Description

Buy Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen Online

“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. “

Introduction

Pride and Prejudice is one of the most famous classics ever written. The book has been adapted into several movies over the years. Though the book was written in the early nineteenth century, the subject matter is very much relevant today and never ceases to amaze the contemporary readers. The book was written anonymously. The book is a commentary on the social structures during the period in England. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are the main protagonists of this book. Elizabeth is Mr. and Mrs. Bennett’s daughter. Their social standing is dependent on whom they marry. Mrs. Bennet was always on the lookout for good proposals for her daughters. The book explores the social customs of ballroom dances and the alliances formed and broken due to social class restrictions and misunderstandings. There are several other characters, like Jane, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins, Wickham, Lydia, Lady Catherine, and Charlotte Lucas. Each character is unique and has his or her own flaws. The author tried to paint a realistic picture of life in a society. The book has won several accolades over the years and continues to capture the attention of its readers.

About the book

Pride and Prejudice is a romance, a drama, and historical fiction all rolled into one. The main protagonist of the book is Elizabeth Bennet, who makes hasty decisions that end up complicating the circumstances not only for her but for others around her. The plot begins with Mr. Bingley, a wealthy young bachelor who moves to a large estate called Netherfield with his family. Soon, a ball will be organised in Meryton. In the ball, Bennet’s family meets Bingley and his friend Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Bennet hoped that one of her five daughters would get married to Mr. Bingley. During the ball, Mrs. Bennett’s eldest daughter, Jane, and Mr. Bingley seemed to like each other and were seen dancing. However, Mr. Bingley’s friend Darcy makes a comment on Jane, saying that she is not so pretty. This infuriates Elizabeth, who overhears this statement about her sister Jane. There follow a series of serious events that further intensify Elizabeth’s hatred towards Mr. Darcy. As the story unfolds, many characters come into the picture, which makes the plot even more interesting and reveals the characteristics of other characters. The author, Jane Austen, wanted to distinguish between artificial goodness and true goodness. Also, how kindness and empathy are the hallmarks of true breeding rather than the superficial display of wealth. The plot also highlights the manor/property laws in England during that period, which made women dependent on men, especially those of low social standing, to be financially dependent.

Characters

•    Elizabeth Bennet is the novel’s protagonist. She is sharp-witted and well read. She is the most sensible of the Bennet sisters. She also has a sharp tongue, which often seems to be detrimental to her own good. She is the love interest of Mr. Darcy in the book. However, she has several prejudices against Mr. Darcy.
  ●    Mr.Darcy: He is a wealthy gentleman who is the master of Pemberley. He is well read, honest, and compassionate. However, his pride makes him look down on those who are socially inferior. He is another main protagonist in the book. His full name in the book is Fltzwilliam Darcy, but he is usually addressed as “Mr. Darcy.”

About the Author

Jane Austen is an English novelist of the late 18th century. Her novels primarily were based in England, and she often made commentary and critiques on the British land policies of the time. In most of her novels, she penned strong female protagonists who were not shy to think and speak boldly. She also focused on the dependency of women on a man for a good and respectable social standing. The institution of marriage finds space in most of her books and is spoken of at great length and depth. Her work inspired a lot of movies, critical essays, and anthologies. She rose to fame much more after her death and is duly recognised as one of the most famous authors in the world.

Conclusion

Jane Austen created a new threshold for the most lovable male protagonist in this novel in Mr. Darcy. The main message that the author drives home is that one has to put aside their pride and prejudice to truly understand the other person, rather than judge them. In this book, Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth have to overcome their pride and prejudice against one another to truly love and commit to a life of joy and peace in each others’ lives. The subtle romance and love in the book make one fall in love with classics and enrich the experience of reading in general.