You certainly aren't a failure in life because you haven't read that particular book.
I did enjoy it, but I do think that you really do have to distance yourself from the modern idea of feminine roles in order to see the real statement that Jane Austin was making at the time to her audience. The independent nature that she gave Lizzie, the latitude that Mr. Darcy allowed his daughter, and allowing her to choose to marry or not was unheard of at the time. While it seems ridiculous to us now, perhaps we can view this book and author as one of the reasons our role has changed in society. (Can you tell I was an English major too?
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The one "classic" author I could not stomach was Charles Dickens. We had to read Great Expectations for one class and I absolutely hated that book. I had to force myself awake. I hated all of the characters. I hated the story. I hated the writing style. I hated everything about that book.
I did enjoy it, but I do think that you really do have to distance yourself from the modern idea of feminine roles in order to see the real statement that Jane Austin was making at the time to her audience. The independent nature that she gave Lizzie, the latitude that Mr. Darcy allowed his daughter, and allowing her to choose to marry or not was unheard of at the time. While it seems ridiculous to us now, perhaps we can view this book and author as one of the reasons our role has changed in society. (Can you tell I was an English major too?
The one "classic" author I could not stomach was Charles Dickens. We had to read Great Expectations for one class and I absolutely hated that book. I had to force myself awake. I hated all of the characters. I hated the story. I hated the writing style. I hated everything about that book.