P& P #7 3/27: 6-10

“‘He likes to have his own way very well,’ replied Colonel Fitzwilliam. ‘But so we all do. It is only that he has better means of having it than many others, because he is rich, and many others are poor’” (174).

            During Elizabeth’s walks in the park, she often awkwardly encounters Mr. Darcy. On one day she meets Mr. Fitzwilliam instead, who talks with her about Mr. Darcy. This quote justifies Mr. Darcy’s behavior again with his wealth. Saying that his wealth gives him the right to act in the way he does.

            Elizabeth also learns in this conversation that Mr. Darcy “saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage” (176). He did this because there were “some very strong objections against the lady” (176). Elizabeth immediacy makes the connection that Darcy is referring to Jane, and the objections to her are her low rank in society, and her lack of wealth. This infuriates Elizabeth because she had blamed the end of the relationship on Miss Bingley, but now she realizes that Mr. Darcy also played a part in it. Elizabeth is then unable to speak with Darcy, and refuses to attend the next time she is invited to a gathering with him.

 

Lady Catherine finds what quality to be the most important in a future wife:

A. Education

B. Knowledge of the arts

C. Card Playing
D. Musical Talent

P& P #6 3/26: 2-5

“Her heart had been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing that she would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted it” (144).

            This is Elizabeth’s reflection upon Mr. Wickham’s change of feelings for her. After inheriting a sum of wealth, Miss King becomes the object of Mr. Wickham’s attention. Elizabeth has no ill feelings towards him. She says that she was not in love with him because she did not “detest his very name, and wish him all manner of evil” (144). For if Elizabeth truly cared for him, she would now be unspeakably jealous of Miss King. Elizabeth also enjoys the thought that she would have been his first choice if it were not for mercenary motives of Mr. Wickham. This pleases her, and shows her that all of her other qualities are agreeable. The only disadvantage for a man of this time in marrying her is her lower place in society, and her lack of wealth.

            Elizabeth’s aunt later inquires her opinion on the matter during her trip to London. Elizabeth responds by noting that she cannot distinguish the difference “between the mercenary and the prudent motive” (147). Elizabeth makes it clear that she does not mind if a man bases his priorities on the wealth of a woman. She is not surprised that Wickham would chose Miss King simply because of money, and finds him no less agreeable for it. Elizabeth, in this instance, seems to agree with what society dictates should be the goal in a marriage.

 

Elizabeth’s feelings for Wickham have shifted from:

A. Love to hate

B. Attraction to indifference

C. Infatuation to contempt
D. Curiosity to jealousy

P& P #5 3/25: 21-1

“You wish to think all the world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of any body […] The more I see of the world the more I am dissatisfied with it” (130).

 

            This quote is Elizabeth taunting Jane about her optimism. Whenever Elizabeth tells Jane of the bad qualities in someone, Jane always defends them. This can be seen in the incident with Darcy and Wickham when Jane defends Darcy: “No man of common humanity, no man who had any value for his character, could be capable of it” (83). Jane cannot understand why Darcy would every treat Wickham in the way Elizabeth has described to her. Jane also attempts to remain optimistic about Mr. Bingley, who has left for London. She tries to defend Miss Bingley’s nature to Elizabeth. Jane only sees that she had good intentions in writing a letter warning her about what was happening. Elizabeth believes that Miss Bingley is trying to keep Mr. Bingley away from Jane. The attitudes towards other of Elizabeth and Jane greatly contrast each other. Jane’s flaw is her failure to recognize the failure in others. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is only able to see failure in others, so long as her first impression of the person was negative, she will continue to find the negative qualities in others.  

The issue that bothers Mrs. Bennet in this section the most is:

A. Jealousy of Mrs. Lucas, who married off one of her daughters

B. Wondering when Bingley will return

C. Keeping her younger daughters away from the officers

D. Mr. Bennet’s health

P& P #4 3/23: 17-20

“Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil” (88).

 

            This is Elizabeth’s response to Charlotte’s claim that she will find Mr. Darcy agreeable. The use of the word ‘determined’ clearly shows the prejudice that Elizabeth has for Darcy. Considering the fact that First Impressions was the original title of the book, it is important to remember that Elizabeth always goes by her first impressions of people. This can be seen with both Wickham and Darcy. Elizabeth does not want to find Darcy agreeable, as Charlotte clams, because she has already pre-determined that she will hate him. Elizabeth is prejudice because she applies one instance, her first impression of Darcy, to all of his actions. She is also very inclined to believe any negative things she hears about him. Elizabeth even speaks with Darcy about prejudice: “It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first” (90). Elizabeth is stating that it is necessary for people who judge others based on their first impression, to make an accurate judgment of the other person’s character based upon this first impression. This is very ironic because Elizabeth in one of those people who does not change their opinion of others. She judged Darcy based upon her first impression of him, but this judgment may have been inaccurate.

