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Pride and Prejudice

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For films named Pride and Prejudice, see Pride and Prejudice (film).
Pride and Prejudice is the most famous of Jane Austen's novels, and its opening is one of the most famous lines in English literature—"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Its manuscript was first written between 1796 and 1797, and was initially called First Impressions, but was never published under that title. Following revisions it was published on 28 January 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.

Contents

Plot introduction

The story addresses courtship and marriage among the landed gentry in the early 19th century. The main character is Elizabeth Bennet, a beautiful 20-year-old woman possessed of a quick mind and a quick tongue. Elizabeth's beloved eldest sister, Jane, is gentler but equally attractive. Alas, their parents and three younger sisters are less admirable. Mr. Bennet is an eccentric who spends much of his time hiding in his study, a refuge from his bothersome wife, and the rest of his time making humorously disparaging remarks about his family. Another sister, Mary, is a dowdy moralizer, while the others, Kitty and Lydia, are reckless teenage flirts. Meanwhile, the querulous, gauche Mrs. Bennet is desperately determined to secure good matches for her five daughters. The Bennet family's modest estate in Hertfordshire is entailed in default of heirs male—which means a cousin, Mr. Collins, will inherit the estate on Mr. Bennet's death, leaving Mrs. Bennet and any unmarried daughters homeless and left to live on a very small income.

Plot summary

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.
The beginning of the novel describes Mrs. Bennet's excitement over the arrival of a single man "of considerable fortune" in the neighbourhood. Mr. Bingley has leased the estate of Netherfield to live in with his single sister Miss Bingley and his married sister, Mrs. Hurst, whose husband is more fashionable than wealthy. After a short period, Mr. Bingley goes on a short trip to London and returns with his friend, Mr. Darcy. Soon afterwards, Bingley and his party attend a public ball in the village of Meryton. At first, Darcy is admired for his fine figure and a rumored income of £10,000 a year. Quickly, however, the neighbors come to perceive him as a most disagreeable sort, one who believes those present to be beneath him socially. This is brought home to the Bennet family when Darcy slights Elizabeth—when Bingley suggests that Darcy dance with Elizabeth, he notes that "she is not handsome enough to tempt me" within her hearing. Bingley, on the other hand, proves highly agreeable, dancing with many of the single ladies in attendance and showing his decided admiration for Jane Bennet.

Shortly after the ball, Mr. Bennet announces to the family that a visitor is expected. Mrs. Bennet and the girls amuse themselves guessing who it could be, but are disappointed to find out it is only their cousin, Mr. Collins, a pompous buffoon of a clergyman whose idea of a pleasant evening is reading to his female cousins from Fordyce's Sermons. Collins delights in dropping the name of his great patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, at every opportunity. Following Lady Catherine's imperious suggestion that he get married, Collins immediately looks to his "poor cousins" to find a wife and make amends for his role in the frequently anticipated impoverishment of the Bennets. Collins initially chooses the eldest and most comely daughter Jane, second only to Elizabeth in intelligence. Upon being informed that she is "practically engaged" to Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins easily transfers his unwanted attentions to the lovely Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet greatly approves of the match and tries to browbeat Elizabeth into marriage. However, Mr. Bennet supports his favorite daughter's repeated refusals in his own idiosyncratic, humorous way, telling her "Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." Meanwhile, Elizabeth begins falling for a recently arrived militia officer, Mr. Wickham, a man who claims to have been robbed of his rightful inheritance by none other than Mr. Darcy, strengthening her disapprobation of the latter.

Finally accepting Elizabeth's rejection, Mr. Collins next turns to her best friend, Charlotte Lucas. She readily accepts and they are soon married—to Mrs. Bennet's and Elizabeth's profound dismay, though for entirely different reasons. Mrs. Bennet hates the idea that Charlotte will someday supplant her as mistress of Longbourn, the Bennet estate; Elizabeth, on the other hand, is mortified that her best friend would marry merely for economic security. Soon after this blow, Mrs. Bennet is further discouraged by the sudden departure of Bingley. Jane is heartbroken and Mrs. Bennet's disparaging remarks about Bingley serve only to heighten her sorrow.

Elizabeth is invited to visit the newlyweds. While she is staying with them, Darcy visits his aunt, none other than Lady Catherine de Bourgh, at her adjoining estate, Rosings. Elizabeth and Darcy are perforce thrown daily into each other's company. Elizabeth's charms eventually entrance Mr. Darcy, leading him to finally declare his love for her "against his own will" and his desire to marry her, in spite of her objectionable family. Elizabeth is appalled (especially since she has recently learned that Darcy dissuaded Bingley from proposing to Jane) and informs Darcy "he is the last man on earth [she] would ever desire to marry."

The morning after, Darcy intercepts Elizabeth on her daily walk and gives her a letter before coldly taking his leave. In the letter, Darcy justifies his actions. He notes that, apart from her embarrassing relations, Darcy did not believe Jane a suitable match for Bingley because of her own seeming indifference to Bingley. (Elizabeth admits to herself that Jane's reserved character does indeed make 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 him are broken down.

