Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Blog about DW Harding
In reading DW Harding's article about Pride & Prejudice, Harding challenges many of Austen's intentions and motives throughout her novel. Particularly, he points out Austen's characterization of Mrs. Bennett. He claims that Austen uses her as a meaningless comic relief, or as her personal attack on society. I, personally, think that Austen uses Mrs. Bennett as a direct attack on society because Austen wants to convey a message, being that society is ridiculous in caring so much about appearance and what others think. In addition, Austen may be utilizing Mrs. Bennett as an her own emotional outlet describing her emotions and wish to have had a person in her life who cares as much as Mrs. Bennett cares about her daughters and family (no matter how foolish she portrays herself to be.)
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Lauren, I completely agree with your argument. Thus, I feel that Austen uses Mrs. Bennet as a direct reference to others in real-world society as well.
ReplyDeleteLauren I agree on your point about Austen using Mrs. Bennet to convey a insightful message to society. Although I do commend your effort making a leaping conclusion near the end of your blog about Austen "wishes to have a person like that in her life who cares as much as Mrs. Bennet" I would have to disagree. I think Mrs. Bennet is just an exaggerated shallow character in the novel who helps Austen achieve satire in her time period.
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