"Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister had a cold?"
At first blush, the question might be dismissed as coming from a rather proud and conceited woman, who would find little to praise in such fierce sisterly friendship and loyalty which Elizabeth displays for Jane. Yet the question does have a point: What is it that brings Elizabeth with such immediacy to the side of her ailing sister?
What is it inside of Elizabeth that brings her to cast aside all of the customary proprieties of the day so that she might be present with her sister as quickly as possible? Is it the special bond between them, something of which we witnessed in chapter 4? (In this regard, it is particularly interesting that it was directly to Elizabeth that Jane had addressed the note explaining her illness.) Does Elizabeth come to Netherfield because of her particular dedication to her sister?
In another post, I wondered aloud about the role that Elizabeth played in the plot to have Jane ride out in the open on horseback under the threat of rain in order to extend her stay at Netherfield. Is it possible that Elizabeth comes so quickly to her sister's side out of guilt for having played a role in her mother's scheme, or at least out of guilt for not having acted more forcefully to prevent her mother's utter silliness?
Is it as Bingley's sister says:
"To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to shew an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum."
Or as Bingley states:
"It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing."
Thoughts?
At first blush, the question might be dismissed as coming from a rather proud and conceited woman, who would find little to praise in such fierce sisterly friendship and loyalty which Elizabeth displays for Jane. Yet the question does have a point: What is it that brings Elizabeth with such immediacy to the side of her ailing sister?
What is it inside of Elizabeth that brings her to cast aside all of the customary proprieties of the day so that she might be present with her sister as quickly as possible? Is it the special bond between them, something of which we witnessed in chapter 4? (In this regard, it is particularly interesting that it was directly to Elizabeth that Jane had addressed the note explaining her illness.) Does Elizabeth come to Netherfield because of her particular dedication to her sister?
In another post, I wondered aloud about the role that Elizabeth played in the plot to have Jane ride out in the open on horseback under the threat of rain in order to extend her stay at Netherfield. Is it possible that Elizabeth comes so quickly to her sister's side out of guilt for having played a role in her mother's scheme, or at least out of guilt for not having acted more forcefully to prevent her mother's utter silliness?
Is it as Bingley's sister says:
"To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ancles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to shew an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum."
Or as Bingley states:
"It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing."
Thoughts?
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