What is the perfect lifestyle? For many people, an example that quickly comes to mind is that of all those rich English people back in the 18th century with a wealthy family—cute dog included—and of course, at least two houses. Those people had it good, running one residency in the City of London and one in the English countryside—a vacation house, we would say.
The English countryside was a small society of its own, where the rules of the city did not always apply. So many gentlemen and ladies used to “run away” to the countryside to…enjoy themselves and let loose without the fear of scandals or exposure.
To put it simply, the countryside was fun! Aside from the idyllic landscape, people there seemed more joyous and content with their lives. Pride and Prejudice is a story unfolding right in the heart of the English countryside, where romanticism conquers every part of the human essence.
Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most iconic characters of all time, as she follows every step of a classic romantic hero; she goes down the road of self-doubt and eventually reaches self-awareness. She cares about love and seeks respect and self-fulfillment in a marriage. Elizabeth is a young woman who learns that love is more powerful than pride or prejudice and a great weapon to deal with both. Her love interest, Mr. Darcy, is a single man, supposedly in want of a wife. He is one of the most eligible young men in England, but in really he is so much more; he is Bingley’s best friend, a good brother and a kind gentleman. His ultimate goal is to prove to Elizabeth that he is worthy of her affection.
However, some say that first impressions matter most when two people are about to form any kind of relationship, and Elizabeth has the least encouraging thoughts about Mr. Darcy. Darcy in turn is too prejudiced against Elizabeth’s family, and he expects nothing good from people of lower status.
How on earth would two people who almost hate each other end up together? Well, in this self-exploration journey, Elizabeth and Darcy will find out how powerless and blind their pride makes them. In their quest for true love, the pair are about to face more challenges, test their limits, and, in the end, declare their love triumphant.
The story unfolds around the five Bennet daughters—from oldest to youngest, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia—who grow up with the only concern that as women, they won’t inherit their father’s fortune. They will end up on the streets if they cannot manage to marry a wealthy gentleman. Their father is the patriarch of the family and a very witty person, who Elizabeth looks up to. She and her older sister, Jane, are the only ones who have their father’s respect too. Their mother is a rather hysteric person, who keeps stressing about marrying her five daughters and keeping the family estate.
They are not poor but not rich either. The Bennet sisters grew up without a governess, thus the way they received any kind of higher education is challenged. Also, they made their debut together, while society dictated that a younger sister could only present herself once the oldest was married. However, as Lizzie cleverly points out, that would have had a horrible impact on the sisterhood—as it probably did for some families in Austen’s neighborhood.
Mr. Bennet is a member of the middle class and that is significant enough for his daughters to have a better chance at marriage; remember, status comes first. So, when a notable young gentleman of great fortune comes to Netherfield Park, an estate near the Bennets, they won’t miss the opportunity to be introduced to him.
Mr. Charles Bingley is immediately enthralled by Jane Bennet upon their first encounter at a ball in Meryton. His companion, though, seems somewhat disagreeable. Colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy has a reserved nature and refuses to dance. However, Elizabeth is intrigued by him, especially when she hears him referring to her as “barely tolerable”. That solidifies a lousy first impression, as Lizzie now sees him as an ill-mannered, rather snobbish and vain man.
Their relationship builds around misunderstandings and conflicts as their pride gets in the way, confirming unfair prejudices based on their wealth and status. Mr. Darcy’s bad reputation precedes him, while Lizzie’s is misjudged because of her family’s inappropriate manners, namely her mother outrageously pointing out how advantageous Jane’s marriage to Bingley will be, and her sister, Lydia, acting rather inappropriately in social gatherings. Moreover, Bingley’s sisters, especially Caroline Bingley, stand as a great obstacle between them, always remarking on the bad attributes of the Bennet family.
