As a reminder, this week we are discussing pages 128-249.

*No spoilers please. If you've read ahead, just be polite.
*Respect the opinions of others.
*Feel free to go off topic! The questions are just guidelines!

Sorry for the delay everyone, but let's get started!

*In these chapters, there's a lot of discussion as to whether or not Lizzie is too idealistic. Her mother tells her that she expects everything “to be as exact as it is in your head”. What is your opinion? Do you think Lizzie needs to "grow up"?

*Why do you think Lizzie's opinion of Ricky Collins is so harsh? Do you feel the same way?

*What do you think of Lizzie's relationship with her parents? Is the way she interacts with her mother, versus the way she interacts with her father, important to the story?

I think in this case the adage, mother knows best does apply. I do feel that Lizzy comes off idealistic and slightly immature. I think she's afraid of change and other people moving on because that means she will inevitably have to change and move forward as well. It's understandable, there's a certain amount of comfort in still going to school and living at home and doing things that you've been doing for years and years, change can be scary, it's the unknown after all.

Meh. Mister Collins is quite harmless. If anything I'd say he's annoying. He certainly likes to hear himself talk a lot, but I also believe he's one of those people that just grows on you after awhile.

I'd say the way she interacts with her Mother especially is important. It's her Mother's rather antiquated ideals that drive Lizzy in a way. And the funny thing about crazy moms (cause most of us have them) is that we, rather reluctantly, tend to gain certain traits from them, even the unfavorable ones. If nothing else, I'd say that Lizzy gets a certain flare for the dramatic from mommy dearest. Her Father seems more so in the background, but I like to think of him being her rock. Mostly though, I think Lizzy has the good fortune of having a pretty great family, even if some of them are a little loopy sometimes.

I agree with you Tricia. I think that Lizzie, while she means well, isn't as mature as she believes herself to be. It's really easy to fall into a comfort zone. When Jane leaves home, and Lizzie is almost angry with her for it, that's when I realized how scared she truly was. Change is terrifying. Like you said, it's the unknown. No one really wants to deal with that.

As for Ricky Collins, I actually thought it was kind of cute how Lizzie started to actually warm up to him over the course of these entries. He's definitely not my favorite character (he really needs to learn to tone it down), but it was sweet of him to be so accommodating for her. He never did anything out of malice, and so I liked him. I think Lizzie saw that too.

Ah, parents. While Lizzie's mother definitely isn't the easiest character to like, it's obvious that she only acts that way because she truly loves her daughters. She wants what is best for them and, in her mind, marrying well is the best thing ever! They'll be taken care of, after all. As for Lizzie's father, well, he's pretty much her rock. I love their relationship, and how they collude to keep the mother under control. It's adorable. I agree that Lizzie is blessed with one heck of a family. All families are crazy sometimes, at least hers is also full of love.

I agree with everything Jessica said. Lol

Lizzie seems immature in this version and I didn't get the same impression from Pride and Prejudice but I think that's a reflection of how much times have changed. Being a stubborn woman who is willing to reject a guy isn't a big deal in the current century, but being oblivious to Darcy's affection makes her seem naive.

Ricky is annoying but sadly his character isn't that far fetched from a few people I know. Good intentions aside, he could tone it down 5 notches and I'd be happy.