Pick a line from the article and discuss how it illuminates something interesting from the text of P&P.
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“Men got commissions in the local militias without needing ever to have owned a residence in the area-thus they could acquire social status regardless of merit or their reputation among those who knew their worth” (157).
I found this quote interesting since it discusses how men in the military “could acquire social status regardless of merit or their reputation.” Today, usually ones social status is usually based on their income. For example, in the United States anyone that makes under $45,000 is considered part of the lower class, anyone who makes $55,000 or more is considered middle class, and anyone who makes $500,000 or more is considered part of the high class, or rich. One’s social class remains just as important in this century as it was in the nineteenth century. In “Pride and Prejudice” women were more dependent upon men since it was the only way they could advance and be financially secure. Today, women may not depend upon men as much as they did in the past since they have the opportunity to earn as much money as they can since the “playing field” has been leveled; one’s wealth is still considered especially if a mother chooses to be a stay home mom, a couple moves in together, etc… Ones financial situation will always remain important and people will choose to take advantage of those with wealth in order to rise up the social ladder.
“Men got commissions in the local militias without needing ever to have owned a residence in the area-thus they could acquire social status regardless of merit or their reputation among those who knew their worth” (157).
I found this quote interesting since it discusses how men in the military “could acquire social status regardless of merit or their reputation.” Today, ones social status is based on their income. For example, in the United States anyone that makes under $45,000 is considered part of the lower class, anyone who makes $55,000 or more is considered middle class, and anyone who makes $500,000 or more is considered part of the high class, or rich. One’s social class remains just as important in this century as it was in the nineteenth century. Women were more dependent upon men since it was the only way they could advance, though women may not depend upon men as much as they did in the past since they have the opportunity to make as much money as they can; one’s wealth is still considered especially if a mother chooses to be a stay home mom, the couple moves in together, etc… Ones financial situation will always remain important and some may choose to take advantage of those with wealth to rise up the social ladder.
“Despite the alarm about a possible French invasion, the militia impressed the public more as a spectacle than as a fighting force.” (155)
I thought that this quote perfectly described the actions of militia men, like Wickham, in Pride & Prejudice. Most of the chapters where the militia is mentioned are about how attracted the women were to the soldiers and never about the actual fighting. The milita men wore bright colored fashionable uniforms, which, though made them stick out like a sore thumb in battle, allowed women to see that they were here to please. These men would attract women that would know nothing of their origins or character and only see the uniform. Even the Bennet women fell head over heels for a man in uniform, mainly Kitty and Lydia, but Mrs. Bennet even admitted that she did the same in her youth. Lydia even married a milita man named Wickham, who had a horrible character and background, but the uniform covered that up.
“Many feared that their governors’ “libidinous desire” ( military promotions, p.13) would leave the strength of the army sapped by female wiles,” (pg 160)
This quote helps me illuminate the reason why soldiers like Wickham acts the way they do. Wickham is a soldier in the militia and according to the article it states that soldiers would use money to bribe their way towards a higher position in the militia. This shows that Wickham uses his attractive uniform to catch women’s attention in order to elope women for their fortune. He might use this money to gamble or maybe bribe the governor to higher his position in the militia. In addition, Wickham’s desire kind of represents the soldiers because his desire causes him to be in danger just like soldiers are in danger from the French invasion since they were focused on the desire for promotions.
“Readers see first that militia officers are poor officers in terms of the latest military standards ans are morally insensitive, and then they see that the officers are unreliable romantic partners who may exploit impressionable young women.” (169)
This was interesting to me because it’s explaining how militia officers weren’t good with relationships because they could be moved at any moment. And since they thought they were better than everyone, they treated women unfairly. I thought it was interesting because Kitty and Lydia are constantly chasing down these men, and their parents allow them to. And I was wondering why their parents would let them fawn over these men that have no intentions of falling in love with these young women that they meet while they are stationed somewhere. It’s shed some light on how badly Mrs. Bennet wanted her daughters to marry if she let them chase men in the militia.
“The militia’s reputation, after these scandals, would be more about the risks it posed to English ladies’ virtue than the treat it made to Frenchmen’s lives” (156).
I found this quote intriguing because it showed that the militia was more concerned with their social lives than the war. Also the soldiers had no regard or respect for women because they felt like theywere above everyone since no one truly knew where they were from or their past. For instance, Wickham is the only character that can be associated with this article because he took advantage of Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy, than took advanage of Lydia since she was young and naive. In addition, Kitty tried to mingle with soldiers, but after what happened to her sister, Mr. Bennet grew more precious with his daughters. However, the Bennets weren’t at first because they hadn’t known of the soldiers behavior because the militia was never usually stationed to stay in town for so long.
“Men got commissions in the local militias without needing ever to have owned a residence in the area- thus they could acquire social status regardless of merit or their reputation among those who knew their worth.”(157)
This passage illuminated the fact that characters such as Colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy really existed. They thought of themselves as far superior class but in reality it was their occupation that acquired them rank in society. The commission they collected kept them afloat in each community they traveled to thus far giving them status as they mingled like socialites when in reality who knows where they began on the social pyramid. The money they made went to keeping up with appearance because their uniforms the money they had and the people they associated with showed that they were a distinct class of people.
