Pride And Prejudice: Your Complete Guide & Character Analysis

Volume I

• Chapters 1 – 5:

Chapter 1 begins with the infamous lines:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in posses-
Sion Of a good fortune, must be in want Of a wife.

Jane Austen manages to instantly establish her use of humor to criticize society with this line. It also focuses on the central theme of the novel – marriage.

The novel begins with the news of Mr. Bingley, a single man of great wealth, renting Netherfield Park, running abuzz among the Hertfordshire County residents. Mrs. Bennet immediately requests Mr. Bennet to call upon Mr. Bingley, so her five daughters can meet him.

Mrs. Bennet hopes one of them will catch his eye.

"My dear Mr. Bennet," replied his wife, "how can you be so tire- some! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them."

Though skeptical of his wife’s matchmaking, Mr. Bennet visits Mr. Bingley. But unfortunately, the girls don’t get a chance to meet him until the day of the ball at Meryton.

At the ball, Jane catches Mr. Bingley’s attention, and the two share a dance twice, much to Mrs. Bennet’s pleasure. Mr. Bingley’s easy disposition makes him a favorite amongst the ball attendants. But on the other hand, his friend Mr. Darcy doesn’t leave a good impression because of his demeanor.

Elizabeth’s pride is hurt when Mr. Darcy deems her merely "tolerable" when Mr. Bingley suggests a dance with her. This begins the start of their turbulent relationship.

"Which do you mean?" and turning round he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no hu- mour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

Once the ball ends, the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy review the evening. Though they all have different opinions about the ball, they unanimously agree on Jane's beauty.

Back at Longbourn, the Bennets discuss the ball as well when their neighbor, Sir William Lucas, visits along with his eldest daughter Charlotte, who is a good friend of Elizabeth's. They comment about Mr. Darcy's pride, and Charlotte excuses it by stating that his social position and wealth give him the right to be proud.

Elizabeth agrees but admits that she would have excused his pride if he had not wounded hers first.

"That is very true," replied Elizabeth, "and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."

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• Chapters 6 – 9:

Jane and Elizabeth continue exchanging visits with the Bingleys at Netherfield. Though Elizabeth still considers Mr. Darcy to be prideful, the readers can see a gradual shift in Mr. Darcy's opinion of Elizabeth. For example, his "tolerable" comment from the ball evolve into a compliment for Elizabeth's "fine eyes."

"agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."
Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity:
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

While Elizabeth is not too fond of Mr. Bingley’s sisters or Mr. Darcy, she notices the growing affection between Bingley and her elder sister.

Upon mentioning this to Charlotte, the latter comments that if Jane conceals her emotions from Mr. Bingley, he will lose interest. Elizabeth believes that a woman must be sure of her feelings before actively pursuing someone. But Charlotte has a more cynical view on relationships and considers happiness in marriage a chance.

"Well," said Charlotte, "I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

In chapter 7:

It is revealed that upon Mr. Bennet’s death, his property will be handed over to his closest male relative. This explains Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with ensuring her daughters find suitable matches so they don’t have to be at society’s mercy once their father passes away.

Her schemes to get her daughters married can sometimes lead her to compromise the well-being of her own children. For instance, when Jane receives an invitation from Caroline Bingley to visit Netherfield, Mrs. Bennet sends her on horseback instead of a carriage. Her reasoning was that it might rain soon, and going on horseback would ensure Jane could prolong her stay.

Her prediction comes true. The next day, they receive a note stating that Jane had been drenched in the rain on her way to Netherfield and was too ill to return home.

"My dearest Lizzy,-
"I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones-therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me—and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me.-Yours, etc."

Mrs. Bennet is ecstatic that her plan worked, not showing particular concern for her sick daughter. But Elizabeth grows worried about her sister and decides to hike up to Netherfield.

Her haggard appearance and muddy shows cause quite a stir, but the Bingleys allow her to remain a few days to take care of her sister.

