Monday, March 12, 2007
Pride and Prejudice Question #6
Consider the final resolution of the novel. Is the ending a fairy tale one (recall that fairy tales end with "and they lived happily ever after")? How does the novel expand upon and complicate this ending? Does the ending play up the romance, or the social satire? What is the final message, which the novel leaves us with?
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In the final chapters of the novel, the ending is a fairy tale in that love overcomes everything else. Not evvveryone in the novel may live happily ever after, but our heroine, Elizabeth, stands up for herself and makes her own decision to marry Darcy. One of the complications towards the end of the novel would be Lady Bracknell's reaction to Darcy wanting to propose to Elizabeth.
"Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr. Darcy is married to my daughter. Now , what have you to say?" (p. 343)
Elizabeth stood her ground and said that if Mr. Darcy were to propose she would not reject him. She was perfectly respectable to Lady Bracknall, who was in all honestly rude in trying to get her point across. Lady Bracknell was trying to say that Elizabeth wasn't socially worth Darcy.
Also, Elizabeth's father is not too pleased with the marriage. He doesn't believe that Elizabeth truly loves him, and Elizabeth ensures him that she does.
The ending plays up the romance, what with Elizabeth and Darcy and Bingley and Jane. Despite what everyone else was saying, Elizabeth followed her heart and married the imperfect man that she loved. I think the novel leaves us with the notion that love can overcome any obstacle-money, status, or unsupporting friends--that life throws at us.
I don’t think that this is a fairy tale, happily ever after, first and foremost because when Lady Catherine tells her Darcy is planning to marry Elizabeth she says it is a bad idea given Elizabeth’s low status. Obviously it isn’t “perfect” if other peole are talking crap, but then again in Cinderella people were talking crap about their relationship. Elizabeth says despite what other people think about them, and saying they shouldn’t get married, “I am . . . resolved,” she says, “to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.” I guess I have sort of changed my mind, I do think it’s like a fairy tale, because despite what everyone said and objected about their match, they both pushed on because they were in love. They both had to convince a lot of people that they do love eachother which is stupid because it’s their lives. But in the end they get married and Darcy bought a house for them and they lived happily ever after with her sisters going to visit her all the time. I agree with Beth I think it shows elizabeth really really loves Darcy because she married him despite his faults and love can overcome any obstacle if it is strong and true enough love.
I believe that the ending of the novel is a happily ever after because the novel is all about marriage and finding the right man, and in the end the two main charcters are able to find their prince charmings. Elizabeth and Darcy fall in love and become married, and Bingley and Jane are able to be together. They actually live near each other and visit each other frequently, staying close.
The novel expands upon and complicates the ending because Lydia and Wickham do not have a happily ever after. Wickham is obviously not happy in his marriage, and he is not successful in the work field either. Wickham repeatedly asks Darcy for money, and Lydia visits Elizabeth and Jane for long periods of time, overstaying her welcome, when Wickham leaves for “work” purposes.
Jane Austen complicates the end of the novel more by producing a blocking figure, Lady Catherine who “was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end” (ch 61). However, after an amount of time, Elizabeth wins Lady Catherine’s approval, and she ends up visiting the couple’s home later on.
I believe that that the novel ends with a fairy tale ending, but in the most realistic way. It was realistic in that both Jane and Elizabeth go through troublesome time periods, but eventually find there way to happiness.
While the first depiction of marriage in the novel makes one think it is about achieving a wealthy social status rather than happiness, the end justifies that marriage was meant for love. After being rejected and humiliated, Mr. Darcy takes Elizabeth's opinion of him and turns his life around. He shows Elizabeth how much he cares for her. Mr. Darcy even goes against Lady Catherine's wishes of marrying her daughter, settling for a "Most obstinate,headstrong girl,"(336) in Lady Catherine's opinion. In the end, Elizabeth claims that she is "the happiest creature in the world.. even happier even than Jane, for she only smiles, I laugh" (361). Jane and Elizabeth even end up living fairly close to each other, with the hopes of many visits in the future. My final thoughts of the novel were happy and content.
I agree with Sara...the novel is all about marriage so it would be fitting that it ends happily with plenty of marriages. Jane and Bingley are finally able to become engaged with his return and though there is one major block in the picture, Darcy and Elizabeth become engaged as well. If Darcy and Elizabeth were able to get past Lady Bracknell's defense then I am particularly happy for their engagement. Lady Bracknell felt that Elizabeth just wasn't quite up to the social par for Darcy. She used some intense verbal peer pressure tactics as a way to scare off Elizabeth, but of course it didn't work. Once things were cleared up between the two, Elizabeth was finally able to accept Darcy's proposal by saying, “My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.” All in all I would say this turned out to be a happy ending for the Bennet daughters.
....oh yes Lydia...
