- Supercilious: Haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.
- Eclat: Brilliance of success, reputation; showy or elaborate display; acclamation or an acclaim.
- Taciturn: Inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation.
- Disposition: State of mind regarding something; inclination; arrangement or placing, as of troops or buildings.
- Amiable: Having or showing pleasant personal qualities; affable; friendly; sociable.
- Solemnity: The state or character of being solemn; earnestness; gravity; impressiveness.
- Consolation: The act of consoling; comfort; solace; the state of being consoled.
- Caprice: A sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather; a tendency to change one's mind without apparent or adequate motive; whimsicality.
- Emphatic: Using emphasis in speech or action; uttered or to be uttered, with emphasis.
- Conjecture: The formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof; an opinion or theory so formed or expressed.
- Censuring: Strong or vehement expression of disapproval.
- Ostentation: Pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others.
- Impertinent: Intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil.
- Induce: To lead or move by persuasion or influence, as to some action or state of mind.
- Perpetual: Continuing or enduring forever; everlasting; lasting an indefinitely long time.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Pride and Prejudice: Vocabulary
Characterization: Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet is an annoying type of character. Elizabeth "cringes" and "blushes" for her mother (Austen 67). Even with this particular nagging quality, she is still, in a sense, a good mother. She is the way she is because of her desire to see all of her daughters wed and well-provided for. Mrs. Bennet feels on top of the world when Jane hits it off with Mr. Bingley. And upon hearing that Elizabeth will not accept Mr. Collins's marriage proposal, she claims that she "will never see her [Elizabeth] again (97)." Wanting Eliza to accept the offer was of a selfish reason, of course, however, it could have very well been also her insecurity of thinking that Eliza will never find someone to marry in the near future. I think deep, deep, deep, deep down, there was slight good intentions of wanting Elizabeth to just be taken care of.
Image from Wordle.net
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Bantam Dell, 2003.
Image from Wordle.net
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Bantam Dell, 2003.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Pride and Prejudice Study Guide
Chapter 1
Q: What does it mean when it says, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Austin 1)?
A: Mr. Bingley has everything else; why can't he have a wife too? It was something that men prided themselves in: having a good fortune and a sociable, well-off wife who can gossip.
The book goes onto say that this statement is a "universal truth" in the minds of the families surrounding Netherfield. Bingley is is a rich, single man who is announced a possession of "some one or other of their daughters (Austin 1)."
Q: Why does Mr. Bennet favor Elizabeth?
A: Mr. Bennet seems to like what is underneath and not the surface types of attributes. He thinks his other daughters are "silly and ignorant" while Elizabeth has "more of a quickness than her sisters (Austin 3)." He seems to appreciate girls with wit.
Austin, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Bantam Dell, 2003.
Q: What does it mean when it says, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Austin 1)?
A: Mr. Bingley has everything else; why can't he have a wife too? It was something that men prided themselves in: having a good fortune and a sociable, well-off wife who can gossip.
The book goes onto say that this statement is a "universal truth" in the minds of the families surrounding Netherfield. Bingley is is a rich, single man who is announced a possession of "some one or other of their daughters (Austin 1)."
Q: Why does Mr. Bennet favor Elizabeth?
A: Mr. Bennet seems to like what is underneath and not the surface types of attributes. He thinks his other daughters are "silly and ignorant" while Elizabeth has "more of a quickness than her sisters (Austin 3)." He seems to appreciate girls with wit.
Austin, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Bantam Dell, 2003.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Good Earth Study Guide [Bonus]
Chapter 14
Q: What is Communism?
A: According to Princeton.edu, communism is "a form of socialism that abolishes private ownership."
Chapter 19
Q: Is Wang Lung's insatiable appetite for Lotus uncommon?
A: I don't think it is. Men have a hard time controlling their lust for beautiful women. It happens everyday.
Q: Why is this chapter so difficult to read?
A: O-lan is the only truly good person in the Wang Lung's life. So when her heart breaks, your heart breaks too. She is admirable and a woman of good quality, therefore, a favorite amongst many. Her love and care for her family is immaculately shown. It's hard to read this chapter because one of the strongest characters in the book is being broken down by harmful acts of lust.
Chapter 26
Q: Why can Wang Lung not love O-lan?
A: He does not know what true love is. He thinks that love is lust. He's too self-conceited and self-absorbed to realize what true love is.
Q: Is it better to be beautiful and a slave or ugly and a wife?
A: Lust only lasts so long, as illustrated in The Good Earth. Wang Lung is a lusty man like all men are until his old age. If O-lan was still alive, she would be of more use to him than Lotus was when he became old. O-lan would have still cared for Wang Lung and fed him. Lotus did not know how to do those things. Personally, I'd want to be ugly on the outside and beautiful in the inside. (But of course...I'd like to be both. But if I had to choose, I'd be ugly even though it's a hard decision.)
Definition from: "Communism." Web. 2 Nov. 2009.
Q: What is Communism?
A: According to Princeton.edu, communism is "a form of socialism that abolishes private ownership."
Chapter 19
Q: Is Wang Lung's insatiable appetite for Lotus uncommon?
A: I don't think it is. Men have a hard time controlling their lust for beautiful women. It happens everyday.
Q: Why is this chapter so difficult to read?
A: O-lan is the only truly good person in the Wang Lung's life. So when her heart breaks, your heart breaks too. She is admirable and a woman of good quality, therefore, a favorite amongst many. Her love and care for her family is immaculately shown. It's hard to read this chapter because one of the strongest characters in the book is being broken down by harmful acts of lust.
Chapter 26
Q: Why can Wang Lung not love O-lan?
A: He does not know what true love is. He thinks that love is lust. He's too self-conceited and self-absorbed to realize what true love is.
Q: Is it better to be beautiful and a slave or ugly and a wife?
A: Lust only lasts so long, as illustrated in The Good Earth. Wang Lung is a lusty man like all men are until his old age. If O-lan was still alive, she would be of more use to him than Lotus was when he became old. O-lan would have still cared for Wang Lung and fed him. Lotus did not know how to do those things. Personally, I'd want to be ugly on the outside and beautiful in the inside. (But of course...I'd like to be both. But if I had to choose, I'd be ugly even though it's a hard decision.)
Definition from: "Communism." Web. 2 Nov. 2009
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