In chapter 2 of volume 2, reread the conversation about love between Mrs. Gardner and Elizabeth that begins at the bottom of page 108, “When alone with Elizabeth afterwards,” and continues through the fourth paragraph of the following page. As they do in this passage, consider the phrase “violently in love.” What do you think of the phenomenon of being “violently in love”? (You don’t have to discuss your private life, of course, but if it’s useful, it’s okay to draw from your observations and use them to support your opinions. Just don’t only use personal experiences.) Do you agree with Mrs. Gardner that the phrase is too doubtful and indefinite, “as often applied to feelings which arise from a half-hour’s acquaintance as to a real, strong attachment”? Do you feel that some people fall in love too quickly? Do you think men or women fall in love more easily? And last but not least, what makes some love last? Use the text (the parts we’ve read so far only!) as much as possible to support your argument.

I do agree with Mrs. Gardner’s opinion on this matter. I think in most cases young love, puppy love gets the best of people. They fall in love so fast, don’t take time to know eachother’s fears, dislikes, and weaknesses, they don’t experience fights and disagreements, and they fall in love with the idea of a perfect love. Lovers wear masks upon their faces and each falls in love with a facade. This is an especially popular trend with junior and high school students today. This is the kind of love Lydia had got herself into. She was stuck on the ideas of being with a man in a uniform, a soldier really and took the first opportunity she had to be with him. To me this obviously wasn’t love; it was first lust. Lydia and Kitty were always lusting after the soldiers and the idea of married to a soldier. Lydia didn’t allow the time to really understand Mr. Wickham’s character.

In the case of Jane, however, although fast this admiration for Mr. Bingley grew and likewise his affection grew toward her, I believe it to be real love. He showed grace and compassion toward her while she was ill, they were both shy, nervous, and a bit reserved around eachother, and he loved her not for money but because she was sweet, beautiful, and kind. They are both pleasant people, liked by many. They are also older and understand love and marriage much more than Jane’s silly, boy crazed sisters, I believe.

I am young and married almost 2 months ago. My husband and I definitely experienced love at first sight; but it didn’t all happen easily and all at once. About 2 years ago we dated for a couple of months and started to learn more about eachother. Then that ended and we didn’t see eachother for almost a year. When we did see eachother though, we kicked ourselves because we realized how much we really like eachother still and want to share everything with eachother. We ended up spending almost everyday together, going on dates, being with friends, coffee, movies, board games, and just talking. To make a long story short, we realized we really love eachother and wanted our lives to be together not separate anymore. I think what makes our experience of love real is that we are in love and we are sweet for eachother, but we didn’t rush into things and it didn’t have to happen immediately for us to believe in it. We also experience eachother’s weaknesses, we argue sometimes when we disagree and aren’t getting one another, and sometimes we have to be completely honest about how ridiculous the other person is acting. But we help eachother to grow and get past these things, and are stronger because of this. We still love eachother despite our flaws. More importantly than that, we are just so genuinely in love and in awe of one another. We make eachother laugh and bring joy to one another’s lives. These are the kinds of things that make love last.