Emma by Jane Austen -- V.1 Ch.10 pt 2

"I do not often walk this way now," said Emma, as they proceeded, "but then there will be an inducement, and I shall gradually get intimately acquainted with all the hedges, gates, pools and pollards of this part of Highbury."

Harriet, she found, had never in her life been within side the Vicarage, and her curiosity to see it was so extreme, that, considering exteriors and probabilities, Emma could only class it, as a proof of love, with Mr. Elton's seeing ready wit in her.

"I wish we could contrive it," said she; "but I cannot think of any tolerable pretence for going in;--no servant that I want to inquire about of his housekeeper--no message from my father."

She pondered, but could think of nothing. After a mutual silence of some minutes, Harriet thus began again--

"I do so wonder, Miss Woodhouse, that you should not be married, or going to be married! so charming as you are!"--

Emma laughed, and replied,

"My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming--one other person at least. And I am not only, not going to be married, at present, but have very little intention of ever marrying at all."

"Ah!--so you say; but I cannot believe it."

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Emma by Jane Austen -- V.1 Ch.10 pt 1

Though now the middle of December, there had yet been no weather to prevent the young ladies from tolerably regular exercise; and on the morrow, Emma had a charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family, who lived a little way out of Highbury.

Their road to this detached cottage was down Vicarage Lane, a lane leading at right angles from the broad, though irregular, main street of the place; and, as may be inferred, containing the blessed abode of Mr. Elton. A few inferior dwellings were first to be passed, and then, about a quarter of a mile down the lane rose the Vicarage, an old and not very good house, almost as close to the road as it could be. It had no advantage of situation; but had been very much smartened up by the present proprietor; and, such as it was, there could be no possibility of the two friends passing it without a slackened pace and observing eyes.--Emma's remark was--

"There it is. There go you and your riddle-book one of these days."--Harriet's was--

"Oh, what a sweet house!--How very beautiful!--There are the yellow curtains that Miss Nash admires so much."

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I understand you perfectly - Ch. 9 Discussion

It quite possibly started off as a compliment, yet by the time she finishes, Elizabeth's words about Bingley (pt 3) do not come off so complimentary. After her declaration of a complete understanding of his character, Bingley responds: "(T)o be so easily seen through... is pitiful." Elizabeth replies: "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."

What do you think? Is her statement quite as offensive as her mother seems to take it? More importantly, do you think that Elizabeth does in fact completely understand Bingley's character? (Which is not to say that he is shallow in a bad way...) Or is there more to Bingley than meets the eye?

Six Merits of Mr. Bingley - Ch. 9 Discussion

While Mrs. Bennet wins the prize for most embarrassing personality in Chapter 9, Bingley shines with nobility and charity.

1. He will not hear of having Jane being removed from Netherfield (pt 2). Though the apothecary does not advise Jane's relocation, her condition certainly has improved to a point where one might consider it. Jane's mother wants Jane to stay put in Bingley's home so that Bingley might grow attached to her. More than most present at Netherfield in Chapter 9, Bingley has an actual concern for Jane's health, and hoping for her further recovery, will not hear of having her moved.

2. He forces the members of the Bingley household to display civility toward Mrs. Bennet. More than once (pt 2 and pt 8), Bingley puts his sister on the spot for a polite response to Mrs. Bennet, though one may debate the worthiness of the latter woman for the reception of such a display.

3. He graciously covers over Elizabeth's "wild manners" (pt 3). Already in a previous chapter, Bingley countered the harsh condemnation of others for Elizabeth, who abandoned the conventions of society by walking alone several miles to come to the aid of her sister. Bingley put forth a very positive comment about the deep affection that Elizabeth's action displayed for her sister. We see Bingley in Chapter 9 once again graciously covering Elizabeth's "wild manners", when she makes several rather impetuous statements: ""That is exactly what I should have supposed of you"; "Oh! yes - I understand you perfectly"; "It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours". When Mrs. Bennet challenges her daughter's "wild manners" (perhaps rightly so, although without care for her daughter's embarrassment,) Bingley comes to Elizabeth's rescue by continuing the conversation in a positive manner, inquiring after her hobby of "studying characters" (pt 4).

4. He graciously covers over Mrs. Bennet's "wild manners" about country life (pt 4 and pt 5). When Mrs. Bennet makes her wild assertion that town-life (such as might be found in London) does not have any great advantage over the country, and that "the country is a great deal pleasanter", everyone is astonished. Then she turns to Bingley and puts him on the spot: "Don't you agree, Mr. Bingley?" Graciously, Bingley does not speak his mind in disagreement; instead he offers that when he is in the country, he "never wish(es) to leave it" and that when he is in town "it is pretty much the same". "They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either." Bingley further "keeps his countenance" for the sake of Elizabeth (pt 6) when her mother continues on with her wild assertions about the equality (superiority?) of country life to town life.

5. He graciously attempts to cover over Mrs. Bennet's unbecoming statements about Charlotte Lucas. Whether she truly is as beautiful as Mrs. Bennet claims or not, one might forgive Mrs. Bennet for carrying on about her daughter's good looks. What is less forgivable is Mrs. Bennet's defamation of the Lucas family and Charlotte Lucas in particular. "It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain - but then she is our particular friend" (pt 6). (With such as friends, enemies are hardly needed.) Bingley interrupts by stating that Charlotte "seems a very pleasant young woman," though it is of no use. Mrs. Bennet continues, "(B)ut you must own she is very plain" and invokes Charlotte's own mother as an authority on that subject.

6. He graciously covers over Lydia Bennet's "wild manners" and maintains his promise for a ball (pt 9). Having decided to "tax Mr. Bingley with having promised on his first coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield," Lydia reminds him "that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it." He agrees to keep his promise, though he reminds the youngest Bennet that her eldest sister lies very ill in the next room, and that "you would not wish to be dancing while she is ill." He could very appropriately have reminded her that she should not wish to be thinking about planning such a party when she should much rather be considering the gravity of her sister's medical condition.