The Development of the Relationship Between Elizabeth and Darcy

Assignment: For each of the event shown below, assign a point value to each character's attitude toward the other at the time of that event. Justify your scores with specific references to/passages from the text.

Lasting Love = 25

Hatred = 0

Scores

Meryton Ball

Elizabeth- 2

Darcy- 2

During Jane's illness

Elizabeth-5

Darcy-7

Netherfield Ball

Elizabeth- 6

Darcy- 12

First Meeting at Hunsford

Elizabeth-7

Darcy-17

Last Meeting at Hunsford

Elizabeth-6

Darcy-19

Meeting at Pemberley

Elizabeth- 22

Darcy-22

Final Meeting at Longbourn

Elizabeth- 25

Darcy-25

Explanations

Meryton Ball

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth do not necessarily hate each other at this point, but they certainly dislike each other/are not remotely attracted to each other. At the ball, Mr. Darcy keeps to himself, and is seen as arrogant. His comment that "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men..." clearly shows his thoughts about Elizabeth at the time. She overhears his words and is mildly offended, but doesn't take his opinion to heart.

During Jane's illness

Elizabeth's dislike of Darcy weakens as they engage in playful banter, but there is more concrete evidence that Darcy is developing significant feelings for her. When Miss Bingley tries to trick Darcy into insulting Elizabeth after she walks a few miles to Netherfield to see her sister, he replies "[Her eyes] were brightened by the exercise." Elizabeth also notes "how frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her," thinks that is is because she is doing something wrong, and the narrator says that "she liked him too little to care for his approbation." When it is announced that Elizabeth and Jane will leave Netherfield "To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence...[Elizabeth] attracted him more than he liked..."

Netherfield Ball

At this ball, Elizabeth is distracted by thoughts of Mr. Wickham and the interesting things that he told her about Darcy. Convinced that Mr. Wickham did not attend the ball because of Mr. Darcy, "she was resolved against any sort of conversation with [Darcy], and turned away with a degree of ill humour..." Mr. Darcy "approaches to claim her hand" (a sign that he likes her, considering he hates dancing) and she accepts, and they engage in more playful banter. Darcy seems to have become nicer, especially when compared to Elizabeth's sharp responses. (ex. "Books--Oh! no.--I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings." Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth become more clear when he overhears Mrs. Bennet talking bad about him, and remains silent and grave throughout the rest of the evening.

First Meeting at Hunsford

Elizabeth may not see any truth in Charlotte's comment "I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility, Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me" and may not take notice of Darcy's increasing politeness with her, but it is obvious to the reader that his feelings towards her have developed. When she is chatting enthusiastically with his cousin, he repeatedly watches them curiously, and looks ashamed of his aunt's ill breeding when she tries to insult Elizabeth's playing. He even stands near her while she plays pianoforte "so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance." Elizabeth is cordial to him, but her views are still tainted by Wickham's story. His feelings are subtle, (in fact, Elizabeth sees indifference in his silence) but Charlotte sees the truth: "My dear Eliza he must be in love with you, or he would never have called on us in this familiar way." When Colonel Fitzwilliam alludes to the fact that Mr. Darcy split up Jane and Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth begins to like Darcy less and less.

Last Meeting at Hunsford

In this last meeting (or second-to-last meeting, since the pair meet again when Darcy gives Elizabeth the letter) Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, and she rejects him. Darcy semi-awkwardly blurts out, "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you," a statement that shocks Elizabeth. Before she harshly responds, she looks at him and only sees incredible pride, which reminds her of "his sense of her inferiority" and "her deep-rooted dislike." She angrily accuses him of foul play with Wickham, as well as Jane and Mr. Bingley. At this point, Elizabeth is not remotely close to loving Darcy, and though he cares for her, his love has not yet truly blossomed.

