PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

“We are all fools in love”

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

"Pride and prejudice" is the most famous of Jane Austen’s novels and one of the first romantic comedies in the history of the novel.

It was published on 28th January in 1813.

Jane Austen was born in December 16th, 1775, in the Georgian era, in Hampshire, England. She was the daughter of a well-known marriage between Cassandra and George Austen.n As she loved the world of books, Jane began writing small novels in spiral notebooks since adolescence. Other important passions in the author’s life were the music (especially the piano) and dancing.At the age of 30, Jane Austen began publishing her writings anonymously. She didn't receive the recognition she deserved in life, but she gained her popularity after, in 1869. Jane died young, at the age of 41, in July 18th, 1817, in Hampshire.

J A N E A U S T E N

THEME OF THE NOVEL

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It is a personal development novel, in which the two main characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, each one in their own way, but at the same time very similarly, must mature to overcome some crises and learn from their mistakes in order to face a future together, getting over Darcy’s class pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice towards him.

P R I D E A N D P R E J U D I C E

The plot of Pride and Prejudice revolves around the Bennet family, made up of a married couple and their five daughters (Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia). Due to its low social class, the one worry of the mother is to marry their daughters with rich men as soon as possible.

The story begins with the arrival of two young rich bachelors at the region (Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy). The mother of the girls sees this arrival as an opportunity to solve the family problems. Mr. Bingley, a very sober and distinguished man, falls instantly in love with Jane Bennet, the eldest daughter.

His friend, Mr. Darcy, falls prey to the charms of Jane’s sister, Elizabeth, but, at first, he refuses to accept his feelings for her since the young woman is of humble origin. Elizabeth, on the other hand, considers Mr. Darcy an arrogant man and repudiates him. Their relationship is therefore dominated by prejudice, attraction, passion and anger. A mixture of feelings that completely differ.

CHARACTERS

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The main female character, Lizzie, is described as a beautiful, educated and intelligent young woman. Dissatisfied with the social order, she does not allow herself to be subdued and decides to marry only out of love. She is characterized by her strong sense of independence. Elizabeth is definitely a woman out of her historical time.

Mr. Darcy is the central male character of the novel. He is an intelligent, rich and shy man, who often seems arrogant and proud among strangers, but he is actually an honest and kind man. Initially, he considers Elizabeth socially inferior to him, unworthy of his attentions; but at the end he discovers that, despite his beliefs, he cannot deny his feelings for her.

ELIZABETH BENNET

MR. DARCY

MR. AND MRS. BENNET

JANE BENNET

Only concerned about the future of the family, the main problem of the marriage is to marry their five daughters well. The mother concentrates all her energy on seeking good sons-in-law to her daughters. The father, on the other hand, who seems to be more relaxed and understanding, has a sarcastic sense of humor, but he is also very concerned about their financial future.

The eldest daughter of the Bennet family is considered a docile, dreamy girl. She is very close to her sister Elizabeth, with whom she frequently exchanges confidences. She is described as a deeply demure, extremely beautiful woman, the prettiest among her sisters. She falls completely in love with the young man Mr. Bingley.

She is one of the Bennet sisters, who has become obsessed with books and enjoys herself cultivating her intellect. She is considered by all as a very wise girl thanks to the infinite curiosity she inherited from her father.

MARY BENNET

LYDIA AND KITTY BENNET

They are the little sisters. Lydia has an extreme sense of humor, and she is the most outgoing and rebellious sister in the group. Kitty considers Lydia her best friend, and they both are used to whisper their secrets quietly. They are really materialistic and enjoy flirting with the army officers.

He is a very rich young man, who rents the Netherfield mansion and falls in love with Jane Bennet. Mr. Bingley seems to be a good young man of solid values, but he ends up being influenced by others' opinions and shows a weak personality by being dominated mainly by his sister. As soon as Mr. Bingley appears in the region, the parents of the Bennet sisters show interest in marrying him to one of their daughters.

MR. BINGLEY

CAROLINE BINGLEY

Mr. Bingley’s sister roundly condemns the young man’s relationship with Jane Bennet due to the fact that she belongs to an inferior social class. Caroline is arrogant, and considers that her surname should not be mixed with that of inferior families. Caroline seems to be obsessed with Mr Darcy.

TIME AND SETTING

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The story takes place in a rural area of England at the beginning of the 19th century.

The novel shows how relationships motivated by love and money can be promiscuous and petty, concealed by the veil of bourgeois society.At that time in history in England, the woman’s only social role was being mother and wife, and she had no chance of having professional ambitions. With regard to society, women were of little value: when the patriarch died, the inheritance had to pass to the sons, and if there were none, the fortune passed to the man closest to the family.Jane Austen tries to give great importance to the money and the prejudice of the characters regarding the origin of the family of each one.havjkgnfvoeijfgdjn

S O C I E T Y

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife".

C R I T I Q U E

The story created by Jane Austen recreates a strong critique of the society of her time, governed by economic ambitions and relationships motivated by social interests. It is not a coincidence that the first sentence with which the plot begins is:

Marriages are seen as simple commercial agreements and we can see how the pettiness and interest permeate human relationships.

Elizabeth Bennet is often seen as a protofeminist because, unlike women of her generation, she does not seek a promising marriage, nor does she assume that a man is the solution to her financial and social problems. Elizabeth fights against a conservative and patriarcal society.Elizabeth’s behaviour is extremely peculiar to that time. Women were limited to the space of the house and to look after their family, while men dominated public spaces, properties and finances.Lizzie is greatly admired by her curious father, but she is deeply criticized by her mother, who fears for Elizabeth’s future because of her ideas that were considered revolutionary for the time.

I M P O R T A N C E O F E L I Z A B E T H'S C H A R A C T E R

"In vain have I 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."

Mr. Darcy

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE