Reading Jane Austen
I was so impressed by Elizabeth's father in this book so much that I brought up this topic for my Cambly program. My tutor, Carol told me that she's aware of this book, read this book, which means she was pretty familiar with this contents. The main theme we talked about was the relationship between a father figure and a daughter on the issue of marriage.
I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed you husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life.
<Pride and Prejueice>/p, 396~397 by Jane Austin
What a wonderful father he is! Elizabeth's father is one of my favorite characters in this book, plus his image reminds me of that of Jean Valjean from <Les Miserables>. It is natural and understandable to see a lovely couple such as Marius and Cosette or Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth(Lizzy), however some readers like me get impressed and think deep based on authors' view through this father figure.
The time setting of this book is nineteenth century and even in the western countries it might have been common to witness conservative opinion bewteen men and women. That's why Mr. Bennet(Lizzy's father)'s comments sounded very revolutionary and open-minded, even thoughtful with wisdom. He stood up for his daughter and encouraged her to be independent on marriage as a human being, as a equal person against a man. He was a bit worried when Lizzy was intended to marry Mr. Darcy, but accepted and supported her because he was persuaded by his dauther's sincere heart and have a faith in her love and respect about Mr. Darcy.
This book is worth reading to observe a variety of perpectives on marriage in the past and inspiring insight on it with touching and special moments as joy. Love, money, above all, respect is the very best element in a relationship for the rest of our lives. This is also the virtue that I am grateful for my husband and makes me keep in my mind forever.
