Introducing Bingley and Darcy & Points of View in Chapter 6

In this lesson, we discussed techniques in small groups used by Austen in Pride and Prejudice. One thing we discussed was how Austen introduces Bingley and Darcy in Chapter 3, many ideas were put forward, such as:

• The reader is given opinions, not descriptions of Mr Bingley, meaning we can't form our own opinions.
• Mr Darcy's final point in his description is that he makes '10 thousand a year', showing the attraction of wealth in the novel.
• When speaking, Bingley is positive and Darcy is negative. Juxtaposition between the two emphasises the difference between them.
• Others opinions are influenced by Elizabeth telling her friends he thought she was average looking.
• The final sentence is a negative point on Darcy, a point Austen would have wanted the reader to dwell on, causing us to believe he is not a nice person.

From this we wrote a quick essay answer in class, organising and explaining our ideas in more detail.

We also discussed how different points of view were presented by Austen in Chapter 6. Some ideas were that:

• Charlotte and Elizabeth have contrasting ideas. When they talk together, their opinions juxtapose each other, emphasising them.
• Charlotte has a plan to get married and would puts marriage over love - 'When she is secure of him there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses'.
• Elizabeth believes you should get to know them and 'understand' their 'character' and therefore enjoy their company.
• Conflicting views are established through conversation.
• Darcy is 'mortified' he is falling in love with Elizabeth. He doesn't want to fall in love with people below him. This view is told through the omniscient narrator.

We also gathered our ideas and then wrote an essay on how points of view are presented in chapter 6.

I will catch up on the rest of my blogs tomorrow! For now, I must revise for my chemistry test tomorrow!