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English Literature books summary |
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English Literature books summaryliving. Wickham, however, having no desire to become a clergyman, wrote to Darcy after his father's death and asked for money in order to study law. Darcy gave him 3,000 pounds and Wickham resigned his claim to assistance in a church career. However, Wickham quickly gave up on studying law and squandered the money with a dissipate lifestyle. When he needed more money he went to Darcy and told him that he would become a clergyman if Darcy would provide him with the living that had been promised. Darcy refused, and Wickham was furious. A while afterwards, Wickham, with the help of Miss Darcy's governess Miss Younge, managed to deceive Darcy's younger sister into consenting to elope with him when she was fifteen. Darcy happened to go see his sister before the intended elopement and she ended up confessing the whole plan to him. He thus prevented the elopement, the motives for which on Wickham's side were mostly Miss Darcy's fortune and a desire to revenge himself on Mr. Darcy. Volume II, Chapter 13 Summary: Elizabeth reads the letter "with a strong prejudice against everything he might say." She does not at all believe his claim that he prevented Bingley from proposing to Jane because he thought Jane was not attached to him. After reading Darcy's account of his dealings with Wickham, she does not know how to react and tries to convince herself it must be false. She puts away the letter, resolving not to think about it, but then examines it slowly, line by line. After long deliberation Elizabeth begins to rethink her previous judgment of Wickham. She realizes that his communications to her in their first conversation were indelicate, improper and inconsistent, and that his attentions to Miss King were purely mercenary. She begins to see that she judged Darcy completely wrongly, and she grows ashamed, concluding that she been "blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd," in spite of the fact that has always prided herself on her judgment. She realizes that vanity has been the cause of her prejudice. After this realization, she rereads the first part of the letter which deals with his reasons for preventing Bingley's proposal to Jane. She now sees that he had reason to be suspicious of Jane's attachment. Elizabeth also admits that Darcy's criticisms of the impropriety of her mother and younger sisters is just, and is ashamed and depressed. After wandering through the park or two hours, engrossed in her reflections, she returns to the Parsonage to find that both Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have stopped by to take leave of them, but have since left. She is glad to have missed them. Volume II, Chapter 14 Summary: Lady Catherine invites Elizabeth, Maria and the Collinses to dinner because she is bored now that her nephews have left. Elizabeth can't help thinking that she might have been attending this dinner as Lady Catherine's future niece, and amusing herself at how indignant Lady Catherine would be. Lady Catherine attempts to persuade Elizabeth and Maria to stay another fortnight, but Elizabeth insists that her father wants her to come home. She spends much time over the next few days before her return home reflecting on the contents of the letter and on her past conduct. She does not regret her refusal of Darcy's offer, but does regret her own past actions. She is also depressed by the hopelessness of improving the character of her younger sisters, since her father only laughs at them and her mother is equally frivolous. She is also sad to think that Jane could have been so happy had it not been for the indecorum of her family. Volume II, Chapter 15 Summary: Elizabeth and Maria leave the Parsonage on Saturday morning, after lengthy parting civilities from Mr. Collins. Before returning to Hertferdshore, they stop at the Gardiner's to spend a few days there. Jane is to return home with them. Elizabeth is tempted to tell her all that she learned from Darcy, but decides to wait because she is not sure how much she should reveal. Volume II, Chapter 16 Summary: Upon reaching Hertfordshire they are greeted by Kitty and Lydia, who have prepared lunch for them at the inn where they have arranged to meet the carriage. Elizabeth is happy to hear that regiment will soon be leaving Meryton, although Kitty and Lydia are not equally pleased. Lydia hopes that Mr. Bennet will allow them all to go to Brighton for the summer since the officers will be there. During lunch Lydia tells Jane and Elizabeth that Miss King has left and that Wickham is therefore once again available. Lydia entertains them on the carriage home by relating stories of all the balls and dances they have attended with the officers in Meryton. When they arrive at Longbourn they have dinner with the Lucases, who have come to meet Maria. Lydia urges everyone to take a walk with her to Meryton, but Elizabeth stays home because she wants to avoid seeing Wickham. Volume II, Chapter 17 Summary: The next morning Elizabeth tells Jane about Darcy's proposal, and about the part of the letter regarding Wickham. Jane is shocked not as much about the proposal as about Wickham's being so bad, and tries to make excuses for him, but realizes that no excuse can be