Socratic Discussion

I really enjoyed the discussion today! I appreciate that everyone participated and it was interesting to hear all the different opinions about mate selection. Being the only female in the room, I had the opportunity to voice my opinion a lot. The boys were intrigued to hear my counterargument and I enjoyed listening to how they think girls think nowadays. 

Once religion was introduced, the discussion became heated. However, we all remained very mature. I was impressed to see all the boys willing to hear each other's opinions and not get upset if someone's opinion differed from their own. It was interesting for me to see which topics the entire class agreed on. For example, the male should be taller than the female, the male should be older or the same age as the female, and both partners should be intellectual. As a class, we agree that although appearance is what attracts one mate to start conversation, this should not be the primary focus in mate selection, being with someone with "some brains" is just as important, if not more.

I found it very enjoyable to freely speak with my peers in the classroom. There was definitely a period of time where I forgot Dr. Forman was in the room! Student-led discussions in high school are extremely beneficial because they prepare us for college and for the "real world". Once there is a teacher involved in a discussion, I believe the conversation is not as open as it would be if it were just among classmates... for obvious reasons! I was pleased that there were not any awkward moments, and that we all supportive of each other's opinions. We worked cooperatively together and civilly asked intellectual questions. 

Works Cited page

Works Cited

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Tom Doherty, 1994. Ebook.

Body paragraph #3 & conclusion

The society of early 19^th century England exemplifies that a woman’s reputation is of utmost importance. Elizabeth evidently defies herself as a rather distinctive figure in her society. Although her intentions are positive and good-spirited, she steps outside the social medium making herself vulnerable to exclusion and banishment. She sees through the pretensions of overbearing and insolent people through her self-assurance and audacious language. Moreover, the only individual who dares to stand up to the egotistical Lady Catherine is Elizabeth: “Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence” (114). Elizabeth is unaffected by Lady Catherine’s rank or disposition and instead demonstrates her ability to defend herself and her family to the woman. Her admirable courage conveys her loyalty and pride to her family and their name. Lady Catherine’s stupidity and narrow-mindedness amuses Elizabeth and reassures her that when she protects her family and their middle-class conditions, she can overcome the autocratic society: “The last born has as good a right to be the pleasures of youth, as the first. And to be kept back on such a motive! I think it would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind” (114). Elizabeth’s ability to clearly articulate her beliefs bestows her the capability to withstand others’ wills.  She demonstrates the enduring tenacity of her ordain and self-respect. Moreover, towards the end of the novel, Elizabeth experiences a self-revelation: her love for Darcy. Her maturation and the risk of accepting Darcy’s proposal in marriage jeopardizes her future, Darcy’s future, and the well being of her family. However, her rich and bold character leads her to remain true to her romanticized vision for love. Once again, Elizabeth protects her family from Lady Catherine and then asserts her independence from the antagonizing domination of the upper-class: “I am resolved 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” (239). Elizabeth constantly explores the discrepancy between herself and the average woman of early 19^th century England. Unlike most women of the time period, she prioritizes her happiness first even if it will threaten her hopes of living a prosperous life. She acknowledges social wealth and hierarchy but does endure the strict and ludicrous regulations society expects her to live by.

Protagonist Elizabeth Bennet’s commendable qualities reflect how she perceives herself as a young woman grappling with the traditional values and regulations society has enforced upon her. Although she begins the novel displaying a prejudiced and restrictive view of others, she comes to discover the extent of her own folly and blossoms into an individual who has learned from her previous judgments and misconceptions. Moreover, Elizabeth's acknowledgement of social wealth and hierarchy overcomes the rigid standards and protocol of 19th century English society.

Body paragraph #1 (and #2?)

This is still a work in progress... Originally, I was going to split this into two body paragraphs since I address two characters here - Collins & Charlotte - but they both fall under the category of marriage & courtship, so I thought it would make sense to combine the two. Hopefully this isn't too long... 

