Who does "Miss Bennet" refer to???

[Azure]

Hey everybody, I just started reading this book and I see "Miss Bennet" starting to pop up here and there, but it's rather confusing. Considering that there are a few Miss Bennetts, exactly which one is this supposed to refer to? Jane? Elizabeth? Here's an example quote:

"Miss Bennet's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley..."

I would REALLY appreciate it if someone could clear this up for me :confused:

[downing]

I have read the book a couple of months ago, probably an year ago. I guess it's talking about Elizabeth. Please write here if it is ok in this way.

[Danika_Valin]

I may be wrong in this, but I believe "Miss Bennet" refers to the oldest, unmarried daughter--Jane. When they are introduced or addressed by anyone other than their parents, they are addressed as Miss Bennet (Jane), Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia.

However, Darcy sometimes calles Elizabeth "Miss Bennet." It's very interesting. I think in this form of address he is either trying to show his admiration and respect for her, or he accepts (whether he'll admit it or not) that Jane will be married to Bingley.

[thevintagepiper]

I agree....but I'd add that it usually goes like this:

Miss Bennet (eldest)
Miss Elizabeth
Miss Mary
Miss Lydia etc.

Miss Elizabeth may be caleld Miss Bennet when she is the only Bennet daughter present, or out of special respect, as Danika Valin said.

[Billie_Bumble]

I've just finished reading this book and I was confused too at first. I realised eventually that it's definitely Jane who is being referred to. Probably because she's the eldest.

[vili]

Yes, I think it is Jane that is referred to as 'Miss Bennet'.

If you have seen the new film adaptation with Keira Knightley as Liz, you may remember how they used this confusion in the scene where the Bennet daughters pay a visit to the Bingleys. ('Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet... um, Miss Bennet... and, uh, Miss Bennet')

[Lulabelli]

Yes.
The title of "Miss" is automatically given to the eldest daughter.
They were very strict over precidence in the 19th century- if you watch the 1995 version, you will also notice that the Bennetts enter the house in a specific order the father, mother, eldest, 2nd eldest etc...
However, this changes when Lydia marries- and because she is a married woman she is then above Jane in the "pecking order".
The moment that Jame marries, Elizabeth would become Miss Bennett and Mary would continue as "Miss Mary Bennett" etc.
It also depends on age.
In Sense and Sensibilty- it is stated as Mis Dashwood, Miss Marianne Dashwood and Miss Margaret. Since she is still a child she may not necessarly have her ast name mentioned!
Anyways, hope that definitely sorts it out! :D

[Amanda29]

I believe all the sisters are all refered to as Miss Bennet - at least, the oldest ones.

As Vili, in this thread, mentioned:
"If you have seen the new film adaptation with Keira Knightley as Liz, you may remember how they used this confusion in the scene where the Bennet daughters pay a visit to the Bingleys. ('Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet... um, Miss Bennet... and, uh, Miss Bennet')"

Closely following the passage's context will tell you which is which. After all, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley originally like Jane (a bit condenscendingly, though), because of Mr. Bingley's interest in her. Miss Bingley doesn't like Elizabeth at all, is jealous of her, in fact - so Elizabeth's manners wouldn't have grown favorable to her.

So, to the answer to your question of: "Miss Bennet's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley..." is that they were speaking of Jane.

[sciencefan]

Hey everybody, I just started reading this book and I see "Miss Bennet" starting to pop up here and there, but it's rather confusing. Considering that there are a few Miss Bennetts, exactly which one is this supposed to refer to? Jane? Elizabeth? Here's an example quote:

"Miss Bennet's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley..."

I would REALLY appreciate it if someone could clear this up for me :confused:I read the book twice this winter.
I recall that most of the time it referred to Jane,
but sometimes referred to Elizabeth.
When you're not sure, it's Jane.