Pride and Prejudice: The Wrap Up

Summary

Storytime for Grownups: "Pride and Prejudice: The Wrap Up"

Host: Faith Moore
Release Date: November 28, 2024

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1. Introduction to the Final Episode of Pride and Prejudice

In the season finale of Storytime for Grownups, host Faith Moore brings the journey through Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to a satisfying close. As the season winds down, Faith sets the stage for the transition to the next literary adventure: Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.

Faith Moore [00:00]: "Hello and welcome to Story Time for Grown Ups. I'm Faith Moore, and this season we've been reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen..."

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2. Thanksgiving Reflections and Gratitude

Given the episode's release around Thanksgiving, Faith shares personal reflections and extends heartfelt gratitude to her listeners. She emphasizes the sense of community among her audience, especially poignant during the holiday.

Faith Moore [00:43]: "Happy Thanksgiving if you're listening in real time."

Faith Moore [01:38]: "I am more grateful to you for being a part of this show, for listening, for sharing your thoughts..."

Faith acknowledges that not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving but reassures all listeners of their valued place in the podcast community.

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3. Wrapping Up Pride and Prejudice

With the completion of Pride and Prejudice, Faith delves into a comprehensive recap of the novel’s ending, highlighting key resolutions and thematic conclusions.

a. Recap of the Novel’s Conclusion

Faith meticulously summarizes the final developments in the story, focusing on the joyous unions and character evolutions that define the classic.

Faith Moore [07:56]: "Let's talk about the end of Pride and Prejudice first. Let's just do a recap of what we heard last time."

Key points include Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s reconciliations, Jane and Mr. Bingley’s happiness, and the nuanced portrayals of other characters like Lydia and Mrs. Bennet.

b. Listener Engagement: Jennifer Schuttle’s Insight

Faith enhances the discussion by incorporating a thoughtful comment from listener Jennifer Schuttle, which serves as a springboard for deeper analysis.

Faith Moore [10:48]: "Jennifer writes, '...Elizabeth is not like that makes her so much more interesting to him...'"

Jennifer’s observation underscores Elizabeth Bennet’s unique qualities that set her apart in Darcy’s eyes, emphasizing her independence and spirited nature.

c. Exploring Themes: Enemies to Lovers and Personal Growth

Delving into the heart of the narrative, Faith explores the "enemies to lovers" trope exemplified by Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship. She compares Pride and Prejudice to modern romantic comedies, positioning it as a foundational story in this genre.

Faith Moore [11:24]: "Pride and Prejudice is what's called an enemies to lovers romance."

Faith discusses how both protagonists overcome their initial prejudices and grow individually, aligning their personal development with the novel’s message on love and understanding.

Faith Moore [13:41]: "Elizabeth and Darcy do change. And in changing, they become full and complete people."

She contrasts Darcy and Elizabeth’s profound connection with the more superficial relationships of other characters, highlighting the importance of depth and mutual respect in lasting love.

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4. Transitioning to A Christmas Carol

As Pride and Prejudice concludes, Faith prepares her audience for the upcoming season focused on Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. She outlines the podcast’s schedule and teases exciting content, including her own novel inspired by Dickens’s work.

a. Upcoming Schedule and Structure

Faith explains the episode release plan for A Christmas Carol, detailing a chapter-by-chapter approach throughout December.

Faith Moore [04:54]: "I won't actually start the book itself until next Thursday, a week from today, December 5th."

Each chapter will be discussed in bi-weekly episodes, ensuring an immersive and detailed exploration of the classic.

b. Promotion of Her Novel: Christmas Carol

Faith introduces her modern retelling of Dickens’s classic, titled Christmas Carol. She clarifies her intentions to share about her book without overshadowing the podcast’s primary focus on classic literature.

Faith Moore [06:19]: "I am not going to go on and on about my book while I'm reading your Dickens's book. His is infinitely better than mine."

