Quote One: Mr. Bennet respects Mrs. Bennet's nerves
"Mr Bennet how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves!
You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.
Quote Two: Lizzie must make a choice after Mr. Collins' proposalAn unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." (Ch. 20)
Quote Three: Wickham and Lydia say goodbye to the Bennets after their post-marriage visit to Longbourn"Mr Wickham's adieus were much more affectionate than his wife's. He smiled looked handsome and said many pretty things.
"He is as fine a fellow," said Mr Bennet as soon as they were out of the house, "as ever I saw. He simpers and smirks, and makes love to us all. I am prodigiously proud of him. I defy even Sir William Lucas himself to produce a more valuable son in law!
How could anyone not love quote two? It's the way the audience knows that Mr. Bennet is more concerned for his daughter's feelings than forcing her into marriage.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that it's better than those already listed, but this is one of my favorite quotes of Mr. Bennet's: "Much as I abominate writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins's correspondence for any consideration. Nay, when I read a letter of his, I cannot help giving him the preference even over Wickham, much as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my son-in-law." (Ch. 57)
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe!! that Quote 2 is far ahead of Quote 1. I think Quote 1 is one of the best ever, maybe because I can 'hear' many men saying that about their wives. The Mr and Mrs Bennet-type combo is unfortunately so common!
ReplyDeletequote 3 is the funniest ever!
ReplyDeleteOH such a hard choice! Those are all my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI went for number 1 in the end because it hits right to the heart of married life, if a little syncally. No marriage is perfect even the perfect ones. Come on now, you must admit. But all three are maginifcent double entendres.
ReplyDeleteJane Austen had a sharp wit, evrybody says so and these are great examples, all FOUR. I include Miss Sneyds quote too. Another gem.
hard choice ... fabulous selections!
ReplyDeleteI've always adored Mr. Bennett, and what he had to say in The Mr. Collins Situation (Quote Two) has always been my favorite!
ReplyDelete