“my dear you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now .When a woman has 5 grown up daughters see ought to give over thinking of her own beauty”
For someone the word 19th century is just a number, an era which went by, leaving its stigma to the world. But for me it means power, it means money, marriage , love, forbidden love, betrayal. It means so much more when you read Pride and Prejudice and you are obliged to watch closely, pay attention and see for yourself how people behaved at that period.
Imagine being a girl, a young woman, the corset must be tighter and tighter until you suffocate and your waist fits perfectly between the hands of men. You have to attend either public or private balls, and don’t forget you are being watched attentively, all eyes are on you the way you move, the way you speak, dance, even your aura matters, every single one detail may define your future. Either you will find a husband or you will not be worthy or pretty enough to tempt them, isn’t it what Mr. Darcy said for Elizabeth? You are just a product, waiting patiently on the supermarket shelf for a buyer, well if he likes the price he will purchase you and even bargain for a discount, and if not then maybe you are not good enough.
Yet nowadays we tend not to be glad and thankful for all the type of freedom that we receive as human beings. Proper education, numerous job opportunities , chances to explore this magnificent world, and marriage-it’s actually optional- we are not forced by our parents, when we find love and the appropriate companion then we decide, then we become masters of our destiny.
Μανθούλα Παναγιωτίδου
More than 200 years have passed since the publication of what is known as “the perfect love story” throughout the ages, Pride and Prejudice. It is often seen as one of the best romance/comedies of all the rom/coms available. As a student I had the opportunity to take part in a wonderful action organized by Ms Ioannidou and learn more things about this incredible book. Instead of writing you the summary, I would like to answer to some interesting questions you could have about this novel. So first of all:
What is the main message of Pride and Prejudice?
The main messages of Pride and Prejudice are that first impressions aren't always correct, that love and respect are the key to a happy marriage, and that inflexible gender roles are unfairly limiting.
Why is Pride and Prejudice relevant today?
Well, for one thing, Pride and Prejudice exposes how too much control by society can be harmful. It can often lead to the belittlement of people, the inability to accept people because of their social status and abundance of wealth. In a sense, Austen is trying to display that too much control by society can have a negative impact on individuals. However, we can also see that not having enough control and influence can lead an individual to ruin.
On another perspective, Pride and Prejudice is the perfect novel of a love story that is not your typical mushy mushy, but takes on a satirical turn when you least expect it. Elizabeth’s complex character who gives her opinion often too freely attracts aristocrat Darcy who has never seen a women so ahead of her time and unwilling to abide by society’s laws relating to her happiness and future. It involves high end aristocracy and matters, as well as Pride and Prejudice amongst society and amongst individuals. In conclusion, I believe this novel is trying to reveal that true love can have countless obstacles that can break a relationship, those obstacles including family, society, unforeseen reputations, desire for wealth and property, etc . However, if the couple is able to navigate those obstacles and see the truth before them, their love will be more strong and passionate than ever.
Χατζηβασιλείου Ραφαηλία
(Τα κείμενα και τα έργα word art δημιουργήθηκαν στο πλαίσιο του φιλολογικού εργαστηρίου αφιερωμένου στο πασίγνωστο βιβλίο της Jane Austen "Pride and Prejudice" που είχαν την ευκαιρία να συμμετάσχουν οι μαθητές του τμήματος Α2 του Λυκείου στις 16 Φεβρουαρίου. Μέσω διαδικτυακής πλατφόρμας συναντήθηκαν και συνεργάστηκαν με την κ. Αικατερίνη Κίτση, καθηγήτρια Αγγλικής Λογοτεχνίας του ΑΠΘ. Η δράση πραγματοποιήθηκε με πρωτοβουλία της καθηγήτριας του Λυκείου μας κ. Ιωαννίδου.
Η κα. Κίτση με μια ενημερωτική παρουσίαση μέσω διαδραστικών ψηφιακών εργαλείων κατάφερε να κεντρίσει το ενδιαφέρον και να παρουσιάσει τις διαχρονικές αξίες του μυθιστορήματος του 19ου αιώνα.)