 

The fundamental flaw with the character Jane Bennet in the novel is:

A. Pride

B. Blind Optimism

C. Vanity

D. Beauty

P& P #3 3.20: 11-16

“The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen” (79).

            After Elizabeth notices a strange interaction between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, she becomes curious about it. The next day at a party at her aunt’s house, when Mr. Wickham brings up the subject of Mr. Darcy, she inquires further about it. She then learns that Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy grew up together, and that Mr. Wickham was supposed to inherit the wealth that now belongs to Darcy. Darcy was jealous of the love that his father showed towards Wickham, and took the estate from Wickham as revenge. Elizabeth asks about Wickham’s opinion on Mr. Darcy. He replies by saying that he knows him too well to give an opinion. He says that because of what has happened he cannot judge Darcy impartially. It is strange that Wickham will show not openly show contempt for Darcy, considering what Darcy has done to him. When Elizabeth complains about how proud Darcy is, Wickham defends Darcy, as seen in the quote. He says that society is too focused on the fact that he is a rich man. Since he is rich they cannot identify with him, and are thus affronted further by his proud mannerisms. Darcy is able to hide behind his wealth. Since this society is so concerned with wealth, it is able to greatly change how one is expected to act. Perhaps since Wickham has known Darcy all his life, Wickham knows there is more to Darcy’s proud character than his wealth.

In Chapters 12-13, Jane Austen is trying to convey Mr. Collins as:

A) Intelligent

B) Foolish

C) Agreeable

D) Disagreeable 

Huck Finn 9: 185-209

1) “I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place, is taking considerable many resks, though I ain't had no experience, and can't say for certain; but it looks so to me, anyway; and yet here's a case where I'm blest if it don't look to me like the truth is better, and actuly safer, than a lie”(200).

 

            Huck is again torn between telling the truth or lying. He had already decided previously that he would do whatever is the most advantageous at the time. He chooses to tell Mary Jane the truth about the king and the duke. This shows that Huck’s morals are in proper order. He cannot deal with the king and the duke tricking these innocent people, and stealing all of their possessions. One of the reasons he cannot let them get away with it is his attraction to Mary Jane. Because Huck loves her he chooses to tell the truth. Mary Jane is a good influence on Huck because she inspires him to do the right thing. Huck may go on making the right choices because of Mary Jane, or he may be doing the right thing just because it happens to be the most beneficial at the time.

 

2) “I reckon I’ve thought of her a many and a many and a million times, and of her saying she would pray for me; and if ever I’d a thought it would do any good for me to pray for her, blamed if I wouldn’t a done it or bust” (204).

 

            Huck says that even though he never saw Mary Jane again after she left, he thought about her many times. She offers to pray for him and he would do the same for her if he thought there was any point to do so. This shows that the widow and Ms. Watson’s teachings on prayer have influenced Huck. He appreciates the fact that Mary Jane will pray for him because he has been taught the importance of prayer. However, Huck shows that he still does not fully understand prayer. He does not think that praying for Mary Jane will have any positive effects, so he does not decide to pray for her. Huck still thinks that prayer only works for the right kind of people.

 

Definitions:

1) “They had borrowed a melodeom” (194).

melodeum: noun- a kind of accordion

2) “March off like a passel o' fools and leave eight or nine thous'n' dollars’”(190).

passel: noun- a large quantity or group

Huck and Jim

One day, when we was floating down the muddy, we come ‘cross a raft with four people on it. Two of them was niggers, and t’other two was white men. One of the white men was sittin’ on the edge of the raft fishin’, and t’other white man was watching over the niggers, who was tied up. The white man that was a fishin’ was wearin’ a mighty big straw hat that covered most of his face, He had long black hair comin’ down the sides of his head and he wore ol’ raggedy clothes, and I reckon he was ‘bout thirty years ole’. The white man that was a watchin’ over the niggers was bald and also wore raggedy clothes, and he looked like he was bout thirty too. Then Jim says to me–

“Will ya look at dat! Those men musta done captered those niggers, en is a sailin’ down the river in orders ta’ get the reward.”

            I says–

            “What do you reckon we should do, Jim?”

            “Gawrsh, Huck, I’s a think it’s a bes’ if we jus’ don’t get mixed up en non’ a that. We don’ wan’ no trouble cuz ther’ a mighty good chanse thos’ men will wanna tied meh up, and throw me on dat dere raf’ en get de reward for meh too.”