Meeting at Pemberly

Elizabeth's love for Darcy skyrockets between his failed proposal and the next time that they meet at Pemberly. She understands that she was prejudiced against him, and begins to develop feelings for the man that she used to hate. Her feelings for him increase as his housekeeper praises him, and continue to rise when he is polite to her, even though she was so harsh to him at their last meeting. Miss Bingley tries again to insult Elizabeth and reminds Mr. Darcy of his thoughts of her at Netherfield, but he retorts, "Yes...but that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance." This proves that his love too has grown.

Final Meetings at Longbourn

By this time, it has been revealed that Darcy paid Mr. Wickham so that Elizabeth's family would not have to, and Elizabeth concludes that "[her family] owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, everything to him!" "Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her" and "how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him." Unlike Darcy, whose love grew steadily over time, Elizabeth is hit all at once by her feelings. She fears that Darcy will never love her because of her previous rejection, and is pleasantly surprised when calls repeatedly at Longbourn and reveals that his feelings are unwavering. When Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, the reader can be sure that both characters are experiencing an everlasting love deserving the score of 25.

The Olympic Sport of Marriage Proposals- Part 2

2. Mr. Darcy's proposal to Elizabeth

Proposal: Mr. Darcy comes into the house and has a sudden and slightly awkward outpouring of his feelings for Elizabeth. Unlike Mr. Collins he immediately focuses on love: "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be represented. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." As he is explaining the "strength of his attachment," Elizabeth begins to feel that he is overconfident about receiving a positive response. When Elizabeth spurns his proposal, Mr. Darcy becomes flustered and points out her lack of civility, and becomes even more angry when Elizabeth begins to accuse him of things that he has not done.

Score: I give Mr. Darcy's proposal to Elizabeth an 8. He put himself out there and told her exactly how he felt, only to be harshly rejected. I did not give him a higher score because his delivery could have been a bit more smooth, and because Elizabeth noted some overconfidence (whether it was there or not.)

Response: When Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, her first response is remotely civil, but after that her level of politeness goes downhill. Mr. Darcy even says, "I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavour at civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance." She then tries to back this up by saying that her incivility was provoked, and reveals her prejudices towards him in the lines "Had not my own feelings decided agsinst you, had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining...the happiness of a most beloved sister?" Elizabeth continues by accusing him of foul play with Mr. Wickham, though she has never heard Mr. Darcy's side of the story. Finally, she delivers the final blow with the lines "You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it" and "...and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."

Score: I give Elizabeth a 2 for her response to Mr. Darcy's proposal. Though he may have been a little overconfident, he put his heart on his sleeve and told her how he really felt. Blinded by her prejudice against him, Elizabeth could not contemplate the sincerity of the proposal nor could she reject him in a polite manner. Fortunately, Mr. Darcy cares about her enough to write her a letter explaining the entire the situation, in hopes that she will overcome her prejudice against him.

The Olympic Sport of Marriage Proposals- Part 1

Assignment: You are to judge the new Olympic sport of marriage proposals. Evaluate Elizabeth's various marriage proposals.

1. Critique from the perspective of the man's delivery.

2. Critique from the perspective of her response.

3. For each, provide a score.

4. Provide a detailed rationale for your choosing the score you chose.

Scoring Guide: scale of 1 to 10. Examples of criteria: delivery style, content of proposal/response, attitude of delivery/response, appropriateness of delivery/response, etc.

1. Mr. Collins's proposal to Elizabeth

Proposal: Mr. Collins begins his proposal by addressing Mrs. Bennet is his typical overly formal way: "May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?" (page 91) He then begins a rambling epistle, logically explaining why a marriage between himself and Elizabeth would be ideal. His reasons include: it is right for a clergyman to marry to set a good example for his parish, it would "add greatly to his happiness", Lady Catherine told him it was a good idea, and that it would mean that Longbourn would semi-stay on the Bennet side of the family. When Elizabeth turns him down, he can't take no for an answer and says "I am not now to learn that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly meant to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time." (page 94)

Score: I give Mr. Collins a 4 for his proposal to Elizabeth. He tried his best, but he failed miserably. His proposal was completely lacking in romance and his formality was unbearable. I also gave him a low score because he showed that he has no understanding of women when he assumed it normal to be rejected by a lady before eventually being accepted.

