Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice, first published on 28 January 1813, is the most famous of Jane Austen's novels and one of the first "romantic comedies" in the history of the novel. The book is Jane Austen's second published novel. Its manuscript was initially written between 1796 and 1797 in Steventon, Hampshire, where Austen lived in the rectory.

Background
The novel was originally titled First Impressions, and was written between October 1796 and August 1797. Jane Austen's father wrote to London bookseller Thomas Cadell on November 1, 1797, offering it for publication, but it was rejected unseen by return of post. The unpublished manuscript remained with Austen, and it was not until 1811 that the first of her novels would be published, Sense and Sensibility. Buoyed by the release of her first published novel, Austen revised the manuscript for First Impressions, likely between 1811 and 1812. She renamed the story Pride and Prejudice, an "apparent cliche" phrase of the times. In renaming the novel, Jane Austen probably had in mind the "sufferings and oppositions" summarized in the final chapter of Fanny Burney's Cecilia called "Pride and Prejudice", where the phrase appears three times in block capitals. It is also possible that the novel's original title was altered to avoid confusion with other works. In the years between the completion of First Impressions and its revision into Pride and Prejudice, two other works had been published under that name: a novel by Margaret Holford and a comedy by Horace Smith. Austen sold the copyright for the novel to Thomas Egerton of Whitehall in exchange for 110 (Austen had asked for 150). This proved a costly decision. Austen had published Sense and Sensibility on a commission basis, whereby she indemnified the publisher against any losses and received any profits, less costs and the publisher's commission. Unaware that Sense and Sensibility would sell out its edition, making her 140, she passed the copyright to Egerton for a one-off payment, meaning that all the risk - and all the profits - would be his. Jan Fergus has calculated that Egerton subsequently made around 450 from just the first two editions of the book.

Plot introduction
Mr and Mrs Bennet's five daughters are all unmarried, and when a rich, amiable young man moves into the neighbourhood, Mrs Bennet hopes to secure him as a husband for her beautiful, eldest daughter. The growing relationship, however, is sabotaged by the young man's haughty friend, who regards the match as unsuitable. When the friend in turn falls in love with the second Bennet daughter, his condescending offer is rejected with scorn and the connection seems over. However, events conspire to bring the various

parties together despite the obstacles and misunderstandings that separate them. Pride on one side and prejudice on the other are slowly overcome and the characters come to a better knowledge of themselves and each other.

Plot summary
The novel opens with the line, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." The arrival of such a man in the neighbourhood greatly excites Mrs Bennet, whose sole interest in life is to see her five daughters married. The wealthy young man in question, Mr Bingley, has leased the Netherfield estate and plans to settle for a while with his two sisters and his brother-in-law. The newcomers excite great interest locally, particularly amongst mothers of marriageable daughters. They attend a public ball in the village of Meryton, where Mr Bingley shows himself to be amiable and unpretentious, dancing with many young ladies and showing his decided admiration for Jane Bennet. His friend Mr Darcy, however, makes himself unpopular despite his fine figure and income of 10,000 a year, being proud and disagreeable. Of Elizabeth Bennet he is heard to say, "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me." Following the ball, Jane is invited for an evening to Netherfield, but catches a bad cold and is forced to stay for some days. Elizabeth comes to nurse her, engaging Darcy's guarded attention and the not-so-guarded hostility of Miss Bingley, who has an interest in Darcy herself. Mr Collins, a cousin who will inherit the Bennet estate as Mr Bennet's nearest male relative, arrives for a visit. He is also "in want of a wife", and intends to marry one of his cousins, thus atoning for his position as entailed heir and healing the breach in the family. A pompous buffoon of a clergyman, he has been advised by his imperious patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh (who is also Darcy's aunt), to find himself a suitable wife. Finding that Jane appears destined for Bingley he switches his sights to Elizabeth, who refuses him absolutely despite the threats and entreaties of her mother. Eventually, to Elizabeth's surprise, he is accepted by her friend Charlotte Lucas, who neither loves nor respects him, but wishes to escape the fate of becoming an old maid. Elizabeth does not regret the loss of her suitor, but is disappointed in Charlotte and unsure how happy she will be as Mrs. Collins. For some time Meryton has been home to a regiment of soldiers, delighting the giddy, young Bennet sisters Kitty and Lydia. Elizabeth is introduced to a pleasant young officer, Mr Wickham, who tells her that he has known Mr Darcy from childhood, and has been cheated by him of a bequest by Darcy's late father. This reinforces Elizabeth's growing dislike of Darcy and she is relieved when he leaves the neighbourhood, although Bingley and his party also leave, dashing the hopes of Jane, who has fallen very much in love with him. However, Elizabeth encounters Darcy again on a visit to the newlywed Mr and Mrs

