Artful Lizzy Bennet
Elizabeth Bennet stonewalls her way through a disagreeable encounter with Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
1813
King George III 1760-1820
Elizabeth Bennet stonewalls her way through a disagreeable encounter with Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
1813
King George III 1760-1820
In Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine de Bourgh has heard that her wealthy nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, is planning to propose to Elizabeth Bennet, instead of her own daughter. She has raced to Longbourn, Elizabeth’s home, to demand an explanation of the ‘impossible’, but Lizzy sees no reason to be defensive.
“If you believed it impossible to be true,” said Elizabeth, colouring with astonishment and disdain, “I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far. What could your ladyship propose by it?”
“At once to insist upon having sach a report universally contradicted.”
“Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,” said Elizabeth, coolly, “will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence.”
“If! do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad?”
“I never heard that it was.”
“And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?”
“I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions, which I shall not choose to answer.”
“This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being satisfied. Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?”
“Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.”
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What did Lady Catherine want Elizabeth to do?
Deny receiving or accepting Mr Darcy’s proposal.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Do you want to ask me questions? I can’t stop you. I don’t have to answer them.
See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.
IIf. IILike. IIIOblige.