found. Elizabeth asks Jane whether or not she should let the rest of the town know about Wickham's true character. They decide it would be best to keep the matter quiet, since he is leaving soon and it will be extremely difficult to convince people without telling about his attempts to seduce Miss Darcy. Elizabeth decides that she should not tell Jane about the part of Darcy's letter which relates to her and Bingley. After observing Jane at leisure, Elizabeth sees that she is not happy and is still very attached to Bingley. Volume II, Chapter 18 Summary: Kitty, Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are extremely disappointed because the regiment is leaving Meryton. Lydia receives an invitation from Mrs. Forster, the wife of the Colonel of the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton. Lydia is ecstatic. Elizabeth entreats her father to prevent Lydia from going, explaining that such an experience will only increase her frivolousness. But her father does not listen and tells Elizabeth that Lydia will be fine in Brighton under the supervision of Colonel Forster and that she is too poor to be taken advantage of by any of the officers in the regiment. Elizabeth sees Wickham frequently. He attempts to renew his attentions to her, but she represses them and is annoyed by them. On the last day of their stay in Meryton, they have a conversation in which Elizabeth speaks of her stay at the Parsonage and her enjoyment of Darcy's and Colonel Fitzwilliam's company. She leads Wickham to suspect that she knows the truth of his past. He pretends not to notice but stops distinguishing Elizabeth. At the end of the party Lydia returns to Meryton with Mrs. Forster in order to be able to set out with them for Brighton early in the morning. Volume II, Chapter 19 Summary: Elizabeth's father had married her mother because he was captivated by her beauty, but her weak understanding soon made him lose all real affection for her. Mr. Bennet derives his enjoyment from books and the country. Elizabeth has always recognized the impropriety of her father's behavior as a husband, and is now especially aware of the disadvantage that such a marriage has had on the children. She faults her father for not having used his talents to at least preserve the respectability of his daughters. The days at Longbourn are far from enjoyable, with the constant lamentations of boredom form Mrs. Bennet and Kitty. Elizabeth consoles herself by looking forward to her tour of the Lakes with the Gardiners. After a few weeks things become more bearable at home, and Elizabeth hopes that Kitty may be improved by the time away from Lydia. Elizabeth's vacation with the Gardiners is delayed and shortened on account of Mr. Gardiner's work commitments. In the course of the trip they pass near Pemberley and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner want to go see it. Elizabeth does not want to go because of fear of seeing Darcy, but she finds out from the maid that the Darcy family is not at home. Volume III, Chapter 1 Summary: Elizabeth is captivated by the beauty of Pemberley, and feels that it would not be bad to be the mistress of such a house. She almost has a feeling of regret. The housekeeper gives them a tour of the house and talks to them about Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy. She describes Mr. Darcy as exceptionally sweet-tempered, generous and good-natured, remarking that she has "never heard a cross word from him." Elizabeth is surprised, having retained her assumption that Darcy is ill-tempered. Elizabeth is also impressed with Darcy's excellent treatment of his younger sister. After hearing so much praise of Darcy from his housekeeper, Elizabeth thinks of his regard for her with more warmth than ever. As they go out to see the gardens, Mr. Darcy unexpectedly comes forward from the road. Both he and Elizabeth are ill at ease, but she is impressed at the genteel civility in his inquiries. After exchanging a few civilities he takes leave. Elizabeth is mortified and wonders what he might think of her for having come to visit the house. Elizabeth is extremely distracted but attempts to be sociable and make conversation with her aunt and uncle as they walk through the garden. After a long while she is surprised to see Mr. Darcy coming toward them. They are both better prepared for this encounter. Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth to introduce him to the Gardiners. In spite of the fact that they are a much lower class than he, he enters into conversation with them and even tells Mr. Gardiner that he is welcome to come to Pemberley and fish as long as he is in the area. Elizabeth and Darcy begin walking together, and she informs him that she thought he would not be at home. He explains his reason for returning early and then asks her if he can introduce his sister to her when she arrives the next day. Elizabeth is surprised at this offer but accepts. When they reach the house they have an awkward conversation while waiting for the Gardiners to catch up with them, and then he sees them off with great politeness. The Gardiners are very pleased and surprised at Darcy's civility, having heard from so many people, including Elizabeth, that he is so disagreeable, and still believing Wickham's story. Elizabeth tells them in a very guarded way that there is reason to believe that Darcy is not