Quote of the Week - One

I am excited to introduce a new weekly feature for the Becoming Jane Blog - the "Quote of the Week" - which will be rotated between Team Jane members. It will focus on a single Austen quote or passage, with a short analysis or dialogue, with the central theme of the continual (and personal) influence Jane Austen has on our lives. Please comment with your thoughts and impressions - I'm certain it will make very interesting discussion!



From Pride and Prejudice Chapter 24. Lizzy and Jane discuss Mr Bingley's sudden departure from Netherfield:

There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense.

I love Austen's beautiful depictions of resonant human truth; her gems of wisdom that we can refer to, and recognise in our lives - her uncanny perception of humanity, perhaps.

This may not be the most cheerful way to initiate the Quote of the Week, but I feel very strongly about this passage, and it often comes to mind - those immortal words of Lizzy, The more I see of the world ... And this is from Elizabeth Bennett! One of the brightest and loveliest people (in print, true) who acknowledges that connecting with true friends of the soul-mate variety is a rare occurance, how ever lovely you may be really has nothing to do with it...

In Elizabeth's words I recognise the truth that true friends do come in small doses, so therefore to make sure I love and cherish them while they are in my life. I used to think that I would be surrounded by droves of (true) friends, but as time passed, I realised that this is not (generally) the way of the world. And while there are few that I love, and even fewer that I "think well" of, the merry fact remains that there are many more that I tolerate. (I so did not want to delve into triteness, but it was starting to feel very heavy ...)

I find it endlessly fascinating, that's all.


Pride & Prejudice pics from: Thrushcross