to be a disciplinarian at all.
At least they will always look at each other with adoration and affection, unlike Mr and Mrs Bennett.
I shared this question with my husband (a recent convert to Austen) and he said “of course Jane has flaws, she’s stupid-innocent and too nice. She’d have been a perfect wife to an SS officer.” 😂😂😂😂 Bit harsh, I feel
I think this is a good point! It's good to want to think the best of everyone and to protect people's reputations BUT taken to the extreme it can be a dangerous trait.
St. Thomas Aquinas suffered nothing more than being laughed at for believing his fellow monk which he easily shrugged off. It doesn't seem like the brother was being malicious and no harm was done. Jane's ability to believe the best of everyone ends up deeply hurting her when she can no longer tie herself up in mental knots (which must be exhausting) with excuses for someone's behavior. What would have happened if Mr. Wickham had gotten to her? Although I'd say her bigger vice is her meekness to the point of passivity where her true feelings end up hid to all but a sister. Darcy says in his letter that he wouldn't have convinced Bingley to leave Jane if he found evidence of her feelings despite their family and that Bingley wouldn't have agreed to break it off, despite his persuasion, if he felt sure of her feelings. And after giving it some thought Lizzy remembered how Charlotte warned her about this but she brushed it off.
Jane and Bingley are my absolute favorite characters in P&P, though partly because of how hilarious and sweet it is watching Jane make a mental pretzel of herself trying to make Darcy and Wickham both good. I do appreciate that she comes to see Caroline Bingley's flaws by the end of the book, but I don't want her to become jaded and cynical at all.
Agreed! Jane wouldn't be Jane if she became jaded!
I hadn't heard that Aquinas story before. So very Jane Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet gets at this re: Jane and Bingley when she predicts their servants will rob them, i.e. that they are too kind and good-hearted.
Exactly so! Jane married a fellow who doesn’t think more than one step ahead of himself, so he is going to fritter away his estate exactly as her father did. Mrs Bennett was shrewd enough to slow down the loss by keeping her servants in check, but Jane doesn’t have that suspicious eye.
They will likely have a bunch of daughters that need to be married off, all spoiled because Jane will be too indulgent with them and Charles will not bear to be a disciplinarian at all.
At least they will always look at each other with adoration and affection, unlike Mr and Mrs Bennett.
I'm wondering how Fitzwilliam felt when Darcy found out he told Lizzie what he'd done. 😁
Also THANK YOU re the book list!!! I have been wanting something like this for ages. Have updated the kids Amazon wish list accordingly :)
So glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the book list, I ordered all the board books for my little one! Trying to bulk up his library! This was perfect!
Oh good!
I shared this question with my husband (a recent convert to Austen) and he said “of course Jane has flaws, she’s stupid-innocent and too nice. She’d have been a perfect wife to an SS officer.” 😂😂😂😂 Bit harsh, I feel
I think this is a good point! It's good to want to think the best of everyone and to protect people's reputations BUT taken to the extreme it can be a dangerous trait.
St. Thomas Aquinas suffered nothing more than being laughed at for believing his fellow monk which he easily shrugged off. It doesn't seem like the brother was being malicious and no harm was done. Jane's ability to believe the best of everyone ends up deeply hurting her when she can no longer tie herself up in mental knots (which must be exhausting) with excuses for someone's behavior. What would have happened if Mr. Wickham had gotten to her? Although I'd say her bigger vice is her meekness to the point of passivity where her true feelings end up hid to all but a sister. Darcy says in his letter that he wouldn't have convinced Bingley to leave Jane if he found evidence of her feelings despite their family and that Bingley wouldn't have agreed to break it off, despite his persuasion, if he felt sure of her feelings. And after giving it some thought Lizzy remembered how Charlotte warned her about this but she brushed it off.