Later, while on holiday with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, she is persuaded to visit nearby Pemberley, Darcy's estate, though only after discreetly finding out that the owner is away and not expected back anytime soon. While on a tour of the grounds, she is mortified when she bumps into him unexpectedly. However, his altered behaviour towards her, distinctly warmer despite her scornful rejection, begins to persuade her that underneath his pride lies a true and generous nature.

Just as her relationship with Darcy starts to thaw, Elizabeth is horrified by news that her headstrong younger sister Lydia has run away with Wickham. In Elizabeth's absence, sixteen-year-old Lydia has attracted Wickham's attentions and fled with her. When the family investigates, they learn that Wickham has resigned his commission to evade gambling debts. When told of this by Elizabeth, Darcy takes it upon himself to find Wickham and bribe him into marrying Lydia, but keeps this secret from Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth accidentally learns of Darcy's involvement from Lydia's carelessness, later confirmed by Mrs. Gardiner. This final action completes a reversal in Elizabeth's sentiments.

A complication arises when Lady Catherine discovers Darcy's feelings, threatening her long cherished ambition for him to marry her own daughter. She pays Elizabeth a visit and brusquely tries to bully her into giving him up, a fruitless undertaking. When Lady Catherine complains to Darcy about Elizabeth's obstinacy, he realizes her feelings have changed, encouraging him to try again. He confesses to Bingley that he was mistaken about her sister Jane's indifference to him, and after an awkward reconciliation, Bingley and Jane become engaged. When Darcy proposes a second time to Elizabeth, she opens her heart to him and both his pride and her prejudices are forgotten.

Characters in Pride and Prejudice

Mr. Bennet — An English gentleman with an estate in Hertfordshire. He is married and has five daughters, a circumstance injurious to his dependents. The property is entailed; it can only be inherited by a male heir. Because he has no son, that would be his closest male relative, Mr. Collins, a clergyman who provides him with much amusement. Mr. Bennet, a gentle if eccentric man, is very close to his two eldest daughters, Jane and particularly Elizabeth. However, he has a poor opinion of the intelligence and common sense of his wife and three youngest daughters, frequently declaring them "silly" and visiting them with insulting remarks as well as gentle teasing.

Mrs. Bennet — The querulous wife of Mr. Bennet. Her main concern in life is seeing her daughters married well. She angles for her new neighbour, Mr. Bingley, for one of them. She also hopes to match one of her girls with Mr. Collins.

Jane Bennet — The eldest and most beautiful of the Bennet daughters. She has a reserved personality and tends to hide her feelings from outsiders. She is incapable of suspecting the worst of people, seeing only the good.

Elizabeth Bennet — The 20-year-old second sister, and the protagonist of the story. She is her father's favorite and inherits his intelligence and wit. She is generally regarded as one of the most endearing and popular female protagonists in English literature.

Mary Bennet — The third sister, bookish, plain, and ill at ease in company. She disdains her sisters' frivolous interests and seeks to impress others instead with her scholarly yet ill-timed aphorisms and limited musical abilities.

Catherine "Kitty" Bennet — The irritable fourth sister, 17 years old, who generally follows the lead of her younger sister, Lydia.

Lydia Bennet — The youngest sister, only 15 when the story begins, Lydia is extremely flirtatious, naive, headstrong and reckless.

William Collins — A clergyman and cousin of Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins, the closest male relation, stands to inherit the Bennet estate. When not pompously full of himself, Collins is a narrow-minded sycophant, excessively devoted to his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He is always overly keen to show his admiration and gratitude--trying to build himself up by basking in the glow of his patroness.

Charlotte Lucas — Elizabeth's close friend and daughter of a neighbouring landowner. She is willing to put up with Mr. Collins' flaws in return for a home and security.

Fitzwilliam Darcy — Mr. Bingley's close friend, an intelligent, wealthy and reserved man, who often appears haughty or proud to strangers. He is wary of his friend Bingley's romantic entanglements with unsuitable women.

Georgiana Darcy — Much younger sister of Mr. Darcy. The age difference is so great that he is more of a father figure than a brother. Since their parents' death, she has been under the joint guardianship of Darcy and their cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. She became infatuated with George Wickham and was persuaded by him to elope. Fortunately, she felt it was her duty to inform her brother and he quickly put a stop to this ill-advised plan.

Charles Bingley — An outgoing, extremely good-natured, and wealthy young man who leases property near the Bennets' estate.

Louisa Hurst and Caroline Bingley — Mr. Bingley's sisters, who look down upon the Bennets and their society.

George Wickham — A dashing, handsome young soldier who attracts the attention of Elizabeth Bennet. His father was the manager of the Darcy estate, so he grew up with Mr. Darcy and his sister. Though a favorite of Darcy's now-deceased father, there is bitter enmity between him and Darcy, due to his attempt to elope with Georgiana Darcy for her substantial inheritance.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh — Aunt of Mr. Darcy and patroness of Mr. Collins. A proud and domineering woman, she had planned for the marriage of Mr. Darcy and her daughter since they were infants.

