As an AP English teacher I am both blessed and cursed with the AP reading list. There are times when I feel quite ambitious and scholarly and read something off the list purely for my intellectual growth, and, who am I kidding, my ability to impress the brainiacs sitting in my AP classroom. But mostly, I have this dread of anything from that damn list and read every last word from whatever book with piercing eyes and venomous thoughts...big sigh. And again, I understand my students' reluctance.
However, my experiences with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was positively pleasant, so much so that I took it on Spring Break to finish reading. I read this in college but, as the introduction to this blog explains, I can't remember diddly when it comes to diddly. I don't know. I do think I will be an excellent candidate for Alzeimer's some day. Again, I am off topic.
I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice because it does what all my favorite books do: it makes me feel like I am somewhere else. No my life is not that bad, but who doesn't mind an escape every once in a while? Elizabeth is so clever and such a woman beyond her time that I can't help but believe every decision she makes is completely correct. Despite the fact that she too quickly jumps to judgement about Mr. Darcy, I still am on the Elizabeth's bandwagon! While Mrs. Bennet tries my ever-last nerve, I am constantly surprised with the decorum that Elizabeth and Jane employ to pacify her. And Mr. Bennet, though a little too distant, keeps Mrs. Bennet's insane tactics at bay. Naturally, this is where Elizabeth gets her grace.
The fact that everyone ends up happy in this book is shocking. I guess that just goes to show that ignorance is bliss (think Lydia here). Lydia doesn't understand that her reputation has forever been damaged. Nor does she ever realize the pain she causes her family. In light of her situation, I believe the fact that all achieve happiness is deserving and fitting. I love that Jane and Bingley finally get together and, of course, Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Darcy is so pleasing on every level. I picture him the tall-dark-and-handsome type and just know that he is Elizabeth's perfect match. He will not try to pigeonhole her desires and ambitions.
I never know how to end these things, notice. The calm of this book even though it deals with drama with a capital D just made it a page-turner. READ IT!
However, my experiences with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was positively pleasant, so much so that I took it on Spring Break to finish reading. I read this in college but, as the introduction to this blog explains, I can't remember diddly when it comes to diddly. I don't know. I do think I will be an excellent candidate for Alzeimer's some day. Again, I am off topic.
I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice because it does what all my favorite books do: it makes me feel like I am somewhere else. No my life is not that bad, but who doesn't mind an escape every once in a while? Elizabeth is so clever and such a woman beyond her time that I can't help but believe every decision she makes is completely correct. Despite the fact that she too quickly jumps to judgement about Mr. Darcy, I still am on the Elizabeth's bandwagon! While Mrs. Bennet tries my ever-last nerve, I am constantly surprised with the decorum that Elizabeth and Jane employ to pacify her. And Mr. Bennet, though a little too distant, keeps Mrs. Bennet's insane tactics at bay. Naturally, this is where Elizabeth gets her grace.
The fact that everyone ends up happy in this book is shocking. I guess that just goes to show that ignorance is bliss (think Lydia here). Lydia doesn't understand that her reputation has forever been damaged. Nor does she ever realize the pain she causes her family. In light of her situation, I believe the fact that all achieve happiness is deserving and fitting. I love that Jane and Bingley finally get together and, of course, Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Darcy is so pleasing on every level. I picture him the tall-dark-and-handsome type and just know that he is Elizabeth's perfect match. He will not try to pigeonhole her desires and ambitions.
I never know how to end these things, notice. The calm of this book even though it deals with drama with a capital D just made it a page-turner. READ IT!
