Comments on: Making Mary Bennet Cute

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:22:37 +0000

It wasn’t Austen’s intention to discriminate against hard work, but to criticise what she sees as pretentiousness or trying to be something you’re not. Unfortunately, she failed to note the conceit of her more sympathetic characters, Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet, whom she speaks through.

Mr. Bennet who prides himself on being wise or sensible, is as flippant and irresponsible as the wife he hold in contempt. Elizabeth is highly aware of any disadvantages (e.g. beauty, wealth, musical talent, connections) and is driven to cut others down, under the guise of astuteness. Thus, Jane is lovely and compassionate, but undiscriminating; Mary has some talent, but is stodgy and affected.

I find it hard to believe that a subpar musical performance (in the novel, Mary is a better player), would be more enjoyable simply because of charm. Elizabeth prides herself on disdaining what her sisters sought (i.e. good marriage, admiration, approval), but her social conciousness and ending only underscores her hypocrisy.

By: Tatiana

Tatiana — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:15:40 +0000

I also beleive that Jane Austen´s description of Mary and how she presented this studious character was in the upmost level unfair. Although Mary lacked of uniqueness and wit she was a hardworking, smart girl. What I do not completely comprehend is how Mr.Bennet being wise and opinionative amoungst his daughters, did not think well of her. Though at one perspective i can see how he might have perceived her as an insolent girl. Her ,may i say, obsession with studying and standing out made her sort of like a female version of Mr.Collins. Trying to hard to sound smart, but again who can blame her? With all the other roles taken in the family. (Elizabeth; Independent and witty girl, Jane; Lovable and a generous person, Lydia; Foolish but stubborn girl, and Kitty; Too dependent, a no opinion girl) Mary tried to stand out in the only way that she could, being born plain with almost no admirable qualities. I am dissapointed in the character of Mr.Bennet because he should of admired her dicipline and hardwork, instead of pronouncing her as a foolish girl much like his other two younger daughters. Therefore I believe Jane Austen treated Mary unfairly, and discriminated her due to the fact that she enjoyed studying.

By: JUDY

JUDY — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:02:44 +0000

Sometimes I’m doubting whether Jean Austen was discriminating women, for she mocked and even, to some degree, looked down upon Mary Bennet, (at least) a hardworking young woman who tried to compensate for her plain appearance. If this is regarded as vanity, as Austen mentioned in the novel, I don’t know how to judge those ambitious people who work hard to overcome their shortcomings. So I suppose that Austen actually discriminated women; she thought women should not be accomplished. She thought women could play piano; yet, women should not play very well. (Elizabeth’s level is okay.) She thought women could read; yet, they should not read too much. (Again, Elizabeth’s level is okay.) Women should not focus their attention on getting accomplished; instead, they should go to ball, communicate with others and look for a good husband. That’s what Austen thought the most admirable woman! Austen seemed to discriminate the women who want to spend their time studying, researching or, if in today’s society, working.

By: Regina

Regina — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:23:11 +0000

I always thought of mary bennet as rather a female, less unbearable version of Mr Collins but now I reconsider.
If you stick to Jane’s version of Pride and Prejudice, she seems to be the forgotten, plain sister. IN my intepretation, she seems like the forgotten sister who wants to make herself noticeable, in a not-very appealing way.
All the Mary’s in all versions are cute for sure, except the one in the 1195 one.
Anyway, with all the makeup and all we have today, I reckon everyone, and anyone who isn’t naturally disfigured can look good.

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:26:00 +0000

In the 21st century Mary would probably do very well — she’d be a cool geek girl, possibly an IT expert or top medical scholar, with a desirable place in the world. That’s why I get so downcast with Austen’s cruel depiction and dismissal of her in P&P; I wish Mary lived in our time and not in that one. It must be said, tho, that in every age, plain girls do miss out; we don’t get the boyfriends, and if we show any interest in clothes or parties people think it’s unseemly that we should fancy frivolous things instead of “concentrating on our studies or work”. SO dull. I bet Mary had quite a few unrequited crushes, but of course Austen makes no acknowledgement of that.

By: Lyne

Lyne — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:19:30 +0000

well while I sympathize with Mary I understand the need to make her what she is in the novel and the 1995 version. They cannot all be the same or too much alike. I think she helps to highlight the traits of the others and helps the reader visualize what it is that is so special about Lizzy and Jane. I mean Kitty is not exactly well depicted either but since she’s not as sullen as Mary, we overlook her imperfections.
Her parents do not treat her any differently. Mr Bennett lumps her together with the other 2 as being silly and ignorant and the piano forte episode deserved to have been stopped when it was. Mrs. Bennett shows preference for Lydia and reprimands Mary for voicing and opinion during Lydia’s going away just as she reprimanded Kitty for coughing and trying her nerves