Well, things may not have quite turned out for Lydia as she had hoped. At the end of the novel she was stuck in an unhappy, unloving relationship. I feel bad for her, I mean, I certainly wouldn't want anyone paying off my husband to stay married to me..how awful. So, it may not have been a fairy tale ending for Lydia and Wickham, but not everyone is happy in every happy ending. For instance, does everyone end up happy in Cinderella...no, I don't think so. Her two evil step sisters and evil step-mother definitely do not end up happy. Cinderella and Prince Charming are really the only ones to end up truly happy in that happy ending.
So, even though everyyyyyone doesn't have a happy ending, in general, I think that there is an overall happy ending for those that truly fought for it.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are happy that most of their daughters are happily married.
Darcy and Elizabeth are happy and engaged.
Bingley and Jane are happy and engaged.
Lady Bracknell has gotten over herself.
Oh, and even if he isn't happy, Wickahm is being paid frequently for getting married!
The end of the novel leaves us with the message that happiness can come in rare forms. Even though there are plenty of obstacles in our way of true happiness, if we work at it we're able to achieve it.
I think the ending of the novel is definitely a fairy tale ending. Just as in all Disney movies, Jane and Elizabeth get to be with their Prince Charmings, all those who are opposed to their marriages (Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine) learn to shut up and deal with it, and Jane and Elizabeth get to spend a lot of time together because of the close proximity of their new homes.
I love how the last chapter is sort of a "Where are they now?" ending. But I just think maybe Jane Austen tied up the loose ends too frankly. It seemed like everyone ended up loving each other and they all held hands and skipped off into the distance through a field of daisies. Even Miss Bingley "paid off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth" and Lady Catherine's "resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity to see how his wife conducted herself".
The only people who don't really end up happily ever after are Lydia and Charlotte. Both these girls entered into marriage for the wrong reasons: Charlotte for security, and Lydia out of excitement (at least that was my opinion of why she ran off with Wickham). I think there is some satire at the end with the fate of these two. It seems like Jane Austen is sending the message that only those who truly marry for love will find happiness in their marriages.
I wholeheartedly agree with Samantha. (By the way, sorry I'm a little late, the illness of yesterday was the culprit). Anyway, when in real life do we ever truly experience a happy ending? It is not just some occurence that happens upon us, we in a way, earn a happy ending. In the novel, I think all parties get their happy ending, but as Samantha said, in the most realistic of ways - after hardship and obstacles stood in their way. After all, anything great does not come so easily.
At the end of the novel, in a letter to her aunt, Elizabeth says, "I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but no one with such justice. I am happier even then Jane; she only smiles, I laugh" (369), showing that her story ended up happily.
Even Mrs. Bennet, with most of her daughters married into good families is finally happy. "her earnest desire in the establishment of so many of her children produced so happy an effect as to make her a sensible, amiable, well-informed woman for the rest of her life" (372).
And for Lydia she gets what she deserves. Which is usually how most people want the evil person in the story to end up. She runs off with Wickham and they spend their lives bumming off of other people - much to everyone's disgust. Therefore, their unhappy ending, makes a happy ending for the rest of us.
I think the novel leaves us with the final idea that first impressions can be wrong ones, and that love can overcome all sorts of things, oh hey I don't know, like pride...and maybe even prejudice.
I think the novel ends as a fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after. Jane and Elizabeth get to marry their prince charmings, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, after overcoming several impediments along the way. In the end of the novel everyone seems to get along and even Lady Catherine’s “resentment gave way” (291). Jane and Elizabeth live “within thirty miles of each other” so they can visit each other anytime (289). It gets complicated though because Wickham and Lydia’s marriage is practically nonexistent and Lydia is always over at their houses while Wickham is gone. The Wickhams are constantly asking Darcy and Mr. Bingley for money. The novel is definitely a romance because after overcoming all these obstacles Elizabeth and Darcy finally confirm their love. I think the final message is you must overcome your pride and your prejudice to truly love someone.
I think the novel ends as a fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after. Jane and Elizabeth get to marry their prince charmings, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, after overcoming several impediments along the way. In the end of the novel everyone seems to get along and even Lady Catherine’s “resentment gave way” (291). Jane and Elizabeth live “within thirty miles of each other” so they can visit each other anytime (289). It gets complicated though because Wickham and Lydia’s marriage is practically nonexistent and Lydia is always over at their houses while Wickham is gone. The Wickhams are constantly asking Darcy and Mr. Bingley for money. The novel is definitely a romance because after overcoming all these obstacles Elizabeth and Darcy finally confirm their love. I think the final message is you must overcome your pride and your prejudice to truly love someone.
It is evident to me that the ending of this novel is much like a fairy tale. THis is not because ALL of the characters in the novel end up in perfect happiness. I believe this because those who most deserve the happiness, receive it.
For such a long time Elizabeth struggles with her true feelings for Darcy. I believe the fact that both were able to overcome social stereotypes and negative responses to their engagement is incredible. Because they are able to realize their true love for one another and build their relationship upon that love, they make the ending that like a fairy tale.
The ending gives justice to the fact that those who love for the right and true reasons will be rewarded. Because Charlotte and Lydia's marriages are cracked and broken, light is brought to the fact that marrying for money is not the right way to go. It is only when love is true, seeing past imperfections that it will last.