at fault in his dealings with Wickham. Volume III, Chapter 2 Summary: Mr. Darcy brings his sister to visit Elizabeth at the inn the very morning of her arrival. Elizabeth is caught by surprise, not thinking that they will come until the next day. She is extremely nervous because she wants Georgiana to form a good opinion of her. The Gardiners begin to suspect that Darcy has a partiality for Elizabeth, seeing no other explanation for such attentions. Elizabeth is relieved to see that Miss Darcy is as nervous as she is. Miss Darcy is shy, attractive and graceful, with unassuming and gentle manners. Soon Mr. Bingley comes to visit as well. All of Elizabeth's anger at him disappears upon seeing him. The Gardiners, through their observations and conversation, become completely convinced that Darcy is in love with Elizabeth. Elizabeth observes the conduct of Bingley and Georgiana toward one another, and is happy to find no sign of particular regard on the part of either. When Bingley has a moment to speak to Elizabeth without the others' hearing, he inquires about Jane and seems to regret that it has been so long since he has seen her. Elizabeth is amazed at Darcy's civility toward the Gardiners, relations which he had previously spoken of with disdain, and she cannot imagine the reason for his change in manners. Before the visitors leave Darcy invites Elizabeth and the Gardiners to dinner at Pemberley, and they accept. The Gardiners, seeing that Darcy is in love with Elizabeth, reevaluate their former negative opinion of him, which had been based on the accounts of their friends in Hertfordshire. They are satisfied that he is a much better man they had previously thought, and also find that Wickham is not held in such good esteem in the area. Elizabeth stays awake trying to discern her feelings for Darcy. She realizes that she is grateful to him for having loved her and loving her still even after the rudeness of her rejection. She is extremely impressed by his change of character, and esteems him highly, but is still not sure whether or not she loves him. Mrs. Gardiner decides that she and Elizabeth should wait on Miss Darcy the following morning in return for her great politeness in coming to see them immediately after her arrival. Volume III, Chapter 3 Summary: During their visit to Pemberley Miss Darcy receives them with civility, although she is very shy. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley say very little, and the conversation is carried on mostly by Mrs. Annesley (an acquaintance), Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth. Elizabeth both hopes and fears that Mr. Darcy will join them. After a while Mr. Darcy does join them, and his actions are closely scrutinized by Miss Bingley and Miss Hurst. When Miss Bingley notices that Mr. Darcy is trying to get Elizabeth and Georgiana to converse, she asks Elizabeth a question about the militia. Elizabeth answers with composure, and notices that both Mr. Darcy and Georgiana are pained by the allusion to Wickham. After Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner take their leave, Miss Bingley speaks negatively about Elizabeth to Georgiana, but Georgiana's opinion is fixed firmly in Elizabeth's favor by her brother's commendations. Miss Bingley also repeats her criticisms of Elizabeth to Darcy, and after much provocation he coolly answers that he considers Elizabeth one of the most handsome women he has ever met, and then walks away. Volume III, Chapter 4 Summary: Elizabeth receives two letters from her sister relating that Lydia has eloped with Wickham. At first they expected that the two were planning to go to Scotland to get married (because minors can marry without parental permission in Scotland). However, after gaining further intelligence they find that there is reason to doubt that Wickham has any intention of marrying her at all. Jane asks Elizabeth and the Gardiners to return home as soon as possible, and requests that Mr. Gardiner help her father search for Lydia and Wickham in London. Elizabeth rushes to the door to go out to find Mr. Gardiner, but as she does so Mr. Darcy appears. She tells him with great agitation that she must go immediately in search of Mr. Gardiner, but he recommends that a servant be sent. That being done, Elizabeth collapses into a chair and when she is able to she explains the situation to Darcy. He is extremely distressed, thinking that if he had revealed more of what he knew about Wickham's character this could have been prevented. Elizabeth, observing Darcy, believes that such an action on her sister's part will make a renewal of Darcy's proposal impossible. Feeling this loss, she realizes that she loves him. After a few minutes Darcy realizes that he is doing no good by his presence and takes his leave, promising to maintain secrecy on the matter and wishing that he could do more to help. Elizabeth watches him go with regret, doubting that they will ever meet again on such friendly terms. Elizabeth has no doubts that Wickham does not plan to marry Lydia. She knows that Lydia would not have gone off with him if she were not under the pretense that they were going to be married, but Elizabeth also realizes that Lydia is easy prey for Wickham's deceptions. The Gardiners quickly return and Elizabeth relates the sad news to them. Mr. Gardiner promises to do all he can to help, and they