Last night, two of my best friends and I spent the night in the apartment eating popcorn and talking about life. (Compared to the alternative plan for the night which entailed going to the gym, I think it goes without saying that it was the best thing we could have done with our time). :)
We talked about life, boys, future, etc. and after I shared my opinion about how girls search and settle for receiving love my friend responds with " Christie, you're more like Elizabeth Bennett than you think".
Obviously, I think I am like her in a lot of ways ( hence my blogger name) and this question came up in my mind-- am I like her because of how much I love and admire her character and story in Pride and Prejudice or do I love her character so much because of how much of myself I see in her?
I think the conclusion I came to is it's a little bit of both:
1. I speak my opinion very decidedly. I'm not really ever afraid to say what I think, even if it may not be the most agreeable, non-confrontational statement. Sometimes I may regret speaking my opinion or saying the first thing that comes to mind but for the most part I find myself regretting things I didn't say rather than things I did.
2. I'm an idealist. When Elizabeth gets proposed to by Mr. Collins he initially, because of his ignorance and pride, thinks that she is "playing hard to get"... translation to the 21st century: he's calling her a tease. um, sorry Mr. Collins just because you can't handle rejection does not mean you need to start with the name-calling. We all know, Elizabeth is not that kind of girl. She is a dreamer and a romantic. The only thing that would tempt her into marriage is love-- not money, not another's company, not social status... and that's exactly how I feel:
" My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart"
3. I'm a realist. I know this may seem like it contradicts the second point about Elizabeth being an idealist, but she is actually both. When Mr. Darcy proposed to her the firs time, although you could tell she was beginning to feel something for him; she refused his proclamation to tell her of his "ardent admiration and love" towards her. Why? There were reasons besides the heart to be dealt with-- he ruined her sister's happiness, he was proud, he "liked her against his better judgment" UM RUDE? I love the way Jane details Elizabeth's thought process immediately following the proposal:
"He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed".
There's always that struggle, head versus heart. But in order to stay true to her heart, Elizabeth couldn't possibly accept the proposal, even if she loved him. It wasn't the right time. I think that's the most important thing thinking about Elizabeth (this time through) has taught me. Everyone asks that question-- do you follow your head or your heart? But basically what her decision to reject Darcy the first time is saying is that if it's right, you won't have to decide between the two. Elizabeth would never compromise her integrity just to "follow her heart". And in the end, of course after a lot of damage control by Darcy and heart revolution by God for Elizabeth, happily, she said yes :)...
"The Happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do"
And they both lived happily ever after. Yes, I believe that exists outside of the world of Jane Austen :)