Response: Elizabeth is greatly amused by his proposal, and attempts to handle it politely. She tells him that she will not make him happy, and makes it seem as if she is looking out for his welfare. Though she tries to handle Mr. Collins civilly, she becomes slightly frustrated when Mr. Collins refuses to accept rejection.

Score: I give Elizabeth a 7 for her response to Mr. Collins's proposal. She handled him extremely well, meaning that she managed to restrain herself from laughing in his face. At first, she attempted to let him down easy, but became annoyed when he could not accept her refusal. Though this behavior is understandable, she does not deserve a higher score because her politeness began to fade.

The LOOOOOOVE Detective Notebook- Case 2

Assignment:

1) Imagine that you are a LOOOOOVE detective. Someone has hired you to discover whether there is any truth to this rumor:

Charlotte loooooooves Mr. Collins

2) Hunt through the text for all the clues that you can find that have bearing on the question. Make sure you provide enough information in your notes so that you can tell your client where you got the clues!

3) Formulate an answer for your client: Does that person looooooove the other one or not? If you can't tell, why not?

Detective Work:

Case 2: Charlotte looooooves Mr. Collins.

Clues/Evidence:

1) "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation, and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life." -Charlotte Lucas (page 21)

Notes: This quote, found early on in the novel, shows that Charlotte Lucas is not the most romantic person. She does not seem to think that true love and wedded bliss are the most important ingredients for a successful marriage. Miss Lucas is much more practical. It also should be noted that she is 27...and still isn't married.

2) "[Elizabeth] owed her greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas, who often joined them, and good-naturedly engaged Mr, Collins's conversation to herself." (page. 90)

Notes: This is the first example of Miss Lucas chatting it up with Mr. Collins....to help her friend Elizabeth?

3) "The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again during the chief of the day was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her...Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Charlotte's kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of; its object was nothing less than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins's addresses by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so favourable that when they parted that night, she would have felt almost sure of success...the fire and independenc of his character...led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next morning...and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet." (page 106)

Notes: This quote shows that there is an ulterior motive behind Charlotte's kindness towards Mr. Collins; she is trying to snag a husband!

4) "...and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained." (page 107)

Notes: Here we see the first explanation as to why Miss Lucas agreed to marry Mr. Collins: he represents an opportunity for security in life.

5) "[Charlotte's] reflections were in general satisfactory. Mr. Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, it must be their pleasantest preservative from want.." (page 107)

Notes: This passage pretty much sums it all up. As I said before, Charlotte Lucas is practical, and she knows that the only way for a young woman to be "free from want" (have money, a nice home, etc.) is to get married. She is not necessarily attracted to Mr. Collins.

Conclusion:

The rumor is false! Charlotte does not looooooove Mr. Collins, she is just marrying him because it is convenient. She is 27 years old, and the pressure is on for her to get married. When Elizabeth spurns Mr. Collins's advances, Charlotte catches him on the rebound and snags herself a husband---how strategic! There is absolutely no evidence that she loves him; there is barely any evidence that she truly likes him as a person. Charlotte Lucas just saw an opportunity and took it. Elizabeth may be disgusted by her decision, but she, unlike Charlotte, is young, pretty, and intelligent enough to be a bit more picky when choosing a husband.

Also: Here are another person's thoughts on Charlotte and Mr. Collins.

The LOOOOOOVE Detective Notebook- Case 1

Assignment:

1) Imagine that you are a LOOOOOVE detective. Someone has hired you to discover whether there is any truth to this rumor:

Darcy loooooooves Elizabeth.

2) Hunt through the text for all the clues that you can find that have bearing on the question. Make sure you provide enough information in your notes so that you can tell your client where you got the clues!

3) Formulate an answer for your client: Does that person looooooove the other one or not? If you can't tell, why not?

Detective Work:

Case 1: Darcy looooooves Elizabeth.

Clues/Evidence:

1) "But no sooner had [Mr. Darcy] made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, then he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes...He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others." (page 22)

Notes: Darcy is determined not to like her, but the "intelligence of her dark eyes" reel him in.