As the story progresses, though, Mr. Darcy cannot deny his attraction to Elizabeth. Her witty spirit and elegant eyes “have bewitched him, body and soul”. However, Lizzie has only heard of discouraging rumors surrounding his name. Her little trust in his goodwill is challenged when he and Mr. Bingley go back to London, leaving Jane devastated by her unrequited love.
Later on, Elizabeth is furious with Darcy, as she finds out it was his own idea to break off Jane’s potential engagement due to his misjudgment of Jane’s feelings toward Bingley.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth has become acquainted with a certain person of Mr. Darcy’s past. Mr. Wickham tells her all about his strained relationship with Mr. Darcy’s father, and she can only empathize with poor Wickham—little does she know.
Mr. Darcy, totally unaware of Elizabeth’s opinion of him, proposes to her. She is dumbfounded and, of course, rejects him accusing him that his pride and prejudice misled his judgment over particular situations like his part in Mr. Wickham and Jane’s misery.
Mr. Darcy reaches out to her again the next day to clear things up regarding her two very specific accusations. Lizzie receives an extended letter, in which Mr. Darcy explains, in full honesty, his stance. It is the first time he speaks to her sincerely, not afraid to be seen as vulnerable or admit to his mistake.
Some distance helps them realize how unfairly they have treated each other, until a rather messy situation gets them to work together; Lydia’s elopement with Mr. Wickham. Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet go off to search for Lydia in London, but Mr. Bennet eventually returns home empty-handed. The Bennet family is in a panic. Of course, the scandal of it will mark their lives forever, and any prospect of a good marriage for the sisters is threatened.
Fortunately, Darcy has some acquaintances in London and he discovers where Lydia and Wickham are hiding. He pays for the wedding and gives them a generous sum of money to start their life together. His only condition is that they keep his involvement a secret from Elizabeth and her family.
Mr. Darcy subsequently accompanies Mr. Bingley back to Netherfield Park and then to Longbourn, where the Bennet family resides. Mr. Bingley finally proposes to Jane and they have their happy ending!
What about Darcy and Lizzie, though?
They have a last challenge to face before they can be together and this one is for Lizzie to deal with; Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, visits Lizzie to forbid her engagement with her nephew, claiming he is betrothed to her daughter. Lizzie literally kicks her out, damning the Lady’s power and influence.
Mr. Darcy comes back for her one last time, and it turns out to be his lucky day because Lizzie is more than happy to return his affections!
Their vows are finally exchanged and the wife can kiss Mr. Darcy!
Curious for more? To find out more about these amazing characters visit this blog post.
Love and Marriage
Marriage was a social contract in the Regency era. Not every woman—or man—got lucky enough to actually share true love with their betrothed. In most cases, what mattered was the social status and wealth in picking a lifelong partner. Things like financial insurance were more essential than love.
For Jane Austen, though, marriage could only be encouraged between those who have affection for each other. Love and respect are fundamental—not just any type of love but true love!
She explores the matter of marriage as thoroughly as possible for her time, presenting five types of relationships in marriage; Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s, Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins’s, Lydia and Mr. Wickham’s, Jane and Mr. Bingley’s, and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s marriage. She comments on the different attributes and the basis on which each of the marriages above develops.
When it comes to Elizabeth and Darcy, they share the unique feeling of true love. Darcy’s pride and prejudice against Elizabeth’s low birth give way to a special kind of affection, so strong that it transforms him into a whole new man. On the other hand, Lizzie learns to understand and forgive Darcy’s pride. They sweetly grow on each other, after they have learned some important life lessons!
Class and Status
Ranks, social class, status… Isn’t it obvious yet? Society favors the powerful, and in the Regency era, those would be the royals, those who have a title, and then those who have fortune. Darcy is an upper-class gentleman with an enormous fortune—quite a catch for his time. All doors are opened for him; every woman dreams of being his wife, and every man dreams of fishing in his famous lake at Pemberley estate in Derbyshire.