That evening, the Bingley sisters ridicule Elizabeth behind her back, but Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley defend her. Though Mr. Darcy admits he would never allow his own sister to make such an exhibition herself, he doesn’t hesitate to retort to Mrs. Hurst’s teasing.

"I am afraid, Mr. Darcy," observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, "that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes."
"Not at all," he replied; "they were brightened by the exercise." 

The next day, Mrs. Bennet and her two youngest daughters, Lydia and Kitty, visit Netherfield to enquire about Jane's health. Their garish behavior embarrasses Elizabeth, who can only watch in horror as her sisters and mother harass the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy.

• Chapters 10 – 14:

As Jane continues to recuperate, Elizabeth spends her evenings with the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy. There is not one moment where Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy don’t cross words with each other. But instead of harboring ill feelings towards Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy’s admiration and fondness for her increases to the point where he admits that, if not for her low social status and poor connections, he would be in danger.

"manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger."

Once Jane recovers from her illness, she joins the group for the evening discussions. Of course, Mr. Bingley hoards her complete attention, and Elizabeth is left to watch Caroline Bingley’s horrible attempts at trying to engage Mr. Darcy in a conversation.

As Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's conversations spark heated and intellectual debates about pride and weaknesses, Mr. Darcy begins to realize the danger of paying her much attention. Therefore, he chooses to ignore Elizabeth for the remainder of her visit to Netherfield.

Now that Jane feels better, Elizabeth and Jane make haste to return home, much to Mrs. Bennet's displeasure, for she hopes they can remain at Netherfield longer. However, Mr. Bennet is happy to have his daughters back.

"They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. Bennet wondered at their coming, and thought them very wrong to give so much trouble, and was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But their father, though very laconic in his expressions of pleasure, was really glad to see them; he had felt their importance in the family cir- cle. The evening conversation, when they were all assembled, had lost much of its animation, and almost all its sense by the absence of Jane and Elizabeth."

The day after Elizabeth and Jane return home, they receive a visit from Mr. Bennet’s cousin, Mr. Collins, the one who is supposed to receive his property once Mr. Bennet dies.

Mr. Collins is described as a pompous and materialistic man who is prouder and more boastful of receiving Lady Catherine De Bourgh’s patronage than being a clergyman.

 

• Chapters 15 – 18:

Feeling somewhat responsible for the entail, Mr. Collins plans to propose to one of the Bennet daughters. Though initially attracted to Jane, Mrs. Bennet quickly lets him know of Jane's affection for Mr. Bingley. So, Mr. Collins decides to pursue Elizabeth.

He joins Elizabeth and her sisters for a walk to Meryton, where they encounter an officer, George Wickham. Elizabeth is quickly attracted to his charms. While they converse, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley ride along, and Elizabeth notices the strange behavior of Darcy and Wickham when they encounter each other.

"Mr. Darcy corroborated it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the counte- nance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know."

When Mr. Collins and the Bennet sisters return to Meryton the next day to visit Mrs. Bennet’s sister, they happen to meet Mr. Wickham again. This time, he reveals the details of his relationship with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth’s prejudice against Mr. Darcy compels her to believe the merciless portrayal of the Darcy family by Mr. Wickham.

After Bingley invites the family to a ball at Netherfield, Elizabeth eagerly anticipates Wickham's presence but is disappointed when he doesn't attend. She blames his absence on Mr. Darcy. The two have a heated argument about Wickham and part on bad terms for the night.

At dinner, Elizabeth grows embarrassed as all members of her family, but Jane, make a scene.

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• Chapters 19 – 23:

The next morning, Mr. Collins finally proposes to Elizabeth, highlighting how he is a worthy match because of Lady Catherine De Bourgh's patronage and how he would never bring up Elizabeth's poverty against her.

"esteem. And now nothing remains but for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds in the four per cents, which will not be yours till after your mother's decease, is all that you may ever be en- titled to. On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married."

Elizabeth refuses his advances, much to Mrs. Bennet's dismay. She threatens never to see her daughter again if she doesn't accept Mr. Collins' proposal. But Mr. Bennet puts all discussion to rest by professing he would not see his daughter if she accepted Mr. Collins' proposal.

