M R . B E N N E T
At the end of the first in the book we learn that Mr. Bennet is a "mixture"
and many of his speeches and actions bear out of this criticism. He appears
cleaver in his remarks to and about his wife and at the same time rather
heartless. When she complains how much he vexes her he retorts sarcastically,
"You mistake me, my dear, I have high respect for your nerves. I have heard
you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least". He teases
Mary about reading her books, "What say you, Mary? For you are a young
lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts".”/
He is certainly no more polite in his remarks to his daughters than he
is to his wife. After listening to the conversation of Lydia and Kitty
one morning he declares, "From all that I can collect by your manner of
talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected
it some time, but now I am convinced". On another occasion, when
his wife complains the he prefers Elizabeth to his other daughters, he
retorts, "They have none of them much to recommend them, they are all silly
and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness
than her sisters"”.
This appreciation of character, for does realize that Elizabeth and Jane
have good qualities, together with his common-sense, makes some amends
for his indolence, selfishness and ironical wit, and the result of Lydia's
waywardness and foolishness brings ouy the better traits in his character.
He even retrains from annoying Kitty when he finds that he remarks have
reduced her to tears, merely teasing her gently by saying that he is not
going to allow her the licence which Lydia has had and means to say that
she spends part of each day in a rational manner. "If you are a good girl
for the next ten years, I will take you to a review at the end of them"
He realizes upon Lydia’s elopement that he has for years been waiving his
responsibilities with regards to his daughters, and he censures himself
bitterly for his "philosophic composure" To Elizabeth, his favorite daughter,
he says, when she attempts to express her sympathy for his trouble in seeking
Lydia, "Say nothing of that. Who should suffer but myself? It has been
my own doing and I ought to feel it….Let me once in me life feel I am to
blame".”.
His insight into his own character is also shown by his next remark, "I
am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression. It will pass away
soon enough".
”.
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