She offers listeners opportunities to engage with her novel through promotions and signed copies, ensuring her personal work complements rather than detracts from the podcast’s content.

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5. Conclusion and Farewell to Pride and Prejudice

Faith closes the episode with a heartfelt farewell to Pride and Prejudice, expressing her appreciation for the shared experience of reading the novel together.

Faith Moore [24:46]: "It was an absolute pleasure getting to read this book with you."

She encourages listeners to spread the word about the podcast and participate in its growing community, setting an enthusiastic tone for the upcoming season.

Faith Moore [26:03]: "Spread the word about the show by posting about it on social media or texting a link to your friends."

Faith signs off with warm wishes, inviting everyone to join her in the new literary journey ahead.

Faith Moore [27:24]: "Story time is over. See you in December."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Gratitude and Community:

  "I am more grateful to you for being a part of this show, for listening, for sharing your thoughts..." [01:38]

• Listener Insight:

  "Elizabeth is not like that makes her so much more interesting to him." – Jennifer Schuttle [10:48]

• Theme Exploration:

  "Pride and Prejudice is what's called an enemies to lovers romance." [11:24]

• Character Development:

  "Elizabeth and Darcy do change. And in changing, they become full and complete people." [13:41]

• Personal Reflection:

  "I'm living that dream... I get to read stories with you all twice a week, and it's bliss." [07:43]

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Final Thoughts

Faith Moore’s "Pride and Prejudice: The Wrap Up" serves as a reflective and analytical conclusion to the season, seamlessly blending personal anecdotes with literary analysis. The episode not only celebrates the timeless themes of Austen’s masterpiece but also builds excitement for the upcoming exploration of A Christmas Carol. Through engaging discussions and heartfelt connections, Faith ensures that both returning listeners and newcomers find value and enjoyment in the podcast’s thoughtful approach to classic literature.

Transcript

[A]

Hello and welcome to Story Time for Grown Ups. I'm Faith Moore, and this season we've been reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, but we finished the book in December. We'll begin our next book, Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.

[B]

But for now, let's wrap things up.

[A]

With one final episode on Pride and Prejudice. So brew a pot of tea, find a cozy chair and settle in.

[B]

It's story time.

[A]

Happy Thanksgiving. If you're listening in real time, then.

[B]

Today is Thanksgiving Day. Obviously this episode was not recorded today. I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year and so my family has come in from out of town and I'm with them today. I hope you are also with family today, but if you're not, because I.

[A]

Know not everyone can be, I hope.

[B]

You'Ll find some comfort for a little.

[A]

While here listening to Storytime for Grown Ups and knowing that we are all out there, all the storytime listeners and me all over the country and all over the world really together in this moment for this little time.

[B]

And that you're welcome here always. So wherever you are and whenever you're.

[A]

Listening, whether it's Thanksgiving Day or some other day of the year, you belong here.

[B]

And I'm always, always glad to have you. So today is a day when we give thanks and I could not be.

[A]

More grateful to you for being a.

[B]

Part of this show, for listening, for sharing your thoughts, for reading along with me. Creating this podcast really has brightened my life and has brought me and it.

[A]

Continues to bring me so much joy. And I hope this show can some.

[B]

Joy to you as well. I can't believe we finished the book.

[A]

I don't know about you, but to me it went by so fast.

[B]

But last episode we read the end of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

[A]

The very happy ending for most of.

[B]

The characters at least.

[A]

And today we're going to talk a.

[B]

Little bit about it and kind of.

[A]

Wrap things up so that we can move on next time to our next.

[B]

Book, which, as I'm sure you know by now, is going to be A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. So let me just explain a little bit about what's going to happen in this episode because this one's a little different because there's no book to read because we finished it. So let me just talk for a minute about what's going to happen in this episode and then we'll get into the episode. So last time when we finished a book, we finished Jane Eyre. After season one, it was summer and I don't do books in the summer because My kids are home from school.