"An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. 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, Charlotte Lucas drops by the Bennets and learns of Elizabeth refusing to marry Mr. Collins. Taking this opportunity, Charlotte begins getting close to Mr. Collins, and soon news spreads of her engagement to the clergyman.

Elizabeth is shocked at her friend's decision and reproaches her for marrying someone she doesn't love. But Charlotte admits she is no romantic, and her only reason for marrying is to secure her future.

"I see what you are feeling," replied Charlotte. "You must be sur- prised, very much surprised-so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state."

A few days after this incident, Jane receives a letter from Miss Bingley, who informs Jane of their return to London and the possibility of Mr. Bingley marrying Mr. Darcy's sister. Though Jane is heartbroken, Elizabeth suspects Mr. Bingley's sisters are the ones at fault and believes Mr. Bingley will return to Netherfield soon.

But as the days go by with no word from Mr. Bingley, Jane’s marriage prospects seem to diminish.

Volume II

• Chapters 24 – 27:

After Miss Bingley sends Jane another letter in which she explains their plan to stay in London for the winter, Elizabeth begins to fear Mr. Bingley's sisters might succeed in keeping him away from Jane.

"Even Elizabeth began to fear-not that Bingley was indifferent- but that his sisters would be successful in keeping him away. Un-"

Though Elizabeth believes in Mr. Bingley's affection for her sister, she resents him for not pursuing his own happiness and listening to the ill counsels of his sisters and Mr. Darcy.

"That he was really fond of Jane, she doubted no more than she had ever done; and much as she had always been disposed to like him, she could not think without anger, hardly without contempt, on that easiness of temper, that want of proper resolution, which now made him the slave of his designing friends, and led him to sacrifice of his own happiness to the caprice of their inclination. Had his own happi-"

During this time, Mrs. Bennet’s brother Mr. Gardiner and his wife visit the Bennets. They are well-mannered and intelligent and are especially close to Elizabeth and Jane. They warn Elizabeth against marrying Wickham and invite Jane to visit London with them.

In London, Miss Bingley’s cool reception of Jane finally convinces the elder Bennet sister that Elizabeth was right all along about Caroline’s true nature.

After marriage, Charlotte and Mr. Collins leave for Hunsford in Kent, and on the way to visit them in March, Elizabeth stops by London to stay overnight with the Gardiners. There, she learns of Wickham changing his object of affection and pursuing someone with richer prospects. But Elizabeth isn’t too heartbroken over it.

The Gardiners invite Elizabeth to accompany them to northern England in the summer, which she accepts.

• Chapters 28 – 32:

After arriving in Hunsford and meeting Mr. Collins and Charlotte, the group received an invitation to dine with Lady Catherine De Bourgh. While Charlotte’s father and sister express nervousness, Elizabeth is curious to get to know more about this esteemed lady.

At Rosings, Lady Catherine pokes into every minute detail about Elizabeth’s family and her upbringing.

"Has your governess left you?"
"We never had any governess."
"No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education."

Elizabeth's quick and witty responses, as well as her refusal to answer Lady Catherine's question about her age, makes her dislike Elizabeth for her arrogance and impudence.

While at Charlotte’s, they soon hear about Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy’s cousin, dropping in on Lady Catherine. While Colonel Fitzwilliam’s easygoing and gentlemanly nature leaves Elizabeth impressed, Mr. Darcy ignores her.

However, they have an awkward conversation when Mr. Darcy arrives at Mr. Collins' and is surprised to find Elizabeth alone.

• Chapters 33 – 36:

On a walk with Colonel Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth learns that it was Mr. Darcy who had caused a separation between Mr. Bingley and Jane.

"be Bingley. What he told me was merely this: that he congratulated himself on having lately saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage, but without mentioning names or any other particulars, and I only suspected it to be Bingley from believing him the kind of young man to get into a scrape of that sort, and from knowing them to have been together the whole of last summer."
"Did Mr. Darcy give you reasons for this interference?"
"I understood that there were some very strong objections against the lady."

