I think you are right about Jane and Elizabeth having benefitted from an earlier tranquility and a Mr Bennett who had not yet checked out.
One of Austen’s themes that fascinates me is that of the importance of education and especially the importance of fathers in guiding their children. It’s there but very subtly in the story of the Bennett sisters and in Mansfield park.
Yes! I wrote my senior thesis on education in Mansfield Park many years ago. It so clearly shows the difference between an education for the sake of "accomplishments" and an education that involves the character. Sir Thomas is one of Austen's more interesting and underappreciated characters.
Footnote 12 is so fascinating. I had forgotten the bit about the older two Bennet sisters benefitting from other teachers and wide reading. And your theory about the girls witnessing more affection before the onset of Mr. Bennet’s emotional apathy make so much sense. I suppose I had not considered the why of Elizabeth and Jane’s superiority to their sisters but I like your theory!
Thank you! It's possible that the younger sisters would never have been as clever as the elder ones, but they definitely could have been better off if Mr. Bennet had made more of an effort.
I think you are right about Jane and Elizabeth having benefitted from an earlier tranquility and a Mr Bennett who had not yet checked out.
One of Austen’s themes that fascinates me is that of the importance of education and especially the importance of fathers in guiding their children. It’s there but very subtly in the story of the Bennett sisters and in Mansfield park.
Yes! I wrote my senior thesis on education in Mansfield Park many years ago. It so clearly shows the difference between an education for the sake of "accomplishments" and an education that involves the character. Sir Thomas is one of Austen's more interesting and underappreciated characters.
Footnote 12 is so fascinating. I had forgotten the bit about the older two Bennet sisters benefitting from other teachers and wide reading. And your theory about the girls witnessing more affection before the onset of Mr. Bennet’s emotional apathy make so much sense. I suppose I had not considered the why of Elizabeth and Jane’s superiority to their sisters but I like your theory!
Thank you! It's possible that the younger sisters would never have been as clever as the elder ones, but they definitely could have been better off if Mr. Bennet had made more of an effort.