Light, Bright Sparkling -- Wit In P &P

OK, so here's one of mine -- when Elizabeth says to Darcy (in the book; not the film) that she could "sit by your side and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady once did. . ." (Sorry -- doing this from memory). A very funny 11th hour jab at Miss Bingley!

Here's one regarding Mr. Collins when Elizabeth goes to visit Charlotte. "When Mr. Collins said anything of which his wife might reasonably be ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom, she involuntarily turned her eye on Charlotte."

Perhaps my favorite of the hundreds of funny lines was Mr. Bennet's coment to Liazzy in the aftermath of Lydia's elopment: "I bear you no ill-will for biing justified in your adivce to me last May..."

when Colins proposed to Lizzy, after telling all his resons to marrige, JA writes: "It was aboulutly neccery to interuppt him now" (sorry about my unpardonable spelling)

when Colins proposed to Lizzy, after telling all his resons to marrige, JA writes: "It was absoulutly neccery to interuppt him now" (sorry about my unpardonable spelling)

My mother's all-time favorite follows Mr. Bennet's conversation with Lizzie in which he asks her whether she is out of her senses to be accepting Darcy, and as Lizzie departs, he says "If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure." One that I'm quite fond of is another of Mr. Bennet's, at the end of the scene in which he reveals to the family that he has actually called on Mr. Bingley. Before this announcement Mrs. Bennett has worked herself into such a state that Kitty's coughing gets on her "nerves", but after revealing tht he has visited, she makes a miraculous recovery, and Mr. B. leaves the room saying "Now Kitty, you may cough as much as you chuse."

My favorite words to live by are Mr. Bennet's re: the point of life being to make sport of your neighbors, and have them, in turn, make sport of us. (I must bring the book into work).

Bingley's response to Caroline's suggestion that a ball would be more rational if conversation replaced dancing Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say, but it would not be near so much like a ball.

Another one of my favorites is at the end of the book regarding Mr. Darcy's ability to tolerate Mr. Collins and Sir William Lucas: "He bore it however with admirable calmness. He could even listen to Sir William Lucas when he complimented him on carrying away the brightest jewel of the country, and expressed his hopes of their all meeting frequently at St. James's, wtih very decent composure. If he did shrug his shoulders, it was not till Sir William was out of sight."

That whole ending coda (not in the film) when Elizabeth finally gets her rocks off at Caroline (the remark about the handwriting) is hysterical.

Lizzy to Fitzwilliam, about Darcy "You'll hear then, but prepare yourself for something very dreadful [...] he danced only for dances [..] I'm sorry to pain you, but so it was [...]"

My personal favorite is Lizzy's comment at Hunsford upon being shown her bedchamber by Mr. Collins: "Shelves in the closet, happy thought indeed" This line always causes me to chuckle because his idea that Lady C can do no wrong is as absurd as he is.

I wonder if Darcy thought that Lizzy was really going to unveil something shocking to Fitzwilliam during the Rosings piano scene, though Firth played it in very good humor ("I am not afraid of you" with a smile).

I love that piano scene---watched it again last night and it is so romantic---Lizzie is obviously flirting shamelessly with Darcy---she just doesn't realize it. That is not the behavior of a woman who doesn't care. Jane

Many of Mr. Bennett's lines are favorites of mine. He says aloud the type of thoughts that frequently come to my mind when having a conversation with a tedious person who's company I cannot avoid (many a co-worker fits this description, alas). Here is a favorite; ''If he had had any compassion for me,'' cried her husband impatiently, ``he would not have danced half so much! For God's sake, say no more of his partners. Oh! that he had sprained his ancle in the first dance!'' I must LOL at every viewing of this scene; his exasperation is so enjoyable.

A very funny line of Elizabeth: "'Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!' cried Elizabeth "that is an un common advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would be a great loss to me to have many such acquaintance. I dearly love to laugh'"

My favorite line is when Elizabeth talking to her anut about Wickham (before she knows the truth). Mrs. Gardiner has again cautioned Lizzy about Wickham but she doesn't want Lizzy to think ill of young men from Derbyshire. "Oh! if that is all, I have a very poor opinion of young men who live in Derbyshire; and their initimate friends who live in Hertfordshire are not much better. I am sick of them all. Thank Heaven! I am going to-morrow where I shall find a man who has not one agreeable quality who has neither manner nor sense to recommend him. Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing, after all."