When we got a little bits closer to the raft we recognized that the niggers were the ones we met at the Grangerfords. I knowed that Jim had gotten to be pretty good friends with them. Then I says–

“Jim ain’t those the niggers we met up at the Grangerfords?”

“Whys yeh I reck’n dey is.”

            “Well if theys is the niggers from the Grangerfords then those two white men is a stealing them because we knowed who they belonged too.”

            “Huck, is you gawna tryn do sumfin’ dangerus? Cuz I’s sure as anythin dat we ain’t yet had our faih shar’ a bad luck from da snake-skin dat you done grabed a hol’ of dat day. If yous is gawna tryn’ free dem niggers I don’ wan’ no par’ en it. Ol’ Jim isa tire’ of de bad luck, chile. I’d be mighty glad if we jus’ kept on a floatin’ without payin’ no ‘tention to dem dere niggers, even if dey’s is mah friends.”

            “Jim I don’t think its right that those two men is a stealing those niggers, I’m gonna try sumthin. You should lay down ‘mungst the truck under this here blanket. We don’t want you to get seen now do we?”

            “Huck Finn yous is one crazy chile’. The craziest I’ve ever met. Always wantin to get a mixed up in de business of otha folk, but I ain’t gawna be en it dis time I reck’n. I’s is just gonna lays down heah, so’s you can go do what yeh like. I wont get no mor’ bad luck.

            So after I made sure that Jim was covered up real hidden and all, I begun to paddle closer to t’other raft.

Huck Finn 7: 129-157

1) “If I never learnt nothing else out of pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with this kind of people is to let them have their own way” (137).

            Huck realizes that the king and duke are not who they say they are. He decides not to tell Jim about this because it would only cause trouble. He says that he learned this idea from his father. Huck’s father was very racist towards blacks, and this can be seen in his speech about the government. Huck’s father taught him to just not say anything, instead of trying to reconcile with blacks. This is a very racist teaching that stereotypes blacks as stubborn. Huck shows, in some rare instances, that he agrees with some of the beliefs of his father.

2) “The duke done it, and Jim and me was pretty glad to see it. It took away all the uncomfortableness, and we felt mighty good over it, because it would have been a miserable business to have any unfriendliness in the raft; for what you want, above all things, on a raft, is for everybody to be satisfied, and feel right and kind towards the others” (137).

            In the novel, the raft symbolizes freedom. It was Huck’s first chance to escape from his father, the widow, and everyone else in town. It offers Jim an escape from slavery, and it saved the king and the duke from prison. Huck views the raft in a very positive light. He does not want this image of freedom marred by quarrels. If there were quarrels on the raft, it would be just like everywhere else in the world. The raft is an escape from all of Huck’s troubles, and he wants to keep it that way. The raft is broken and lost many times, and yet it is always recovered. This may symbolize that Huck and Jim's fight for freedom will not die that easily.

Definitions:

1) “come with contrite heart!" (143).

contrite: adjective- caused by or showing sincere remorse

2) “Next you’d see a raft sliding by, away off yonder, and maybe a galoot on it chopping” (130).  

galoot: noun-an awkward, eccentric, or foolish person 

 

Huck Finn 5: 89-108 and Huck Finn 6: 108-129

1) “It was fifteen minutes before could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger–but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterwards, neither” (98).    

            After playing the cruel joke of making Jim think that Huck getting lost was all a dream, Huck apologizes to Jim. He does this because he did not think that the joke would hurt Jim as much as it did. Jim was deeply hurt by the joke because Huck is the only friend that Jim has ever had. When Jim feels betrayed by his only friend he is utterly depressed. Huck says that it took him a while to get himself to apologize to Jim, but it was worth it. This shows that Huck is beginning to respect black people more, and realizes that they have feelings too. This is shown again when Huck does not tell the men that were looking for slaves that Jim is black. Huck does not get Jim caught even though he believes it is the ‘right’ thing to do. Jim is even more thankful for this, and their relationship grows stronger when Jim proclaims Huck as his best friend. Huck and Jim’s relationship will have many twists because Huck is torn between telling on Jim, or respecting him as an equal.

2) “Well, then, says I, what's the use you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and it ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same? I was struck. I couldn't answer that. So I reckoned I wouldn't bother no more about it, but after this always do whichever came handiest at the time” (104).

