Sarah Cleeland

Mrs Worrall

Honors English III

20 March 2013

Pride and Prejudice Letter

From Mr Bennet to Elizabeth after she's married

Commenting on article he found

Apologizing for ignoring his duties

I miss you a lot

I found an article I think you would find interesting

I'm sorry for not doing what I should have done

I hope you do well

Works Cited

Weldon, Fay. "A Terrible Time to Be Alive." Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen. New
York: Taplinger Pub., 1985. 28-42. Print.

My Dearest Lizzie,

I miss you greatly. Longbourn feels quite empty with three daughters married. Your mother wishes to invite Mr. Wickham and Lydia back for an additional stay, but I think you and I both know that I should never allow that to happen. Poor Kitty has no idea what to do with herself, and takes to lounging about the house, working her needlepoint with little enthusiasm. Nonetheless, she is proving to be quite proficient, which vexes Mary to no end. She fills the house day in and day out with her concertos, which have little variation from one another. I long for your sensible conversation to relieve me from these remaining three silly Bennets, but you must stay at Pemberly, my dear Mrs. Darcy.

I spend most of my time as I did before you left: in my study, reading. I have taken very strongly to a certain periodical, The Meryton Times. In fact, just this morning, I came across a column you might find interesting. A young man writes letters which critique society. The author makes me think very much of you, Lizzie. What struck me this morning was one particular quote:

"Women [are] born poor and [stay] poor, and [live] well only by their husbands' favour" (Weldon 35). Nothing could better describe the situation I created for you and your sisters. Knowing Longbourn was entailed, I waited anxiously for my son. Even when none came, still I never put forth the effort to buy a new estate for you, your sisters, or your mother. I am ashamed of myself.

My lack of active participation created an obvious void in your lives, and only now do I see how truly conspicuous our family is in society. I should not have placed myself before my daughters, nor should I have ignored the others and played favorites in such a manner. As Weldon states, "I do not think the life or personality of writers to be particularly pertinent to their work… but I do think the times in which writers live are important" (31). The role of a father should be the same. As the story and characters come before the author's own story, my daughters should proceed myself. This young stranger understands what I, in my old age, do not.

That said, I am ever so proud of you, Lizzie. You, whose values and morals differ greatly from those of society, have risen above us all. Your prosperous marriage has benefited you in ways unknown to most others. Not only is your partner well- off and are you secure, but your marriage is also a happy, loving one, a pleasure quite rarely found by those seeking financial security. Once again, Weldon articulates better than I could ever hope to: "It takes great courage and persistence to swim against the stream of communal ideas," but it has paid off for you (33). I could not be more content with how it has worked out. As for poor Mary and Kitty, I am worried. They could both have a number of horrid careers with harsh conditions and poor pay, "or [they] could marry" (35).

I trust Mr. Darcy is being the perfect gentleman. Pemberly must be lovely this time of year. You may find me on your doorstep soon to utilize that fantastic fishing pond on your front lawn.

Until then, I remain your loving father,

Bennet