On The Same Page discussion

Have you been able to begin P&P? Here are some discussion questions. Answer a couple (or four or five) if you so desire!

1) What is the primary purpose of the novel? Do you find the purpose to be important or meaningful?

2) How does Jane Austen reveal character in P&P?

3) What are your thoughts on the ending, how would you prefer it end?

4) Do you believe pride or prejudice is wrong? Sinful? Helpful?

5) Why do you think Wickham makes the choices he makes? (Psychoanalyze him)

6) Do you think Mary and Mr. Collins would’ve made a happy couple? Why or why not?

7) What do you think drew Mr. Bennet to Mrs. Bennet? Do you think she changed over time; and if so, was it for better or for worse?

8) Feel free to add your own discussion questions!

very nice julie, I should be done with the book in the next couple days

I probably should have expected this, but I’ve been amazed at how much more depth and richness there is in the book compared to the movies!

6. depends what you mean by happy, they both seem to be contented, self absorbed people with a tendency to self righteousness. I dont either of them would be likely to be become close within anyone in a marriage relationship, least of all with some equally self absorbed. perhaps they would not be less happy.

7. as Lizzy would say, in essentials (she) is much the same as (she) has ever been. she does not have great depth of character. I imagine mr bennet married her because he enjoyed her company and was not wise enough or patient enough to discern her lack of sense.

3. in part through how the characters repent of and act on their own failings. Darcy, elizabeth, and bingley all regret, apologize for and seek to remedy their mistakes, even if it causes them embarrassment. wickham hides his failings and multiplys on his sins.

1. I dont know what the purpose of the novel is, but one of themes I think is important the thoughtfulness of others displayed by each of the characters. some are completely inconsiderate/foolish/blind (lydia, mrs bennet), some care nothing but the attention of others (lady catherine), some care only what others think of them (mr Collins (servility/vanity), mis bingley (Darcy's attention)), and some are genuinely concerned with feelings/welfare of others (jane, the gardiners, liz and Darcy at times

4) Do you believe pride or prejudice is wrong? Sinful? Helpful? For pride, it depends on what kind of pride it is. A healthy confidence in your abilities and pride in your actions is indeed healthy; a person who has no pride in his accomplishments will probably lack the confidence to achieve even greater things. On the other hand, though, an excessive level of pride can lead one to think himself above others and to adopt a self-righteous attitude. Mr. Darcy voiced this kind of pride in his first proposal to Elizabeth in his disgusted attitude towards the inferiority of her relations. Prejudice I would say is almost completely wrong. Stereotypes are necessary in allowings us to properly deal with reality, but stereotypes based on preconceived, non fact-based notions (as in prejudice) are not good.

3. I quite enjoyed the ending as I am always a fan of a happy ending.

Anyone up for some white soup?

:) Do you know what kind of soup it actually is?

I finally finished reading P and P last night! I got off to a slow start because I read several books at a time and I kept being too tired to comprehend the language before bed when I usually read, but I enjoyed the second half much more. White soup, according to the end notes in the edition I was reading, is a warm and intoxicating refreshment for balls made from meat stock, egg yolks, ground almonds, and cream, served strengthened with negus, hot sweet wine and water