Eleven Embarrassing Moments from Mrs. Bennet - Chapter 9 Discussion

Even though Jane's condition improves, Elizabeth sends for her mother, so that Mrs. Bennet might "form her own judgment" of Jane's situation. It was certainly Mrs. Bennet's place as Jane's mother to form such an opinion and to make the necessary decisions, but her presence at Netherfield leads from one embarrassing situation to another.

How shall I embarrass thee? Let me count the ways...

1. By deciding that Jane should remain at Netherfield. The apothecary renders the same judgment, though his decision is based more upon Jane's actual medical condition. When Mrs. Bennet finds that Jane's illness is not dangerous, she rejoices in Jane's condition; Jane's illness can be used to prolong her presence at Netherfield and give her an opportunity to form an attachment with Mr. Bingley. (I appreciate the motherly concern for Jane's health...)

2. By exaggerating Jane's condition. I'm not quite sure what response would have been appropriate for Bingley's expressed hope "that Mrs. Bennet had not found (Jane) worse than she expected". "Indeed I have, Sir," does not strike me as one of them. By playing on Jane's illness, promoting it with the most gravity that she possibly can, Mrs. Bennet hopes to further impose Jane's presence at Netherfield, hoping that an attachment might be formed with Mr. Bingley. (It is something of a wonder that such an imposing figure does not scare Bingley off altogether.)

3. By shamelessly promoting Jane's merits. As Jane lies ill in another room - not in danger of death, yet too ill to be removed - her mother takes up the role of a salesman and speaks profusely about her daughter's merits. The mother talks to Bingley about Jane's long-suffering patience and sweet temper; she goes so far as to completely discredit all of her other daughters in comparison to Jane. It is almost amusing when Mrs. Bennet says, "I do not like to boast of my own child...", having done quite a bit of boasting already, before going on to speak about Jane's incomparable beauty. Yet, she says, "I do not trust my own partiality." "It is what every body says." It all sounds rather suspicious to me.

4. By shamelessly schmoozing Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet extols Bingley's virtues as a "good friend" in taking such care of Jane; she also speaks highly of his residence at Netherfield. Doubtless, her hope is that Bingley might extend the length of his residence in their neighborhood, yet one who finds himself being buttered up in such a way (by such a one) ought certainly to fear being completely devoured.

5. By publicly decrying Lizzy's "wild manner". It is a marvel that one who is so "wild mannered" herself should have the audacity to decry the "wild manners" of others! For a mother, though, to publicly chastise her daughter, to her humiliation, is to deal a particularly embarrassing blow. Lizzy is saved only by the quick response of Bingley, who validates her "wild manners" by continuing the discussion interrupted by Mrs. Bennet's rebuke.

6. By taking offense from (and responding to) Darcy. By this point in the chapter, Mrs. Bennet can hardly open her mouth without uttering something completely embarrassing. As Darcy engages in the conversation about Elizabeth's occupation as a "studier of character", he off-handedly remarks that "a country neighborhood" is "a very confined and unvarying society", offering not much variety for such a habit of study.

Having previously taken offense at Darcy (who did not wish to dance with Elizabeth at Meryton), Mrs. Bennet, instantly dislikes his statement about country society. She counters it with her own assertion that country society is just as intriguing as town society.

7. By defending country society (to city socialites). Her assertion about country society is so ridiculous that it completely takes everyone off-guard. No polite response can be given to it. What makes her completely ridiculous is that she is trying to defend the merits of country society to town society's "cream of the crop".

8. By believing herself victorious in her defense of country society (to city socialites). What makes Mrs. Bennet even more ridiculous is that she does not realize the absurdity of her statement, given the particular company in which it has been made. Because no polite response could be given to her assertion, Mrs. Bennet believes that she has triumphed over Darcy. This makes her bold to continue in asserting her statement that country society is just as intriguing as town society.

9. By trying to engage Mr. Bingley in her defense of country society. To go from bad to worse, and from bad to worse and beyond, Mrs. Bennet tries to further her cause by engaging support in it from Mr. Bingley. She adds to her previous ridiculous assertion by saying that "London (does not have) any great advantage over the country". Don't you agree, Mr. Bingley?

Bingley does more than simply bite his tongue. Put on the spot, he offers a rather charitable response: "When I am in the country, ... I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either." Instead of openly disagreeing with the woman, Bingley makes a noble statement, and moves with agility around this ridiculous woman.

10. By talking trash about the Lucas family. Elizabeth desperately tries to divert her mother from the embarrassing "country/town society" discussion. She changes the subject by enquiring about their friends, the Lucas family. This gives Mrs. Bennet an opportunity to display her true colors by showing how she behaves with regard to her friends: She begins by inferring that the Lucases do not "keep servants who can do their own work", and that this forces the Lucas daughter (Charlotte) to take up a servant's duties (in such things as making mince pies). She goes on to say first that Charlotte is not so very plain in her looks, but then that she actually is really very plain in terms of beauty. While she tries to come off as being gracious, the whole one-sided conversation really does little to make Mrs. Bennet look good at all.

11. By bringing Lydia along. Ok, maybe Mrs. Bennet should hardly be faulted for the embarrassing things that her daughter says, but then again, the nut does not fall too far from the tree. As the visit finally seems to be coming to an end (with all of its embarrassing moments), young Lydia pops into the discussion and attacks Bingley. She reminds Bingley about (and rather sternly holds him to) his earlier promise to give a ball at Netherfield. If such a thing was not inappropriate in itself, then Bingley's comment perhaps puts the matter into a little bit better perspective: "But you would not wish to be dancing while (Jane) is ill". You cannot seriously be planning a party while your sister lies ill in the room next door! (You cannot seriously be planning a wedding while Jane lies ailiing in the room next door...)