The ending of the novel 'plays up' romance in the way that it allows success between those who truly love each other. It shows downfall in those who are only superficially connected. Because of this, I believe the final message of the novel is that money cannot buy love. Love for yourself; Love for true happiness and lifelong fulfillment.
....while studying for The Importance of Being Earnest test....I just realized that I MAY have confused Lady Bracknell and Lady Catherine...just the names though, so pretend you're reading Lady Catherine instead
merci!
I think that the end of this novel is a fairy tale ending. Although not all of the characters achieve perfect happiness, the main ones do. Throughout the novel the main objectives were for Mr. and Mrs. Bennett to see their daughter's married, and for Jane to marry Mr. Bingley, also for Elizabeth to find out what she wanted in life. Since the end of the novel showed all of these things happening, I would consider it a happy ending.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, the Mrs. especially look forward to seeing their daughters marry. By the end of the novel, three of their daughter's are happily married and this suits them just fine. Although Elizabeth and Lydia's marriages are not to men of their first choice, the two women are obviously very happy with how their lives turned out.
Jane also gets the happy ending she deserves because she is reunited with Mr. Bingley. This was all Jane wanted through out the novel, and in the end it is what she got.
When Elizabeth finally does figure out what she wants in life, she claims the happiest creature in the world.. even happier even than Jane, for she only smiles, I laugh" (361), so to say that the novel ending was anything but happy would contradict her statement.
Oh...this story is definitely a fairy tale ending. The reason why I believe it is a fairy tale the most, is that it just goes to show how happy people can be in love, and how the best kind of love is when in the beginning you go through obstacles to get there.
No matter what harsh words were said to Elizabeth about her marriage to Darcy, she still followed through with it, and let her feelings overcome those of the people who didn't agree with the marriage. She's very brave with everyone going against her marriage, especially when her uncle writes her and tells her, "I did not expect it from you. (239)" How messed up is it that your own flesh and blood will not support you in your marriage. I just think that it would be the hardest thing to overcome.
But all in all, the two heroine's of the novel got what they wished for, their own happy ending. Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy make the novel a happy ending. Even though others don't get their fairy tale ending, they don't matter so much as the two main ladies.
ookay sorry but im reposting this with an added quote. =)
It is evident to me that the ending of this novel is much like a fairy tale. THis is not because ALL of the characters in the novel end up in perfect happiness. I believe this because those who most deserve the happiness, receive it.
For such a long time Elizabeth struggles with her true feelings for Darcy. After she visits Pemberley her feelings for Darcy change dramatically. "There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth's mind, a more gentle sensation towards the original, that she had ever felt in the height of their acquaintance." (185) I believe the fact that both were able to overcome social stereotypes and negative responses to their engagement is incredible. Because they are able to realize their true love for one another and build their relationship upon that love, they make the ending that like a fairy tale.
The ending gives justice to the fact that those who love for the right and true reasons will be rewarded. Because Charlotte and Lydia's marriages are cracked and broken, light is brought to the fact that marrying for money is not the right way to go. It is only when love is true, seeing past imperfections that it will last.
The ending of the novel 'plays up' romance in the way that it allows success between those who truly love each other. It shows downfall in those who are only superficially connected. Because of this, I believe the final message of the novel is that money cannot buy love. Love for yourself; Love for true happiness and lifelong fulfillment.
I think this is a great example of a fairy tale ending. Elizabeth ends up with her “perfect match”, so does Jane. Lydia gets kind of what she deserves for flirting with all of those guys. She is unhappy in her marriage and always asking Elizabeth or Jane for money. And “They were always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap situation, and always spending more than they ought” (374). But other than that the protagonist is happy and everything works out okay for everyone. I think that Lady Catherine tried to complicate things a little at the end. She wanted Darcy to marry her niece. She tells Elizabeth, when Elizabeth tells her that she will not promise to not become engaged to Darcy, “You have no regard, then, for the honour and credit of my nephew! Unfeeling, selfish girl!” (346). I think that this plays on the satire a little bit too. She calls Elizabeth unfeeling when it’s obvious that she loves Darcy. But nevertheless at the end they make up and everyone lives with their happy little lives.
I think that the final message is that love conquers all. And that you shouldn’t base someone on the way you THINK they are because you might end up falling in love with them.
Well OBVIOUSLY this novel ends happily ever after. I think the novel's conclusion is one that shows us that true love really does conquer all. Jane Austen does not allow her characters to live happily ever after without some struggles however. Lady Catherine and Miss. Bingly seem to be the blocking figures and complicate the ending a little bit by disapproving of the couples marriages. But even towards the end both of these characters lighten up a little bit and allow the fairy tale endings to come true. Elizabeth and Darcy finally get married (thank GOD) and Jane and Bingley are finally together. The only characters that don't live happily ever after are Wickham and Lydia...but honestly? I don't like them..so I don't care. So like Erin said, it's a happy ending for me!
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