Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice presents the story of the Bennet family and their five daughters, who are all of marriageable age. The novel follows their adventures as women of the Regency period in a time when women’s place in society was quite limited and marriage was seen as one of the few acceptable paths for a woman to achieve her goals in life.

The novel opens with the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Bingley to the town of Meryton, where the Bennets reside. Soon after, Mr. Bingley rents a nearby estate, Netherfield, and the Bennet family pay a visit. They are presented with the pleasant surprise of Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy, also staying at the estate.

Soon the rumor of Mr. Bingley’s interest in Jane Bennet, the eldest Bennet daughter, is confirmed. However, Mrs. Bennet is disappointed when Mr. Bingley and his party soon leave one week later. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy is disapproving of the Bennets, as they fall short of his expectations as it pertains to his own family’s noble stature.

At a subsequent assembly ball in the town, Mr. Darcy proves to be too proud for the Bennets and for Elizabeth, including his constant snobbish remarks and lack of interaction with her.However, Elizabeth soon becomes intrigued by the gentleman, when he rescues her from embarrassment surrounding her rude older sister.

During their courtship, Mr. Darcy demonstrates an unwillingness to act upon his feelings, to Elizabeth’s chagrin. Additionally, Elizabeth soon discovers that Mr. Darcy used his influence to prevent the marriage of her sister Jane to his friend Mr. Bingley, out of concern for the fact that Jane does not share his large fortune.

Suspicious of Mr. Darcy and his true character, Elizabeth travels to his home in Hertfordshire and discovers that he is not the callous superhero she thought he was. Instead, she finds that through Mr. Darcy’s guidance, his cousin and ward, are well taken care of.

Upon returning to her home, Elizabeth is presented with a proposal of marriage from Mr. Darcy. Though she initially refuses, his honest explanation of the events that occurred between Jane and Bingley, as well as his deep apology, cause her to reconsider and accept his proposal.

After the two are married, they return to Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s estate. There, Elizabeth meets Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy’s aunt and a staunch supporter of the old ways of marriage. Lady Catherine attempts to undo the affection that Elizabeth and Darcy have for each other, but to no avail.

This classic novel of love, class, and expectations is fundamental in understanding the concept of love in society. In the end, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth find true happiness and satisfaction, not from titles nor wealth, but from the love of family and romantic love. Jane Austen warns that our decisions must not be based on first impressions, and that appearances can be deceiving. Thus, Pride and Prejudice is a beautiful story of two people set in a social structure that works against their unions and the misunderstandings it creates.