Title
Marital Flaws and Moral Education in Pride and Prejudice
Description
Typescript of a lecture delivered on August 28, 2026, by Annapolis Dean Suzy Paalman as part of the Formal Lecture Series.
Ms. Paalman offers the following description: "The main story of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice concerns Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as they move from mutual dislike to eventual marriage and happiness. Throughout the novel, these two characters provide the occasion for each of them to grow in self-understanding and virtue. In the background of the novel lies the shaky foundation of the Bennet family and the problematic marriage of Lizzy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Theirs is a relationship in which each of them exacerbates the flaws of the other, leading to progressive deterioration. The story of this decline can be read in the characters of their five children which range from the virtuous Jane to the profligate Lydia. This lecture will examine the five sisters as a snapshot of the history of the Bennets’ marriage."
Ms. Paalman's lecture is the first formal lecture of the academic year. Previously referred to as the Dean's Lecture, this lecture is now called the Christopher B. Nelson Lecture.
Ms. Paalman offers the following description: "The main story of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice concerns Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as they move from mutual dislike to eventual marriage and happiness. Throughout the novel, these two characters provide the occasion for each of them to grow in self-understanding and virtue. In the background of the novel lies the shaky foundation of the Bennet family and the problematic marriage of Lizzy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Theirs is a relationship in which each of them exacerbates the flaws of the other, leading to progressive deterioration. The story of this decline can be read in the characters of their five children which range from the virtuous Jane to the profligate Lydia. This lecture will examine the five sisters as a snapshot of the history of the Bennets’ marriage."
Ms. Paalman's lecture is the first formal lecture of the academic year. Previously referred to as the Dean's Lecture, this lecture is now called the Christopher B. Nelson Lecture.
Creator
Publisher
Coverage
Annapolis, MD
Date
2025-08-28
Rights
Type
text
Format
pdf
Subject
Language
English
Identifier
LEC_Paalman_Susan_2026-08-28
Original Format
pdf
Page numeration
23 pages