Summary of Pride and Prejudice
The still highly popular 19th-century romance novel “Pride and Prejudice” tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a witty, attractive, and outspoken young gentlewoman who, together with her parents and four sisters – Jane, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia – lives at their country estate, Longbourn House, in the south-east of England. With her mother anxious to secure suitable husbands for her daughters, the arrival of the wealthy bachelor Mr. Bingley at the nearby Netherfield Park estate opens opportunities. At a ball, the Bennets meet Mr. Darcy, Bingley’s friend. Although Darcy is aloof and at first offends Elizabeth and her family, they gradually overcome their pride and prejudices and begin to feel attracted to one another.
Reasons to read Pride and Prejudice
“Pride and Prejudice” is a classic of English literature and Jane Austen’s most popular novel. It is also considered one of her finest books, along with “Emma” and “Persuasion”. The novel explores many themes – not only the titular traits of pride and prejudice, but also the influence of one’s upbringing, class distinctions, the trivialities of social life, the process of self-discovery, and, of course, the challenge of making a good marriage and the criteria behind it – whether love and companionship, as sought by Elizabeth, or economic security and prestige, as pursued by her mother. All this is set against the backdrop of the wealthy estates of England’s landed gentry in the countryside north of London, during the 1790s. Despite the book’s enduring popularity, it was written in the early 19th century, and its language and style may prove challenging for some modern readers. “Pride and Prejudice” has been adapted for film and television many times, including the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, and the 1995 BBC series featuring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.
Setting: Hertfordshire (England, UK)
“Pride and Prejudice” is set in the Hertfordshire countryside, near the fictional village of Meryton, which is likely inspired by small market towns Jane Austen visited, such as Hertford or Harpenden.
Original title: Pride and Prejudice
Year of publication: 1813
Nr of pages: 480