Austin defines early 19^th century courtship in England as one of the many ways to abuse love as a means for social promotion to eventually reach the ultimate goal: marriage.  However, Elizabeth understands the authentic meaning of marriage and separates the force of love from the distorting effects of hierarchical society. Throughout Mr. Collins’ proposal, he refuses to accept Elizabeth’s rejection and accuses her of playing the usual game young ladies play: “rejecting the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept,” (76). However, Elizabeth advanced mindset distinguishes the difference between marrying for a social upgrade and marrying for love. She intellectually recognizes her avant-garde perspective of courtship and affirms the type of woman she is with conviction: “I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time… Nay, were your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the situation” (77). Her lively wit and sarcastic tone reflects how she never discredits her morals and integrity. She acknowledges the absurdity in woman who will risk their own happiness for a marriage that only promises wealth and social prosperity. Elizabeth preferably abides to a marriage fulfilled by romantic prosperity. Despite Elizabeth possessing a sharp tongue that tends to make judgmental remarks, her honest and clever response to Mr. Collins’ proposal also provides courtesy. Although society regards Elizabeth’s virtue as idealistic and corrupt, she whole-heartedly discovers herself to be a candid, rational young woman, rising above the folly and misdemeanor of society: “I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from the heart” (78). Elizabeth is independent and mature and desires to be looked upon as so. Mr. Collins’ misconception of Elizabeth being a naïve, desperate woman brain-washed by the expectations of society, motivates him even more to regard his proposal as only a business transaction. His self-pride and boastful indiscretion conflict with Elizabeth’s desire to marry for love, unlike her friend Charlotte who chooses to solely marry for convenience. Elizabeth cannot comprehend the concept of Charlotte being happy in a marriage based on security. Elizabeth views herself more prudent than Charlotte, whereas Charlotte accepts that she must take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself in order to refrain from the societal disdain that accompanies old maiden status. Elizabeth’s shock and disappointment in Charlotte reveals how stubborn Elizabeth is to fathom that there may be an opinion different from her own: “She had always felt that Charlotte’s opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own, but she could not have supposed it possible that when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage” (90). 

Intro paragraph

Throughout Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett's confidence and sharp, critical mind is expressed through her quick banter. Her admirable poise and wit leads her to distinguish the difference between the wise and the foolish. The dialogue she exchanges with Mr. Collins, Charlotte, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh evidently connotes how she perceives herself as a young woman ahead of her time. Elizabeth's intuition to defend herself, her family, and her morals enables her to surmount the ridicule and misbehavior that permeates throughout her demanding society revolved around social status and wealth.

How does Elizabeth view herself in society?

Her honesty, virtue, and lively wit enable her to rise above the nonsense and bad behavior that pervade her class-bound and often spiteful society.

Marriage is the ultimate goal, courtship constitutes the real working-out of love. Courtship becomes a sort of forge of a person’s personality, and each courtship becomes a microcosm for different sorts of love (or different ways to abuse love as a means to social advancement).

Ch 19, pg 77 Mr. Collin's proposal: Elizabeth explains what time of girl she is NOT
Ch 19, pg 78 Mr. Collins' proposal: elegant female trying to plague him vs. rational creature speaking the truth from her heart
Ch 2, pg 85

Whereas Elizabeth is an idealist who will not marry solely for money, to either a fool (Collins) or a man she dislikes (Darcy, at first), Charlotte, six years older than her friend and lacking a fortune, is a pragmatist: she must capitalize on any opportunity that presents itself in order to avoid the societal scorn that accompanies old maid status. As Austen says of Charlotte: she “accepted [Mr. Collins] solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment.”
Though social strictures on marriage might be illogical and unromantic, were she to break them she would be negatively affecting her family.

The only individual who dares to stand up to the haughty Lady Catherine is Elizabeth (unsurprisingly, as elsewhere she sees through the pretensions of pompous and arrogant people like Mr. Collins and Miss Bingley). When Lady Catherine criticizes the Bennet sisters’ upbringing, Elizabeth defends her family, “suspect[ing] herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence.”

The clunky language with which the narrator summarizes Elizabeth’s acceptance serves a specific purpose, as it captures the one moment of joyful incoherence for this supremely well-spoken character. She accepts Darcy’s proposal “immediately,” the narrator relates, but “not very fluently.” As Elizabeth allows herself to admit that her love has supplanted her long-standing prejudice, her control of language breaks down. The reader is left to imagine, with some delight, the ever-clever Elizabeth fumbling for words to express her irrepressible happiness.

Essay Question

4) How does Elizabeth define herself in society being an independent, mature, and wise young woman? Since she is before her time, does she intellectually regard herself as someone above the rest of her society? (O)

D.W. Harding (cont.)