[A]

And we do some traveling and my focus becomes much more on my kids.

[B]

And on my family because that's really.

[A]

My main job, being a stay at home mom. So in the summertime, I don't have the time to create this podcast to.

[B]

The standard that I would like it to be.

[A]

So in the summer, we do something called Summer Session, where the episodes go to once a week, and it's more.

[B]

Of a discussion and we don't do a specific book. Last summer, we'd only ever read one book, right?

[A]

This podcast debuted in January of 2024.

[B]

And we read Jane Eyre by Charlotte.

[A]

Bronte and it took us all the way through the end of May. So Summer Session this past summer was.

[B]

A kind of college on Jane Eyre, right?

[A]

We discussed themes and big ideas and we had some guests on to help us.

[B]

And it was really very fun, I thought.

[A]

And all of those episodes, by the.

[B]

Way, plus the actual Jane Eyre episodes, where we read the book together, just.

[A]

Like we read Pride and Prejudice, all.

[B]

Those episodes are still available to listen to. You just have to scroll all the way down to the bottom of your podcast feed and you will find them there.

[A]

But all of this is to say.

[B]

That there will not be a summer.

[A]

Session devoted specifically to Pride and Prejudice.

[B]

Because by the time we get to summer, we will have read A Christma Carol, as well as our next book after that, which I haven't revealed yet, but which I am so excited about and which I will reveal to you before the end of December in another trailer. So it wouldn't make sense to focus.

[A]

Exclusively on Pride and Prejudice this summer.

[B]

But I do have an idea for what we will do, and I'm also excited about that.

[A]

But all of this is to say.

[B]

That this episode is essentially going to be the end of Pride and Prejudice for us.

[A]

So I'm going to wrap up the book today. I'm going to talk about the ending.

[B]

And what it kind of says about the various themes and ideas we've been discussing. I have a question that I got that I'm going to use to do that, and I'll talk for a little while about the book and hopefully all that will feel like a satisfying conclusion.

[A]

To this book before we move into December and our Christmas spectacular, which will.

[B]

Be, as I said, a reading of Charles Dickens, is A Christmas Carol.

[A]

The episode after this one, which will.

[B]

Be December 2nd, we're not taking a break or anything. So this is Thursday and December 2nd.

[A]

Is this coming Monday.

[B]

So that first Monday in December will be an Intro to A Christmas Carol. So we won't actually start the book itself until next Thursday, a week from today, December 5th. If you're listening in real time, that's a week from today. So on Monday I'll do a little introduction of the book A Christmas Carol.

[A]

A little bit about Charles Dickens and.

[B]

Who he was, a little bit about.

[A]

The historical context of the book, just.

[B]

The way we did during the very first episode of Pride and Prejudice. So that'll be the first episode in December. And then A Christmas Carol has five.

[A]

Chapters, so we'll be doing one chapter per episode, which will take us through December 19th. And then December 23rd will be the.

[B]

Final episode related to A Christmas Carol. And that episode will be like this one, a kind of wrap up of.

[A]

The book and a quick look at.

[B]

What will be coming next.

[A]

I also want to just mention here.

[B]

And I'll talk more about this on Monday as well, that I have a novel out.

[A]

It came out last year right around this time. It's called Christmas Carol. That's Carol with a K, because it's somebody's name, Carol, and it's a modern.

[B]

Retelling of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. It's about a workaholic mom named Carol whose miserliness is not about her money the way Ebenezer Scrooges is, but about.

[A]

Her time and how much time she chooses to spend or not spend with her family.

[B]

I am not, and this was really important to me and it's important to me that you know this right off the bat, okay?

[A]

I am not going to go on.

[B]

And on about my book while I'm reading you Dickens's book. His is infinitely better than mine.

[A]

I am not reading you his book.

[B]

In order to try to sell you my book or anything like that. That is not the point at all. Even if I hadn't written this book, I would want to read you Dickens's Christmas Carol because it is so, so good. But I am going to be offering.