Like mari and Joan, too I love Mr Bennet's lines - they keep me "excessively diverted" during the first half hour or so. My favourite would have to be when Mrs Bennet is trying to convince him to call on Bingley and he says something like "Better yet, send them on their own, for you are as handsome as any of them and Mr Bingley may like you best of all"! I also like Mr Bennet's comment when Lizzie refuses Mr Collins "If you do not accept him, your mother will never see you, and if you do, I will never see you" - Mrs Bennet's reaction to this is hilarious! Speaking of Mrs Bennet, my favourite non-Darcy/Lizzie scene is Mrs Bennet's wailing when the Gardiner's bring Lizzie back from Derbyshire. I like to imagine the reaction of the cast during the read-through when Alison Steadman read that scene!! Jan, I must confess I never saw the piano scene at Rosings as Lizzie flirting until you mentioned it - and I totally agree! Perhaps Darcy got enough encouragement from her behaviour then to propose, which makes me feel sorry for him all over again!

When I had my girlfriends over to watch P&P, the most laughs was had by Mr.Bennets reaction to Lizzy refusing Mr. Collins. I agree, Saman, the funniest scene in the series,

Mr. Bingley: "I do not know a more "awful object" than Darcy,on particular occasions,and in particular places; at his own house especially,and of a Sunday evening,when he has nothing to do." Mr. Bennet: May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impluse of the moment, or are the results of previous study?"

My favorite scene is when Lady Catherine is telling Lizzy "You will never be really good if you don't practice. . . .If I had learned to play I would be a true profficiant". She has NO concept on how hard it is to learn how to playa the piano.(Or in this case the pianoforte).

It is hard to learn how to play the piano. I din't think L.C. was really ever interested because, I begged my parents for a piano when I was 7 years old but, didn't get it until I was 8. She is right in what she is saying the more you practice the easier it gets. Right now, I am very rusty. Cat, I took lessons until I was 13, sort of gave up, also, lost my piano in a flood. It broke my heart. My husband came through and bought me one a 8 years ago.I was taking lessons until my teacher retired. Now, our fa ily would feel a great loss without it.

Karen, and after a while, when she hears from her aunt that they're going to the lakes, she says "What are men to rocks and hills and mountains"

Oh, I love this thread. I've been laughing aloud all the way through. Saman, I agree, about Alison Steadman's "tremblings and flutterings: I don't know how anyone in the cast kept a straight face through that. And I also enjoy the scene between Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips, "Seductions.. intrigues..." "Oh, sister, stop" LOL!!! To add my two cents, I think that final Lizzy/Darcy scene does have some of Lizzy's wittiest lines. It's like she's now free and easy to let Darcy see more of that side of her, so she really lets loose with some cutting lines. Too bad they weren't in the film. My favorite: After hearing how Lady Catherine's report of her visit to Longbourne had affected Darcy, Lizzy says, "Lady Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought to make her happy for she loves to be of use."

Do you guys really think that Lizzie was really flirting shamelessly in the Rosings piano scene? My take was that she was just taking pleasure in zinging him once again.

Amy2, I think she was flirting, but didn't realize it. There is just such a sexy quality to their sparring. On the other hand, she did "know" such awful stuff about him from Wickham that maybe she really did find him repellent, and enjoy zinging for the sake of it. Jane

Here's a question: Was she flirting with Darcy, Col. Fitzwilliam, or both?

Both. Who could resist such an opportunity?

Amy and Anna - I'm sure she was flirting with both, though not intentionally with Darcy. I think she was hoping to show him up in front of his cousin. As to the wit in P&P, I love Mr. Bennet's remark about Mrs. Bennet's nerves, "I have a high regard for your nerves; they have been my old friends these past twenty years". Actually, all Mr. Bennet's remarks have so much wit, he is quite a delight. I loved his question to Mr. Collins at dinner "do you write these little remarks ..." or something like that and Lizzie has to put her napkin to her face to hide her giggles!

Ayelet- I agree with you regarding Lizzy next zinger "what are men to rocks" I love that woman's wit! Amy, Anna and Inko - I think you is flirting with both but, as Inko said, she doesn't realize she is flirting with Darcy. Her teasing really attracts Darcy. He is truly under her spell!

I have refrained from putting in my oar on this topic, because my favorite line changes from week to week (with each viewing/reading) but have decided that it is of little importance if I post more than one favorite. This week it is Mr. Bennet (of course!) who, in reply to his wife's question about whether he wanted to know who had let Netherfield said, "You want to tell me and I have no objection to hearing it."

Any possibility that Lizzie was flirting with Fitzwilliam to make Darcy jealous (albeit unconsciously)?

well she did make him jealous, but as to whether she or her id had that intention... probably

I have to wonder whether she was trying to make him sweat with her threats to "expose" him to his cousin.

