P&P 1

Stephen Simmons
AP English/Mr. George
10/29/09
P&P quotes

"If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield," said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, "and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for"(Austen 5).

This quotation said by Mrs. Bennet informs the reader of a womans role in society at the time in women who are married and are soon to be married. Mrs. Bennet presents her obsession with marrying off all of her daughters to men with great wealth and in a higher social class. We get the sense from the first couple of chapters that Mrs. Bennet's obsesion with marrying off her daughters consumes her life and is currently her lifestyle. The role of the unmarried women in society are unvealed through Mrs. Bennets and Mrs. Lucas' attitude and goals. The role of unmarried women according to the mothers in society is to marry into a higher class or into happiness.

"She is tolerdable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men" (7-8).

This quotation introduces the social awkwardness found in Mr. Darcy. Instead of accepting his good friends advice and introducing himself to Elizabeth we indirectly get a sense of Mr. Darcy's inability to properly communicate and express his true feelings which he internally harnesses but can not become aware of momentarily. The context of the quote also hints at the role of wealthy men in society which is basically to do whatever they want.