[A]

You the opportunity to learn more about.

[B]

My book via a few readings and things that will happen outside of this podcast.

[A]

So I'm not going to clutter your.

[B]

Podcast feed with anything about my this podcast is about classic books and mine is not that.

[A]

But I will have a few links.

[B]

In the show notes as we go.

[A]

Along if anyone is interested in learning.

[B]

More about my book.

[A]

And I will be running a promotion.

[B]

Starting December 2nd for those of you who choose to buy my book, you can get a free signed book plate to put in the book and you.

[A]

Can Enter a drawing to get your.

[B]

Money back, meaning the book would be free, or to get an additional signed copy. So I'll talk more about that during.

[A]

Monday's episode, but I wanted to make sure you knew that I wasn't going.

[B]

To be, like, interrupting our episodes to try to sell you the things or anything like that. I won't, I promise.

[A]

But I do hope that you'll take.

[B]

A look at the book.

[A]

There's a link in the show notes.

[B]

It's actually always been there. It's been there all this time, so I hope that you'll take a look. You know, all I ever wanted to do with my life, other than getting married and having children, is read stories and write stories. And you guys, I'm.

[A]

I'm living that dream.

[B]

I get to read stories with you all twice a week, and it's bliss.

[A]

And last year, someone let me publish.

[B]

One of my own stories as a book, and that is bliss. So I hope you'll check it out, but more on that later.

[A]

Okay, so let's talk about the end.

[B]

Of Pride and Prejudice first.

[A]

Let's just do a recap of what.

[B]

We heard last time.

[A]

And then I have a question I've been saving that I think will help.

[B]

Us to wrap things up and feel ready to move on into December with A Christmas Carol. So here's the recap. Okay, so last time, Elizabeth tells Jane everything about the situation with Darcy and that they're now engaged.

[A]

So at first, Jane doesn't believe her.

[B]

But Elizabeth finally convinces her after first joking that she's just after his money.

[A]

So then Mr. Darcy shows up the next day and asks Mr. Bennet for his blessing, which Mr. Bennet gives, but then he tries to tell Elizabeth not.

[B]

To go forward with it, since Elizabeth obviously hates Mr. Darcy.

[A]

So then Elizabeth has to explain to.

[B]

Her father as well that she actually loves Darcy. Mrs. Bennet, when she finds out, is.

[A]

Stunned, but then suddenly loves Mr. Darcy.

[B]

Because he's so rich and wants to marry her daughter. Elizabeth and Darcy talk about how they fell in love with each other, and.

[A]

Elizabeth jokes that he fell for her.

[B]

Because she didn't fall all over him because of his wealth and status. So in the final chapter, we learn that a year has passed.

[A]

Elizabeth and Darcy are blissfully happy.

[B]

Jane and Bingley are blissfully happy as well. And Bingley has finally bought an estate.

[A]

Which elevates him to landed gentleman and means that his children with Jane will.

[B]

Be higher socially than he is.

[A]

And. And the estate is near Pemberley, and Jane and Elizabeth can see each other often and Kitty visits them a lot.

[B]

And seems like she's going to be okay and not turn out like Lydia. Lydia is still Lydia and often writes asking for money.

[A]

Elizabeth will never ask Darcy to help.

[B]

Lydia and Wickham, but she does send.

[A]

Them some of her own money from time to time.

[B]

And Elizabeth and Georgiana are very close and they love each other very much. And in time, Elizabeth and Darcy reconcile with Lady Catherine.

[A]

And Darcy and Elizabeth both love the.

[B]

Gardeners who come to visit them often and whom they are always very grateful to, because through bringing Elizabeth to Pemberley, they were the ones who brought the couple together. So it really is the kind of happy ending you would expect from a rom com. All the loose ends tied up, the couple's blissfully happy. The silly people like Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, still silly, but kind of relegated to the sidelines and basically harmless. Everyone is reconciled. Who needs to be reconciled? And fade to black. So I'm going to read a comment that I've been saving for just this moment.

