Pride and Prejudice, Chapters Two and Three

Wow. Producing this content entirely on my own has been incredibly fulfilling.  I have to think about what is behind every little bit of the text, embody it and then channel it solely with my voice.  What I like to do lately is to go out for breakfast, read a chapter there, and then start putting it through the microphone in my home.  I feel like I've never done close reading quite this fully and, as an actor, this is challenging but very rewarding work to do.  Thanks to all of you who are listening to what I'm creating!

Here's chapter two and three:


 

In Chapter Two, I noted to myself that there was the first appearance of Elizabeth, Kitty, and Lydia.  Mary may have been present, silently, too--if I remember correctly at the moment.  I enjoyed getting to voice these women for the first time, and particularly enjoyed starting to work on Elizabeth...that's going to keep being more and more fun unpacking her character as Austen wrote her.  I think that there are a lot of similarities between Lydia and Mrs. Bennet, and it is very fun lately to speak their words...some of which are very exasperatedly said! The line in Chapter Two that struck a chord with me was the following words of Mrs. Bennet: "At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but for your sakes, we would do anything."  I don't think this would strike me as much if I weren't in my early 30's, at least.

In Chapter Three, I first of all noted that it's about twice as long as the first two and wondered what in the world I could cut from it so it would still make sense plot-wise.  I omitted a really amazing passage where Mrs. Bennet is running around ragged trying to arrange her house for Mr. Bingley, who cannot come because he went to London to gather his friends/family for the ball in the country.  I loved voicing Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley! Their exchange of words at this country ball was one of my favorite parts so far.  I love the shift of how much people greatly admire Darcy initially and how abruptly the general opinion of him in the country changes, among so many of the people.  Because I grew up on farm and spent a lot of time in small towns, I know how truly that consensus of opinion can form.

This is so much fun for me to do.  Thanks again and please stay tuned for more of my work :)