Sunday, September 10, 2017

Due Wednesday, September 13th - Read "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen through Chapter VIII

Please read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, through Chapter VIII.  In the space provided, please give your analysis and initial reactions to the text.  Think about how the text is constructed. Utilize the elements of fiction:  plot, characterization, narration/point of view, setting, symbolism, and theme.  Also, think about the specific literary devices and techniques employed by Austen, such as: dramatic irony, satire, foil characters, understatement, and the way she discloses information.

Please consult the blog rubric below.  Use at least one direct quotation from the text.  Try to come up with something fresh.  Engage with each other.  Be personal.  Use your voices. Be brilliant!


Complete Audiobook:


Chapter I - 04:44              
Chapter II - 04:23      
Chapter III - 08:51
Chapter IV - 05:46
Chapter V - 05:14
Chapter VI - 12:21
Chapter VII - 10:12
Chapter VIII - 10:10
Chapter IX - 09:24
Chapter X - 11:49
Chapter XI - 08:45
Chapter XII - 03:49
Chapter XIII - 08:42
Chapter XIV - 06:50
Chapter XV - 09:02
Chapter XVI - 17:58
Chapter XVII - 06:57
Chapter XVIII - 27:15
Chapter XIX - 11:25
Chapter XX - 09:19
Chapter XXI - 10:37
Chapter XXII - 09:26
Chapter XXIII - 08:26
Chapter XXIV - 10:09
Chapter XXV - 07:50
Chapter XXVI - 12:01
Chapter XXVII - 06:44
Chapter XXVIII - 07:53
Chapter XXIX - 13:25
Chapter XXX - 06:20
Chapter XXXI - 08:16
Chapter XXXII - 08:07
Chapter XXXIII - 09:31
Chapter XXXIV - 11:22
Chapter XXXV - 16:01
Chapter XXXVI - 11:09
Chapter XXXVII - 08:23
Chapter XXXVIII - 06:34
Chapter XXXIX - 07:54
Chapter XL - 09:01
Chapter XLI - 12:27
Chapter XLII - 09:57
Chapter XLIII - 24:58
Chapter XLIV - 12:06
Chapter XLV - 09:09
Chapter XLVI - 15:59
Chapter XLVII - 20:28
Chapter XLVIII - 12:29
Chapter XLIX - 11:24
Chapter L - 11:01
Chapter LI - 10:09
Chapter LII - 15:13
Chapter LIII - 14:55
Chapter LIV - 08:11
Chapter LV - 11:40
Chapter LVI - 14:44
Chapter LVII - 09:11
Chapter LVIII - 12:42
Chapter LIX - 12:49
Chapter LX - 07:56
Chapter LXI - 06:33

The classic miniseries (1995) with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle


The major release update (2005) with Keira Knightley and Rosamund Pike


Coming out February 5th:  Film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice and Zombies (2016)



Blog Criteria

Directions:  This is your space to read and discuss ideas about the material we read in class.  You will notice that these blog responses are intensive, but it will allow you to speak your mind and obtain immediate feedback.  These homework assignments will count substantially, and the rubric below will help guide you.  I will show some examples in class, and you are always free to discuss your work with me in class or after school. 

A range has the following qualities:

Ø  Well written
Ø  Personal voice is present
Ø  Thoughtful, meaningful, and there is always evidence that the student read the text closely
Ø  Responses do not merely agree but challenge fellow students to think critically
Ø  At least 3-4 well chosen direct quotations from a text
Ø  Responds to fellow classmates so that a dialogue is going on
Ø  Takes risks
Ø  Returns to add comments to have a conversation

B range may exhibit some of the above qualities, BUT:

Ø  Too formal, little personal engagement
Ø  1-2 direct quotations, may not be well chosen or framed
Ø  A thinner response than the A range
Ø  A super long technical response that could be more concise

C range may exhibit some of the above qualities, BUT:

Ø  Responds to the prompt in a general manner
Ø  Repeats what someone else wrote, as the student obviously did not read through the other responses
Ø  There is a voice, but little evidence that the student read closely
Ø  There are no direct quotations, but there are some concrete examples

D and F range may exhibit some of the above qualities, BUT:

Ø  Late responses that could be high quality but only completed to avoid a zero
Ø  A few sentences and comments, but little to no analysis
Ø  Little engagement
Ø  Is openly cruel to a classmate
Ø  Knowingly inappropriate

15 comments:

