I don't question Jane Austin's ability to write a novel. She wrote a long piece of literature with scenes, characters and plot. That being said, I do question the point of Pride and Prejudice. Further, I question her ability to create any sort of likable characters.
I know I'm supposed to like Elizabeth, but she just talks smack the entire novel. We'll call it wit if you want, but when we do, realize I mean snarky gossip about people she dislikes at the moment. The main person she is witty toward through the novel is Mr. Darcy. I know I'm supposed to see Darcy as a terribly grumpy beast with a heart of gold that succumbs to and is tamed by the witty beauty by the end of the novel. Thing is, he's an ass who only succumbs because she's the one thing he's been refused in life.
Elizabeth isn't handsome enough for Mr. Darcy to start, he finds her family embarrassing, and her station in life is too far below his to even consider her a candidate for marriage. But, since Elizabeth insults him through the entire book and acts like she wouldn't want him anyway, he can't help but be attracted to and violently in love with Elizabeth. Mind you, he still thinks it's cool to break up her sister's marriage, since she's involved with someone above her station.
Elizabeth spends most of the novel talking about how much she despises the idea of marriage, and how big a jerk Darcy is. Then everything changesElizabeth finds out Darcy is rich. Okay that's not all. His servant, someone completely dependent on Darcy's good will, says he's a good guy. Add to that an uncharacteristic civility toward the people Elizabeth is hanging out with and Darcy's new attitude, obvious wealth, and proper social etiquette provide Elizabeth the rationalization she needs to find love in a marriage that will also provide the security and social standing she claimed to neither want or need.
The first impression I had of Pride and Prejudice was that Jane Austen was writing a comedic tale poking fun at the social etiquette and expectations of her time, specifically challenging the idea that marriage is an institution devoid of love but focused on financial and societal improvement. By the end of the story, however, love was used as an excuse to enter into a marriage which provides financial and social improvement, and social etiquette and expectations are presented as a means to ensure the stability and respect of ones family. Elizabeth is initially presented as a strong-willed woman caught between love and money. This conflict, however, ends up a strawmanset up only to create a means to provide her with both love _and_ money, while eliminating her wit in favor for romance. Darcy is presented as a brooding aristocrat with little to be desired beyond his money. Yet the initial impression ends up completely reversed, with minimal to no explanation. He becomes the perfect prospective husband, and allows for a socially acceptable and conveniently romantic marriage by the end of the story.
The characters are unlikeable, the plot is conveniently altered for a faux-happy ending, and the novel is filled with more gossip and annoying dialogue than actual development of storyline. If you want to support the abusive dynamic of winning over and fixing a man who treats you like trash, this is the book for you. Otherwise, I'm not even sure it could be saved with zombies.
I know I'm supposed to like Elizabeth, but she just talks smack the entire novel. We'll call it wit if you want, but when we do, realize I mean snarky gossip about people she dislikes at the moment. The main person she is witty toward through the novel is Mr. Darcy. I know I'm supposed to see Darcy as a terribly grumpy beast with a heart of gold that succumbs to and is tamed by the witty beauty by the end of the novel. Thing is, he's an ass who only succumbs because she's the one thing he's been refused in life.
Elizabeth isn't handsome enough for Mr. Darcy to start, he finds her family embarrassing, and her station in life is too far below his to even consider her a candidate for marriage. But, since Elizabeth insults him through the entire book and acts like she wouldn't want him anyway, he can't help but be attracted to and violently in love with Elizabeth. Mind you, he still thinks it's cool to break up her sister's marriage, since she's involved with someone above her station.
Elizabeth spends most of the novel talking about how much she despises the idea of marriage, and how big a jerk Darcy is. Then everything changesElizabeth finds out Darcy is rich. Okay that's not all. His servant, someone completely dependent on Darcy's good will, says he's a good guy. Add to that an uncharacteristic civility toward the people Elizabeth is hanging out with and Darcy's new attitude, obvious wealth, and proper social etiquette provide Elizabeth the rationalization she needs to find love in a marriage that will also provide the security and social standing she claimed to neither want or need.
The first impression I had of Pride and Prejudice was that Jane Austen was writing a comedic tale poking fun at the social etiquette and expectations of her time, specifically challenging the idea that marriage is an institution devoid of love but focused on financial and societal improvement. By the end of the story, however, love was used as an excuse to enter into a marriage which provides financial and social improvement, and social etiquette and expectations are presented as a means to ensure the stability and respect of ones family. Elizabeth is initially presented as a strong-willed woman caught between love and money. This conflict, however, ends up a strawmanset up only to create a means to provide her with both love _and_ money, while eliminating her wit in favor for romance. Darcy is presented as a brooding aristocrat with little to be desired beyond his money. Yet the initial impression ends up completely reversed, with minimal to no explanation. He becomes the perfect prospective husband, and allows for a socially acceptable and conveniently romantic marriage by the end of the story.
The characters are unlikeable, the plot is conveniently altered for a faux-happy ending, and the novel is filled with more gossip and annoying dialogue than actual development of storyline. If you want to support the abusive dynamic of winning over and fixing a man who treats you like trash, this is the book for you. Otherwise, I'm not even sure it could be saved with zombies.
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