[A]

As I say, this episode was recorded.

[B]

A bit earlier than I usually would because of the holiday. So I'm getting all your emails about.

[A]

The end of the book and keep them coming.

[B]

Even if you're listening to this, like.

[A]

Way after we've finished, keep writing to.

[B]

Me about this book and I'll respond to you all individually.

[A]

But I got this comment a while ago and I knew it would be perfect for this episode.

[B]

So I'm gonna just read that and.

[A]

Then we'll talk about the ending and.

[B]

Wrap this all up. So this comment comes to us from Jennifer Schuttle.

[A]

Jennifer writes, given his wealth and status, I'm sure most of the women of marriageable age that Mr. Darcy interacts with are, like Ms. Bingley, obsequious, flattering, deferential, agreeing with everything he says. The fact that Elizabeth is not like that makes her so much more interesting to him. She's not ridiculous or indecorous like her sisters and mother. She has sense she could certainly benefit.

[B]

Socially and financially from him, but she.

[A]

Clearly has no interest in that. And she is not afraid to disagree with him or even tease him a bit. I imagine it all helps her stand out from the crowd.

[B]

So, in the language of rom coms.

[A]

Pride and Prejudice is what's called an enemies to lovers romance. We've talked about this a little bit before, right? There are millions of them, like modern.

[B]

Ones, I mean, where two people initially hate each other because of something that.

[A]

Turns out not to really matter or.

[B]

To be a misunderstanding or something, and.

[A]

They end up falling in love with.

[B]

Each other against their will.

[A]

I'm thinking of like, you've got Male or Dirty Dancing or Clueless.

[B]

The list goes on and on and on. And in a lot of ways, Pride and Prejudice is the original one of these. I mean, there are other enemies to lovers plot lines in things that came before, like in Shakespeare, for example, and in other places.

[A]

But Pride and Prejudice is sort of.

[B]

The framework that all of these other rom coms are based on. And within an enemies to lovers romance.

[A]

The reason for the hatred between the two main characters has to be something.

[B]

That they can overcome, right?

[A]

You can't have one of them be.

[B]

Like a murderer or something, or to have ruthlessly bullied someone or anything like that.

[A]

It has to be something we can forgive them for, because we need to.

[B]

Like them both and really want them to get together in the end.

[A]

And more than that, we need to feel that they are a perfect match, that no one else in the world.

[B]

Is right for either of them. And that, I think, is how we.

[A]

End up feeling, or at least how we're meant to end up feeling about Elizabeth and Darcy. But of course, they start out hating each other.

[B]

Darcy may be less than Elizabeth, but.

[A]

Still Elizabeth hates Darcy because he snubs.

[B]

Her at the ball and doesn't join.

[A]

In with society in the ways that she feels he's supposed to do. And Darcy initially feels that Elizabeth isn't worth his time. And even after he starts to fall for her, he feels that she is.

[B]

Beneath him socially and he looks down on her because of it. So as we've been talking about throughout.

[A]

Elizabeth has to get over her prejudices.

[B]

About Darcy and learn that even though he is proud and even though he.

[A]

Acts aloof in social situations, he's really a good man. He's really honorable and loyal and honest and true. And Darcy has to get over his pride and realize that he's not lowering.

[B]

Himself his true self right by marrying Elizabeth. Since Elizabeth's true self is actually worthy of him.

[A]

And he has to get over his.

[B]

Prejudices that everyone from a lower social.

[A]

Class than him is somehow inferior simply.

[B]

By virtue of their birth, Elizabeth has.

[A]

To see that her actual family is.

[B]

Kind of a turn off.

[A]

And Darcy has to see that his way of being socially, even though it.

