Author: Jane Austen
Setting: Various estates in England
Plot:
Bingley, a wealthy single man, has just moved in to a nearby estate to the Bennet household, and Mrs. Bennet is determined that one of her daughters marry him. A ball is held, and Bingley is appraised to be friendly and desirable, while his even wealthier friend Darcy is seen as arrogant and unlikable. Jane and Bingley hit it off, and Darcy finds that despite his wishes he is falling for Elizabeth. Mr. Collins, a somewhat wealthy but utterly idiotic suitor, comes to call on the Bennets an is eventually and begrudgingly snapped up by Charlotte, a friend of Lizzie's. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth and she refuses. Wickham, a handsome and friendly man, meets the girls and tells them that his inheritance was stolen by Darcy. This turns out to be false, and Darcy turns out to be a good guy while Wickham was lying and runs off with Lydia. Darcy and Lizzie marry, and Bingley and Jane marry.
Bingley, a wealthy single man, has just moved in to a nearby estate to the Bennet household, and Mrs. Bennet is determined that one of her daughters marry him. A ball is held, and Bingley is appraised to be friendly and desirable, while his even wealthier friend Darcy is seen as arrogant and unlikable. Jane and Bingley hit it off, and Darcy finds that despite his wishes he is falling for Elizabeth. Mr. Collins, a somewhat wealthy but utterly idiotic suitor, comes to call on the Bennets an is eventually and begrudgingly snapped up by Charlotte, a friend of Lizzie's. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth and she refuses. Wickham, a handsome and friendly man, meets the girls and tells them that his inheritance was stolen by Darcy. This turns out to be false, and Darcy turns out to be a good guy while Wickham was lying and runs off with Lydia. Darcy and Lizzie marry, and Bingley and Jane marry.
Main Characters:
Elizabeth - She is independent and witty, but somewhat judgmental. It is only by overcoming her prejudice against Darcy that she can find happiness.
Jane - The most beautiful of the daughters, but one who hesitates to see faults in others. She ends up with Bingley.
Lydia - The rebel of the group, she selfishly runs off with Wickham after he tricks her into liking him.
Mrs. Bennet - Her sole purpose is to marry her daughters. She doesn't understand her husband and is very one-dimensional, but acts out of love for her children.
Mr. Bennet - Sarcastic and witty, he sometimes neglects his parental duties on the notion that it's all just too silly for him. Initially refreshingly sensible, but in the end he fails to take sufficient interest in his children.
Darcy - Initially looked down upon for being aloof, his greatest fault is his pride. Once he lets go of it to marry Liz, he is seen to be the truly well-intentioned man that he is.
Bingley - A kind-hearted wealthy gentleman who moves into the new estate. Friends with Darcy, but kiner and more persuasive, he is also easily influenced.
Charlotte - She is the one who settles. Seeing marriage as a great crap shoot, she cuts her losses and marries Mr. Collins before becoming "unmarriageable".
Lydia - The rebel of the group, she selfishly runs off with Wickham after he tricks her into liking him.
Mrs. Bennet - Her sole purpose is to marry her daughters. She doesn't understand her husband and is very one-dimensional, but acts out of love for her children.
Mr. Bennet - Sarcastic and witty, he sometimes neglects his parental duties on the notion that it's all just too silly for him. Initially refreshingly sensible, but in the end he fails to take sufficient interest in his children.
Darcy - Initially looked down upon for being aloof, his greatest fault is his pride. Once he lets go of it to marry Liz, he is seen to be the truly well-intentioned man that he is.
Bingley - A kind-hearted wealthy gentleman who moves into the new estate. Friends with Darcy, but kiner and more persuasive, he is also easily influenced.
Charlotte - She is the one who settles. Seeing marriage as a great crap shoot, she cuts her losses and marries Mr. Collins before becoming "unmarriageable".
Point of View: Third person, primarily from Elizabeth's perspective.
Tone: The entire novel is told rather light-heartedly, lingering on mannerisms and images. The childlike nature of most of the characters is revealed as their petty intentions are easily discerned.
Imagery: The setting is described in great detail. Austen creates vivid images to capture the various estates and locations in the book. New characters are also thoroughly depicted.
Symbolism:
Most of the truly revealing and enlightening moments take place in nature; Darcy's initial proposal and exchange with Lizzie, and the expedition through the rain to reach Netherfield.
Most of the truly revealing and enlightening moments take place in nature; Darcy's initial proposal and exchange with Lizzie, and the expedition through the rain to reach Netherfield.
Quotes:
"It is a truth universal acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
This broad generalization embodies the fixation of the novel's society upon marriage. It is quite prejudice to assume that all wealthy men need wives and proud to assume that this is a universal truth. This sarcastic opening sets the tone of the novel.
"They are young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that handsome men must have something to live on, as well as the plain." -Mrs. Gardiner
Here she shatters the illusion that marriage is perfect; she acknowledges that in fact it will not always work out, but that one must nonetheless embrace the institution of marriage.
Here she shatters the illusion that marriage is perfect; she acknowledges that in fact it will not always work out, but that one must nonetheless embrace the institution of marriage.
Theme:
Only by letting go of pride and prejudice can happiness be found.
This is evident in Darcy and Liz's relationship, but also in many others; Charlotte bottles up her prejudice and rejects her pride rather than dealing with either in settling for Collins. Jane and Bingley are threatened by Darcy's pride as he tries initially to break them up. Even Mr. Bennet's pride keeps him from being as good a father as he could be, and Lydia is blinded by prejudice against anyone who tries to break her perfect vision of Wickham.
This is evident in Darcy and Liz's relationship, but also in many others; Charlotte bottles up her prejudice and rejects her pride rather than dealing with either in settling for Collins. Jane and Bingley are threatened by Darcy's pride as he tries initially to break them up. Even Mr. Bennet's pride keeps him from being as good a father as he could be, and Lydia is blinded by prejudice against anyone who tries to break her perfect vision of Wickham.
Good job!
ReplyDeleteI think you incorporated everything here.
Nice theme! I never thought of it in that way before!!