In Jane Austen's day, families of the Gentry, or the noble class, usually had breakfast around ten o'clock in the morning. Dinner would be served around 4 or 5 in the afternoon, and Supper usually followed at ten in the evening. Towards the end of Austen's life, the Supper hour gradually became later and later so that the Gentry eventually began serving a Lunch in the middle of the day, and had their Dinner later in the evening. A formal dinner at such a large house such as Pemberley usually included two main courses and one dessert course. Depending on the hosts, one course could have up to 25 separate dishes; whatever would please even the most eccentric of guests. After dessert, the ladies would usually withdraw into drawing rooms, and the men would stay in the banquet hall and discuss assorted matters. Later, the men would join the ladies for tea and cakes before the night was out.
Discussion starters:
- What is your impression of Elizabeth so far in the novel?
- How would you describe Elizabeth's relationship with her parents?
- Literary Concept: The term dramatic irony refers to the contrast between what a character knows, and what the reader knows. Try to find an example of dramatic irony in your first few chapters. How did this irony affect your opinion of the characters?
- Making Connections: How does your eating schedule compare to those in the novel? Try to keep track of what you eat and at what time. Do you think Elizabeth ate the same way you do? What do you think her favorite food was?