[B]

Expresses his true feelings in social situations, is also kind of a turn off.

[A]

But in the end, as Jennifer's comment.

[B]

Alludes to, I think it's actually the various ways that Elizabeth and Darcy don't conform to norms and Expectations.

[A]

That is what draws them together, right? Darcy is intrigued by Elizabeth because of all the ways that she differs from the other women around him. As Jennifer is saying, she doesn't throw herself at him because of his wealth and his good looks and his social status the way that Mrs. Bingley does, and probably the way that most women he meets do. In fact, she couldn't care less about.

[B]

Him and actively doesn't want him around.

[A]

So she's not awed by his wealth.

[B]

And she teases him, which no one.

[A]

Else has ever done or dared to do, probably. I mean, Jennifer wrote her comment before the end of the book, but she's.

[B]

Vindicated because Elizabeth actually says pretty much.

[A]

The same thing to Mr. Darcy. Here's a.

[B]

You may as well call it impertinence at once.

[A]

It was very little less. The fact is that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking and looking and thinking.

[B]

Of your approbation alone.

[A]

I roused and interested you because I was so unlike them. Had you not been really amiable, you.

[B]

Would have hated me for it.

[A]

But in spite of the pains you took to disguise yourself, your feelings were always noble and just, and in your heart, you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously courted you.

[B]

And Elizabeth is teasing Darcy here, but.

[A]

I think there's truth in it, too. And as she says, it's a mark of Darcy's good character that he doesn't.

[B]

Fall for the Miss Bingleys of the.

[A]

World, even though they flatter him and fall all over him. He doesn't want flattery. Right? His honesty won't stand for that. And Elizabeth falls for Darcy because, unlike all the other men she's seen and all the other couples she has seen fall in love, she has gotten to.

[B]

Know the depth of Darcy and the.

[A]

Deep passion that lives there, and the integrity and honesty that he just sort.

[B]

Of quietly has without flaunting it, you know. Back in episode 17, Elizabeth realizes that.

[A]

The kind of love she feels for Darcy is not the sort of love she expected to feel for the man.

[B]

That she wants to marry.

[A]

It's not the sort of love she sees playing out all around her all the time.

[B]

Here's another.

[A]

It says, if gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise, if the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural in comparison of what is so often.

[B]

Described as arising on a first interview.

[A]

With its object and even before two words have been exchanged, nothing can be said in her defense, except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham, and that its ill success might perhaps authorize her to seek the other.

[B]

Less interesting mode of attachment.

[A]

Meaning that she's actually gotten to know Darcy, which is pretty rare in the world Elizabeth lives in. Right? Getting to know your partner before you.

[B]

Marry them is a luxury that most people in the world of Jane Austen don't really have. They have to rely on that. That kind of first flush of attraction.

[A]

And maybe a few stolen moments of conversation and a few dances together.

[B]

And Elizabeth didn't feel that for Darcy.

[A]

She hated him at first, but the more she got to know him, the more she liked him. Until she fell in love with him. Because she became able to see past that initial exterior into the passionate, deeply feeling man underneath. But of course, once Elizabeth and Darcy become engaged, Elizabeth now has to undo everything that her prejudices have done, right? She has to convince everyone, right, Jane and Mr. Bennet in particular, but everyone.

[B]

That she really loves him and that he's actually a really great guy, the.

[A]

Only guy she knows whose depth of character is equal to her own.

[B]

And it's embarrassing for her to have to gush at her father about how much she loves Darcy.

[A]

It wouldn't have been seen as seemly.

[B]

To talk about something like that to the father.

[A]

But that's the price she has to pay for having been so adamant in her prejudices before.

[B]

She has to work really hard now.

[A]

To undo what her prejudice has done. Here's another quote. It says, how earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions more moderate? It would have spared her from explanations and professions which it was exceedingly awkward to give. Right?

[B]

But the neat thing about an enemies.

