Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is the most famous of Jane Austen's novels. It was written between 1796 and 1797, and was initially called First Impressions. Revised in 1811, it was published two years later in 1813 by the same Mr. Egerton, of the Military Library, Whitehall, who had brought out Sense and Sensibility. Like both its predecessor and Northanger Abbey, it was written at Steventon Rectory.

Plot summary

This story deals with issues surrounding marriage in the late 18th century and early 19th century. The main character is Elizabeth Bennet, a twenty-year-old middle-class girl possessed of a quick mind, sharp wit, and keen sense of justice. Elizabeth's father, Mr. Bennet, spends much of his time hiding in his study, a refuge from Elizabeth's mother. Mrs. Bennet (whose manners and conduct are decidedly "of the people") is determined to see each of her five daughters successfully married to gentlemen of sufficient fortune to support a wife. The Bennet family estate is entailed to a cousin - Mr. Collins - due to the lack of male heirs in the Bennet family.

Related Topics:
18th century - 19th century - Elizabeth Bennet - Mr. Bennet - Mr. Collins

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The beginning of the novel begins with Mrs. Bennet's excitement over the arrival of a single man "of considerable fortune" in their neighbourhood. The man, Mr. Bingley, has recently bought the estate to live in with his single sister Miss Bennet and his married sister, whose husband has more fashion than wealth. After a short period, Mr. Bingley goes on a short trip to London and returns with his friend, Mr. Darcy. Shortly after their arrival, Mr. Bingley has a party at his estate. At the beginning of the party, Mr. Darcy is widely regarded as a most agreeable gentleman due to his fine figure and 10,000 Pounds a year. However, halfway through the party, the neighborhood percieves him as a most disagreeable sort, one who believes himself above the country folk of Elizabeth's town. This is perpetuated within the Bingley family because Mr. Darcy slighted Elizabeth; Mr. Bingley suggested that Darcy dance with Elizabeth and he noted that "she is not handsome enough to tempt me." Mr. Bingley, on the other hand, proved himself to the neighborhood to be a fine, most agreeable gentleman. Mr. Bingley also is noted for his admiration of Elizabeth's dearest sister, Jane.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shortly after the ball, Mr. Bennet announces to the family that a visitor will be arriving shortly. Mrs. Bennet and the girls amuse themselves with guesses as to who the man is, but are disappointed to find out it is only their cousin, Mr. Collins. Collins is a clergyman who tends to be wordy and snobbish, and is forever searching for opportunities to drop the name of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Collins follows Lady Catherine de Bourgh like a puppy dog, so when she suggests he get a wife, Collins immediately looks to his "poor cousins" to find a wife and make up for his involvement in the oft mentioned ruination of the Bennet girls (The fact that he is even concerned with his role suggests an ignorance of the law concerning entails and Collin's overall ineptitude). Collins, upon being informed Jane (Elizabeth's older sister and the only other "sensible" Bennet girl) was "practically engaged", begins to eye the lovely Elizabeth Bennet. Mrs. Bennet highly encourages the match and tries to force Elizabeth into the marriage. However, Mr. Bennet saves Elizabeth by mentioning that if she does not marry Collins Elizabeth's mother will never speak to her again, but if she DOES Mr. Bennet will never speak to her again. Meanwhile, Elizabeth also begins falling for a recently arrived military officer, Colonel Wickham.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Having been rejected by Elizabeth, Mr. Collins turns to Elizabeth's best friend Charlotte Lucas, and they are soon married - to Mrs. Bennet's profound disappointment. Soon after this disappointment, Mrs. Bennet is further disparaged by the sudden departure of Bingley from the Neighborhood. Jane is also heartbroken and Mrs. Bennet's disparaging remarks about Bingley only heighten Jane's sorrow. Elizabeth is invited to visit the newlyweds, Mr. Collins and Charlotte, in their parish. While Elizabeth is visiting the Collins', Darcy is visiting his aunt, Lady Catherine (Mr. Collins' patroness). Elizabeth and Darcy end up spending a lot of time together, leading Mr. Darcy to eventually declare his love for Elizabeth "against his own will" and his intentions to marry her. Elizabeth is appalled (especially since she had recently learned that Darcy convinced Bingley to leave Jane) and informs Darcy "he is the last man on earth {she} would ever desire to marry."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The morning after her rejection of Darcy, Elizabeth runs into him on a walk. Darcy gives Elizabeth a letter before coldly leaving. In the letter, Darcy attempts to defend his actions to Elizabeth. He notes that, apart from her embarassing relations, Darcy did not believe Jane a suitable match for Bingley because of her own seeming indifference to Bingley. (Elizabeth herself admits that Jane's reserved character makes it difficult for others to ascertain her true feelings). Darcy also reveals Wickham's true character as a womanizing cad and opportunist. This throws all of Darcy's past actions in a new light for Elizabeth and gradually her prejudices against Darcy are broken down, especially when she discovers his helping her family out of the humiliation of the elopment of her youngest sister Lydia and the infamous Wickham. Moreover seeing him in his usual circle and particularly being introduced to his younger sister, she soon finds out that his pride is hiding a very tender and amiable heart. Finally when his aunt Catherine de Bourgh threathens her because she has heard about Darcy's inclination for a girl lesser than him, she comes to realize that depite her rejection at his first proposal he still loves her and when he brings back Bingley to the country and in her sister Jane's life (and they soon become engaged), she opens up her heart to him and both his pride and her prejudices are forgotten, ensuring their happiness.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~