Books - Pride and Prejudice

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	Books - Pride and Prejudice

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.

Plot summary

The story deals with issues surrounding courtship and marriage among the landed gentry in the late 18th century and early 19th century. The main character is Elizabeth Bennet, a 20-year-old 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 worrisome mother. Mrs. Bennet (whose manners and conduct are decidedly "of the people") is determined to see each of her five daughters successfully married to a gentleman of sufficient fortune to support a wife. The Bennet family's modest estate is entailed in default of heirs male—which means a cousin, Mr. Collins, will inherit the estate on Mr. Bennet's death, due to the lack of sons in the Bennet family. This will leave Mrs. Bennet and any unmarried daughters homeless and trying to live on a very small income.

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. Gradually 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 himself to be most agreeable, dancing with many of the single ladies in attendance and showing his decided admiration of Elizabeth's favorite sister Jane.

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 Longburn, the Bennet estate; Elizabeth, on the other hand, is mortified that her best friend would marry merely for social 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.

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Books - Pride and Prejudice

Plot summary

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