Reader’s Reflections: My dad tells a joke about a lady who’s showing off her huge engagement ring, to the amazement of her onlookers. She’s bragging about it, saying, “It’s an enormous 28 carats! But it comes with the Grossman Curse. It’s completely colorless and perfectly flawless. But it comes with the Grossman Curse. It’s cut with artistry and precision that make it sparkle like no other. But it comes with the Grossman Curse.” Finally her friends interrupt her, “Wait a second, What’s the Grossman Curse?” The lady sighs and says, “Mr. Grossman.”

Charlotte has a lovely home, financial security and high society. Unfortunately they came with the Collins Curse. She’s set up her home to be as comfortable and attractive as possible, and claimed for her personal sitting room the one that will keep her as far from her husband as possible. She goes out of her way to commend his work in the garden so that he’ll stay out of the house for the better part of the day. I guess she knew what she was getting into, and now she’s arranged things to make them as tolerable as possible.

It’s also interesting to really get a look at what Elizabeth’s made of. Everyone around her is cowering in fear and lavishing praises on Lady Catherine de Bourgh but she is not only unimpressed, she sees no reason to allow Lady Catherine to intimidate her or boss her around. I can’t help but think that this is where we really see that she’s a combination of her two parents – she’s got her father’s wisdom and her mother’s self-esteem!