Pride and Prejudice

PRIDE &
PREJUDICE
By: Jane Austen
About the
Author
Jane Austen
was an English novelist known primarily for

her six novels, which implicitly interpret,
critique, and comment upon the British
landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.
Austen's plots often explore the dependence
of women on marriage for the pursuit of
favourable social standing and economic
security.
About the
Novel
Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is the second novel by
English author Jane Austen, published in
1813. A novel of manners, it follows the
character development of Elizabeth Bennet,
the protagonist of the book, who learns
about the repercussions of hasty judgments
and comes to appreciate the difference
between superficial goodness and actual
goodness.
Themes
THEMES OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
FAMILY
WEALTH
REPUTATION
SOCIAL CLASS
PRIDE
PREJUDICE
Characters
Elizabeth Bennet Fitzwilliam Darcy Jane Bennet
The novel’s protagonist. The A wealthy gentleman, the The eldest and most
second daughter of Mr. and master of Pemberley, and beautiful Bennet sister.
Mrs. Bennet, the most the nephew of Lady
intelligent and sensible of the Catherine de Bourgh.
five Bennet sisters.
Charles Bingley Mr. Bennet Mrs. Bennet

Darcy’s considerably wealthy The patriarch of the Bennet a foolish, noisy woman whose
best friend. family, a gentleman of modest only goal in life is to see her
income with five unmarried daughters married.
daughters.
Lydia Bennet Charlotte Lucas William Collins
The youngest Bennet sister, Elizabeth’s dear friend. A pompous, generally idiotic
she is gossipy, immature, and clergyman who stands to inherit
self-involved. Mr. Bennet’s property.
GeorgeWickham Lady Catherine De

A handsome, fortune-hunting Bourgh
militia officer. A rich, bossy noblewoman; Mr. Collins’s
patron and Darcy’s aunt.
Summary of
the Story
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession
of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” The statement is
seemingly what Mrs. Bennet thinks as she sets her sights on the newly
arrived Bingley, who she is sure will make a suitable husband for one of
her daughters. At a ball, Bingley takes an immediate interest in the
beautiful and shy Jane.
The encounter between his friend Darcy and Elizabeth is less cordial.
Although Austen shows them intrigued by each other, she reverses the
convention of first impressions: the pride of rank and fortune and
prejudice against the social inferiority of Elizabeth’s family hold Darcy
aloof, while the pride of self-respect and prejudice against Darcy’s
snobbery hold Elizabeth equally aloof.
The pompous Collins soon arrives, hoping to marry one of the Bennet
sisters. Mrs. Bennet steers him toward Elizabeth, but the latter
refuses his offer of marriage. He instead becomes engaged to her friend
Charlotte. During this time, Elizabeth encounters the charming
Wickham. There is a mutual attraction between the two, and he
informs her that Darcy has denied him his inheritance
After Bingley abruptly departs for London, Elizabeth’s dislike of Darcy
mounts as she becomes convinced that he is discouraging Bingley’s
relationship with Jane. Darcy, however, has grown increasingly fond of
Elizabeth, admiring her intelligence and vitality. While visiting the now-
married Charlotte, Elizabeth sees Darcy, who professes his love for her
and proposes.
A surprised Elizabeth refuses his offer, and, when Darcy demands an
explanation, she accuses him of breaking up Jane and Bingley and of
denying Wickham his inheritance. Darcy subsequently writes Elizabeth a
letter in which he explains that he separated the couple largely because
he did not believe Jane returned Bingley’s affection. He also discloses
that Wickham, after squandering his inheritance, tried to marry
Darcy’s then 15-year-old sister in an attempt to gain possession of her
fortune. With these revelations, Elizabeth begins to see Darcy in a new
light.
Shortly thereafter the youngest Bennet sister, Lydia, elopes with
Wickham. The news is met with great alarm by Elizabeth, since the
scandalous affair—which is unlikely to end in marriage—could ruin the
reputation of the other Bennet sisters. When she tells Darcy, he
persuades Wickham to marry Lydia, offering him money.
Despite Darcy’s attempt to keep his intervention a secret, Elizabeth
learns of his actions. At the encouragement of Darcy, Bingley
subsequently returns, and he and Jane become engaged. Finally, Darcy
proposes again to Elizabeth, who this time accepts.
Thank you for
listening!
REFERENCES
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pride-and-Prejudice/Summary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen
https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pride/characters/

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PRIDE &

was an English novelist known primarily for

Charles Bingley Mr. Bennet Mrs. Bennet

GeorgeWickham Lady Catherine De

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