quickly prepare for their journey. Volume III, Chapter 5 Summary: On the way back to Longbourn, Mr. Gardiner attempts to convince Elizabeth that Wickham must have a genuine intention of marrying Lydia, but Elizabeth, knowing what she does of Wickham, is not convinced. Elizabeth reproaches herself for not having revealed what she knew of Wickham's true character. They arrive at Longbourn the next day and Jane is very happy to see Elizabeth. So far there is no new news about Lydia's whereabouts. Mrs. Bennet has taken things badly and will not leave her apartment. When they go to see her, she tells them that she blames the Forsters for neglect, not thinking that Lydia is the type of girl to do such a thing. She is alarmed that when Mr. Bennet finds them he will fight with Wickham and be killed. Mr. Gardiner tries to reassure her, and promises to do what he can to help Mr. Bennet in London. Kitty and Mary do not seem extremely upset over the situation. When Elizabeth and Jane are alone they discuss what has happened in more detail. Jane shows Elizabeth the note which Lydia left for Mrs. Forster. Lydia's letter shows extreme thoughtlessness and frivolity, but also proves that she had every intention to marry Wickham. Volume III, Chapter 6 Summary: The next morning Mr. Gardiner sets off for London. Mrs. Gardiner plans to remain for a few more days at Longbourn in order to help Elizabeth and Jane. All in Meryton quickly changed their opinion of Wickham from "an angel of light" to "the wickedest young man in the world," now finding fault with so many of his actions. A letter from Mr. Gardiner arrives in a couple of days, explaining that they plan to inquire at every major hotel about Lydia and Wickham. Mr. Gardiner also plans to ask Mr. Forster if anyone in the militia has any idea of where he would be staying in London. They receive a letter from Mr. Collins, offering condolences and also criticizing the lack of parental attention to Lydia. He also alludes to the fact that he is now glad Elizabeth turned down his proposal, since being married to her would connect him with this disgrace. Another letter arrives from Mr. Gardiner saying that Mr. Forster has had no luck in finding any possible close friends or relations with whom Wickham and Lydia might be staying. He also mentions that Wickham has extra reasons for secrecy because of over 1,000 dollars in gaming debts, along with other debts to the town merchants. Mr. Bennet decides to come home and leave the rest of the searching to Mr. Gardiner. At the same time, Mrs. Gardiner returns home to London with her children. Elizabeth's misery at the situation is greatly increased by the knowledge that it probably ruins her chances of marriage to Darcy. When Elizabeth speaks to her father, he tells her that he thinks himself completely to blame. Volume III, Chapter 7 Summary: Mr. Bennet receives an express letter from Mr. Gardiner, stating that he has found Wickham and that Wickham will agree to marry Lydia on condition that she receives her equal share of Mr. Bennet's wealth after his death along with 100 pounds per year. Mr. Gardiner assumes that Wickham's debts are not so bad as everyone had thought. Mr. Bennet comments that Mr. Gardiner must have paid Wickham a large sum of money to make him comply, since what Wickham is asking is extremely little. When Elizabeth and Jane relate the news to Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia, Mrs. Bennet is ecstatic. She begins to think about ordering the wedding clothes. Volume III, Chapter 8 Summary: Mr. Bennet wants to find out how much Mr. Gardiner paid to get Wickham to agree to the marriage and to pay him back as much as possible. After listening throughout dinner to Mrs. Bennet's talk of wedding plans and suitable houses in the neighborhood for Lydia and Wickham, Mr. Bennet informs her that he will not receive the couple at Longbourn, nor give Lydia money for wedding clothes. Mrs. Bennet is more disgraced by her daughter's lack of new clothes for the wedding than by her elopement. Elizabeth reflects on the fact that with Wickham as a member of the family, there is no possibility that Darcy will propose to her again. His proposal of four months ago would now be most gratefully received. She realizes that Darcy is the man who would most suit her, and that their personalities would complement each other for their mutual advantage. Another letter arrives from Mr. Gardiner. He reports that Wickham is planning to quit the militia and that has a promise of an ensigncy in a regiment quartered in the North. The letter also mentions Wickham will pay off all his debts both in Brighton and Meryton. After entreaties from Elizabeth and Jane, Mr. Bennet decides to allow Lydia and Wickham to visit Longbourn before leaving for the North. Volume III, Chapter 9 Summary: When the couple arrives, they show no sense of shame whatsoever and Lydia shamelessly expects congratulations from all her sisters. Jane and Elizabeth are extremely distressed at Lydia's conduct. Upon observance, Elizabeth finds that Wickham's affection for Lydia is not nearly so strong as her affection for him. Lydia relates to Elizabeth all the details of the wedding. She is completely ungrateful for what the Gardiners have done, and even complains that they would not let her go out while she was staying with them. Lydia mentions in passing that Mr. Darcy