Collins, as he arrives to visit Lady Catherine at Rosings Park, the estate to which Mr Collins's living is attached. She tolerates him, unaware of his growing admiration, and is astounded when he suddenly proposes to her. His offer is high-handed and condescending he does so, he says, "against his own will" and in spite of her objectionable family. He is stunned and mortified to be rejected in no uncertain terms: Elizabeth tells him he is "the last man in the world whom [she] could ever be prevailed on to marry." She has recently learnt that it was Darcy who persuaded Mr Bingley to sever ties with Jane, increasing her dislike for him, and also cites his treatment of Wickham, his arrogance and his ungentlemanly conduct as reasons for her refusal. The next day, Mr Darcy intercepts Elizabeth on her morning walk and hands her a letter before coldly taking his leave. In it, he justifies his actions over Bingley and Jane, and reveals the true nature of Wickham, who has misrepresented his treatment by Darcy, and, shockingly, even attempted to seduce and elope with Darcy's young and vulnerable sister. New light is shed on Mr Darcy's personality and Elizabeth begins to reconsider her opinion. Later, on holiday with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, Elizabeth is persuaded to tour Pemberley, Mr Darcy's estate, on the understanding that he is away. To her embarrassment he returns unexpectedly; however, his altered behaviour toward her distinctly warmer than at their last meeting and his polite and friendly manner toward her aunt and uncle, begin to persuade her that underneath his pride lies a true and generous nature. Her revised opinion is reinforced on meeting his sister Georgiana, a gentle, shy young girl upon whom he dotes. Just as her relationship with Mr Darcy is beginning to thaw, Elizabeth receives the dreadful news that her headstrong younger sister Lydia has apparently eloped with Mr Wickham, who has resigned his commission to evade gambling debts. She returns home, believing that this scandal can only further disgust Darcy with the idea of a connection with her family, whatever he may feel for her personally. All is in chaos at home, particularly when it becomes apparent that Wickham has not married Lydia and the two are living together in London. Mr Gardiner apparently traces them and arranges the wedding, delighting the foolish Mrs Bennet. Only from a careless remark of Lydia's does Elizabeth discover that it was really Darcy who secretly intervened, buying Wickham's compliance and saving Lydia's reputation at great financial cost. This completes the reversal in Elizabeth's sentiments, and she regrets having turned down his earlier proposal of marriage. Lady Catherine discovers Mr Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth, which threaten her longcherished desire for him to marry her daughter. She pays Elizabeth an unannounced visit and brusquely tries to intimidate her into refusing such an engagement. Unfortunately for Lady Catherine, her visit only serves to consolidate Elizabeth's intentions. Furthermore, Lady Catherine later visits Mr Darcy, and relates the entire conversation to him giving

him the hope that if he proposes to Elizabeth again, she may accept him. After ensuring the rekindling of Mr Bingley and Jane Bennet's relationship, Mr Darcy and Elizabeth become engaged. The book ends with two marriages: Jane and Bingley's, and Darcy and Elizabeth's.

Main characters

[show]Character genealogy

Elizabeth (Lizzy, Eliza) Bennet (Main article: Elizabeth Bennet) - Main female protagonist. The reader sees the unfolding plot and the other characters mostly from her viewpoint.[6] The second of the Bennet daughters at twenty years old, she is portrayed as intelligent, lively, attractive and witty, with her faults being a tendency to judge on first impressions and to mock people excessively. As the plot begins, her closest relationships are with her father, her sister Jane, her aunt Mrs. Gardiner, and her neighbour Charlotte Lucas.

Mr Hurst

Mrs Hurst

Mr Philips

Caroline Bingley

Mrs Philips Mr Bingley Charles

Mrs Gardiner

Jane Bennet

Mr Gardiner

Elizabeth Bennet Mrs Bennet Mary Bennet Mr Bennet Catherine "Kitty" Bennet Mr William Collins Lydia Bennet Charlotte Lucas

Mr Wickham

George

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Main article: Fitzwilliam Darcy) - Main male protagonist. Twenty-eight years old, unmarried, the wealthy owner of an estate in Derbyshire. Portrayed as handsome and intelligent, but proud, judgmental and concerned with social status. He makes a poor impression on strangers, such as the people of Meryton, but is valued by those who know him well. Initial close relationships are with his friend Charles Bingley and his sister Georgiana Darcy.

Mr. Bennet - Elizabeth's father, the owner of the medium-sized and financially troubled Longbourn estate in Hertfordshire, near Meryton. Has a wife and five daughters. Portrayed as a scholarly and intelligent man somewhat withdrawn from society, who dislikes the frivolity of his wife and three younger daughters, but makes fun of them them rather than attempting to correct them. He is closest to his older daughters, Elizabeth and Jane.

Mrs. Bennet - Wife of Mr. Bennet and mother of Elizabeth and her sisters. Her main objective in life at the time the novel unfolds is to find wealthy husbands for her five daughters. She is portrayed as frivolous, excitable and narrow-minded; her manners are seen as lower-class and embarrassing by her eldest daughters. Her favourite daughter is the youngest, Lydia.

