EDUCATIONSOCIETYMARRIAGEGOOD MANNERS

Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?A little.Do your sistersplay and sing?One of them does.Why did not you all learn? You ought all to havelearned. The Miss Webbs all play, and their father has notso good an income as yours. Do you draw?No, not at all.What, none of you?Not one.That is very strange. But I suppose you had noopportunity. Your mother should have taken you to townevery spring for the benefit of masters.My mother would have had no objection, but myfather hates London.Has your governess left you?We never had any governess.No governess! How was that possible? Five daughtersbrought up at home without a governess! I never heard ofsuch a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave toyour education.Elizabeth could hardly help smiling as she assured herthat had not been the case. [Lady Catherine and ElizabethPride & Prejudice, Chapter VI of Volume II (Chap. 29)]ETIQUETTEGirls must have a different education from the male one. They are supposed to take care both of the house and the family. They have the chance to study art and music but they are not allowed to have literary knowledge because it might distract them from becoming good wives.

LizzyJaneShe was brought up following the strict traditional rules of the etiquette of her time. This is the reason why she became a very polite woman.LydiaShe wanted neither to be as learned as Lizzy nor to follow the etiquette becoming a good woman and wife. She was only interested in frivolities.In spite of her politeness and well-attitude in the society she wasnt as traditional as Jane. In fact she was really interested in culture as she was used to spending time alone, reading books instead of improving her skills in singing, painting and playing instruments.

ETIQUETTEYounger sisters werent accepted in the society until their eldest one got married. Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?Yes, maam, all.All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And youonly the second. The younger ones out before the elderones are married! Your younger sisters must be veryyoung? Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps SHE is fullyoung to be much in company. But really, maam, I thinkit would be very hard upon younger sisters, that theyshould not have their share of society and amusement,because the elder may not have the means or inclinationto marry early. The last-born has as good a right to thepleasures of youth at the first. And to be kept back onSUCH a motive! I think it would not be very likely topromote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind.

[Lady Cathering and Elizabeth]

LIZZYShe thought that it was unfair to deprive younger sisters of the amusement/pleasure they could find in court balls only because the eldest one hadnt got married yet.JaneShe didnt express any opinion about this argument because she didnt want to rebel against her mothers will. LydiaShe didnt agree with the etiquette, because she wanted to be introduced to society as soon as possible, in order to get married soon.

Hissense of her inferiorityof its being a degradationof thefamily obstacles which had always opposed to inclination,were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to theconsequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely torecommend his suit.

[Mr. Darcy Pride & Prejudice, Chapter XI of Volume II (Chap. 34)]ETIQUETTEThanks to marriage people aimed both to assure a future offspring and to improve the economical and social position of the family. It was not a love relationship but a contractual union. Moreover many marriages were between members of the same lineage so that the assets wouldnt be waste.

LIZZYJANELYDIAShe didnt respect the traditional etiquette in fact she refused Mr Collinss proposal. She wanted to get married to a man she was really in love with.Jane really loved Bingley, thats the reason why she wanted to get married to him, she didnt care about his fortune. She was a source of scandal for her family because of her marriage of convenience. She wanted to get married, the person she was going to get married to wasnt so important. She flattered herself that Wickham really loved her. But in the reality he was interested in getting money.

Good mannersElizabeth was disgusted, and even MissBennet was shocked. Lydia was Lydia still; untamed,unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless. [NarratorPride & Prejudice, Chapter IX of Volume III (Chap. 51)] though I mustthrow in a good word for my little Lizzy.I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia.But you are always giving HER the preference.[]they are all silly and ignorant like other girls;but Lizzy has something more of quickness than hersisters. [Mr. and Ms. Bennet of ElizabethVolume 1, ch. 1]A noblewoman must be pleasant, good-mannered and rich in decorum. Moreover she must be knightly towards herself and the others.

ETIQUETTE

LIZZYShe was able to respect all the features of a good noblewoman but in some occasions she became proud, arrogant and insolent. This side of her character often appeared during her discussions with Mr Darcy, who had a very strong character too.JANEShe was the personification of the perfect noblewoman, that followed literally the etiquette. She was also discreet, benevolent and compliant. The only negative side of her character was her naivety because she always thought that people were good and generous.LYDIAShe was a very frivolous and superficial person, only interested in the dances, men and social life in general. She is the opposite of her sister Jane.

Cristina P. Valeria R. Alice Z.