[A]

To lovers story is that often the reason the two people don't like each other at first has to do with the fact that they are so different, right? This sort of a story is often.

[B]

Also a kind of opposites attract sort of situation. And in a situation like that, the.

[A]

Attraction is usually that the various differences.

[B]

Between the two people end up complementing each other. Right? I think the sappy way to say this would be something along the lines of Elizabeth and Darcy complete each other. But I think we're allowed to be a bit sappy here. And I also think that's an accurate description of their relationship, right? Elizabeth is lively and teasing and wry.

[A]

And a little jaded, and that will force Darcy out of his shell and make him laugh and help him to feel more comfortable in social situations, maybe.

[B]

Get him to be less serious and.

[A]

To take himself a little less seriously. And Darcy is calm and steady and honest and loyal, and that will bring.

[B]

Elizabeth back down to earth.

[A]

It will make her take things a bit more seriously, and it will help her to be less impulsive and to.

[B]

See people a little more clearly.

[A]

They each need what the other one has. And of course, Elizabeth now has access to that underground stream of passion that's.

[B]

Constantly flowing under the surface of Darcy.

[A]

And the deliciousness of the ending to.

[B]

A rom com like this is that the heroine gets that passion all for herself, right?

[A]

When Elizabeth asks Darcy why he didn't come and speak to her at the dinner party at Longbourn, he says a man who had felt less might, right? He was just sitting there, consumed with.

[B]

Passion for her, but looking like a very proper gentleman in his little frock coat or whatever.

[A]

And that's a beautiful thing. I mean, compare it to Wickham and.

[B]

Lydia, who threw off their frock coats and ripped their bodices or whatever, and now don't really like each other very.

[A]

Much, and they're stuck with each other.

[B]

And that's no fun at all, right?

[A]

The beauty of Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship is that it gets to exist both.

[B]

In the world of decorum and etiquette and class that is so important to everyone around them and to them as well.

[A]

And it gets to exist in the.

[B]

World of deep connection and passion and.

[A]

Love and all those inner core character things.

[B]

Things they get to have both. And both, I think, the book is saying, is what you want.

[A]

Not just the etiquette and the class.

[B]

Like Mr. Collins or Mrs. Bennet, and.

[A]

Not just the passion like Lydia.

[B]

And even though Jane and Bingley will be as happy together as two people can be, they are both people who don't really have too much depth, right?

[A]

They're good people, worthy people, people who.

[B]

You'D want to know and to have on your side. But there's no deep passion, no real kind of intellectual drive, and they just.

[A]

Are who they are on the surface.

[B]

Underneath, I think it's basically the same as it is out in the open with them.

[A]

So this theme of change, right, learning.

[B]

From your mistakes and growing and becoming a fuller, more complete person, it really.

[A]

Does seem to me to be the key to ultimate fulfillment in the novel.

[B]

And it's really only Elizabeth and Darcy who managed to do it, right?

[A]

Mr. Bennet kind of makes gestures like he's Going to change, but sort of.

[B]

Settles back into his old ways. By the end, Kitty changes, but mostly just by virtue of not being around Lydia. Mrs. Bennet changes her mind about Darcy, but exactly in keeping with her personality, because she doesn't actually care about him.

[A]

At all one way or the other, except that he's going to make her.

[B]

Daughter very, very rich. Lydia doesn't change at all. Mr. Collins stays the same and on and on.

[A]

But Elizabeth and Darcy do change. And in changing, they become full and complete people. And we change.

[B]

I think we change along with them.

[A]

And by the end, we see things.

[B]

Clearly in a way that we couldn't possibly at the beginning. You know, when Jane Austen wrote her first draft of this book, she called it First Impressions. And I think you can see why.

[A]

It's all about the judgments that we.

[B]

Make about people on first meeting and.

[A]

How they color our opinions and our decisions kind of ever afterward.