Jane Bennet - The eldest Bennet sister. Twenty-two years old when the novel begins, she is considered the most beautiful young lady in the neighbourhood. Her character is contrasted with Elizabeth's as sweeter, shyer and equally sensible but not as clever; her most notable trait is a desire to see only good in others. Jane is closest to Elizabeth. She is later befriended by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.

Mary Bennet - The middle Bennet sister, aged around eighteen. The only plain one of the five; spends most of her time reading and studying, but is portrayed as pompous and lacking in common sense.

Catherine (Kitty) Bennet - The fourth Bennet sister, aged seventeen. Portrayed as a less headstrong but equally frivolous shadow of Lydia.

Lydia Bennet - The youngest Bennet sister, aged fifteen. She is repeatedly described as frivolous and headstrong. Her main activity in life is socializing, especially flirting with the military officers stationed in the nearby town of Meryton. She dominates her older sister Kitty, and is supported in the family by her mother.

Charles Bingley - Has just rented the Netherfield estate near Longbourn when the novel opens. Twenty-two years old at the start of the novel, handsome, goodnatured and wealthy, he is contrasted with his friend Mr. Darcy as being less intelligent

but kinder and more charming (and hence more popular in Meryton). He lacks resolve and is easily influenced by others. Caroline Bingley - Unmarried sister of Charles Bingley, who accompanies him to Netherfield. Accustomed to fashionable society in London and looks down on Meryton people. She befriends Jane but dislikes Elizabeth. Closely associated with her sister Mrs. Hurst, her brother Bingley, and Darcy.

George Wickham - A militia regiment lieutenant touring Meryton early in the novel. He was also the son of Darcy's father's steward. Charming and handsome, he makes a good impression in Meryton society, and his reports that Darcy has cheated him out of a rightful inheritance serve to further damage Darcy's reputation there. He is later revealed to be financially irresponsible and morally bankrupt.

William Collins - A cousin of Mr. Bennet, and the entailed heir of Longbourn. At twenty-five years old, has recently obtained a clerical living on the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Kent. Travels to Hertfordshire intending to look for a wife among his cousin's daughters. They find him pompous, dull and sycophantic.

Charlotte Lucas - Daughter of the Bennets' neighbours Sir William and Lady Lucas. Still unmarried at age twenty-seven, she is intelligent but unromantic and ready to accept any financially stable husband. She is Elizabeth's best friend at the beginning of the novel.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh - Darcy's widowed aunt, mistress of Rosings Park in Kent, and Mr. Collins' patroness. She is arrogant about her social rank, but takes a controlling interest in the personal affairs of those beneath her, particularly the Collinses. She is disliked by Elizabeth.

Georgiana Darcy - Darcy's younger sister and ward, aged sixteen. Has a reputation throughout the novel for being proud and formidably accomplished, but upon her appearance in person late in the story is revealed to be sweet-tempered and shy.

Colonel Fitzwilliam - Another of Lady Catherine's nephews. He and Darcy are joint guardians of Georgiana. Befriends Elizabeth while she is in Kent and gives her important information about Darcy's and Wickham's past actions.

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Interrelationships

the relationships between the main characters in Pride and Prejudice

Major themes
Many critics take the novel's title as a starting point when analysing the major themes of Pride and Prejudice; however, Robert Fox cautions against reading too much into the title since commercial factors may have played a role in its selection. "After the success of Sense and Sensibility, nothing would have seemed more natural than to bring out another novel of the same author using again the formula of antithesis and alliteration for the title". A major theme in much of Austen's work is the importance of environment and upbringing on the development of young people's character and morality. Social standing and wealth are not necessarily advantages. In Pride and Prejudice, the failure of Mr and Mrs Bennet (particularly the latter) as parents is blamed for Lydia's lack of moral judgment; Darcy, on the other hand, has been taught to be principled and scrupulously honourable, but also proud and overbearing. Kitty, rescued from Lydia's bad influence and spending more time with her older sisters after they marry, is said to improve greatly in their superior society.

Style
Pride and Prejudice, like most of Jane Austens works, employs the narrative technique of free indirect speech. This has been defined as the free representation of a characters speech, by which one means, not words actually spoken by a character, but the words that typify the characters thoughts, or the way the character would think or speak, if she thought or spoke.By using narrative which adopts the tone and vocabulary of a particular character - in this case, that of Elizabeth - Austen invites the reader to follow events from Elizabeths viewpoint, sharing her prejudices and misapprehensions and being

surprised along with her when events prove these to be mistaken. The learning curve, while undergone by both protagonists, is disclosed to us solely through Elizabeths point of view and her free indirect speech is essential for it is through it that we remain caught, if not stuck, within Elizabeths misprisions.