Six Degrees: From Dunya to Lizzie

Fifty books. Six Degrees of Kool Books is fifty posts old today! In addition to being a fun game, and a rather unique way to do a book review, it's also turned into quite a nice list of very interesting book recommendations. You can see the complete list HERE, as well as get more info on how to play along if you feel so inclined.Last week, DJ posted about the book Crime and Punishment. I've never felt a burning need to read Dostoyevsky (though I can spell his name correctly!) And so I was mightily stumped for a while.Well, my link might be a little tenuous this week, but I was having a very hard time. So, without further ado... the fiftieth book of Six Degrees:DJ described a character named Dunya Raskolnikov (and people think fantasy names are difficult!) as: "a principled, headstrong woman, though she cares deeply for her brother." This description put me in the mind of a completely (and I do mean COMPLETELY) different book, with a similar character.  Pride and Prejudice's own Elizabeth Bennet. Known more fondly as "Lizzie" by her friends, Elizabeth is nothing if not headstrong and principled. She is also very proud, very stubborn, and fiercely loyal to her family and friends (even when they make fools of themselves). She loves her sisters dearly, though she connects the most deeply with her older sister, Jane, who is everything Lizzie is not. Jane has a heart of gold and always believes the best about everyone. She never has an unkind word to say, or an unkind thought. She is shy, quiet, and demur. She would never push herself forward, and could be in danger of going completely unnoticed except for the fact that she is stunningly beautiful.Quite the opposite of Jane is Lizzie's younger sister: Lydia. Lydia is foolish, brash, excitable, and demands to be the center of attention no matter where she is. She is immature and gossipy. If she shares any characteristic with Jane it is that she also believes the best about everyone, but she allows that belief to lead her into rash actions which she later comes to regret.When Netherfield (an estate near the Bennets) is purchased by Mr. Bingley, everyone gets very excited. Mrs. Bennet is certain that this newcomer will marry one of her daughters, thus securing her future (which is all Mrs. Bennet is ever concerned about, as she has five daughters and her husband's estate is tied up in such a way so as to make it impossible for any of their daughters to inherit anything). Mrs. Bennet is a serious worrier and a thoughtless gossip, but her intentions regarding her daughters are born of love for them and concern for their futures (if embarrassing and misguided).Mr. Bingley is better than anyone's wildest dreams. A gentleman to the core, Bingley is one of the sweetest characters ever written. He is laid-back, at ease in large gatherings, and cares not one whit about social standing or class distinctions. He, of course, falls head over heels in love with Jane. However, his sister, Caroline Bingley and his best friend, Mr. Darcy are both concerned that Jane does not care as much for Bingley as he cares for her, and worry that her family is not good enough for him and that they are just social climbers after his money. Darcy is the polar opposite of Bingley. Though he is intelligent and honest, Darcy is also very proud and has a dim view of people he considers to be his social inferiors. Personally, I believe there is evidence in the book that suggests he is also an introvert and a bit shy, as he does not do well in large gatherings - though his status often necessitates his presence in such occasions - and therefore he often comes across as discourteous. Eventually, Darcy does learn to overlook his own pride as Elizabeth Bennet catches his eye and wins his affections through her character and strength (albeit all unwittingly and unintended on her part!)Caroline is a self-satisfied snob who desperately wants to marry Darcy. Unfortunately for her, the contrast of her snobbishness and disdain for the Bennets and their middle-class background only serve as a foil to Lizzie's confidence and self-assurance.One cannot talk about the characters in this book without mentioning the most odious character of all: Mr. Collins. He is a cousin of the Bennets, and positioned to inherit their estate upon Mr. Bennet's death. He is pompous, contemptible, and generally idiotic. Though his own social standing is nothing to brag about, he has a very wealthy patron in Lady Catherine de Burgh (Darcy's aunt), and cannot go more than two sentences without singing her praises and bragging about her wealth as though it were his own. Lady Catherine herself is a snob to end all snobs. The picture of lady-like elegance and queenly elitism, Lady Catherine is ruler of all she surveys, and keeps a tight fist on the reins of the lives of every person she encounters (or at least, she tries!)There are many fantastic characters in this little book. A few more worth noting:George Wickham: handsome, charming, fortune-hunting militia man. He is everything he should be on the outside, but inside he is rotten to the core.Charlotte Lucas: Lizzie's best friend. She is the practical, pragmatic to Elizabeth's romantic world-view. She is also six years older than Lizzie and rather plain. She is less concerned about love and more concerned about having a home of her own to maintain.Mr. Bennet: Elizabeth's father, he is hideously outnumbered in his own home by female drama. Though he is close to Elizabeth and Jane and truly loves them (and, perhaps, his other daughters and even his wife), the foolishness of Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, Lydia, and Mary kind of drive him nuts. He has a cynical, sarcastic sense of humor and uses it to purposefully irritate his wife (I think it's his defense mechanism). I highly recommend this book. It is one that has stood the test of ages. It also makes for a marvelous movie.Have you read the book? Seen the movie? Which movie version is your favorite, dear Reader? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this classic!