[yc]From Pride and Prejudice—Things we need for love
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of my favorite novels. Every time when I enjoy the story, I get something new. Though no price or princess, Jane Austen presented us a fairy tale of love, which is captive and make us think about what we need for love.
We need understanding for love—from Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy
The pride of Darcy and the prejudice of Elizabeth once prevented them from getting close to each other. Though Elizabeth had drawn Darcy’s attention the first time he met her at the ball, his words of her “barely tolerable” hurt her feelings, which left her a first impression that he was a man of pride and indifference so that for a long time she even felt like not seeing him anymore. What’s worse, when she met Mr. Wickham and believed his stories, her only-left curiosity for Darcy declined and an even radical prejudice took the place.
As for Mr. Darcy, since the first time he noticed Elizabeth, he had been charmed by her beautiful dark eyes, which reflected her intelligence. His admiration for her gradually increased. And when they met again at Lady Catherine’s, he could no longer control his feelings for her. His affections burst out, however, in an improper way. He expressed himself well, but it was not only of love that he spoke. He also talked of his pride, and his sense of her social inferiority, which had made him struggle against his feelings for so long. And that offended Elizabeth’s pride.
In fact, the problem between them is just a lack of understanding. Elizabeth had judged Darcy by his proud behavior and what others had said ill about him; and Darcy had never shown her his real characters. They did, not even for once, talk with each other heart to heart. When they knew each other better, they would find themselves already in love. After having read Darcy’s long thick letter, which explained his thoughts and her misunderstanding on him, Elizabeth began to take another look at Mr. Darcy. After the visit to Pemberly, her like of him appeared to be stronger. And when she knew what he had done for her sister, Lydia, and for her family, she realized how blind she was. She was entirely wrong about him. He’s not proud, but a kind man and his love is honest and strong. It was then did she realize that she had been attracted by him. It was because they finally got to know each other more that they could have a happy ending. So we see this: love needs understanding.
We need frankness for love—from Jane and Mr. Bingley
“We are all fools in love” said Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s good friend. When it was obvious that Elizabeth’s elder sister, Jane, and Mr. Bingley were to be together, Mr. Bingley, surprisingly, left Netherfield following Darcy’s advice. And it was totally out of a mistake. The two young lovers didn’t change their feelings at all, but neither of them expressed their love frankly. Jane was a reserved young woman who always behaved so cheerfully and normally. “That’s sometimes a mistake,” as Charlotte Lucas said. “If she doesn’t show her feelings at all, even to the man she loves. She may lose the opportunity of catching him.” That was the very reason for Darcy’s misunderstanding. He was deceived by her calmness and thought Jane indifferent and did not feel strong for Mr. Bingley at all. In order to protect his friend from an unfortunate marriage, he advised him to leave.
Bingley was not honest to himself as well. Instead of telling Jane about his affections, he went away, leaving Jane puzzled, disappointed and heart-broken. Fortunately, they realized their mistakes and faced their own heart in the end, and held each other’s hand in marriage. So, if you love someone, then don’t be a fool. Be frank to him and to yourself. Tell him, and you’ll probably get what you want. That is, love needs frankness.
We need sense for love—from Lydia and Wickham
Lydia, Bennets’ youngest girl, was the first one to be married. In other words, she eloped with Wickham at the age of 15. Lydia was not like her sisters, Jane and Elizabeth. She was a ignorant girl with little education, outgoing but kind of lacking in morals. Wickham was a man with just a handsome face and in anxious need of money. He was addicted to gambling, which made him have a lot of debts. He may be interested in Lydia for a few days and then set her aside. But Lydia was too young to be sensible. She was completely captivated by him without discovering his weakness of characters and lack of morals.
Wickham was not going to marry Lydia at all, if there was not Darcy who discovered them and promised to give Wickham the amount he asked for. But Lydia was even not aware after the wedding, she was proud to be married to Wickham and still thought that he loved her. This absurd marriage would bring them no happiness: Lydia and Wickham were always moving from one place to another in search of cheap rooms, and always spending more than they should. His affection for her soon became indifferent, while hers for him lasted a little longer. They were not too proud to ask Lydia’s sisters for financial help during every crisis, and Elizabeth and Jane both sent them regular gifts of money to pay their bills.
Love needs sense. So, think twice before enjoying what love can bring us.
We need love for love—from Charlotte and Mr. Collins
In the story, there is another kind of marriage which is not based on love. That goes for Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins. Charlotte Lucas was a sensible, intelligent young woman of twenty-seven, while Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and neither education nor society had improved him. The respect he felt for his patron, and his very good opinion of himself and his position made him proud and servile at the same time. Now that he had a home and a considerable income, he had decided to marry. He proposed to Elizabeth but was rejected. Then he turned to Charlotte and throw himself at her feet, she accepted it at once.
Elizabeth was shocked at Charlotte’s acceptation to Mr. Collins’s proposal. But Charlotte responded that she did not think highly of men or marriage, but she had always intended to marry. Although marriage might not always bring happiness, it was the only honorable way in which a well-educated woman with little income could provide a home for herself. Now twenty-seven, and lacking beauty, she felt she was lucky to have found a husband. “Happiness in marriage is simply a question of chance.” She explained so.
This kind of marriage can often be seen in our society. The couple did not marry for love, but just for a shelter for the fear of future. However, can material fulfillment really provide them a better life even if it’s a life without love? The other way around, I think once there is true love, though not rich, one can enjoy a wonderful life. Love is the basis of marriage. Don’t forget that one thing of what we live for is happiness.
We need true love for love. So I feel sorry for Mrs. and Mr. Collins. Meanwhile, I think more of this world.
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PS：《傲慢与偏见》的书评，很长，感谢大家有耐心看下去。准备参赛，求高人指点。Thanks~