2) '...My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.' Miss Bingley...desired [Mr. Darcy] would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections...'Miss Elizabeth Bennet.'" (page 25)

Notes: This is an example of Mr. Darcy being lost in thoughts of Elizabeth...much to Miss Bingley's dismay.

3) "'I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,' observed Miss Bingley...'that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of [Elizabeth's] fine eyes.' 'Not at all,' he replied; 'they were brightened by the exercise.'" (page 32)

Notes: Miss Bingley tries to trick Mr. Darcy into insulting Elizabeth, but he stands by his opinion about her beautiful eyes.

4) "...Elizabeth could not help observing as she turned over some music books...how frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her." (page 45)

Notes: This one is pretty obvious, considering he's staring at her!

5) "...but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in [Elizabeth's manner] which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed that were it not for the inferiority of her connections he should be in some danger." (page 46)

Notes: It seems here that Darcy's interest in Elizabeth is increasing, but part of him is trying to restrain himself because she is lower on the social ladder.

6) "To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence--Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked..." (page 52)

Note: This quote goes with the last one. He is trying to stop himself from liking her because he knows that she is not technically "good enough" for him.

7) "'I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,' [Darcy] coldly replied. [Elizabeth] said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence; on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree, for in Darcy's breast there was a tolerable powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against another." (page 82)

Note: Even when Elizabeth is cold towards him, he can't get mad at her! The fact that a "powerful" feeling comes over him may mean that his affection for her is growing.

8) (Mrs. Bennet is speaking loudly about Mr. Darcy, even though he's in earshot.) "[Elizabeth] could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy, though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded; for though he was not always looking at her mother, she was convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and steady gravity." (page 87)

Notes: Mr. Darcy is probably eavesdropping to get clues on how Elizabeth feels about him, and Mrs. Bennet's comments seem to assure him that Elizabeth does not return his sentiments.

9) "[Elizabeth] looked at [Mr. Bingley's] two sisters, and saw them making signs of derision at each other, and at Darcy, who continued however impenetrably grave." (page 88) and "She was at least free from the offence [sic] of Mr. Darcy's further notice; though often standing within a very short distance of her, quite disengaged, he never came near enough to speak." (page 90)

Notes: Mr. Darcy spends the rest of the evening quiet, disengaged, and lost in thought. This is the kind of behavior shown by people who indirectly receive bad news, are supremely bummed out about it, and have no desire to socialize, yet are still forced to be around other people. (I must admit that this has happened to me more than once.)

Conclusion:

The rumor is true! Mr. Darcy loooooves Elizabeth. Even though he tries to hide his feelings from her and attempts to convince himself that he doesn't like her, it is clear to the reader that Mr. Darcy is gradually falling in love with Elizabeth. He realizes this himself, and is horrified by the fact because he doesn't think that she is "right" for him because of her social standing. It will be interesting to see if this conflicted individual can sort out his emotions, and if Elizabeth will ever feel the same way about him.

Narrator's Hall of Fame (Part 2)

Here is Part 2 of my "Top 16 Narrative Moments":

9. “To Darcy it was welcome intelligence—Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked…He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity, sensible that if such an idea had been suggested his behavior during the last day must have material weight in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday…he adhered…to his book, and would not even look at her.”

This is yet another example of Darcy trying to deny his feelings for Elizabeth. He cannot come to terms with the fact the he likes he (“She attracted them more than he liked”) so he resorts to an immature strategy of ignoring her. The fact that he must try increasingly harder to suppress his interest in her shows that his feelings must be growing. Hard as he may try, he can’t escape the age-old adage of “You can’t help who you fall in love with.”

