Overview/Summary:
Typically I won't actually combine chapters, but seeing as the combined page total of chapters 1 and 2 was a mere six pages, I decided to combine them...
Not a ton goes on during these two chapters, but at the same time these two chapters are higly important as they set the stage for what is to come later on within in the novel (they basically set the pace).
A brief warning: While reading this you may become slightly confused, remember it is okay and the () are for personal entertainment, thought, and general observance and it is perfectly okay to be disturbed at or by or utterly confused as a result of them.
Volume 1
Chapter 1:
This three page chapter (at least in my book), although short, immediately thrusts the reader into Jane Austen's world of 19th Century England, through one of the most profound and best said opening sentences of any book (again in my opinion) "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
We quickly discover that the extremely eligible bachelor Mr. Bingley has purchased Netherfield Park and will use Netherfield as a permanent resident. But all Mrs. Bennet, whose poor nerves get in the way of everything, can focus on is his £5,000 yearly salary. It becomes obviously clear for Mrs. Bennet that her single goal in life is to marry off her five beautiful daughters to good suitors.
And for us in the 21st century this idea may seem foreign or even slightly egotistical on Mrs. Bennet's part (especially as she believes her daughters are worth a lot of money) we have to approach this entire book with a late 18th or early to mid 19th century outlook. Even up until the middle 20th century in parts of the US (and still throughout much of the world) a woman had no value except childbearing and keeping of the home and was unable to inherit land or money especially if she had living male relatives. So in order to protect her future (as children would often take care of their mothers after the passing of their fathers) as well as that of her children she definitely needed to secure their fortunes with suitors with high incomes/salaries. And although I was unable to find exact rates on currency exchange from £5,000 in the mid 19th century to current monetary exchange values in America I am able to confidently say that Mr. Bingley is rich, very rich. Therefore after looking at Mrs. Bennet's insanity from an 18/19th century outlook, she suddenly looks like a very wise, although nervous, woman.
Volume 1
Chapter 2:
Chapter 2 follows much of the same suit with a slight change in plot. Instead of focusing solely on Mr. Bingley's salary we discover that the young Bennet girls are preparing themselves for a ball that Mr. Bingley and associate of his will be attending.
Also a few secondary characters are introduced within the second chapter.
Kitty (Catherine Bennet 17-years-old at the start of the novel), the Bennet's second youngest daughter and throughout the course of the novel is shown to be highly jealous and giddy at almost any event for public appearances that show up. (attention lover/fisgona)
Lydia, who is the Bennet's youngest daughter and is about 15-years-old at the start of the novel. Lydia is busy body and attention seeker who shows no care for following social norms and general observances and no remorse for breaking them. (most likely to be a sociopath)
Mary, Bennet child number three. (And probably my third favorite following sassy Elizabeth and my future husband Mr. Darcy) Mary is of absolutely no importance to the plot and literally sits in the background on only a handful of occasions. Although well read and knowledgeable, she is the plainest (or homeliest) of the five Bennet girls and finds her sisters' pursuit of men to be vain and not worth her time. (highly introverted and most likely to become a cat lady, nun, or serial killer)
And there you have it Volume 1, Chapters 1-2
Feel free to email me with any questions or suggestions!
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