Great Book Club Salutes

We would also like to direct your attention to the blog Eating My Words, "the thoughts, recipes, and musings of author Shirley Jump. Shirley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, who caught our attention with her blog post "Library Talks". Interested readers want to hear about writing, and Shirley does just that - both on her blog and on her website. As an added bonus, her blog also features recipes!

Great Book Club Salutes

Today we'd like to direct your attention to The Book's Den. This blog features "a group of authors from various writing and social groups" who write journalism, poetry, fiction and non-fiction, etc. Altogether, they have about a dozen writers participating.

What initially drew us to their blog was the post: Book Club News - Meet the Author Night, where they suggest inviting an author (perhaps even one of the contributors to that blog) to be a special guest at a book club group meeting. (We would love to have Jane Austen participate in our club, but unfortunately, we are a few hundred years late for this suggestion. :) Perhaps we could take up the idea when we begin discussing another volume.)

One of their tags is labeled Book Club Suggestions, which offers several interesting posts (such as Finding Your Next Book Club Selection). What caught our attention here was a link to their Books Carnival, which is scheduled for the third Sunday of each month.

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...)

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 1

ELIZABETH passed the chief of the night in her sister's room, and in the morning had the pleasure of being able to send a tolerable answer to the enquiries which she very early received from Mr. Bingley by a housemaid, and some time afterwards from the two elegant ladies who waited on his sisters. In spite of this amendment, however, she requested to have a note sent to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgment of her situation. The note was immediately dispatched, and its contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.

Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her, that her illness was not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her restoration to health would probably remove her from Netherfield. She would not listen therefore to her daughter's proposal of being carried home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think it at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss Bingley's appearance and invitation the mother and three daughters all attended her into the breakfast parlour. Bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 2

"Indeed I have, Sir," was her answer. "She is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness."

"Removed!" cried Bingley. "It must not be thought of. My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal."

"You may depend upon it, Madam," said Miss Bingley, with cold civility, "that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us."

Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments.

"I am sure," she added, "if it was not for such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world -- which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I ever met with. I often tell my other girls they are nothing to her. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming prospect over that gravel walk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry I hope, though you have but a short lease."

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 3

"Whatever I do is done in a hurry," replied he; "and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here."

"That is exactly what I should have supposed of you," said Elizabeth.

"You begin to comprehend me, do you?" cried he, turning towards her.

"Oh! yes -- I understand you perfectly.".

"I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful."

"That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours."

"Lizzy," cried her mother, "remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 4

"I did not know before," continued Bingley immediately, "that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study."

"Yes; but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage."

"The country," said Darcy, "can in general supply but few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society."

"But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever."

"Yes, indeed," cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. "I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town."

Every body was surprised; and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment, turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, who fancied she had gained a complete victory over him, continued her triumph.

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 5

"I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country for my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Mr. Bingley?"

"When I am in the country," he replied, "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."

"Aye -- that is because you have the right disposition. But that gentleman," looking at Darcy, "seemed to think the country was nothing at all."

"Indeed, Mama, you are mistaken," said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. "You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there were not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true."

"Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four and twenty families."

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 6

Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep his countenance. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eye towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of saying something that might turn her mother's thoughts, now asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

"Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley -- is not he? so much the man of fashion! so genteel and so easy! -- He has always something to say to every body. -- That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very important and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter."

"Did Charlotte dine with you?"

"No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up differently. But every body is to judge for themselves, and the Lucases are very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain -- but then she is our particular friend."

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 7

"She seems a very pleasant young woman," said Bingley.

"Oh! dear, yes; -- but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Jane -- one does not often see any body better looking. It is what every body says. I do not trust my own partiality. When she was only fifteen, there was a gentleman at my brother Gardiner's in town, so much in love with her, that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But however he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty they were."

"And so ended his affection," said Elizabeth impatiently. "There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 8

"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy.

"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Every thing nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."

Darcy only smiled, and the general pause which ensued made Elizabeth tremble lest her mother should be exposing herself again. She longed to speak, but could think of nothing to say; and after a short silence Mrs. Bennet began repeating her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to Jane with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy. Mr. Bingley was unaffectedly civil in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be civil also, and say what the occasion required. She performed her part, indeed, without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet was satisfied, and soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest should tax Mr. Bingley with having promised on his first coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield.

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Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Ch. 9 pt 9

Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence, which the attentions of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into assurance. She was very equal, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly reminded him of his promise; adding, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear.

"I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement, and when your sister is recovered, you shall if you please, name the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing while she is ill."

Lydia declared herself satisfied. "Oh! yes -- it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball," she added, "I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster it will be quite a shame if he does not."

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own and her relations' behaviour to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy; the latter of whom, however, could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of her, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes.

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