Journal_Pride_and_Prejudice

Jenna Martinez February 1 ,2010 Dr.McCann First journal assignment In the book Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, the narrator discusses Elizabeth’s desire to leave Neitherfield. This desire is aroused when the news of her sisters illness has diminished. However, this desire is left unfulfilled when her mother Mrs. Bennet denies permission for her daughters to receive the carriage and therefore return home. This denial portrays the underlying truth that the Bennets family control and decision making is in the hands of the mother, Mrs. Bennet. Throughout much of the book, but in particular chapter twelve , a lot of light is shed on the power and control Mrs. Bennet beholds. Her word to Elizabeth was that “they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday”, this reasoning was based off her calculations of her daughters crucial time needed at Neitherfield . Mrs. Bennet expresses as though she knows what’s best for the situation and her daughters. Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennets feeling of knowing what is best turns into more then feelings ,but forced actions. Her remark is that “if Mr. Bingley and his sisters pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them very well”, this shows that she feels her wants are of a higher significance, more so than other peoples. In reality, I feel there are not only many women like Mrs. Bennet but mothers as well. Woman who feel they know what is best and mothers who feel they know the best for their daughters. While growing up I know myself and many friends had mothers like this. Mothers who like Mrs. Bennet had very overpowering ideas that were brought into action with or without consent of others. Having experienced a mother like this and having known many other mothers who were like this as well, I came to understand a lot of what was said and done was meant to benefit us their, daughter. The downfall of it was that in the moment it seemed selfish and perhaps not the best decision or solution to be made. Although the aftermath was the effort and thought behind it all. Based on my own experience I feel for both Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth because in the moment I don’t think they see eye to eye. Mrs. Bennet is only trying to do good for her daughters but she needs to learn to step aside and let her daughters live their own life. By stepping aside it would allow the bennit family to equalize some of the decision making thus allowing everyone to see from other viewpoints.