Author Notes (who reads these?): I highly doubt this story will be true to rules of society and history. Feel free to correct my mistakes, but I'm more inclined to take heed if I'm politely informed. Also, if there's something I want to put in my story, I will keep it in my story. I welcome literary criticism as well (again, politeness is more influential). I think my grammar and spelling are decent enough but I'm not perfect. I also like the long sentences you find in Jane Austen novels. So, I might have sentences that are run ons. Feel free to give your opinion on that.
This story is more than just Mary's perspective of Pride and Prejudice. It's mostly what was going on with her during it. I have this story planned out, so hopefully things will go according to plan. Or it will be a big flop! :) I hope you enjoy.
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. (1)
However this was a truth that quite escaped the notice of Mary Bennet. It wasn't that she didn't desire to marry or to even fall in love, but thoughts and concerns of fortune never often passed through her head. She supposed, though, if she had enough money to buy an endless supply of books she'd be quite happy.
No, what Mary wanted more than anything, even more than intellect and accomplishments, though she did desire those as well, was someone who noticed her existence.
Yes, it would be quite nice if that were to occur. For you see Mary Bennet suffered from more than just Middle Child Syndrome. She also suffered from plain looks, a dull personality, and mediocre achievements. Many people were polite to her, if you call a forced smile following her sermonizing polite, but really didn't bother associating with her if it could be helped.
There was perhaps one person who didn't mind socializing with the third Bennet sister, but that is a subject to be discussed later, though quite soon. This said person wasn't a member of her family. No, her family was quite preoccupied with themselves and each other.
Her father, though he really did love all his children, was more inclined to notice the natural intellect of his favorite daughter Elizabeth. Mary wished to have such intellect to win her father's approval but she was sure he found her knowledge more amusing than anything. Mr. Bennet didn't mind noting sense in his eldest daughter as well, other than that he was quite preoccupied with reading in his study.
Mrs. Bennet focused on getting her daughter's married. Her attention was mostly on her favorite, Lydia, and Kitty as well, both who were almost as preoccupied with men, clothing, and social events as their mother. She also noticed Jane, who, being the eldest, the most beautiful, and of the kindest disposition was most likely to get married anytime soon.
Kitty and Lydia of course bonded quite well with each other. Lydia, being a lively, attention-seeking, and bossy girl needed a lively, attention-seeking pushover such as Kitty.
Jane and Lizzy, being the God-sent individuals they were, seeing as everyone in Hertfordshire enjoyed Jane's beauty and sweet nature and Lizzy's quick tongue and sense of humor, created the sort of bond that perfect, mature beings such as themselves often do.
If that weren't enough, Jane and Lizzy quite often took a motherly role on the two youngest girls. Mary supposed that since she wasn't wild like Kitty and Lydia she didn't receive such attention, save a "Thank you Mary" that Lizzy sacrificed after Mary shared some of her most recently discovered knowledge. Either way, Mary knew such a treatment would annoy her, though sometimes an annoyance is what a person needs most .
Perhaps it was half Mary's fault, if she didn't lock herself in her room with her books all the time people might remember her more often. Or rather, if people remembered her perhaps she wouldn't lock herself in room with her books all the time. It was quite the vicious cycle. She partly did it because it was rather dull and disheartening to be ignored all the time. She also did it because she wanted to be noticed for her accomplishments, to have something going for her that her sisters didn't have. Her plain looks were always overshadowed by her sister's beauty. It was only fair for her to overshadow all of them in something.
Yes, what Mary wanted more than anything was someone who noticed her existence.
Perhaps Mary Bennet needed to notice that someone already did...Oh, but that is a subject to be discussed later, though quite soon.
I hope casting a bit of negative light on some of the characters doesn't bother people too much, this is Mary's perspective after all.
I will be using quotes from the book. I didn't see anything in the rules opposing it, but I can always edit if I need to. Either way, I will be citing.
1. Page 5 of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
The title (Humility and Perception): Since this is a story that takes place during Pride and Prejudice I wanted to use antonyms. Perception, or at least how I'm using it, is having a clear view point of someone without the clouding of prejudices. Hopefully, if all goes according to plan Mary will learn to be more humble. And a certain character will have a proper perspective of who Mary is, not just who she appears to be.