Tag: #Pride and Prejudice

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen – Book review

Jane Austen (December 1775 – July 1817) was an English novelist. The plots of her novel were often based on the situation of women; how their social and economic status totally depended on the family they are married to. She used social commentary, humor and realism to express her thoughts. Her works were approximately based on her social background. The books that she wrote were highly influenced by moral issues.

Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813, is one of the most recognized works of Jane Austen. The story revolves around Elizabeth Bennet (Lizzy) and how her character changes and develops through. It is a romantic comedy about how a man and woman surrender their pride and prejudice and come to realize their feelings for each other. It also shows how in the 1800, the only way to lead a decent and content life a woman had to marry in a rich house.

 Elizabeth is the second oldest daughter out of five of the Bennet family. The Bennet family is a combination of both silly and wise personalities. Mrs. Bennet is a lady of uncertain temper and mean understanding. Jane, the oldest daughter, was very beautiful comparatively among the five. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was quick-minded, cultured and wise. Mary was fond of reading while Catharine and Lydia spent their time flirting with youngmen, especially militia. Mr. Bennet, was the owner of Longbourn state, but he had no son but five daughters. Accordingly, the property would be inherited by a cousin of his leaving the daughters economically unstable. Mrs. Bennet was always keen to find a suitable and wealthy gentleman to marry at least one of her daughters off. It was a matter of great importance as at least one of the five needs to be economically stable to help the others. Elizabeth, considered the wisest, is often ashamed of her mother’s sheepish behavior.  

The events take place when the Bingley’s arrive in Hertfordshire where the Bennets reside. The daughter of Bennets and Mr. Bingley were introduced at a ball dance party. Mr. Bingley is attracted to Jane at their first meeting. While Mr. Darcy is a close friend of Mr. Bingley who is also present in the party. Darcy is usually an attractive person but is full of pride and haughtiness. Elizabeth gets provoked by Darcy’s comment on her claiming that she wasn’t pretty enough to dance with him. However, he falls for her wisdom and quick mindedness. Mr. Bingley begins to fall in love with Jane and Jane too. However, Mr. Darcy is logical and believes that Jane is after his money and so plays a role in separating them. The Bennets give up the hope of Jane’s marriage to Mr. Bingley and are disappointed, especially Mrs. Bennet whose aim in life is to marry her daughters. 

Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham can be considered the antagonists who have created more toil in Elizabeth’s life. The Bingley sisters are no less; they carried a superior behavior towards Elizabeth. Mr. Wickham first shows interest towards Lizzy filling her up with hatred towards Darcy but then engages someone else. Wickham later elopes with Lydia, the youngest daughter of Bennets.  Later demands money to marry her and they have to do the same to save their reputation. Among these events Elizabeth is proposed to by Mr. Darcy and she, ignorant of the truth and full of hatred towards him, refuses him coldly. However, she later comes to know the true character of Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy, and regrets her past actions and prejudices.

The novel provides the reader cognizance through the chapters. It is a piece of reading which is more meaningful and worthy of learning than just entertainment. We learn more while reading it instead of getting a lesson at the end. It shows how even a sharp minded woman is dependent on her spouse to lead a good life. Not only this, but it gives us some life lessons and a new view to someone’s personality.

But to expose the former faults of any person without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable.
– Jane

Doing things we don’t mean to and ending up hurting others. We can never judge a person by what we hear from others.

It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us.
– Jane

One can never be perfect. There is always room to improve. Too much pride may make us blind at times. There are times we skip the options that are right for us by underestimating them.

The novel contains a not rushed story with tons of valuable lessons.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen.

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

The very first statement, which starts the novel “Pride and Prejudice”, sets forth the major themes of the novel. Opening with an introduction to the Bennets, the first chapter shows an anxious Mrs. Bennet, who wants her daughters hitched and their new neighbour Mr. Bingley seems right for that purpose. When Mr. Bingley organises a ball, everyone in the neighbourhood is invited. There, the meeting takes place between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, the protagonists of this story. The story proceeds as the misunderstanding between our protagonists grows and they break away only to understand each other better. 

Beyond the obvious love brewing between various characters, the novel discusses other themes like class difference, need of money, marriage, the status of women, parenting and self – reflection. Unlike the Chivalric romances, Jane Austen portrays reality in her novel. The novelist shows how women of that age weren’t allowed to work and were expected to learn everything (knitting, embroidery, housekeeping, music and such) to be considered accomplished women. And when our female protagonist stands up for women, she is criticised. Elizabeth challenges the established beliefs of that age and gives out the message that women needn’t be perfect to be accomplished.  

“I never saw such a woman. I never saw capacity, taste, and application, and elegance, as you described, united.”

The novel also shows how women were dependent on marriage for financial support and they should also possess some money for a successful marriage. Instead of showing a fantasy where love solves everything, the plot showcases the importance of money in life but this doesn’t necessarily mean money defines happiness. The influence of class difference was strongly felt by the way Darcy and the Bingley sisters treated others like the Bennets. This is one of the important factors in the love story of Darcy and Elizabeth and Bingley and Jane. 

One of the best things about the novel is that we can vividly see how the characters evolve. The character development in both Elizabeth and Darcy is what brings together. There comes a situation when both have to step back from each other before they can grow closer. This brief interval helps them to understand themselves and face their inner flaws. The attributes in the title are clearly associated with the protagonists. Darcy was self conceited and Elizabeth was prejudiced.

Jane Austen had written some of the finest lines in English in this novel. The lines make us think and what makes them more attractive is that it appeals to people of all ages and all nations. 

“Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we have others think of us.”

“And yours,” he replied with a smile, “is wilfully to misunderstand them.”

These lines have the most impact when one reads the story. Adding, Jane Austen is also the best at description. Her descriptions of landscapes, settings and others transports us to that age.

This book also helps to reflect on ourselves. We are all proud and we are all prejudiced at least sometimes. All it takes is us admitting them and trying to work on it. This novel is relatable even in the 21st century.