Angered at the heartbreak her sister went through because of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth refused to visit Rosings in the evening, citing a headache. However, she is surprised by Mr. Darcy’s sudden arrival.

While enquiring about her health, the conversation leads Mr. Darcy to make a sudden declaration of his feelings toward Elizabeth.

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

However, Darcy listing out all the reasons why they are not a good match – namely her social class, lack of etiquette, and family problems – quickly angers Elizabeth. She rejects him cooly but soon loses her temper with Mr. Darcy and accuses him of sabotaging Mr. Bingley's relationship with Jane, of treating Mr. Wickham cruelly, and of being selfish and arrogant.

Darcy departs angrily after that, but the next morning, he approaches Elizabeth again and gives her a letter in which he addresses two main accusations.

First, he admits that he dissuaded Mr. Bingley from pursuing Jane because Jane’s calm disposition made it hard for him to believe that Jane returned Mr. Bingley’s feelings.

Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and I remained convinced from the evening's scrutiny, that though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of senti- ment. If you have not been mistaken here, I must have been in error.

Secondly, Mr. Darcy finally reveals the truth about his history with Mr. Wickham, and Elizabeth realizes how she let Wickham manipulate her because of her prior prejudice against Mr. Darcy.

Ashamed by her past behavior, Elizabeth plans to meet Mr. Darcy but learns that he and Colonel Fitzwilliam have left already.

• Chapters 37 – 42:

While returning home, Jane joins Elizabeth from London. While Kitty and Lydia are heartbroken at the militia leaving soon, Elizabeth is relieved about Mr. Wickham's impending departure. She confides in Jane all the details about Mr. Darcy's confession and letter, except his involvement in Mr. Bingley and Jane's relationship.

They decide to disclose Wickham's misdeeds and lies in public, given that the regiment would not remain there long. Meanwhile, Lydia receives an invitation to accompany the regiment to Brighton.

Elizabeth knows her sister too well and warns against letting her go alone. However, Mr. Bennet argues that Lydia would be safe, given that she does not have good prospects.

Brighton. Let her go, then. Colonel Forster is a sensible man, and will keep her out of any real mischief; and she is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to anybody. At Brighton she will be of less importance even as a common flirt than she has been here. The officers will find women better worth their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being

After Lydia departs, Elizabeth joins the Gardiners on their trip to Derbyshire country. Elizabeth learns that Pemberly, Mr. Darcy's estate, is also situated in the same county. Once Mrs. Gardiner expresses her desire to visit Pemberly, Elizabeth only agrees after learning that Mr. Darcy will not be present there.

Volume III

• Chapters 43 – 45:

When the Gardiners and Elizabeth visit Pemberly, they are astounded by the majestic estate. The housekeeper sings Mr. Darcy's praises, much to Elizabeth’s astonishment.

"Yes, sir, I know I am. If I were to go through the world, I could not meet with a better. But I have always observed, that they who are good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world."

She also confirms that Mr. Darcy isn’t expected to arrive that day. But coincidentally, Mr. Darcy appears in front of the Gardiners and Elizabeth that very day.

The next day, he calls upon them with Mr. Bingley and his sister. Elizabeth confirms that there are no romantic feelings between Mr. Bingley and Miss Darcy. When the Gardiners and Elizabeth go to Pemberley, Miss Bingley does her best to demean Elizabeth, but the latter pays no heed, for she attributes her behavior to jealousy.

It becomes apparently clear that Mr. Darcy is smitten with Elizabeth. After the party leaves, Miss Bingley continues to insult Elizabeth but is quickly shut down by Mr. Darcy.

"Netherfield, 'She a beauty!-I should as soon call her mother a wit.' But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time."
"Yes," replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, "but that was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance."

• Chapters 46 – 49:

While Elizabeth tries to sort out her feelings regarding Mr. Darcy, she receives a letter from Jane informing her that Lydia has eloped with Mr. Wickham. Mr. Bennet is on his way to London to search for them, and Jane requests Mr. Gardiner to join the search.