attended the wedding, but then says that she was not supposed to tell anyone. Elizabeth writes to Mrs. Gardiner asking for more details about why Mr. Darcy was at the wedding. Volume III, Chapter 10 Summary: Mrs. Gardiner's letter arrives, explaining all the particulars with regard to Mr. Darcy's involvement in the wedding. Mr. Darcy was the one who found out Wickham's whereabouts by bribing Miss Younge (the woman who had helped Wickham to seduce Georgiana) to tell him. When Darcy found the couple, he tried to convince Lydia to leave, but she refused. That being the case, Darcy tried to get Wickham to marry Lydia, which Wickham had no intention of doing. Darcy offered Wickham money in order to persuade him to marry Lydia. Darcy then waited until Mr. Bennet had left for Longbourn and went to inform Mr. Gardiner of all that had occurred, explaining that he felt guilty for not having exposed Wickham's character sooner. Mrs. Gardiner concludes the letter stating that she is sure Darcy's actions are motivated by his love for Elizabeth, and relates to Elizabeth how much she thinks that he would be a good match. In reflecting on the letter, Elizabeth is sensible of all the mortification and suffering which Darcy must have gone through in the process of getting Wickham to marry Lydia. She does not think, however, that his regard for her could possibly be the primary motive, and she still does not think that there is any hope that he will marry her. Elizabeth's reflections are interrupted by Wickham. They have a guarded conversation in which she makes it clear that she knows more about Wickham's true past than he would like, but she avoids provoking him for Lydia's sake. Volume III, Chapter 11 Summary: Lydia and Wickham leave for Newcastle, where his new regiment is stationed. Lydia's good-byes are not very affectionate. Mrs. Bennet is sad that she will not be able to see her daughter for a long time. Mrs. Bennet hears from Mrs. Phillips that Mr. Bingley is planning to return to Netherfield in a few days. Jane tells Elizabeth that she does not want to see much of him. Elizabeth, however, after having seen him while on vacation with the Gardiners, is sure that he is still partial to Jane, and thinks that perhaps Mr. Darcy may have told Bingley that he now approves of the match. Mrs. Bennet plans to invite Bingley to dinner. Jane is obviously disturbed by his coming and is pained by the constant mention of his name. Mr. Bingley and Darcy come to pay a visit at Netherfield. Elizabeth begins to hope that Darcy's affections for her are not shaken. When they come in, Elizabeth is pained by Mrs. Bennet's cold reception of Darcy in comparison with Mr. Bingley, considering how much she owes to Darcy. Elizabeth is also mortified by her mother's jubilant announcement of Lydia and Wickham's marriage. Darcy speaks little during the visit. When the gentlemen are leaving Mrs. Bennet invites them for dinner. Volume III, Chapter 12 Summary: During the dinner party, Bingley sits next to Jane and Elizabeth is convinced that he still admires her. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are sitting too far apart to be able to speak, and circumstances prevent them from conversing after dinner. Elizabeth is anxious and annoyed because she wants to speak with him very badly. Mrs. Bennet is extremely pleased with the dinner and is sure that Bingley and Jane will soon be married. Mr. Darcy is going back to London but will return in 10 days. Volume III, Chapter 13 Summary: After a few days Mr. Bingley calls again, and the day after he joins them again for dinner. Mrs. Bennet contrives to get Jane and Bingley alone together, but is unsuccessful. The next morning Mr. Bingley joins Mr. Bennet to go hunting, and he then stays for dinner. Mrs. Bennet is this time successful in arranging for Jane and Bingley to be left alone together. When Elizabeth walks into the drawing room she finds them there alone in earnest conversation. Bingley quickly leaves and Jane tells Elizabeth that she is the happiest woman in the world. Jane then goes to tell her mother, and Bingley, who had gone to speak with Mr. Bennet, returns and receives Elizabeth's congratulations. All are very happy. Bingley now comes to visit Netherfield every day. Volume III, Chapter 14 Summary: Early the next morning Lady Catherine unexpectedly comes to visit. Lady Catherine is, as usual, domineering and arrogant in her conversation. She tells Elizabeth she would like her company for a walk outside. Lady Catherine tells Elizabeth that she has come because of rumors that Darcy and Elizabeth will soon be married. Elizabeth answers her inquiries curtly and without revealing the fact that Darcy has not proposed to her again. Lady Catherine tries to forbid Elizabeth to marry Mr. Darcy, but Elizabeth is insensible to her entreaties and threats. Lady Catherine is furious and leaves. Volume III, Chapter 15 Summary: Her conversation with Lady Catherine throws Elizabeth into a great discomposure of spirits. She is not sure what the cause of Lady Catherine's suspicion is, but she is uneasy about the fact that Lady Catherine will surely try to influence Darcy not to propose. Mr. Bennet tells Elizabeth that he wants to speak with her and relates to her the contents of a letter from Mr. Collins in which he says that he has heard that Mr. Darcy may propose to Elizabeth and advises Elizabeth not