An Elizabethan Education Sydney M Paluch

“It is a truth, universally acknowledged...”

A seemingly proper novel, Pride and Prejudice began with ostensibly proper words. The satire of an endearing family was all I presumed upon cracking the cover.

I was wrong. Contained in those pages was not merely a drama, but a mentor. In Pride and Prejudice, I discovered Lizzy Bennet and myself. Lizzy is a mentor for me chiefly because of her witty intelligence. She showed me that a young lady should challenge the status quo, feeling free to be herself, even if it is outside of society’s “proper” requirements. My family choose home-schooling as the best choice for my academics, morals, and faith. Some home-schooled, conservative families do not give their daughters the same opportunities and independence as their sons; mine did. Through classes at local colleges, Consortium, online, and at home, I am able to fulfill my love of learning. Going against the status quo of a traditional education caused prejudice from some public school students, but Lizzy's example gave me strength to follow academic fulfillment. Lizzy is also an exemplary role model because she learns to not be egotistical about her intelligence. As Lizzy had to check her pride before repairing her relationship with...