MovieChat Forums > Our Mutual Friend (1999) Discussion > Question on scene with Jenny Wren

Question on scene with Jenny Wren

posted 17 years ago by kulsi
7 replies | jump to latest

There was a scene where Lizzie was brushing Jenny's hair and the discussion started with Jenny explaining what she would want a future husband to do. I think the schoolteacher (Headstone) comes up, and Lizzie makes a negative comment? and then Jenny asks about Eugene. Lizzie basically says she is not in the same league as him, and maybe if she was a lady she would have a chance. Then Jenny starts crying. I was wondering if she started crying because Lizzie was cutting herself down by saying she was not a Lady, or she was sad for Lizzie because Lizzie liked Eugene and it seemed an improbable that they would get together?

[–] StacyScrip 17 years ago

Jenny was crying because she knew Lizzie was in love with Eugene but their stations were such that they could never be together. She also knew that Lizzie, while from the lower class, was more deserving of Eugene than vice-versa. At least that's how I took it.

[–] rebkad 16 years ago

I also thought she was crying cos she wanted to be in love too, she's very aware that as she's lame and poor no-one will be in love with her because of her station or her beauty (or so she thinks...and then she meetsSloppy ). Maybe she's had painful experiences and doesn't want Lizzie to go through them too? She says its not the 'old pain', its a new one, which suggests she might be feeling broody. But I'm sure she's also upset for Lizzie, it just hadn't occurred to me.

[–] garberpog 16 years ago

Jenny herself is in love with Eugene, as her tormented features show. And is bitter that he comes to discuss dolls only to see Lizzie. So Jenny has triple bitterness; the man she loves loves her best friend, is above her in station, and she feels ugly because she's crippled. When Eugene comes trying to find Lizzie, Jenny drives him away in a rage.

[–] goheathergo 14 years ago

I took it that she never wanted Lizzie to leave her and she was sad that Lizzie was in love- because that meant she might leave her someday.

[–] Jenn25 13 years ago

It is a good question... I took it that she cried because she was sad for her friend. Lizzie was so good and kind and deserved happiness.
I never thought she was in love with him herself- I think it was pretty obvious to her that Lizzie and Eugene had feelings for eachother. She sent Eugene away because she was going to "discipline her bad child" and didn't want him to hear it.

[–] nklayman-1 13 years ago

Goheathergo, that's how I took it too.

[–] ljspin 11 years ago

Jennie cried for Lizzie because Lizzie is in love with Eugene, and, because of their social classes, there is no hope of them ever getting together.

Jennie was not in love with Eugene. I, however, have cheated, because I read the novel.