Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Elizabeth Bennet and her sister Jane are the oldest of five daughters living in the countryside of England. Their flighty mother dreams of getting her daughters married off. When Mr. Bingley rents a home in their neighborhood, Mrs. Bennet immediately dreams of his falling in love with her eldest, Jane. The family does not count on Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy. Darcy is more aloof and is rude to the Bennets at the ball where they meet. Elizabeth is immediately put off.

Jane falls in love with Mr. Bingley who seems to fall in love with her, as well. When he returns to London to take care of business, Darcy and his sisters prevent his return to the countryside of the Bennet's home. Jane is distressed, Elizabeth is infuriated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Collins has visited the Bennet's home and proposed to his cousin, Elizabeth. She refuses him and he marries her friend instead. She is able to visit her friend and cousin at their new home; she once again meets Mr. Darcy and is able to give him her opinion.

This is a classic romance, with all the misunderstandings that characterize a romance with its twists. Since the novel is 200 years old Elizabeth seems unreal today at times in the novel. During Austen's era women's choices were limited, especially to women in the Bennet's genteel class. Elizabeth is very opinionated and would have made well of herself no matter what station she finally had chosen.

At times the language seems wordy and hard to follow. Yet stick with it. It's not modern brief language. It reflects the language and pace of the era. Pride and Prejudice stands all tests of time. Enjoy!

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