Literature

Pride And PrejudiceProducts Relating to 'Pride And Prejudice'

Pride and Prejudice

A romantic comedy of errors written by Jane Austen , Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813.

It begins with 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."

The Author of Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen was born at Steventon , Hampshire , England.

She spent her entire life living in that County and wrote most of her major works including Pride and Prejudice at Chawton.

Her home there is now a museum to her and her work .

Jane Austen was well connected with the middling-rich landed gentry that she portrayed in her novels.

Austen's heroines are determined to marry wisely and well , yet Austen herself remained a spinster .

Pride and Prejudice was Austens most successful novel and thanks to television and film adaptions remains a literary favourite.

It is a story interweaving a number of lives and tells of the pride of main male character Darcy and the prejudice of the heroine Elizabeth.

The novel was initially called "First Impressions" but was renamed Pride and Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice plot line

The story concerns the lives and loves of the Bennett family.

The Bennetts are minor landed gentry with five daughters.

Set in the early 19th century , the Bennett estate had to pass to a male heir , in this case , a cousin , mr Collins.

It is Mrs Bennetts goal in life to obtain for her daughters secure and good marriages.

Mrs. Bennett hears of the arrival of Mr. Bingley ,a single man "of considerable fortune" in the neighbourhood and obviously hopes to introduce him to one of her daughters.

Mr. Bingley goes on a short trip to London and returns with his friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Bingley and his party, including Darcy, attend a public ball in the village of Meryton.

Darcy is admired for his fine figure and a rumoured income of £10,000 a year. However, he is perceived as a most disagreeable man, one who believes those present to be beneath him socially.

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 and showing his decided admiration for Jane Bennett.

Following the ball, Mr Bennett announces a visit by their clergyman cousin Mr Collins.

Collins delights in dropping the name of his great patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, at every opportunity.

Collins hopes to find a wife among the Bennett girls.

Mrs Bennett tries to persuade Elizabeth to marry him but Elizabeth rebels with the consent of her Father.

Mr Bennett says another famous Pride and Prejudice line, "Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."

Elizabeth instead falls for a recently arrived army officer, Mr. Wickham, who claims to have been robbed of his rightful inheritance by none other than Mr. Darcy.

Collins takes solace and marries Elizabeths friend Charlott Lucas .

Elizabeth is invited to visit the newly weds and while staying with them, Darcy visits his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, at her adjoining estate, Rosings.

Elizabeth and Darcy are forced to spend time daily in each other's company. Elizabeth's charms eventually entrance Mr. Darcy, leading him to finally declare his love for her .

Elizabeth is having none of it , still believing Darcy to be objectionable.

At subsequent meetings it becomes clear to Elizabeth that her prejudice against Darcy was misplaced .

Darcy proposes marriage a second time to Elizabeth, she opens her heart to him and both pride and prejudice are forgotten.

As with most of Austens heroines , Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice has a happy ending .

Article Published: Tuesday 16th January 2007