to accept because of Lady Catherine's disapprobation. Mr. Bennet thinks the letter is extremely amusing because he still thinks that Darcy is indifferent to Elizabeth and that Elizabeth hates Darcy. Volume III, Chapter 16 Summary: Within a few days Mr. Darcy returns to Netherfield and he and Mr. Bingley come to Longbourn early in the day. Jane, Bingley, Darcy, Elizabeth, and Kitty take a walk. Jane and Bingley lag behind the rest, and eventually Darcy and Elizabeth are left to walk together alone as well. As soon as they are alone Elizabeth expresses to Darcy her gratitude for his assistance in the affair with Wickham and Lydia. Darcy replies that he wishes she had not found out, but adds that what he did was done for Elizabeth's sake. Elizabeth cannot say a word. Darcy tells her that his affections are no different than they were when he proposed, and asks her to tell him if hers are the same as well. Elizabeth informs him that her sentiments have changed and that she will now gladly receive his assurances of continued affection. He is overcome with delight upon hearing this and speaks warmly and fervently about his love. Lady Catherine's attempt to dissuade him from proposing only had the effect of giving him hope by letting him know that Elizabeth was not decided against marrying him. They speak about the last proposal, both apologizing for their lack of civility. Mr. Darcy had been tortured by Elizabeth's reproof "had you acted in a more gentleman-like manner." This and her other reproofs on that night humbled him and led him to realize his selfishness and conceit. Elizabeth tells Darcy that his letter slowly removed all her former prejudices. When Darcy met Elizabeth at Pemberley, he wanted to show her immediately that he had changed as a result of her just reproofs. Darcy tells Elizabeth that before leaving for London he had told Bingley that he had been wrong in interfering with Bingley's relationship with Jane and that he was now sure that Jane was really attached to him. This assurance from Darcy gave Bingley the encouragement he needed to make the proposal. Volume III, Chapter 17 Summary: At night, when she is finally able to speak with Jane alone, Elizabeth tells her what has happened. Jane is incredulous. But eventually Elizabeth convinces her that she is serious and that she really does love Darcy. Elizabeth explains her reasons for previously concealing her affection, and reveals to Jane what Darcy did for Lydia. Jane is extremely happy for her, and they spend half the night talking. The next morning Mrs. Bennet is annoyed on seeing that Mr. Darcy has again accompanied Bingley to Longbourn, and suggests that Elizabeth go for a walk with him to keep him out of Jane and Bingley's way. Elizabeth is quite happy to comply. Bingley greets Elizabeth with such warmth that she is sure he knows of her engagement. During their walk Elizabeth and Darcy decide that Darcy will ask Mr. Bennet's consent in the evening and that Elizabeth will speak to her mother. After Mr. Darcy speaks with Mr. Bennet, Darcy tells Elizabeth that her father wants to speak with her. Mr. Bennet is shocked because he thinks that Elizabeth hates Darcy. After long explanations she assures Mr. Bennet of her affection for him. She also tells him of what Darcy did for Lydia. He is surprised and happy for his daughter. At night Elizabeth tells her mother of the engagement. Her mother is shocked but extremely happy in thinking of how rich Darcy is. Her former dislike of him is completely forgotten. The next day her mother acts remarkably well toward Darcy, and her father tries to get to know him better and is pleased with him. Volume III, Chapter 18 Summary: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy converse playfully about how he fell in love with her in the first place and why he took so long to propose the second time. He tells her that his second proposal was all thanks to Lady Catherine, her warning having given him hope of Elizabeth's affection. Elizabeth asks him when he will tell Lady Catherine the news, and he goes off to write to her, while Elizabeth goes to write to Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Bingley's reactions to Mr. Bingley's engagement to Jane are affectionate and insincere. Miss Darcy's reaction to news of Mr. Darcy's engagement is one of genuine delight. The Collinses come to stay at Lucas Lodge because Lady Catherine is so angry at the engagement. Darcy deals well with the obsequiousness of Mr. Collins, along with the vulgarity of Mrs. Philips and Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet is extremely happy and proud at her daughters' marriages. Mr. Bennet misses Elizabeth and often goes to visit her at Pemberley. Bingley and Jane leave Netherfield after a year and move to Derbyshire, because their closeness to Mrs. Bennet and the Meryton relations is too much to bear even for them. Kitty now spends most of her time with her sisters, and is much improved by their example and society. Mary stays at home and keeps her mother company on her visits. Lydia soon writes to Elizabeth to congratulate her and ask her to see if Mr. Darcy will use his money and influence to help Wickham. Elizabeth replies negatively, but does send Lydia money that she saves by economizing in her private expenses. Miss Bingley drops her resentment of Darcy's marriage because she wants to retain the