“Like Mr.Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, a soldier posted away from his home district was free from those who knew him and his reputation. His very identity was changed : he was now an officer by title, and his social status were covered by his gaudy regimental dress. But his dress and rank might have been earned not by experience on the battle-friend or parade ground but by influence, and the shiny uniforms masked a variety of characters and origins.” To my surprise, Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice” is a satire. There are many historical references in this book that went unnoticed. Austin is saying that many soldiers flaunted their title to gain social status. They demanded more attention than deserved by flaunting their “gaudy regimental dress”.
“The militia’s reputation, after these scandals, would be more about the risks it posed to English ladies’ virtue than the treat it made to Frenchmen’s lives” (156).
I think this qoute illuminates to the intentions of the soldiers at the time. In Pride and Prejudice, we get a sense of military presence but we don’t see any action the militia is taking against Napoleons army. Instead we see Lydia and Kitty going daily to Meryton to flirt with the soldiers. In the end, Lydia elopes with Mr. Wickham, a man not notable for his virtue, without any regard to how much trouble she put her family through. We also see that Darcy used his inherited standing to not only pay the debts of Mr. Wickham but to secure a new life for the Wickhams.
“Why is the militia seen in this way? Do the Bennet women’s desires simply reflect their own silliness, or do they tell us something about the contemporary reputation of the militia?” (164)
The only standards that the Bennet women have when interested in a male, is the amount of money they have and their class rank. Their interest in the militia doesn’t just reflect their own silliness, but the way the militia men actually are. Their actions are seen as flirty and sexual towards the opposite sex. Despite the job they were given with comes with a respectable title and honor, the militia are abusing their roles as protectors. In my eyes I see it as, they were given a name that women would jump out at and try to get the males attention. Then they abuse their rights and use the name militia, which Austen shows how they give soldiers a bad name. Not only does this represent the men, but it shows how the women during this time were all about men with money. How their standards were low because they go after men who are known for ‘sexual dalliance’. You can’t help but to not feel sorry for what’s to come for the Bennet women because they aren’t searching for love with militia men. They are looking for fun, flirtatiousness, and money.
“Here Austen tells readers several things at once. She shows Wickham’s and his cronies’ discernment to be very limited: they cannot see through the dress to the real person beneath, because they do not look within judgement or penetration. Perhaps Austen is telling us that, being as vain of their uniforms as Lydia is of her caps and gowns, the militia officers can no longer see what it is to be a man” (172).
Here this mostly illuminates or points out the attitudes of the people throughout the whole book during this time period. I thought it was interesting because just as Lydia fell for Wickham because of his dresses many other women did. In addition to foreshadowing what was taking place in Austen’s world, I think that Austen was trying to express the family dynamic between the girls, but really obviously foreshadowing the people and mainly women of that time period. Both, men and women were blinded by indulgences that most of the time they could not attain. If they did gain the opportunity, it was of great importance that they uphold those relationships and status. Unfortunately, those men and women wouldn’t really know that they were doing something wrong without having enough intelligence to decipher for themselves.
“The country house is perhaps the most familiar landmark in Jane Austin’s setting”. Yes I understand that it is the first line in the article but it is most certainly a very important part of not only the book but real life itself. So some the house is seen as just a house. But from my point of view I see the country house as way more. For example when I think of the house I think of the family and the problems within the family, which then leads to resolutions within the family. And overall I think that makes up the ideal family.
“Men got commissions in the local militias without needing…to have owned a residence in the area….they could acquire social status regardless of…their reputation among those who knew their worth” (157).
This quote really seems to fit the book pride and prejudice because it reflects on how Austin often illuminates the fact that men who had no class would enlist to simply to attain it. One example of a man who abuses this power is Wickham because in his township he’s known to be a gambler and a drunk, alongside numerous other problems, but by joining the military he can escape his reputation by traveling with his unit to different cities/townships.
“Still the militia offered new glamour: only recently could soldiers wear their bright uniforms off duty, and only no were they spread across the country” This quote makes me think of when Jane Austen writes about the militia not being worried about war or actual combat but about appearance. The picture I see in my head is of multi-color polyester fabric uniforms that the guys walk around town in just to impress females. It’s sad that Lydia and Kitty don’t realize that the uniform is just for show. The worst part about their attraction to uniformed men is their mother allows them to think highly of them. The men are very eager to boast about having the uniform because it gives them a sense of social mobility or status which still doesn’t show their physical and mental strength. Unfortunately, I doubt these men can actual fight in battle.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (1)
I chose this quote because it foreshadows the rest of the book if you think about it. Its saying that women look for a wealthy single man and that is what is going on throughout this book.
“Despite the alarm about a possible French invasion, the militia impressed the public more as a spectacle than as a fighting force” (155).
This text stood out to me because it is similiar to the context in Pride and Prejudice. The militia officers caught the eyes of many women in town. Being in the army represented dominance and masculity. So of course all the woman wanted to be with a milita officer. When I read this text, it reminded me of George Wickham. He was from the army and caught the eyes of Lydia. She is a fifteen year old girl who was physically attracted to Wickham. On the other hand, he was only interested in pleasure and fortune. Lydia represented one of the many females in town and shows how desperate the public will be just to get with someone from the army that she even allowed Wickham to take her virginity.