            This quote relates to how Huck wishes to deal with the situation regarding Jim’s freedom. As they believe they are approaching Cairo, Huck gets nervous, and Jim gets excited. Huck is nervous that he has done the wrong thing by letting Jim escape. He believes that Ms. Watson would be disappointed in him after all that she has done for him. Huck realizes that if he tells on Jim he will feel worse than if he didn’t, and then Huck gets confused between what is right and what is wrong. Huck decides to do whatever seems most advantageous at the time. This could be a very bad idea to live by, and it could get Huck into a lot of trouble. Huck’s values are askew because he has lived in a society where treating blacks subordinately was culturally accepted. He believes this is ‘right’ because this is how he was raised. He was in a pocket of morality where slavery was acceptable. Now that he has left that pocket he is faced with learning to accept Jim.

Definitions:

1) “Then Tom and Bob went to the sideboard where the decanters was, and mixed a glass of bitters and handed it to him” (118).

decanter: noun- a vessel, usually an ornamental glass or bottle used for holding and serving wine

2) “There was four or five men cavorting around on their horses in the open place before the log store, cussing and yelling, and trying to get at a couple of young chaps” (126).

cavort: verb- to bound or prance about in a sprightly manner

Huck Finn 3: 47-66 and Huck Finn 4: 67-88

1) “I reckon the widow or the parson or somebody prayed that this bread would find me, and here it had gone and done it. So there ain't no doubt but there is something in that thing. That is, there's something in it when a body like the widow or the parson prays, but it don't work for me, and I reckon it don't work for only just the right kind” (48).

            This is what is going through Huck’s mind after he finds the bread that was floating on the river. He again thinks about prayer and finds that it only seems to work for the right kind of people. This is a bad thought for him to have because it may cause him to think badly of himself. Later in the book, Huck may feel the need to turn to prayer, and may see it as only for good people. Huck should realize that anyone can pray no matter how they see themselves.

2) “I made up my mind I wouldn’t ever aholt of a snake-skin again with my hands, now that I see what had come of it. Jim said he reckoned I would believe him next time. And he said that handling a snake-skin was such awful bad luck that maybe we hadn’t got to the end of it yet” (63).

            Huck’s belief in bad luck is seen on many occasions throughout the novel so far. After meeting Jim on the island, he asks Jim even more about signs of bad luck. When Huck touches a snake-skin with his bare hands, Jim is very concerned because he thinks it will cause them terrible bad luck. One night, Huck kills a snake and puts it near where Jim sleeps, and another snake hides there too. Jim is bitten by the snake, and they blame it upon bad luck. They think that they will receive even more bad luck because touching a snake-skin is so bad. This is very foolish because what ever bad events come about, and they are certain to arise, will be blamed on their bad luck from the snake-skin. Huck believes very much in superstition, and this may be his replacement for religion.

Definitions:

1) “I warn't feeling very brash, there warn't much sand in my craw; but I says, this ain’t no time to be fooling around” (50).

brash: adjective-impertinent; impudent; tactless

2) “I catched a cat-fish and haggled him open with my saw, and towards sundown I started my camp fire and had supper” (49).

haggle: verb- to mangle in cutting 

Huck Finn 1: 9-27, and Huck Finn 2: 28-46

1) “She told me to pray every day, and whatever I asked for I would get it. But it warn’t to. I tried it” (19).

            This quote characterizes Huck as and unreligious and uneducated person. He does not understand the concept of prayer, and thinks it could get him anything. When this does not work out he cannot understand why. This is because Huck is immature and cannot grasp the concept of religion. Later on, when Huck’s father finds him, he threatens Huck to stop going to school, and to ignore religion. This shows that his father may be where Huck got his ideas about life. This is also shown when Huck prefers to live in wild as opposed to the comfort of the widow’s house. This is because Huck’s father influenced him to be this way.

 

2) “And he said people allowed there’d be another trial to get me away from him and give me to the widow for my guardian, and they guessed it would win, this time. This shook me up considerable, because I didn't want to go back to the widow's any more and be so cramped up and sivilized, as they call it” (35).

            This is Huck’s opinion of going back to civilization after his father took him away. This is strange because earlier he said that he was beginning to get used to living in a house and going to school. When he encountered his father earlier, and he was told to stop going to school, he decided to go, just to spite his father. Now that he is with his father he does not want to go back. Huck seems to be constantly changing his opinion on this. He is torn between civilization and the wild. When Huck chooses to run away, it shows that he values freedom more than anything else.

 

Definitions:

1) “He used to lay drunk with the hogs in the tanyard, but he hain't been seen in these parts for a year or more” (16).

tanyard: noun- an enclosure where the tanning of leather is carried on

2) “So he locked me in and took the skiff and started off towing the raft about half-past three” (42).

skiff: noun- any of various types of boats small enough for sailing or rowing by one person