Mate Selection and Socratic Discussion

A variety of things can influence mate selection with love being the main factor.  People are more likely to marry someone with similarities. Overall religion, economic status, culture, and other things of this nature do not matter much as long as the two people love each other.  Although the marriage would probably be more successful if they have similar personality traits.  It is also crucial that they enjoy spending time with each other.

Body Paragraph 1

Austen utilizes Elizabeth and Darcy to reveal the social effect of marriage.  Darcy comes from a higher class than Elizabeth, and his excessive pride causes him to look down on others.  Although Mrs. Bennet still wants Elizabeth to marry him purely because he could provide for her economically.  Elizabeth turned down his first marriage proposal because she desire more than that in a marriage.  In the Early 19th century love was not the main purpose of marriage.  The best marriages were considered mutually beneficial.  Elizabeth contrast with this type of system, and she differs from her mother with this.  Darcy eventually realizes what is important and develops feelings for Elizabeth.

Intro Paragragh

In early 19th century England, where Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is set, social class was an important aspect of life.  Marriage outside on one's class was uncommon, and this is also true in the novel.  Various characters including Darcy had to take this into consideration when choosing a wife.    Darcy worries that Elizabeth could damage his reputation because she comes from a lower social standing.  Mr. Bingley differs from Darcy, and does not care about class differences although his sister, Miss Bingley, does.  Marriage to a different social class could damage or benefit a person's reputation.  In Pride and Prejudice, marriage to a person of a different social class can affect the social power of both the husband and wife.

Questions for Essay/Outline

How is social power affected by gender/class, and how does it affect marriages?

How does the class of one's spouse affect their own social power?

How does class affect social power?

Characters:
Darcy and Elizabeth


Why is social class an important aspect in possible marriages in Pride and Prejudice?  
Darcy's pride gets in the way


Elizabeth's view of marriage
Elizabeth's view differs from her mother's

Darcy looks down on Elizabeth, and views her below himself.  He worries that a marriage to her will diminish his social standing even though he is developed feeling for her.  His pride could get in the way.

Mrs. Bennet wants to see her daughters marry someone of a higher class.  Encourages Elizabeth to consider Darcy as a potential suitor.  She similarly encourages Jane to marry Mr.  Bingley.

why does Jane Austen Write about social class and its relation with marriage. Is she attempting to promote changes to the social power.  Emphasize not caring about class differences like Mr. Bingley.

Mr. Bingley not class conscious.  

Mr. Collins proposed to Elizabeth to benefit himself.

D.W. Harding

1. Agree
2.  Disagree
3.  Agree
4.  Agree
5.  Agree

Question Formulation Technique- Adam + Andrew

1) Where does social power lie?
2) To what extent does gender and class influence courtship and marriage?
3) How is social power distributed in that time?
4) How does marrying outside someone's class affect their social status? X
5) Why is Darcy pickey in choosing a wife?
6) How do courtships and marriages reflect on social power?
7) Why does Elizabeth's social status affect Darcy's opinion of her? X
8) Why does Mr. Colins state that marriage with Elizatbeth will improve his own status rather than both of theirs?
9) Why does gender affect social power?
10) Why do men always propose?
11) Why does Elizabeth's mother put her daughters' social status over their happiness? X
12) Why did Darcy reject Elizabeth?
13) Why do the Bennets want one of their daughters to meet Mr. Bingley?

iPads in Class

iPads have the potential to be very useful in class if we use them efficiently.  We use them to take notes, and get rid of binders and notebooks entirely.  The only problem is that we would not have a place to store papers that get handed out.  The way to solve this is to just send everyone electronic copies instead of paper handouts.  Also hundreds of thousands of apps exist in the app store.  Many of them are designed for educational purposes.  We should be taking advantage of this and use some apps.  The iPads can be used as a more creative tool for students, and they can be beneficial for the learning process.

Mr. Collins Proposal

Mr. Collins proposed to Elizabeth only because he viewed a possible marriage to her as beneficial for him.  He did not actually love her, and he never even mentioned the word love.  Elizabeth saw through to his true feelings.  She knows he would not be happy with a marriage to Mr. Collins, so she respectfully declined.