Maria

I love the trunk-packing scene too, but mainly because of Lizzie's behaviour. The way she taps Maria on the shoulder to emphasise the point that "Lady Catherine will never know" immediately reminded me of Mrs Bennet! As for Maria's necessity in the plot, doesn't the actress say in "The Making of P&P" that although she was disappointed not to get the part of Lydia she enjoyed the opportunity to play Maria because there was very little information on her, so she had to basically start from scratch? I do think she provides a useful comparison to Lizzie's behaviour at Rosings - Maria would never dream of refusing to go to Rosings, and hangs on every word either Lady Catherine or Mr Collins utter, perhaps showing us how "inappropriate" Lizzie's behaviour is? Saman

I see Maria as being a proper young lady as she gets older due to her fathers very mannerly ways and Charlottes quiet and calm reserve. We don't see much of her mother but in the movie she tolerates Mrs. Bennets demeanor {missing scene at Lucas lodge}Did anyone notices how she changes the subject when Mrs. Bennet was rambling about Bingely dancing with Jane.

I really liked the actress who played Maria as well. The highlight for me is when she runs breathless into Lizzie's room at the parsonage, twirls completely around, and proclaims: "There is such a sight to be seen!"

Since I did not begin watching (my first time) at the beginning - I saw part of hour 2, then from the last part of hour 4 onward, but I never had any idea who the heck she was, except that she seemed to be ubiquitous - she seemed to be in every "crowd" scene and in these the camera was very often on her. I began to think that she must be some relative of the director or some other ranking participant being given a part as an extra. I could not think of any character that I rememberd who she might have b en, and in fact, had completely forgotten that there was a Maria in the book. Her part there is, indeed, miniscule. It was not until the re-broadcast when I saw the scene in which she asks Charlotte whether Lizzie would come to Hunsford with them that I found out who she was. ] Did anyone notices how she [Lady Lucas] changes the subject when Mrs. Bennet was rambling about Bingely dancing with Jane. Yes, and I thought it most skillfully done!

Joan, is that supposed to be Mrs Bennet? I am only glad it has no sound.

I absoulutely adore Maria. The actress did a wonderful job of turning a very small part into something very memorable. She appears so very young and innocent, not at all like her Bennett counterparts (Lydia & Kitty). I believe that her part was indeed instrumental in showing this contract of how a young women might behave who has "come out" at a proper time and not been allowed the freedom that the youngest of the Bennett girls enjoyed.

I absoulutely adore Maria. The actress did a wonderful job of turning a very small part into something very memorable. She appears so very young and innocent, not at all like her Bennett counterparts (Lydia & Kitty). I believe that her part was indeed instrumental in showing this contract of how a young women might behave who has "come out" at a proper time and not been allowed the freedom that the youngest of the Bennett girls enjoyed.

Am I seeing double? I have no idea why this posted twice.

That's a very interesting point, Candace. You're absolutely right -- Maria does provide a telling counterpart as to what a young girl _could_ be, as opposed to the silly Lydia & Kitty. I too found the actress who played Maria completely fun & delightful!

Well, Maria was pretty dingy, too. I think Georgiana a better example of what a young girl could be.

I know what you're saying, but I thought Maria was more genuine. Georgiana is sweet, but her shyness makes her a little unapproachable.

Amy2, I agree that Maria is what Lydia and Kitty could be because it seems that all three have a similar degree of understanding. JA tells us, in Chapter27 that Maria is "a good-humoured girl, but as empty-headed as himself [Sir William]". Georgiana is probably more clever and is certainly more educated. I doubt that any amount of discipline and education could turn a Lydia into a Georgiana. Linda

True -- Lydia & Georgiana are diametrically opposed. I guess I was so taken with the acterss who played Maria in P&P2, that in many ways, I found her more enchanting than Georgiana. She seemed more natural, maybe in a 20th century way.

I liked this young lady. I am glad Cheryl started a thread for her. Maria was sweet and attentive to Mary in a piano scene - and NO ONE is kind to poor Mary. She seems to adore Elizabeth - and is excited about E. being part of their trip to Husford. Maria show us what the actor and the script-writer can do with little material to work with.

I always thought that the actresses who played Georgianna and Maria should have switched roles. I'm not sure why I thought that, but they seem to fit better that way to me.

That's an interesting comment, Ann. I think it would have made Georgiana a more interesting character, though in justice to the girl who played her, she did come off as suitably shy (almost to the point of deer-in-headlights).

I think you are rigth about Maria beeing more what a young girl newly out should be. She seems to observe and listen and learn how the older girls behave. Waiting for her time to come, you migth say. When Lizzy approaches Charlotte on the Neth. ball I find the way Maria turns around and looks longingly at them so rigth on spot. She is exited to be at this grand ball and would love to hear Lizzy's witty comments on it. They said in Making of P&P2 that they actually extended her part as she was so committed.

I think that Lucy Davis made the part more than even what Austen intended. I was surprised on recently re-reading the book that Maria is described as a "foolish, empty-headed girl" or something to that effect. But Lucy Davis did such a wonderful job, I thought she was one of the more admirable young ladies in the production!