Re: Hating on Jane

Suzanne O Wrote:
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> As I quoted below, Austen describes her
> understanding as "excellent," which certainly
> argues for her being intelligent. She doesn't have
> Lizzy's mental liveliness, I think her mind is as
> calm as her disposition, but she is perfectly
> intelligent enough for things we're discussing. To
> me, Jane's gullibility where the Bingley ladies
> are concerned doesn't disprove her intelligence
> any more than Lizzy's gullibility over Wickham
> does. They're both young women who have lived in a
> limited circle of society their whole lives. Jane
> has never before met any women who would treat her
> with such warmth and friendliness as Miss Bingley
> and Mrs. Hurst without being sincere, and Lizzy
> has never before met a charming scoundrel of
> Wickham's caliber. They both learn from their
> experiences. As for your view that Jane will be
> just as gullible in the future, I'm not sure where
> you get that from, but I'm sure she will continue
> to meet people with optimism and think the best of
> them until given a reason not to, because that is
> her nature, but I don't think that has anything to
> do with intelligence, and don't think that's
> unreasonable or foolish way to live your life.

So well-stated!

And, Jessical, I love the point you made, too.