Amy2: "I have to wonder whether she was trying to make him sweat with her threats to "expose" him to his cousin." Ooh baby, ooh baby, I'd like to see an "exposed" Darcy! (oops...wrong thread! Excuse me, I'll leave now.)

Cheryl -- I think you lost your way -- you meant to head for that PG innuendo thread, right?

I like JA's description of Mrs. Bennet after Lizzy tells her of the engagement. "It's effect was most extraordinary; for on first hearing it, Mrs. Bennet sat quite still and unable to utter a syllable. Nor was it under many, many minutes that she could comprehend what she had heard, though not in general backward to credit what was for the advantage of her family, or that came in the shape of a lover to any of them." Linda

One of my favorites is Mr. Bennett stating "No lace, I beg of you!" It truly reminds me of the looks on my husband's face whenever I return from shopping or out with my girlfriends and I try to tell him of events that have taken place.

I also love Lady C's: "And I would have been a great proficient, if I had ever learnt." Really nails people who can only criticize, rather than do.

A favorite of mine is: "He danced only four dances! .....and to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner." This exchange reminds me so much of what can happen to a young man who slights a young lady who later captures his attention or a husband who unthinkingly slights his wife. It is so true to life that we cannot help but laugh when it happens to some other man.

I wonder if Darcy was thinking at that point of his initial rude words to Lizzie?

Amy2, I also wondered whether Darcy wasn't wishing at that point that he had danced with Lizzie. And, even more, whether he realized that Lizzie had overheard his "she is tolerable" remark when, during his first visit to the parsonage at Hunsford Lizzie said to Col. Fitzwilliam "I always believe in first impressions and Mr. Darcy's good opinion once lost is lost forever." Darcy looked around at Lizzie as if, for the first time, he realized she might have overheard his remarks.

I know there was some discussion in previous threads about when Darcy realized that Lizzy had overheard him at the Meryton Assembly. He certainly does see Lizzy give him a cheeky look, then head right over to Charlotte & and tell her the story; at that point, they both dissolve into peals of laughter. I wonder if he had a clue at that point??

That might pinpoint it in P&P2, but where was it in the novel--if at all.

It wasn't in the novel at all, Ann. But I think it explains some of the "looks" like the one at Hunsford (slightly puzzled?) that are in P&P2. BTW I've just finished watching P&P1, and it's not in that either, but I'll wait to discuss that version in a more appropriate thread.

Austen never does mention if or when Darcy realizes that Elizabeth had overhead him at the Meryton Assembly.

Discussing Piano scene at Rosings Inko says: I also wondered whether Darcy wasn't wishing at that point that he had danced with Lizzie. No need to wonder, *of course* he wished he had. He made two attempts to get her to dance with him until at last he succeeded at the Neth.Ball. But at the same time he tried not to wish it, not to want her or her wit or her eyes sparkling at him or her teasing pleasing manners... Oump, I was tricked to follow in Cheryl's footpath. Quick to the drooling line.

Back to the wit.What think you of Lizzy's "We need not care for his good opinion". That is in P&P2 but not in the book. I like it as a good example of their way to resemble Austen's own lines, foreshadowing as it is.( Boy were they going to care...?) And Mr Bennet "..we cannot escape the acquaintance now". When he has at last visited Mr Bingley and tells his wife and daugthers about itafter Mrs B:s outburst:"I'm sick of Mr Bingley".

Ann2: "Oump, I was tricked to follow in Cheryl's footpath. Quick to the drooling line." LOL! I do not know whether to be pleased that I have blazed such an inviting trail that cannot help but be followed, or to be chagrined that I have gained such a brazen reputation here! ;-)

But was Darcy sorry _after_ he danced with Lizzy at Netherfield? In P&P2, she does run rings around him, wit-wise, basically accuses him of ruining Wickham's life, and analyzes his entire character, none to the good. In the book, Austen tells us that he doesn't blame her for what she said; "all his anger was directed against another." I just wonder if this was made clear in the film. . .

Re: 50 Amy2 - I agree with you in that the adaptation doesn't make it clear how Darcy felt about dancing with Lizzy. This could have been made clear during his letter to Elizabeth - JA includes words to the effect of "...while I had the honoour of dancing with you at Netherfield..." when describing his reservations about Jane's suitability for Bingley. Perhaps that line could have been included in P&P2, with a flashback portraying Darcy not annoyed with Lizzy, but with himself.

For Cheryl! No chagrin necessary. Be pleased and though I am not familiar with 'brazen' I am sure your reputation does not deserve such pollution. It was that bit about Darcy sweating and exposed that did the trick(ing). Do you think his shirt showed any traces of it ; ] ?

