Log 2

The book I am currently reading is Pride and Prejudice. Since I borrowed the Chinese version, too. So, I am reading them side by side to help me understand better. There are actually some words and sentences in English that I find hard to fully comprehend, so reading both versions helps a lot.

From what I’ve read in the first two chapters, I noticed some interesting social issues, especially related to how parents think about their children’s future. For example, Mrs. Bennet believes that introducing her daughters to rich men is a good thing. She doesn’t just want them to marry wealthy strangers, but she even asks her husband to take action. And she doesn’t even ask her daughters for their opinions. I think this kind of so-called “I’m doing this because it’s good for you” attitude from parents can cause problems for children’s mental health if it becomes too extreme. I think that kind of pressure can be harmful, especially when kids aren’t given the chance to make their own choices.

There’s one part where Mrs. Bennet says to her husband, “Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.” I feel like this is a form of emotional blackmail. Emotional blackmail, in my opinion, is not a good thing. It’s selfish because it uses someone’s feelings to achieve his or her own goal. But Mr. Bennet responds with sarcasm, which I found quite funny. I think it’s also because they’ve been married for so long that he knows how to handle her words.

What’s interesting is that these kinds of situations still happen nowadays. Many parents or older family members still try to find partners for their children. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, but I believe they should first discuss it with their children to make sure both sides are comfortable with it. In many families today, parents and children show their love and care in wrong ways. And it can create misunderstandings and gap between them. This can eventually lead to family conflicts.

Even though I’ve only read the first two chapters, I can already sense some underlying issues within the Bennet family. I’m excited to keep reading and see what other feelings and thoughts this story will bring me.