Homework 12/13/06

Pride & Prejudice, Reading Guide, Ch. 30-34

Ch. 30
1. Why did Charlotte prefer to sit with Elizabeth in the smaller sitting room rather than the front room?
2. How would Lady Catherine look after the cottages (and their residents) that were located on her estate?
3. How does Elizabeth spend her time at Rosings Park?
4. Who is expected to arrive at Rosings Park?
5. What seems to annoy Lady Catherine as she describes her nephew?
6. Who arrives with Mr. Darcy?
7. When Darcy calls on the Collins home, Charlotte says, “I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility.” What does she mean by that?
8. What does Lizzy ask Darcy regarding Jane? Why?

Ch. 31
1. To whom did Lady Catherine pay the most attention when the whole party dined at Rosings?
2. Who takes a liking to Lizzy? Who notices this?
3. What does Lady Catherine have to say about her own musical ability?
4. What advice does Lady Catherine offer to Georgiana Darcy (through her brother)?
5. How does Lizzy perform for everyone after coffee?
6. What does Darcy flirtingly say to Lizzy (with a smile)?
7. What terrible behavior of Mr. Darcy’s does Lizzy relate to his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam?
8. Darcy says that he is not accustomed to recommending himself to strangers. Lizzy draws a comparison to a skill of her own. What is that skill and what does she state to be the determining factor of improvement?
9. Who interrupts the conversation between Darcy, Lizzy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam?
10. At the end of this chapter, what does Lizzy deduce regarding Mr. Darcy and his affection for Miss DeBourgh.

Ch. 32
1. Who calls upon Lizzy for a visit?
2. What topic does Lizzy bring up to avoid an awkward silence with her visitor?
3. When speaking about living close to home after marriage, what does Mr. Darcy presume to ask Lizzy about Longbourn?
4. Initially, why does Charlotte Lucas Collins feel that Darcy has come to visit?
5. Ultimately, why do both Lizzy and Charlotte suppose Darcy stopped by?
6. Who does Colonel Fitzwilliam remind Lizzy of?
7. How would you describe most of Darcy’s visits to the Collins house?
8. What is meant by the line, “(Charlotte supposed) that all of her friend’s dislike would vanish, if she could suppose him to be in her power”?

Ch. 33
1. How did Lizzy try to prevent her chance encounters with Darcy in Rosings Park?
2. According to Colonel Fitzwilliam, what is a pain of being a younger son?
3. In what endeavor is Colonel Fitzwilliam joined with Darcy?
4. According to Colonel Fitzwilliam, on what has Darcy recently congratulated himself?
5. How does Lizzy respond?
6. What is Mr. Collins only concern upon seeing that Lizzy is upset?

Homework 12/11/06

Ladies, please read up to Chapter 28 in Pride & Prejudice. As for a reading guide, parent conferences prevented me from creating for you in time. Should you have any questions about what is happening, please feel free to consult www.sparknotes.com

Homework 12/6/06

Pride & Prejudice, Chapters 20-21, Reading Guide

Ch. 20
1. What does Mrs. Bennet assure Mr. Collins?
2. To whom does she look for help?
3. Describe Mr. Bennet’s reaction (initially) to Mrs. Bennet storming into his library. (Hint: A description of his facial expression will help you here.)
4. According to Mr. Bennet, what is the, “unhappy predicament,” in which Elizabeth finds herself?
5. Upon hearing Mrs. Bennet’s wrath, what two requests does Mr. Bennet make of her?
6. Describe Mr. Collin’s emotional state after being rejected? (Does he truly care?)
7. Who comes to visit the same day that Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins?
8. According to Mrs. Bennet, “Those who do not complain are _______.”

