Is it just me, or is the middle sister, Mary, practically nonexistant? Why is that? And for that matter? Why even put her into the book?
2007-01-04 14:33:16 · 5 answers · asked by sublimeasalime 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Nope, it's just you. Kitty has less space devoted to her than Mary, I'd bet. Mary serves to show that accomplishments unaccompanied by common sense and humility aren't worth much. She's a picture of pride that isn't merited - she studies a lot, but never learns much, and she lacks any real kindness or sisterly feelings. You'd think she'd be considered a good opposiste to Lydia, but she is just the other extreme of Lydia. So I think JA did well to put her in!
And it'shard to think that Jane Austen was influenced by the prudishness of the Victorian era, since Jane died in 1817 and Queen Victoria was born in 1819.
2007-01-04 14:49:33 · answer #1 · answered by Tracey T 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I thought Mary epitomized the growing prudish nature of British society that existed in Austen's life. This was the beginning of the so-called "Victorian Era" even though Victoria had no influence quite yet. The end of the Regency Era in the late 1700s was a relief to Britons with high moral values, as the Regency Era was known for its decadence and immorality. Austen's world was made up of strict morals and rules/codes that women in "proper society" should exude. Mary, then, was that extreme of society, while Lydia represents the debauchery of the waning Regency Era. This puts Lizzie in the middle of her family's problems, as well as in the middle of societal norms.
2007-01-04 22:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by jeward1 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
hey! u r vry much rit ven u say that mary is non existant. she is just 1 of the many incarnations in a jane austen buk-A. she certainly does not add any value to the story but u do get a few laughs at her xpens. as far as putting her in the book is concerned u certainly can do w/o her but so can u without so many others like catherine,mr. & mrs. hurst, even mr. bennet & mr. gardiner for that matter. u luk around in ur own life, &u will find many unimportant people. if u have a sibling & an active luv life it may be that these 2 r not very connected. same is with lizzie.
2007-01-05 02:00:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
she is important because she is one of the reasons that darcy is so reluctant to confess his feelings for lizzy. just look at the way she acts at the ball. every character has their own importance in the story. without one character, the story isn't as good as it was with them
2007-01-04 22:49:43 · answer #4 · answered by Bertine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
boring
2007-01-04 22:34:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