right of visiting Pemberley. Georgiana and Elizabeth become very close and very fond of one another. Relations with Lady Catherine were broken off for a while, but Elizabeth finally convinces Darcy to attempt a reconciliation, and Lady Catherine comes to visit them. Darcy and Elizabeth are always on intimate terms with the Gardiners, to whom they are grateful for having brought them together. Pygmalion by B.Shaw Context Born in Dublin in 1856 to a middle-class Protestant family bearing pretensions to nobility (Shaw's embarrassing alcoholic father claimed to be descended from Macduff, the slayer of Macbeth), George Bernard Shaw grew to become what some consider the second greatest English playwright, behind only Shakespeare. Others most certainly disagree with such an assessment, but few question Shaw's immense talent or the play's that talent produced. Shaw died at the age of 94, a hypochondriac, socialist, anti- vaccinationist, semi-feminist vegetarian who believed in the Life Force and only wore wool. He left behind him a truly massive corpus of work including about 60 plays, 5 novels, 3 volumes of music criticism, 4 volumes of dance and theatrical criticism, and heaps of social commentary, political theory, and voluminous correspondence. And this list does not include the opinions that Shaw could always be counted on to hold about any topic, and which this amboyant public figure was always most willing to share. Shaw's most lasting contribution is no doubt his plays, and it has been said that "a day never passes without a performance of some Shaw play being given somewhere in the world." One of Shaw's greatest contributions as a modern dramatist is in establishing drama as serious literature, negotiating publication deals for his highly popular plays so as to convince the public that the play was no less important than the novel. In that way, he created the conditions for later playwrights to write seriously for the theater. Of all of Shaw's plays, Pygmalion is without the doubt the most beloved and popularly received, if not the most significant in literary terms. Several _lm versions have been made of the play, and it has even been adapted into a musical. In fact, writing the screenplay for the _lm version of 1938 helped Shaw to become the first and only man ever to win the much coveted Double: the Nobel Prize for literature and an Academy Award. Shaw wrote the part of Eliza in Pygmalion for the famous actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell, with whom Shaw was having a prominent affair at the time that had set all of London abuzz. The aborted romance between Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle reflects Shaw's own love life, which was always peppered with enamored and beautiful women, with whom he flirted outrageously but with whom he almost never had any further relations. For example, he had a long marriage to Charlotte Payne-Townsend in which it is well known that he never touched her once. The fact that Shaw was quietly a member of the British Society for the Study of Sex Psychology, an organization whose core members were young men agitating for homosexual liberation, might or might not inform the way that Higgins would rather focus his passions on literature or science than on women. That Higgins was a representation of Pygmalion, the character from the famous story of Ovid's Metamorphoses who is the very embodiment of male love for the female form, makes Higgins sexual disinterest all the more compelling. Shaw is too consummate a performer and too smooth in his self- presentation for us to neatly dissect his sexual background; these lean biographical facts, however, do support the belief that Shaw would have an interest in exploding the typical structures of standard fairy tales. Characters Professor Henry Higgins Henry Higgins is a professor of phonetics who plays Pygmalion to Eliza Doolittle's Galatea. He is the author of Higgins' Universal Alphabet, believes in concepts like visible speech, and uses all manner of recording and photographic material to document his phonetic subjects, reducing people and their dialects into what he sees as readily understandable units. He is an unconventional man, who goes in the opposite direction from the rest of society in most matters. Indeed, he is impatient with high society, forgetful in his public graces, and poorly considerate of normal social niceties the only reason the world has not turned against him is because he is at heart a good and harmless man. His biggest fault is that he can be a bully. Eliza Doolittle f Eliza, The Flower Girl, Flower Girl, flower girl, The flower girl, the flower girl g "She is not at all a romantic figure." So is she introduced in Act I. Everything about Eliza Doolittle seems to defy any conventional notions we might have about the romantic heroine. When she is transformed from a sassy, smart-mouthed kerbstone flower girl with deplorable English, to a (still sassy) regal figure _t to consort with nobility, it has less to do with her innate qualities as a heroine than with the fairy-tale aspect of the transformation myth itself. In other words, the character of Eliza Doolittle comes across as being much more instrumental than fundamental. The real (re-)making of Eliza Doolittle happens after the ambassador's party, when she decides to make a statement for her own dignity against