  1. before starting this book I had no prior knowledge of Jane Austen, so it took me a few chapters to adjust to her writing style and word choice. I found, however, that the more you pay attention the more comical the conversations between the characters become. Her humor is subtle, but you can see it in interactions such as when Mrs Bennet scolds one of her daughters for coughing at "inconvenient" times: "'Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven's sake! have a little compassion on my nerves. you tear them to pieces.' 'Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,' said her father 'she times them ill.' 'I do not cough for my own amusement,' replied kitty fretfully." (3) I also think Jane Austen does a good job at displaying the ideals and expectations of the time, especially for young women. Mostly through the character of Mrs Bennet, she mocks the idea that the best thing that can happen to a woman is for her to marry a wealthy man: "'If I can see but one of my daughters happily settled in Netherfield,' said Mrs Bennet to her husband, 'and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for.'" (5) Although I did think these chapters were a little boring, I am intrigued to see what the actual plot will be.
    - Ali Keamy

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  2. In chapters 1-8 of this book, we learn a lot. We learn about the Bennet family, and their 5 daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. They are all unmarried, and their mother really wants them to be. They heard news of a young man, Charles Bingley, coming to town and so they hoped he would be interested in one of their daughters. This refers back to the first line of the book, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife". Another thing we learn about the book is the unique writing style it is in, old english. It is, However, easy to adapt to as you read more and more. I have no prior knowledge of pride and prejudice, and i went into this book open minded. I predict that a rivalry will form between the daughters, because only one of them can marry Charles.
    Andrew Nelson

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  3. I went into reading Pride and Prejudice with high expectations, after all a book doesn’t become so well received and acclaimed without being exceptional and so far the book has met my expectations. The succinctness of Austin's writing makes it so that I don't loose focus on the book, a quality I haven't found in many older books I’ve read. All the characters so far seem to have personalities and aren’t one dimensional people with one prominent character trait that overshadows the rest. One example is the Bingley sisters, who upfront are prideful and a bit haughty but they show a kinder side in the fact that they actually liked Jane as a person regardless of her social status. What I like most about those sisters and Austin's characterization is shown in the quote “‘I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no change of it.’”. Austin wrote them so that they did have a kind side but that it didn’t compromise their base personality which I think makes them more realistic and engaging characters.
    -Dominique Devani

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  4. Pride and Prejudice is a book I have heard of before, and never thought I would find myself reading. After all, the book is considered to be one of the classics, and I don’t think I have enjoyed many of those if at all. By the eighth chapter, however, I was pleasantly surprised by comedic approach to this novel. An example of this would be the first chapter when Mr. Bennet says “You are over scrupulous surely, I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you, and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying… [one of] the girls”(2) and then Austin reveals that “Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley.”(3) I definitely agree with Ali in this regard. She also uses the techniques of both direct and indirect characterization which make the character’s personalities easier to pick up on even if the reader doesn’t get the hint from dialog alone. For instance, Austin describes Mr. Bingley outright as having “a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners” (6) and then later describes him as the ‘life of the party’ so to speak. I am interested to see the dynamic between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth will unfold to be.
    -Yuval Shechter

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  5. So far I have found Pride and Prejudice to actually be very enjoyable to read. I really like Jane Austen's writing style because there is a lot of dialogue and something is always happening. It helps keep the story interesting and I would much rather learn about characters this way through indirect characterization instead of having the author just tell you about them. Miss. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst I find to be my least favorite characters mostly because they seem to be very materialistic and vain. For example when Elizabeth goes to see her ill sister they make fun of her appearance. Mrs.Hurst says that “she has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning, she really looked almost wild.”(23) they cared more about her appearance than how she walked all the way to see her sick sister. I feel like this not only says a lot about their character but also society at the time and the way people think of each other.
    -Brianna Mahoney

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  6. First off, I find it strange how Austen denotes new information about characters to the reader. It will either be brazenly identified in a scene in which that character acts or speaks a certain way, identifying their demeanor to others, or more often than not, character development and relationships for that matter, come out in gossip between characters. Secondly, Mr. Darcy baffles me to no end. He's portrayed as hubris, to good for everyone, "disagreeable" ect., yet really he doesn't seem all that bad. When he's with groups of other people, he feels he has to mold to the Mr. Darcy they know him to be, yet when alone, or caught in thought as he is on the top of page 18, he comes out to say what he truly thinks. All throughout his interactions with the Bennet sisters, he liberally denoted how unpleasant they were to look at, and how they weren't of his caliber to even talk too, yet when confronted with Mrs. Bingley, he comes out indirectly stating that he actually has feelings for Elizabeth Bennet. He's either playing with Mrs. Bingley, or starting to show actual emotion - Both cases probable.
    -Steven Crowley