Anne de Bourgh — Daughter of Lady Catherine and intended betrothed of her cousin Mr. Darcy, suffers from some infirmity. A gently humorous running joke has the proud mother describing extraordinary talents her daughter would have possessed had she applied herself.

Colonel Fitzwilliam — Another nephew of Lady Catherine and friend and cousin of Mr. Darcy. He is attracted to Elizabeth Bennet, but is not wealthy enough to consider her seriously as a spouse.

Mrs. Philips — Sister of Mrs. Bennet.

Edward Gardiner — The intelligent, level-headed younger brother of Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips. He is in trade in London.

Mrs. Gardiner — Wife of Mr. Gardiner and the favorite aunt of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet.

Major themes

Marriage plays a huge role in Pride and Prejudice. Some characters marry for security, some marry for wealth, and some marry for love. The idea of marriage is very important throughout the novel, primarily because it was often the only way for a woman of the period to secure her freedom, social status, and living standard.
Another Pride and Prejudice book cover (Bantam Classics). The woman portrayed is most likely Elizabeth Bennet.
Enlarge
Another Pride and Prejudice book cover (Bantam Classics). The woman portrayed is most likely Elizabeth Bennet.

Social classes are also taken into account and play a major role as a theme in Pride and Prejudice. People of higher class are very proud of themselves and do not like to socialise with those of lower class. A good example is Darcy when we first meet him. Also, the Bingley sisters often talk together about the way people of lower classes act and look bitterly upon them. It is also seen as bad for people of higher classes to mingle with lower classes, but Bingley puts this idea away and proves to be a very social character. Jane Austen ridicules almost all of her aristocratic characters, and her heroes tend to be the landed gentry or the upper-middle class. Lizzy Bennet insists that she is of the same class as Mr. Darcy, and snobbery is one of the characteristics of a villain in Jane Austen's novels.

Appearance versus reality is a recurring motif all throughout the novel. Near the beginning of the novel, Mr. Darcy points out that humility is the most deceitful appearance of all, and that it is often a careless remark, but can be a way to uplift one's view among others.

An important theme of all of Jane Austen's novels is how one correctly assesses the characters of the people one meets. Because Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters need to marry, and need to marry well, it is vital that they be able to "read" the men in their social circle—or they might end up married to unprincipled, immoral men like Wickham. The "pride" of the book's title refers not only to Mr. Darcy's pride, but also to Lizzy's pride in her ability to read characters, which turns out to be faulty.

Another major theme is that pride and prejudice both stand in the way of relationships, as embodied in the persons of Darcy and Elizabeth respectively. Pride narrows the vision of a person and causes one to underestimate other mortals. Prejudice blinds the vision and leads to false perceptions about others. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice come in the way of understanding each other and keep them apart. Only when Darcy becomes more humble and Elizabeth becomes more accepting can they relate to one another and find happiness together.

Another major theme is family. Austen portrays the family as primarily responsible for the intellectual and moral education of children. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's failure to provide this education for their daughters leads to the utter shamelessness, foolishness, frivolity, and immorality of Lydia. Elizabeth and Jane have managed to develop virtue and strong characters in spite of the negligence of their parents, perhaps through the help of their studies and the good influence of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, who are the only relatives in the novel that take a serious concern in the girls' well-being and provide sound guidance. Elizabeth and Jane are constantly forced to put up with the foolishness and poor judgment of their mother and the sarcasm and detachment of their father. Even when Elizabeth advises her father not to allow Lydia to go to Brighton, he ignores the advice because he thinks it would be too difficult to deal with Lydia's complaining. The result is the scandal of Lydia's elopement with Wickham. It is only when Lydia elopes with Wickham that Mr. Bennet is moved ineffectively to action. The conclusion indicates that Mr. Bennet has learned little from the crisis, as he indulges in sarcastic comments at his younger daughters' expense.

Spoilers end here.

Other media adaptations

Film and television adaptations

Pride and Prejudice has been the subject of many film and television adaptations [link].

Additional BBC adaptations

There were three additional BBC television productions of Pride and Prejudice made in 1938, 1958, and 1967.

Theatrical adaptations

See also: [Pride and Prejudice, the Musical] for a more recent musical adaptation.

Awards and nominations

Trivia

The Continuing Story

Various other authors have written continuations of the story, such as:

Pamela Aidan

Linda Berdoll Elizabeth Aston Emma Tennant Julia Braun Kessler (a.k.a. Julia Barrett) and Gabrielle Donnelly Ted Bader and Marilyn Bader Norma Gatje-Smith Janet Aylmer Skylar Hamilton Burris Diana Birchall

External links




Jane Austen's novels
Sense and Sensibility (1811) | Pride and Prejudice (1813) | Mansfield Park (1814) | Emma (1815) | Northanger Abbey (1818) | Persuasion (1818)

 

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