Higgins' insensitive treatment. This is when she becomes, not a duchess, but an independent woman; and this explains why Higgins begins to see Eliza not as a mill around his neck but as a creature worthy of his admiration. Colonel Pickering Colonel Pickering, the author of Spoken Sanskrit, is a match for Higgins (although somewhat less obsessive) in his passion for phonetics. But where Higgins is a boorish, careless bully, Pickering is always considerate and a genuinely gentleman. He says little of note in the play, and appears most of all to be a civilized foil to Higgins' barefoot, absentminded crazy professor. He helps in the Eliza Doolittle experiment by making a wager of it, saying he will cover the costs of the experiment if Higgins does indeed make a convincing duchess of her. However, while Higgins only manages to teach Eliza pronunciations, it is Pickering's thoughtful treatment towards Eliza that teaches her to respect herself. Alfred Doolittle Alfred Doolittle is Eliza's father, an elderly but vigorous dustman who has had at least six wives and who "seems equally free from fear and conscience." When he learns that his daughter has entered the home of Henry Higgins, he immediately pursues to see if he can get some money out of the circumstance. His unique brand of rhetoric, an unembarrassed, unhypocritical advocation of drink and pleasure (at other people's expense), is amusing to Higgins. Through Higgins' joking recommendation, Doolittle becomes a richly endowed lecturer to a moral reform society, transforming him from lowly dustman to a picture of middle class morality he becomes miserable. Throughout, Alfred is a scoundrel who is willing to sell his daughter to make a few pounds, but he is one of the few unaffected characters in the play, unmasked by appearance or language. Though scandalous, his speeches are honest. At points, it even seems that he might be Shaw's voice piece of social criticism (Alfred's proletariat status, given Shaw's socialist leanings, makes the prospect all the more likely). Mrs. Higgins Professor Higgins' mother, Mrs. Higgins is a stately lady in her sixties who sees the Eliza Doolittle experiment as idiocy, and Higgins and Pickering as senseless children. She is the first and only character to have any qualms about the whole affair. When her worries prove true, it is to her that all the characters turn. Because no woman can match up to his mother, Higgins claims, he has no interest in dallying with them. To observe the mother of Pygmalion (Higgins), who completely understands all of his failings and inadequacies, is a good contrast to the mythic proportions to which Higgins builds himself in his self-estimations as a scientist of phonetics and a creator of duchesses. Freddy Eynsford Hill Higgins' surmise that Freddy is a fool is probably accurate. In the opening scene he is a spineless and resourceless lackey to his mother and sister. Later, he is comically bowled over by Eliza, the half-baked duchess who still speaks cockney. He becomes lovesick for Eliza, and courts her with letters. At the play's close, Freddy serves as a young, viable marriage option for Eliza, making the possible path she will follow unclear to the reader. Summary Two old gentlemen meet in the rain one night at Covent Garden. Professor Higgins is a scientist of phonetics, and Colonel Pickering is a linguist of Indian dialects. The first bets the other that he can, with his knowledge of phonetics, convince high London society that, in a matter of months, he will be able to transform the cockney speaking Covent Garden flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into a woman as poised and well-spoken as a duchess. The next morning, the girl appears at his laboratory on Wimpole Street to ask for speech lessons, offering to pay a shilling, so that she may speak properly enough to work in a flower shop. Higgins makes merciless fun of her, but is seduced by the idea of working his magic on her. Pickering goads him on by agreeing to cover the costs of the experiment if Higgins can pass Eliza off as a duchess at an ambassador's garden party. The challenge is taken, and Higgins starts by having his housekeeper bathe Eliza and give her new clothes. Then Eliza's father Alfred Doolittle comes to demand the return of his daughter, though his real intention is to hit Higgins up for some money. The professor, amused by Doolittle's unusual rhetoric, gives him five pounds. On his way out, the dustman fails to recognize the now clean, pretty flower girl as his daughter. For a number of months, Higgins trains Eliza to speak properly. Two trials for Eliza follow. The first occurs at Higgins' mother's home, where Eliza is introduced to the Eynsford Hills, a trio of mother, daughter, and son. The son Freddy is very attracted to her, and further taken with what he thinks is her affected "small talk" when she slips into cockney. Mrs. Higgins worries that the experiment will lead to problems once it is ended, but Higgins and Pickering are too absorbed in their game to take heed. A second trial, which takes place some months later at an ambassador's party (and which is not actually staged), is a resounding success. The wager is definitely won, but Higgins and Pickering are now bored with the project, Страницы: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 |
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