Elizabeth is clearly dismayed by the news, which causes Mr. Darcy to be concerned.

"Good God! what is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than politeness; then recollecting himself, "I will not detain you a minute; but let me, or let the servant go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. You are not well enough; you cannot go yourself."

She relays the incident to him and, as soon as the Gardiners arrive, sets for Longbourn.

After a while, Mr. Gardiner sends a letter that Lydia has been found, and they have convinced Mr. Wickham to marry her, much to Mrs. Bennet’s happiness.

"My dear, dear Lydia!" she cried. "This is delightful indeed! She will be married! I shall see her again! She will be married at sixteen!

• Chapters 50 – 55:

When Lydia and Wickham arrive at Longbourn, Lydia lets it slip that Mr. Darcy was present at her wedding. Upon Elizabeth's insistence, Mrs. Gardiner reveals that it was Mr. Darcy who had found the couple and had convinced Wickham to marry Lydia by paying off his debts and securing him a commission in the army.

When the time for Lydia and Wickham’s departure arrives, Mrs. Bennet is heartbroken, but her despair doesn’t last long because news spreads of Mr. Bingley’s return to Netherfield.

Jane pretends to be indifferent to this news, but her true feelings become apparent soon enough.

"I begin to be sorry that he comes at all," said Jane to her sister. "It would be nothing; I could see him with perfect indifference, but I can hardly bear to hear it thus perpetually talked of. My mother means well; but she does not know, no one can know, how much I suffer from what she says. Happy shall I be, when his stay at Netherfield is over!"

However, her fears are unwarranted. Mr. Bingley grows closer to Jane and, soon after arrival, proposes to her.

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• Chapters 56 – 61:

Rumors of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet’s engagement reaches Lady Catherine De Bourgh, and she immediately arrives in Longborne to protest against the match. She lists out the reasons why Elizabeth is not a suitable match for Mr. Darcy –

"be accomplished in their marriage, to be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family! Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends? To his"

However, despite Lady Catherine’s insistence, Elizabeth refuses to promise she won’t accept a proposal from Mr. Darcy.

While Elizabeth worries that Mr. Darcy might be persuaded by his aunt, her fears are for naught. A few days later, Mr. Darcy arrives and professes his love for Elizabeth once again.

This time, she finally accepts his proposal.

Pride and Prejudice: Main Characters

Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter of the Bennet family and is the wittiest of the family. Her good sense allows her to see the futility of the society where women are obsessed with marriage and would go to the lengths of dedicating their lives to someone they do not love.

Her quick wit attracts Mr. Darcy's adoration but irks Lady Catherine. She is usually quick to judge a person's character. Her prejudice against Mr. Darcy prevents her from making objective judgments about his character. However, once she learns the truth, she is quick to admit her fault.

"How despicably I have acted!" she cried; "I, who have prided my- self on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities! who have often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and grat- ified my vanity in useless or blameable mistrust! How humiliating is this discovery! Yet, how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could.

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Mr. Darcy comes from a wealthy family. Since the readers approach the novel from Elizabeth’s point of view, Mr. Darcy comes off as prideful and standoffish initially. His pride leads him to make hasty judgments about Elizabeth and her family, but Elizabeth’s rejection of his proposal is his turning point.

He gains humility and learns to push aside his pride. Despite Lady Catherine objecting to his marriage to Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy overcomes his prejudices and prioritizes his happiness.

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy aren't your usual Cinderella and Prince Charming. They're well-rounded characters that undergo proper character development throughout the course of the novel, learn from their mistakes, and show potential for further growth as individuals.

Mr. Bennet is the head of the family, and his exasperation regarding his wife and younger daughters' antics forces him to detach from family matters. Though the readers initially like him for not forcing his daughters into a loveless marriage, his detachment remains the biggest flaw in his character.

Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with ensuring her daughters find good matches seems overbearing at times. But her concerns are legitimate, even if her actions are too much at times. She doesn’t undergo much character growth throughout the novel.

