Inquiring readers, I first read Pride and Prejudice when I was fourteen years old. The novel was a Christmas gift from my parents. One of the first Christmas songs this Dutch girl learned in English was “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a song that was popularized in an arrangement by Frederic Austin in 1909. We all know the tune, but do we know the words as Jane Austen wrote them? After singing the song, please stay to answer a few questions.–Enjoy & Merry Christmas! Vic
[Verse 1]
On the first day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
A HERO named Mister Darcy
[Verse 2]
On the second day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy
[Verse 3]
On the third day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy
[Verse 4]
On the fourth day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy
[Verse 5]
On the fifth day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
[Verse 6]
On the sixth day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Six accomplished women
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
[Verse 7]
On the seventh day of Christ
mas, Jane Austen sent to me
Seven days at Hunsford
Six accomplished women
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
[Verse 8]
On the eighth day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Eight charms of Wickham
Seven days at Hunsford
Six accomplished women
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
[Verse 9]
On the ninth day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Nine ladies dancing
Eight charms of Wickham
Seven days at Hunsford
Six accomplished women
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
[Verse 10]
On the tenth day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Lydia eloping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight charms of Wickham
Seven days at Hunsford
Six accomplished women
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
[Verse 11]
On the eleventh day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
Lizzy’s eyes a’ opening
Lydia eloping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight charms of Wickham
Seven days at Hunsford
Six accomplished women
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
[Verse 12]
On the twelfth day of Christmas, Jane Austen sent to me
L C’s condescensions
Lizzy’s eyes a’ opening
Lydia eloping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight charms of Wickham
Seven days at Hunsford
Six accomplished women
FIVE S.I.N.G.L.E GIRLS!
Four Bingley dances,
Three various suitors,
Two wise Bennet girls, and
A HERO named Mister Darcy!
________________
Now, Gentle Readers, I shall pose a few questions. How do you respond to Pride and Prejudice? How are you disposed towards a few characters? (Your opinions are most welcome.) As you can see, I favor the 1995 Firth/Ehle film version of P&P! So, don’t be shy in sharing your thoughts.
- L C’s condescension: In your estimation, what is the most memorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s condescending statement?
- Lizzy’s eyes a’ opening: What events changed Elizabeth’s attitude towards Mr. Darcy? Which one stands out in your mind?
- Lydia eloping: How old was Lydia when she ran off with Mr. Wickham? What, in her naivete, did she hope her life would have been like with him, away from her family?
- Nine ladies dancing: Think of the ladies Austen mentioned in Pride and Prejudice. Which women would have most likely danced at the Netherfield Ball?
- Eight charms of Wickham: Can you name Mr. Wickham’s charms, be they true or false, as Austen described them?
- Seven days at Hunsford: How did Lizzy spend her days at Hunsford? What memorable scenes occurred during this time?
- Six accomplished women: Who first mentioned six accomplished women? How did the conversation come up and where?
- Please name all the five single girls and their primary characteristic (in your opinion).
- Four Bingley dances: This phrase refers to an event at the beginning of the novel.
- Three various suitors: Name all the suitors you can think of in the novel. Who had three? Who are they?
- Two wise Bennet girls: Who are they? How would you personally describe them?
- A HERO named Mister Darcy! Why are we so mesmerized by Austen’s most memorable hero? What are the characteristics that make him stand out to you?
After this C.E. Brock composite image of Pride and Prejudice, I’ve added my own observations to a few of the questions. Thank you for participating. May you have a lovely holiday season. Please love and take care of each other in your family, your neighbors, and your community.
Jane Austen's World 