"How despicably have I acted!" she cried; "I, who have prided myself on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities! who have often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity in useless or blameable distrust. How humiliating is this discovery! yet, how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself."
I love this woman! She is so witty, so intelligent, and has such a delightful way of seeing others--to the core of their very being--
How do I love her? Let me count the ways.
1. Elizabeth is considered "older" in her society, and yet refuses to marry anyone that she does not love. This defied the very grain of society's purposes for marriage at the time. And love, to Miss Bennett, meant more than a pretty face or a indefinite amount of funds. She was looking for a truly noble character of manhood and decency. Maybe I love this part of her because Provo life is so marriage-minded--which in all respects is not a bad thing, per se, however I believe that many problems arise from the lack of truly coming to know another person's soul before making such an immensely weighty decision.
2. Miss Bennett has courage and self-comfort, so much so that she can mingle with any level of society and keep her head without falling prey to vain scrapings or brown-nosing of the upper crust. She has her own opinions and a positive self-regard, yet is quite aware of her own shortcomings--but never displays any sentiment of feeling lower than another merely because of her socioeconomic status. And her power of discernment is strong and incredibly insightful, which, I believe, contribute to her ability to mingle with every person.
3. When she sees her mistakes, she rightfully acknowledges them and then proceeds to humble herself and to change. (Hello, Mr. Darcy, you may now enter here...)
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4. She is indeed pretty, however, she doesn't focus on that. She isn't the most gorgeous woman, no, but her attractiveness comes from the qualities that are within. In the book, there are other women around her who are silly and focused on outward appearances, as many of us quite often fall into this trap, but Miss Bennett is more concerned about keeping herself sincere and pure, and about being a good sister and friend and daughter and developing and maintaining those relationships with those whom she loves.
5. She walks everywhere--she gulps down books--she gets the hems of her skirts dirty--and she has "flushed cheeks" from keeping herself physically active instead of sitting inside all day wringing her hands or gossiping with the other women. She is a strong woman who does what makes her happy, and she lives a more fulfilled and mentally, emotionally, and socially satisfied life than any other women in the book.
I hope my own character can reflect the most endearing qualities of Miss Elizabeth Bennett. Though her looks may be only "tolerable", she has so much more on the inside.
Ahem....I refuse to continue to complain about my outward appearance, and embrace the most weighty and important matters that are all too often overlooked in our day-to-day concerns. (or at least try a little harder..)
And despite their rocky romance, I hope to find a man who can see in me what Mr. Darcy sees in Elizabeth--even if it takes him a long time to realize how he really feels, and even if we both have to overcome or own pride to realize what is truly there. (Sigh..this is my romantic side coming out :) )
What an awesome book--if you haven't read Pride and Prejudice, I highly recommend it :)
-Shayna
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