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  7. Through the first eight chapter of Pride and Prejudice it was like escaping to a different world. Due to the setting, nineteenth century England, and Jane Austen’s immersive writing it is like you are in a different world. Like many have said already it is an enjoyable read due to Austen’s wit and pace of the plot. Right from the beginning we both indirect and direct characterization with the conflicting personalities of Mr and Mrs Bennet. Austen use of conversation is an example of indirect characterization but at the end of the conversation she sums both relationship, “the experience of three and twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character”(3). From both characterizations we can infer that Mr. Bennett is more complex and intellectual, while Mrs. Bennett is more close minded. It is also odd that another group of people, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, who would normally be similar to each other, two friends, are opposites of each other. Mr. Bingley is “lively and unreserved”(6), well liked by all, on the other hand, Mr. Darcy who is similar in that he is wealthy and handsome is “the most disagreeable man in the world”(6) and is disliked by all.

    -Conor Walsh

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  8. Before I started Pride and Prejudice, I have heard about Jane Austen and her works. I've heard things like "this book changed my life and my view on the world!" and "it was the best book I've ever read!" so like Dominique, I went in with high expectations. Mrs. Bennet might already be one of the most hysterical characters in literature. Her portrayal was probably over exaggerated and mocking of the women of that era but the contrast between Mrs and Mr. Bennet brings in light hearted comedy that draws you in. In the second chapter when Mr. Bennet finally revealed to the girls that he visited Mr. Bingley, after her initial shock, she goes "How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should persuade you at last." She takes all the credit for herself so swiftly, you almost miss it. I think Mrs. Bennet means well, but she gets so caught up in trying to marry off her daughters that she seems almost insane. I'm excited to see where Austen takes this character. Will she continue being this pestering mother in the background, or will she go down a darker route?
    -Vivian Tang

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  9. Honestly as someone who has already fallen in love with Miss Austen's work, it may sound biased, but in no way is this brilliant novel a 'hard read' as some may assume. Austen's language is clear and observant; filled with intelligent language and yet still retaining a sense of 19th century femininity. Austen portrays her female characters as strong and independent characters who are able to hold their own in the society, while also showing the negative prejudices of the men who lives alongside them. The witty social comedy and sharp dialogue reveals how intensely dramatic the dialogue is; where such defines characters by the way they speak or address individuals. Austen truthfully reveals that everyone has prejudices, preconcieved notions, and/or biases, as truthfully is to be human. However it is our ability to admit them or undoubtedly ignore the fact that we do that defines our character.
    (Emily Chiang)

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    1. Additionally, the characterization between Mr.Darcy and Mr.Bingley reveals a opposition in their character; despite the fact they are close blokes. Their seperateness(?) Austen writes is explained as such where “Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of great opposition of character. Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy's regard, Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion. In understanding, Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever.” (Pg. 14) From what I see is that the comparison from Darcy to Bingley brings out a unique view into what differentiates the two from each other; one who is open and welcoming and the other who is limited in who he deems acceptable to be seen alongside with. (Emily Chiang)

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  10. Like Emily, I am familiar with Jane Austen's work. I like how she uses foil characters to explore complex ideas. Elizabeth and Charlotte both hope to marry, yet they have very different motivations. To Charlotte, “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance”(14). She sees marriage as a necessary part of securing a prosperous future. Elizabeth wants to marry for love, but she also believes that any man who could please her and her family would not go for her. This shows the complexity in Elizabeth. Though in many ways she is a dreamer, she also understands the reality of the world she lives in. This dialogue shows the cultural shift of more people marrying for love rather than practicality. -Samantha B

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  12. Within the first few chapter of this novel I was submerged in the world Jane Austen has created and hooked on ever one of her words. I absolutely love the language and vocabulary in this novel as well, due to Austen's incredible articulacy. I also really enjoy the dialogue in this novel and find it very humorous at times. For example during a conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet says ""if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders."(pg.23). I think that the interactions between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet tell us a lot about not only their individual identities, but the state of their marriage as well. The matter of marriage is very prominent in this book and is brought up again in a separate conversation between Eliza Bennet and Charlotte Lucas, when Charlotte states "Happiness in marriage is only a matter of chance......and it is better to know as little as possible as of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."(pg.16). This statement is another example of how people during this time period view marriage. I also noticed that there is a relationship between all of the characters and each relationship brings a different aspect to the table which increases the thickness of plot and complexity in this novel.

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