Ch. 21
1. How does Mr. Collins now treat Elizabeth?
2. Did Mr. Collins’ embarrassment shorten his stay at Longbourn?
3. Why did Mr. Wickham skip the Netherfield ball?
4. Why was Elizabeth so pleased that Wickham walked her home? (2 reasons)
5. What is so troubling about the letter Jane has received?
6. Who wrote the letter?
7. Is Elizabeth concerned? Why (or why not)?
8. What does Miss Bingley also reveal (about Darcy)?
9. Whom does Miss Bingley imply that her brother will marry?
10. Does Elizabeth trust this report?
11. What does Elizabeth think Miss Bingley is truly trying to do?
12. Is Jane comforted by Elizabeth’s theory?
13. Is it worth it, according to Jane, to marry Bingley even if she doesn’t have his sisters’ approval?
14. By the end of Chapter 21, describe the status of the Bennet Sisters’ hope that Bingley might return.

Homework 12/5/06

Pride & Prejudice, Chapters 17-19, Reading Guide

Ch. 17
1. How does Jane react to Elizabeth’s news of Wickham and Darcy’s past?
2. Who is Elizabeth more willing to believe?
3. Why do Bingley and his sisters come to Longbourne?
4. How do Bingley’s sisters treat Jane? Elizabeth?
5. What does Mrs. Bennet choose to believe about the Netherfield ball?
6. Who was Elizabeth looking forward to seeing at the ball?
7. How does Mr. Collins spoil Elizabeth’s excitement for the ball?
8. What does Elizabeth realize toward the end of Chapter 17 regarding Mr. Collins?

Ch. 18
1. Why is Elizabeth so disappointed upon arriving at the Netherfield ball?
2. Describe Mr. Collins’ dancing?
3. Who interrupts Elizabeth’s conversation with Charlotte Lucas?
4. What, subsequently, is asked of her (Elizabeth)?
5. According to Elizabeth, what would be the greatest misfortune of all?
6. What does Charlotte Lucas caution her friend to do before she dances?
7. Elizabeth decides it would be a greater punishment for Mr. Darcy while they dance?
8. According to Elizabeth, she and Darcy share a great similarity of ______.
9. What has Darcy to say about Wickham’s ability to make friends?
10. How does Sir William Lucas embarrass Elizabeth at the ball? (What does he prematurely announce, much to Elizabeth’s mortification?)
11. What does Darcy suggest as a discussion topic after Lucas’ interruption?
12. Referring to his earlier comments (regarding his good opinion,) what does Elizabeth ask Darcy about forming his resentment?
13. What does Elizabeth ask him about prejudice?
14. What does Darcy caution Elizabeth not to do at the present time? Why?
15. Who is the first to forgive their dance partner for the small argument? Why is this forgiveness so quickly granted?
16.What does Miss Bingley reveal to Elizabeth about Wickham and Darcy?
17. How does Elizabeth respond to Miss Bingley’s interference?
18. Which emotion overtook Elizabeth’s curiosity about Wickham and anger with Darcy?
19. According to Jane, what had Bingley to say of Wickham’s character?
20. What delightful discovery does Mr. Collins make at the ball?
21. How does he choose to act on this discovery (what does he plan to do)?
22. According to Elizabeth, why is this act SO objectionable?
23. How does Darcy resond?
24. Why was Elizabeth annoyed and embarrassed at dinner?
25. According to Mrs. Bennet, what would Jane marrying Bingley mean for her younger girls?
26. How did Mary mortify Elizabeth?
27. Who ultimately helps Elizabeth by silencing Mary? How does he do it?

Ch. 19
1. Why does Mr. Collins wish to be alone with Elizabeth?
2. What are Mr. Collins general reasons for marrying? (There are three.)
3. How does Elizabeth respond?
4. Ultimately, why does Mr. Collins recommend that Elizabeth accept his offer of marriage?
5. Before Elizabeth leaves the room, Mr. Collins reveals a plan that he thinks will secure Elizabeth’s hand in marriage. What is it? (To whom does he plan on speaking?)
6. To whom does Elizabeth plan on appealing for help at the end of Chapter 19?