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Pride and Prejudice Deceit Quotes Page 1
(Chapter.Paragraph)
Quotes and Thoughts
"Can I have the carriage?" said Jane.
"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night."
"That would be a good scheme," said Elizabeth, "if you were sure that they would not offer to send her home." (7.22-24)
A life spent hunting down husbands is a life spent conducting tiny manipulations and schemes. No wonder Mrs. Bennet has a rather fluid sense of morality (check out how she goes hot and cold about Lydia's running away later).
"Elizabeth Bennet," said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, "is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."
"Undoubtedly," replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, "there is a meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable." (8.56-57)
Oooh, burn! Darcy is totally aware of Miss Bingley's machinations, and doesn't like it.
Elizabeth related to Jane the next day what had passed between Mr. Wickham and herself. Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley's regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham. The possibility of his having endured such unkindness, was enough to interest all her tender feelings; and nothing remained therefore to be done, but to think well of them both, to defend the conduct of each, and throw into the account of accident or mistake whatever could not be otherwise explained.
"They have both," said she, "been deceived, I dare say, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side." (17.1-2)
Jane has a hard time thinking ill of anyone, which here is a pretty useful trait, since she's not immediately sucked into the Wickham vortex. However, later, she has a hard time seeing through her faux-BFF Miss Bingley for the very same reason.