Jot down one point from D.W. Harding that you either agree with or at least find interesting:

"The simplest comic effects are gained by bringing the caricatures into direct contact with the real people, as in Mr. Collins' visit to the Bennett's and his proposal to Elizabeth." (298)

During the scene of Mr. Collins' proposal, the contrast between both of their characters implements a comic effect. Between Mr. Collins' overly confident nature and Elizabeth's uncomfortable facial expressions, the caricatures create chaos and humor. Mr. Collins is the caricature who comes into direct contact with the "real human being", Elizabeth.

D.W. Harding

for Monday blog about DW Harding's article "Regulated Hatred": An Aspect in the Work of Jane Austen

                                                                        Name ________________________

Agree or disagree with each of the following statements.

(No middle ground, sorry, until we discuss it. You may jot down examples for evidence.)

From D. W. Harding’s “Regulated Hatred” (1943)

1. Jane Austen’s scope is extremely restricted, but within her limits she succeeded admirably in expressing the gentler virtues of a civilized social order. (Harding and Linklater)

X AGREE                                  DISAGREE

2. Austen as satirist is misleading; she has none of the underlying didactic intention ordinarily attributed to the satirist. Her object is not missionary; it is the more desperate one of merely finding some mode of existence for her critical attitudes.

AGREE                                 X DISAGREE

3. Austen’s method is to offer her readers every excuse for regarding as rather exaggerated figures of fun people whom she herself detests and fears.

AGREE                                 X DISAGREE

4. Readers enjoy the funny side of Mrs. Bennet but miss that Austen actually detests her.

AGREE                                  X DISAGREE

5. Austen’s light satire masks a rather bitter diatribe against 1800 social customs, but masked in exaggerated caricatures that disguise the bitterness.

X AGREE                                  DISAGREE

1) Is Lady Catherine inferior to a man of equal or lesser status than she? (O)
2) How does someone of Mr. Bennett's class obtain the connections of the aristocrats like he does in the novel? (O) X
4) How does Elizabeth define herself in society being an independent, mature, and wise young woman? Since she is before her time, does she intellectually regard herself as someone above the rest of her society? (O)
5) Why does Mr. Bennett allow his wife to stand as the dominant figure in the household, when it is usually the man, the father-figure, who is given complete power? (O) X
6) Does Mr. Darcy feel excluded from society because of his lack of interest in a spouse? (C) X

iPads

There are definitely some key points Tom Daccord presents in his article 5 Critical Mistakes Schools Make with iPads that I agree with. I believe that if Buckley would have better prepared the faculty to use this new device, classrooms would be moving at a much faster pace. We are aleady a full month into school and still trying to adjust to the new technology on campus. Tom declares, "Teacheres need instruction on how to incorporate the devices into the learning process, which is quite different than trying out a few apps." Although we as students are more technologically advanced than most teachers on campus, accessing our textbooks, annotating, typing, and navigating our on the device can still be quite confusing. However,  there are absolutely several positives to the new requirement of iPads in specific classes. For example, yesterday in my Astronomy class, Mr. Edelen assigned us to create short film during class. Our task for the period was to interview students or faculty members  with Astronomy misconceptions through the video camera on our iPads. Once we finished the interview, we were required to edit the individual interviews to make them all fit into on movie. This is a perfect example of one of the many benefits to the iPad because this encourages hands-on learning. Moreover, in English class today, we were assigned to film the Mr. Collins' proposal scene in the novel Pride and Prejudice and present our short scenes at the end of the class. As Tom said in the article: "Active consumption, curation, and creativity suit the device."

Mr. Collin's proposal

I imagine Mr. Collins and Elizabeth to either be in the drawing room or in another private, reserved setting for his proposal. I picture Mr. Collins leisurely pacing back and forth while delivering his "sermon" and Elizabeth quietly and uncomfortably sitting in her chair. While Elizabeth attempts to reject Mr. Collins' proposal politely and respectfully, her facial expressions should convey to the audience and uninterested she is with his offer. On the other hand, Mr. Collins' posture and tone should demonstrate his excessive pride and admiration he has for himself. His level of confidence and his incapability of accepting Elizabeth's decline is quite amusing.