10. “After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus explained. ‘About a month ago I received this letter…It is from my cousin Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.’ ‘Oh! My dear,’ cried his wife, ‘I cannot bear to hear the mentioned…I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children…in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about.” (page 54)

These lines are important because they reveal the true reason why Mrs. Bennet is so focused on marrying her daughters (preferably to men who are well-off). Due to the fact that the estate will go to Mr. Collins when Mr. Bennet dies, Mrs. Bennet is trying to set up a stable life for each of her daughters (which means marrying them off to wealthy suitors.) The reader learns that Mrs. Bennet may at times be “intolerable,” but her heart is in the right place. On another note, this passage shows that Mr. Bennet knows exactly how to push his wife’s buttons…and it is hilarious.

11. “’…But I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more, but perhaps when we are better acquainted—‘... [the girls] were not the only objects of Mr. Collins’s admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture were examined and praised; and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet’s heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property…In a softened tone she declared herself not at all offended [that Mr. Collins suggested that her daughters did the cooking]; but he continued to apologize for about a quarter of an hour.”

This passage highlights some of the oddities of Mr. Collins. He can be polite and humble, but also brags about his connections with Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He seems to mean well, but he gives off a creepy vibe, especially since he is definitely interested in marrying one of his cousins. In general, his mannerisms and way of going about things are just odd. (ex. He profusely apologizes for every small social “misstep” that he makes.)

12. “Mr. Bennet’s expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped…By tea-time however the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing room…glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but on beholding it…[he] protested that he never read novels.—Kitty stared at him, and Lydia exclaimed—Other books were produced, and…he chose Fordyce’s Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him…” (page 60)

I chose this paragraph because it manages to highlight the qualities of a few different characters. Mr. Bennet is shown to be clever (he thinks Mr. Collins is hilarious, but knows how to get rid of him when he’s had enough) while Mr. Collins is portrayed as oblivious to everything. This passage also reinforces the fact that Kitty and Lydia are airheads, and that Lydia is bold (or rude) enough to defy societal rules. Austen highlights her bold spirit for a reason, as she will make some interesting decisions later in the novel…

13. “Darcy corroborated it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it?” (page 63)

I like this passage because it makes me want to learn the back-story of two characters that I know little about. (Or pretend to know little about, since I have already read this book.) Even after Mr. Wickham explains his dislike for Darcy, I still want to hear Darcy’s side of the story, which means that I will have to continue reading the book. I find it interesting that we are not told who “looked white/red” when the men “changed colour”; this knowledge would give us more information about what transpired between them in the past. The fact that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham have a “history” relates to the theme in this novel that everything is intertwined and everyone will eventually get mixed up in the intrigue.

14. “I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this—though I have never liked him, I had not thought so very ill of him—I had supposed him to be despising his fellow creatures in general, but did not supect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this!” –Elizabeth Bennet (page 70)

The scene from which this quote is taken is important because it radically alters Elizabeth’s perception of Mr. Darcy. He seemed to be growing on her, but Mr. Wickham’s story has her convinced that he is truly a horrible person. Little does she know that Mr. Wickham is not what he seems, and there are two sides to every story. It is also interesting to note that when Elizabeth speaks of Miss Darcy, Mr. Wickham says, “But she is nothing to me now.” Was she “something” to him before?

15. “…though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.” “I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference.” “…they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.”—Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (pages 6-7)

This part of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s initial conversation should be noted because it gives the first tidbit of information on Elizabeth Bennet, a prominent character in the novel. In the lines preceding this one, the reader has gathered that Mr. Bennet is calm and rational, whereas Mrs. Bennet is somewhat of a dingbat. This means that the reader values Mr. Bennet’s opinion of his daughters more than that of Mrs. Bennet, who honestly has no idea what she is talking about.

16. “Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been very miserable; but being satisfied on seeing her that her illness was not alarming, she had no wish of her recovering immediately, as her restoration to health would probably remove her from Netherfield.” (page 37)

Mrs. Bennet may not be conventionally intelligent, but she definitely knows how to scheme, and this passage proves it. She is very pleased that Jane is not deathly ill, yet is sick enough to be forced to remain at Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet figures that Jane staying there will lead to her spending more time with Mr. Bingley which will inevitably lead t0 marriage. (of course) As I said before, Mrs. Bennet may not be the smartest woman in the world, but she knows how to get what she wants.