Ann2: "It was that bit about Darcy sweating and exposed that did the trick(ing). Do you think his shirt showed any traces of it ; ] ?" Oh my, where are my smelling salts? (FYI, brazen means boldness, impudence, as in "You brazen hussy!" (a hussy is a lewd or loose woman))

Here's another question: When Elizabeth makes her initial accusation to Darcy about Wickham, WHY doesn't Darcy immediately defend himself? Would this have been considered impolite by the standards of the time? Or did he assume that as a gentleman, he needn't explain his character?

in the text he says he could not immediately decide how much he should tell Lizzy, I think particularly about Georgiana.

Amy2 - At the end of his letter to Lizzie (in the book) Darcy writes "You may possibly wonder why all this was not told you last night. But I was not then master enough of myself to know what could or ought to be revealed." I think Jane Austen has explained that question better than any of our speculation!;-)

I do remember that line from the book. But why doesn't Darcy immediately set the record straight when Lizzy tells him during their dance at Netherfield: "He (Wickham) has lost your friendship in a manner that is likely to affect him the rest of his life." (I'm paraphrasing). Is there some Regency reason why Darcy can't immediately defend his honor as a gentleman? Or would that have been beneath him at that point?

I think Darcy thought it beneath him (he says later that he wanted his actions to speak for themselves), and also, in the middle of a ball would not have been a convenient time.

Can I do a comical break here? Here's one of JA's little lines, that make you laugh: "All field sports were over; and within doors there was Lady Cathrine, books and a billiard table" happy thought indeed! no diffrence between Lady Cathrine and the billiard table! I wonder how Collins would act if he read this line?

Good point! I think Darcy appreciated the lack of difference between his aunt and the billiard table by the way he put the ball in the pocket when Lizzie lost her way to the drawing room at Netherfield...or do you think she 'took a little turn to everyone's satisfaction' when she appeared in that doorway.

Was Darcy about to speak to her before she wheeled abruptly and left?

Amy2: "Was Darcy about to speak to her before she wheeled abruptly and left?" Yes, he says, "Pardon me, I hope I am not intruding, but..." and stops as he becomes aware of his beloved's obvious destress! Now that is what I call gentleman-like behaviour! And those who ignore the feelings of their ladies, quite mistake the matter!

No, Cheryl, that was another meeting in another doorway. I think Amy2 refers to Netherfield Billiard room and Darcy in his shirt and waistcoat, politely bowing but not knowing what to say, maybe breathless at seeing Lizzy looking very well in her yellow dress and bewitchingly confused as she seldom had been so far in his presence. He maybe began to believe that he should be in some danger, were it not for the inferiority of her connections!

Ann2: "No, Cheryl, that was another meeting in another doorway. " Oh! Now I understand! Pray, excuse me...

In the billard room,when she turned away," he was mad because he couldn't think of anything to say? If he did say or offer anything it would look like he was too interested in her. Why could he have not been a little bit friendlier? Oh, this is geting into billard tables and pianos. Did I read this somewhere at FOF maybe? Excuse me wrong thread;-)

``I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,'' said Darcy, ``of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.'' It seems that he was aware of, and regretted his inability to converse easily with those he HAS met before (especially those with ''fine eyes'' that draw ones attention away from ones wits).

Absolutely Mari. Nothing like being tongue-tied in front of some who's bewitching you and you later realize yourr fighting against it

I must admit to liking the line Mr Bennet says to Kitty right after Lydia has run off with Wickham, "No officers are to come to my house......Well, Kitty after ten years time I should take you to ......" You know what scene I mean. I just love it because it is so funny. I also love the scene where Mr Collins has just proposed to Lizzy and Mr Bennet say "well Lizzy you have to choices. Do not marry Mr Collins and you will lose your mother marry him and you lose your father...." well you get the point. Mr Bennet was my all time favorite character.

Mr. Bennet's whole speech about not letting Kitty out of the house for ten years, and then only to attend a Review, is absolutely a highlight, I agree Laura! As far as Darcy's silence at the billiards table, couldn't he have attempted to say _somthing_? Even "Hello"?

Amy, why dont you come over to the drawing room for just a couple of minutes and help me procrastinate?

"couldn't he have attempted to say _somthing_? Even "Hello"?" Or "I hope your sister is feeling better. And is the rest of your family well?" [grin]

Sorry I missed your message last night, Amy. The Spring was moving so slow I finally had to log out. (I have a T1 line, so I don't think it's me).

And I am sorry I did not respond to your email, Amy2. Apparently the weather in Austin played games with the server. Looks like it all rebooted several times yesterday afternoon and evening.

So that was it! The weather here brought down our T1 line for several hours -- some construction crew cut the fiber optic cables (Whoops!)