[B]

And it's really true, right? I mean, we do this in real life. We meet someone and we make certain decisions about who they are and what their deal is, and then we go from there. We have to. I mean, otherwise we'd be kind of paralyzed with indecision.

[A]

But of course, we're not always right, and people are deeper than they can.

[B]

Convey to us in one meeting. And everyone has baggage or kind of awkward tendencies and flaws.

[A]

And sometimes when you allow your prejudices to fall away and you allow yourself.

[B]

To get to know someone better, it.

[A]

Turns out that they are someone worth knowing or even worth falling in love with.

[B]

You know, I said a while ago that I was coming to appreciate this book much more as I read it to you this time, and that there was one character in particular that I was kind of falling in love with. That character, I can now reveal to you, was Mr. Darcy.

[A]

You know, the other times that I've.

[B]

Read this book, I couldn't really figure him out.

[A]

You know, even as the book progressed, I didn't get him.

[B]

I didn't understand why people were always kind of swooning over him. But I think I get it now. I mean, I'm still a Jane Eyre person through and through, but I respect.

[A]

Darcy, and I see that in her kind of simple, clear and straightforward way, Austen has shown us a man of depth in a world obsessed with superficiality. And you might, like me, miss him.

[B]

At first glance, which is what most people do with Darcy in the story, isn't it? Right?

[A]

They miss the depth. Elizabeth misses it. At first, I missed it, but it's there and it's always there. And the mark of the book's true heroine, I think, is the ability to.

[B]

Let the fact of Darcy's depth dawn.

[A]

On you slowly, to change your mind.

[B]

And to slough off your prejudices. And if you can do that, you win, right?

[A]

Elizabeth does it and we did it.

[B]

Too, I think, together. So that's pretty much what I have to say at the end of this book. It was an absolute pleasure getting to read this book with you. Like I said at the beginning, I am truly so grateful for this podcast and what it has become and what it is becoming, and I'm really excited beyond words to begin A Christmas Carol with you. So thank you for coming along with.

[A]

Me on this journey and reading Pride.

[B]

And Prejudice by Jane Austen with me with a few notes along the way. And I very much hope that you will join me starting on Monday for A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

[A]

And please do tell your friends, your.

[B]

Family members, your colleagues, people on the street, whoever about this show. I think particularly this Christmas month long special is going to be appealing to people.

[A]

It's a book that we've all heard.

[B]

Of, but I think a lot of people haven't actually read and it could be really nice to have on while you wrap presents or hang the decorations or whatever you're doing this holiday season. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, it's a wonderful winter read. So I hope you'll be there on.

[A]

Monday to start this new book with us.

[B]

I can't wait. Thank you so much for listening.

[A]

This concludes our reading of Pride and.

[B]

Prejudice by Jane Austen.

[A]

It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege reading this book with you.

[B]

You thank you for your comments and.

[A]

Questions, your five stars and your positive reviews. Thank you for writing to tell me about all the ways you are enjoying this podcast with friends and family and even a few pets. Spending my Mondays and Thursdays with you.

[B]

Is an absolute delight.

[A]

So let's keep going. Monday's episode will be the start of the story time for Grown Ups Christmas Spectacular. For the month of December we'll be.

[B]

Reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

[A]

Monday's episode will be an introduction and then we'll go chapter by chapter with a few notes along the way in twice weekly episodes which will drop Mondays and Thursdays. So write to me and tell me.

[B]

What you think about our next choice.

[A]

Faithk moore.com and click on contact or click on the link in the show Notes. Before I go, I'd like to ask a quick favor. This is an independent podcast. It's produced, recorded and marketed by me. So I need your help. Spread the word about the show by posting about it on social media or texting a link to your friends. Don't forget to subscribe. Tap those five stars and leave a positive review wherever you're listening. And if you're able to support the show financially, there's a link in the show notes to make a donation. I would really, really appreciate it. Alright everyone, story time is over.

[B]

See you in December.