III. Charlotte Lucas/Collins

Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth's closest friend, is subject to criticism when she agrees to marry Mr. Collins despite her dislike of him, only because he offers financial security. However, her story is the most realistic for her times because most Victorian women did not have the luxury of romance.

Lydia Bennet is the most immature and impulsive of all the Bennet sisters. Her rash behavior is a direct reflection of the lack of parental guidance she received throughout her life.

Jane, the eldest of the Bennet daughters, is the most beautiful and kind-natured of all the characters. However, her optimistic nature doesn't allow her to see the true nature of the Bingley sisters. Even though her relationship with Mr. Bingley is an example of an ideal marriage, readers can't help but question their true feelings as the relationship lacks depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q.1. Which character is meant to signify pride in the novel Pride and Prejudice?

Ideally, the protagonist, Mr. Darcy, is supposed to signify pride in the novel Pride and Prejudice characters. Mr. Darcy’s pride due to his wealth and high position in society keeps him away from mingling with the “common folk.” However, he also displays prejudice when he assumes that Jane’s intentions of getting closer to Bingley are selfish.

Q.2. What kind of society does Pride and Prejudiceexplore?

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice explores a Victorian society of the late 1700s and early 1800s, where the solitary aim of a woman’s life was to find a suitable match to take as her husband. The society is also riddled with class hierarchies and prejudices, and Austen’s characters navigate such a society full of ridiculous customs and regulations.

Q.3. What is the central theme explored in Pride and Prejudice?

The central theme explored in Pride and Prejudice is love and marriage. The novel begins with one of the most infamous lines in Victorian fiction that highlights the importance of marriage in a young woman's life in contemporary society. The novel goes on to explore various kinds of love between the couples and the various marriages that happen – out of scandal, obligation, survival, and love.

Q.4. Was Pride and Prejudicealways called so from the start?

Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions. However, since Margaret Holford published her novel with the same name earlier, Jane Austen had to change the title of her novel to avoid confusion. The new title, Pride and Prejudice, was inspired by the novel Cecilia by Frances Burney.

Q.5. Which characters express prejudice in Jane Austen’s novel?

Traditionally, Elizabeth Bennet was supposed to represent prejudice in Jane Austen’s novel. However, excluding Elizabeth, other characters who have expressed prejudice in the novel are Mr. Darcy, Caroline, and Lady Catherine. The latter three have an inherent class prejudice. However, Mr. Darcy seems to overcome his prejudices a bit towards the end of the novel.

Q.6. Who is the narrator of Pride and Prejudice?

There is no first-person narrative in Pride and Prejudice. Instead, the story is told from the perspective of an omniscient third-party narrator. This allows the readers to gain a fair perspective on all the characters without having to worry about unreliable and biased narrators.

Q.7. In which era was the novel Pride and Prejudiceset in?

Based on the time from which Jane Austen is speculated to have started writing Pride and Prejudice, and when the novel was finally published, it is apparent that the story is set in Victorian England. To be more specific, Austen wrote the novel between the late 1700s and early 1800s. That's why the characters in the novel show a Victorian attitude toward marriage.

Q.8. How are Mr. and Mrs. Bennet different from each other?

Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet's ideas of marriage differ vastly. While Mrs. Bennet focuses on the financial and social aspects of the marriage, Mr. Bennet wants his daughters to marry someone they love. In a sense, you can say that Mrs. Bennet's approach is more realistic in a society where love is considered a luxury for women.

Q.9. Is Pride and Prejudiceconsidered a feminist novel?

While Pride and Prejudice has certain feminist elements (especially in the character of Elizabeth Bennett), it cannot be considered a complete feminist novel. Even though Jane Austen uses humor and irony to criticize society, her characters still adhere to societal rules and conventions. Even at the end of the novel, women still enjoy zero benefits in society.

Q.10. What does Jane Austen satirize in Pride and Prejudice?

Jane Austen satirizes contemporary society where women are treated like property, the shallow concept of love, as well as class through her characters. She uses sarcasm and humor to highlight how society dictates young women dedicate their entire lives to finding a suitable husband to ensure financial stability, even if they have to settle for someone they find intolerable.

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