Difference between revisions of "Pride and Prejudice"
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| − | '''Pride and Prejudice''' is an early 19th-century British novel by [[Jane Austen]] about a family with 5 marriageable girls | + | '''Pride and Prejudice''' is an early 19th-century British novel by [[Jane Austen]] about a family with 5 marriageable girls living on their estate in the rustic English countryside. |
Its two primary antagonists are the immensely wealthy Mr. Darcy and the middle-class Elizabeth Bennett. Her [[prejudice]] against his [[pride]] and disdain is gradually broken down by his kindness. | Its two primary antagonists are the immensely wealthy Mr. Darcy and the middle-class Elizabeth Bennett. Her [[prejudice]] against his [[pride]] and disdain is gradually broken down by his kindness. | ||
Revision as of 19:37, August 18, 2007
Pride and Prejudice is an early 19th-century British novel by Jane Austen about a family with 5 marriageable girls living on their estate in the rustic English countryside.
Its two primary antagonists are the immensely wealthy Mr. Darcy and the middle-class Elizabeth Bennett. Her prejudice against his pride and disdain is gradually broken down by his kindness.
Plot Summary
Mrs. Bennett has five daughters, all out. She's at her wit's end to get any of them married before her husband's eventual death leaves the family homeless. The estate on which they live a life of rural leisure is entailed to a cousin.
A wealthy man from London (and his wealthier friend) come a-visiting; and Mr. Bennett arranges a social call, which leads to parties and dances. He falls in love with Jane, the eldest Miss Bennett, and all seems well.
But he has an even wealthier friend, Mr. Darcy (a good man and proud of it), who intervenes to break up the couple since Jane seems so cool and reserved.
Jane takes an instant dislike to Darcy for other reasons and soon encounters a dashing officer named Wickham. He cons her with a sob story of being cheated by Darcy to explain why he must (gasp) work for a living.
Only half way through the novel do we discover Wickham's deception. Between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, "One has all the goodness and one has all the appearance of it."
Paired opposites
The 'pride' of Mr. Darcy is opposed by the 'prejudice' of Elizabeth.
The generous and genial Bingley contrasts with the grasping, hypocrite and social misfit, Mr. Collins.
The shrewd and penetrating character analyses of Elizabeth contrast with the trusting nature of her older sister Jane, who is determined to see only the good in everybody.
Mr. Bennett is sensible and sensitive. His wife is flighty and thinks only of marrying off her daughters.
Elizabeth is determined to marry for love, and gets the intelligent, worthy and immensely rich Darcy. Her best friend marries for security, and get stuck with Mr. Collins.
Movie treatments
The definitive edition is the 5-hour 1995 miniseries starring Colin Firth. The star is really Jennifer Ehle, who shines (or glows) as Elizabeth.
External links
- Pride and Prejudice hypertext - an in-depth, encyclopedic analysis of every character and scene