Pride and Prejudice Summary

Work: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen (1813)

Setting: Early 19^th century England, Netherfield (Darcy, Bingley, and co), Pemberly (Darcy’s estate),

Characters: Bennets: Elizabeth, Jane, Mr/Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Mary, Catherine

Others:  Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Charles Bingley, William Collins, Charlotte Lucas, Wickham

Plot: Due to their unstable financial state, the Bennet women will lose their home and financial security as soon as the aging Mr. Bennet dies. The estate will go to Mr. Collins by default, if there is no male heir. Thus, the Bennet sisters are to be married off (primarily Jane or Elizabeth). The incredibly wealthy Misters Darcy and Bingley come to visit Netherfield Park, where they throw a ball attended by the Bennet women. Jane and Bingley immediately hit it off, while Darcy appears grumpy sullen and arrogant, clashing with Elizabeth. Mr. Collins attempts to marry Elizabeth, ensuring her family’s financial security, but she rejects him. Elizabeth prefers Darcy’s former friend Wickham, who claims that Darcy cheated him of his inheritance. Eventually, through much discussion and witty repartee, Darcy falls in love with Elizabeth and proposes, but she rejects him because of his mistreatment of Wickham and the fact that he advised Bingley against marrying Jane. Elizabeth learns that Wickham lied to her and that it was Wickham that tried to cheat Darcy and marry his sister for the money (explaining his suspicions against Jane). Wickham runs off with Lydia, the frivolous foolish youngest Bennet . Darcy pays the dowry, saving the Bennets from public shame. Elizabeth and Darcy reconcile and marry, as do Jane and Bingley.

Analysis: Pride and Prejudice is a novel of manners, exploring the difference between social classes and their prejudices during early 19^th century Britain. The busy body ambitions of Mrs. Bennet and frivolous nature of Bingley’s sister seems to point to a light satire of the upper classes and their prejudices especially. There is some exploration of feminism and gender roles as well, with the main protagonist being an unusually educated and outspoken female (Elizabeth). There are few symbols, and instead characters are meant to represent viewpoints and examples of different classes and backgrounds.

Theme: True happiness and compatibility in a relationship comes only when both people fundamentally understand and accept each other.

Quote: “Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends— whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain.” -Darcy