Re: The missing eight months

Jim G.M Wrote:
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> I think it's pretty clear that Caroline was the
> spokesperson where Jane was concerned. Darcy and
> the two Bingley sisters conspired to keep Charles
> away from Jane, so telling the total truth was not
> an option. Just how devious and false Caloline's
> claims of friendship with Jane were is pretty much
> outlined in her letter. She really doesn't want
> Jane around and makes that clear by her dismissive
> attitude in her visit to the Gardiners and in her
> letter.
> Is her friendship with Georgiana actually genuine,
> or just for Darcy's benefit? I wonder, knowing her
> character, that if Georgiana were not his sister,
> why would a woman in her mid-twenties show such
> interest in a sixteen year old girl?

We do not know that Caroline is in her mid-twenties. She might be closer to Elizabeth's age and that makes her busy-bodiness and willingness to interfere all the more impudent. She could be a bratty little sister attempting to boss everyone around, and Darcy tolerates her because of his relationship to Bingley. I feel actually more sympathy for an older Caroline, desperate to avoid the shelf, than a younger one. That's just me, of course.

As for friendships between younger and older women, there is Elizabeth who is at least seven years younger than her best bud Charlotte.

> Caroline is
> a fortune hunter and Darcy is the fortune she's
> hunting. What she doesn't seem to realise is that
> Darcy doesn't share her views on very much. She
> very much enjoys his presence and position in
> society, yet constantly puts her foot in things by
> her demeaning remarks. Given her character, I
> wonder how she passes the time when Darcy isn't
> around. Bingley, despite the fact that she's his
> sister, must find her somewhat tiresome at times.

She no doubt passes the time associating with such other people of rank who will allow her presence and spending more money than she should.