Here's one of mine: after the Netherfield ball "To Elizabeth it appeard that her family had made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they cuold during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit or finer sucess"

"Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person" If you are an example of what our young people are capable of, there is hope for all of us. "Happy thought indeed"!

Back to the Billiard Room meeting...Ann2 and Mary - Darcy's very neat shot, coupled with his panting and searing gaze, could add up to some very PG-innuendo-type symbolism? ;}

Kali, I think you're onto something. "Pocket symbolism" perhaps?

Righto, A2...

Did we include other adaptions in this thread? I watch Persuasion again last night, watching for added humor adn thought these were worth mentioning: Sir Walter using his reflection in a table knife at the dinner table to inspect his hair. Mary Musgrove announcing she is 'quite as accomplished as Anne' and the rest of the Musgrove ladies hastening to distract her with flattery. Focusing the camera on Mr. Elliot's back-side as he sits down at the concert. It may have been the customary way to sit at the time, but he does look pompous and foolish as he pulls his dark coat tails away to show us better his white-trousered bottom which he then has to thrust towards the camera to actually sit. Anne's response to Captain W's awkward supposition that she might have 'suffered more for not being overpowered at the time'. He was trying to show attention neglected before but her answer reflects my own reation to that statement: "I assure, I did no suffer for not having suffered before (or something like that)." Mrs. Clay having to look around the over-sized center piece at the dining table to speak to Anne. Actually, to compress this novel into two hours and tell the story, they had to leave out more than they added - like Charles' statement about the Elliot's evening party: "I did not promise. I merely smirked and bowed and said the word 'happy'. There was no promise."

"I believe Ma'am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him" A very sparkling example of wit in view of what the authoress has in store for us.

Another foreshadowing is -- ``I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time.''

Jane Austen's use of lines that don't seem all that important at the time, but are foreshadowing, or ironic in retrospect, makes it fun to read her novels again and again. I have read many books by other authors that I enjoyed but have no interest in rereading, but I even go back to Mansfield Park from time to time.

Jane -- I agree completely w/ your comments. In Emma, there are comments from Harriet & Emma (at the least) that I didn't understand on the first reading. (I'm thinking about their conversation when Harriet decides to get rid of her Elton souvenirs. Emma comments that the pencil came from a conversation where Mr Knightley was standing in a certain place; Harriet responds that she doesn't know where Mr K was, and isn't that odd. After you know the ending, this conversation has a deeper meaning than sur ace reading indicates.)

That's very sharp, Kathleen...

Thank you, Kali, I attribute it to having read the book about 20 times!

One of favorite amusing line in P&P (book only) is at the end when Elizabeth's spirtes were "soon rising to playfulness agin" and she was ragging on Darcy about not being clear of his feelings for her when he came back to Netherfield with Bingly. She says "But tell me, what did you come down to Netherfield for? Was it merely to ride to Longbourn and be embarrased-..." I loved this whole chapter. And Darcy takes is really well. I think is also shows just hw drawn Darcy alway was to her. In company, she was always such fun with other people and he wanted so desparately for her to be that way with him - to look at him that way - tease HIM. There is a certain amount of initmacy in that kind of relationship that he wanted. Based upon what Austen tells up about his background, laughter, was not significantly present in his life before. But overall, I think Mr. Bennet should get the "Crack-up of the Novel" award. He would be a great guy to hang out with. It is too bad in was only Lizzy that appreciated his humor. So it is no wonder that he missed her so much after she married, and "delighted in going to Pemberley" so often "especially when he was least expected.

Oh, MAN! Ingore the typos above!

IGNORE! -------

What typos? Linda.

Henry, I believe the lines you cite are Lizzy's words to Mr. Collins during his ridiculous proposal?

Sharon -- you've got to read the novel DARCY'S STORY. His desire for Lizzy's playfulness and teasing is really well put forth by the author, Janet Aylmer.

'-- you've got to read the novel DARCY'S STORY.' LOL! Thank you, Amy. When I can get my hands on it, I think I will! ;-)

I just finally got around to reading Mansfield Park, and on the very first page is a statement which I found so delightful. It seems to be an answer to our own much loved phase from P&P "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." here it is..."But there certainly are not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them." I just got such a kick out of this, I had to share it.

Perfect!

Perfectly Harmonic!

This is not witty per se, but it does represent the wit of the writer: Our first glimpse of Mr. Collins, standing outside the church, seeing off the parisioners. One woman stands there, chatting incessantly to him...Lady Catherine and her entourage, parasol held above her and Anne, approach the door, and Mr. Collins pushes the talkative woman along on her way, to make room for them.