Pride and Prejudice Quotes from Novel to Film (Chapter 9)

Continuing from my previous posts (Chapters 1-8) and moving on to Chapter 9, which was about Mrs. Bennet embarrassing Jane and Lizzie in a conversation with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy in addition to Elizabeth & Darcy's banter at the Meryton Ball. Plus, Lydia suggested a ball to Mr. Bingley (at Netherfield in the movie). It's interesting that the one long conversation in the same chapter in P&P novel, like this chapter (9) was made into two separate key scenes in the movie, but the dialogue was pretty much similar (for the most part) in both novel and film.

Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 9

Novel

"The country,'' said Darcy, "can in general supply but few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.''
"But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.''
"Yes, indeed,'' cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. "I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town.''
Every body was surprised; and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment, turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, who fancied she had gained a complete victory over him, continued her triumph.
"I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country for my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Mr. Bingley?''
"When I am in the country,'' he replied, ``I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.''
"Aye -- that is because you have the right disposition. But that gentleman,'' looking at Darcy, "seemed to think the country was nothing at all.''
"Indeed, Mama, you are mistaken,'' said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. "You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there were not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true.''
"Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four and twenty families.''

"Did Charlotte dine with you?''
"No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up differently. But every body is to judge for themselves, and the Lucases are very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain -- but then she is our particular friend.''
"She seems a very pleasant young woman,'' said Bingley.
"Oh! dear, yes; -- but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Jane -- one does not often see any body better looking. It is what every body says. I do not trust my own partiality. When she was only fifteen, there was a gentleman at my brother Gardiner's in town, so much in love with her, that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But however he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty they were.''
"And so ended his affection,'' said Elizabeth impatiently. "There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"
"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love,'' said Darcy.
"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Every thing nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away.''


Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence, which the attentions of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into assurance. She was very equal, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and abruptly reminded him of his promise; adding, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear.
"I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement, and when your sister is recovered, you shall if you please, name the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing while she is ill.''
Lydia declared herself satisfied. "Oh! yes -- it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball,'' she added, "I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster it will be quite a shame if he does not.''

Pride & Prejudice

Movie Script

"I find it perfectly adequate, even if society's a little less varied than in town." -Mr. Darcy 

"Less varied? Not at all. We dine with four and twenty families of all shapes and sizes. Sir William Lucas, for instance, is a very agreeable man and a good deal less self-important than some people half his rank." -Mrs. Bennet
"Mr. Bingley, is it true that you've promised to hold a ball here at Netherfield?" -Lydia Bennet
"A ball?" -Mr. Bingley
"It would be an excellent way to meet new friends. You could invite the militia. They're excellent company." -Lydia
"When your sister is recovered, you shall name the day." -Mr. Bingley
"I think a ball is a perfectly irrational way to gain new acquaintance. It would be better if conversation, instead of dancing, were the order of the day." -Mary Bennet
"Indeed, much more rational, but rather less like a ball." -Caroline Bingley
"Thank you, Mary."

"Your friend, Miss Lucas, is a most amusing young woman." -Mr. Bingley
"Oh, yes. I adore her." -Elizabeth Bennet
"It is a pity she's not more handsome." -Mrs. Bennet
"Mama." -Elizabeth
"But Lizzie will never admit that she's plain. Of course, it's my Jane who is considered the beauty of the county." -Mrs. Bennet
"No, Mama. Mama, please." -Jane Bennet
"When she was only 15 there was a gentleman so much in love with her that I was sure he would make her an offer. However, he did write her some very pretty verses." -Mrs. Bennet

"And that put paid to it. I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?" -Elizabeth
"I thought that poetry was the food of love." -Mr. Darcy
"Of a fine, stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination, I'm convinced one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead." -Elizabeth