Poor Mrs. Bennet

Is pity something to crave? Is it something to be proud of, for its tendency to attract attention? Babies complain. If they remained silent throughout their childhood, they would probably starve (of attention?). A grown woman such as Mrs. Bennet has no noble use of pity. Truthfully, she states that “those who do not complain are never pitied” (86). Humorously so, she includes herself among those who “suffer as I do from nervous complaints” (86), while whining. The fact that she commands the criticizing opinion of the family poses irony. With every page I turn, I increasingly dislike Mrs. Bennet. Does my social ignorance kindle this disgust, or is it Austen’s intention to inspire it?