Being a member of the upper class or at least the middle class ensures a higher education. Lizzie and Darcy weren’t born with wits—extensive reading made them!
Having a good social status determined almost everything in one’s life during that period—and it didn’t stop there. People were stressing over how they would climb the social ladder. The easiest way was by marriage. Imagine the number of problematic marriages based on ambition Jane Austen had witnessed for her to comment on it so pointedly.
It goes without saying that the expectations regarding a woman’s social position were very strict, merely confiding her in her father’s house or her husband’s estate—if they were lucky enough to be married into fortune.
Take for example Darcy’s description of an accomplished woman. Upon hearing it, Lizzie asks very naturally if he has ever met six such women. She actually doubts he has even met one! Of course, Caroline Bingley assumes that Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, is very close to being a perfect woman. Such a smarm!
Pride and Prejudice
The very core of Austen’s novel is the theme of pride and prejudice. The book is based on how these two negative human qualities can be melted away by the greatness of love.
The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy starts with misunderstandings that are caused as a result of their prejudice against each other and enforced by their pride. At first, Mr. Darcy may seem like the one who would potentially be at fault because of his shallow nature but Lizzie is also a very proud person. In order to protect her pride, she is willing to blindly trust her prejudice against rich people. Not so moral, huh?
Both were blinded by pride, which was stopping them from seeing what was growing in their hearts; love. Today, we would say that ego kills love. Well, guess what? Jane Austen has been ringing the alarm since the 18th century!
Let’s discuss why Pride and Prejudice is so relevant nowadays, aside from its relatable characters.
The major themes used in the development of the story are modern concerns too. If we think hard and dig deep, it is clear that social status has a major impact on our lives nowadays, too. The only difference from Jane Austen’s time is that today money dictates the status while royal titles mean very little in capitalist societies.
Keeping in mind the divorce percentage striking a new record every year, we can also assume that marriages are rushed and true love is again compromised. The social roles, the hectic lifestyle, and the unstable economy kill romance—fostering anxiety instead. In Pride and Prejudice, social dictates don’t encourage love in a marriage just as today’s social issues (in a more general sense) make people change their opinion of happiness.
However, who are we kidding? We know very well why we love this book… Enemies-to-lovers trope. The misunderstood, cranky enemy and the witty and stubborn heroine are always the right factors for the love equation. A slow-burn love with an undeniable attraction that goes against all social norms is always the right choice when it comes to writing romance novels.
Plus, the majestic aesthetic of the Regency countryside!
Let’s now examine the plot and look for the most important key points that build up the tension, reach the climax, and eventually end up in a happily ever after.
The first ball
One of the most essential points of the plot as the protagonist meets someone who catches her attention for the first time. Mr. Darcy challenges Elizabeth and gets under her skin too quickly for her liking. He has intrigued her most profoundly, and she cannot take him off of her mind.
Visiting Netherfield Park
As her dear sister, Jane, falls ill during her visit to Netherfield, Elizabeth goes to see her—she actually walks all the way there. When they are gathered in the drawing room, the conversation with Miss Bingley is rather tense. The masks fall, and Mr. Darcy has the chance to get to know Elizabeth a little better.
Meeting George Wickham
The love rival is introduced and Lizzie’s opinion of Mr. Darcy deteriorates after she finds out some dark things about his past. True or not, Lizzie chooses to believe Wickham’s claims as his accusations match her initial assumptions about Mr. Darcy’s personality.
Visiting Rosings Park
The main villain of the story is presented here; Lady Cathrine de Bourgh. Mr. Darcy’s aunt invites Mr. Collins, his wife and Lizzie’s best friend, Charlotte, and Lizzie for tea one day, and she doesn’t miss a chance to make Lizzie feel uncomfortable with her sharp comments—especially in front of Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy's Proposal
The climax of the plot. At the peak of the story, Mr. Darcy makes a rather controversial speech, as he wants to ask for Lizzie’s hand in marriage by explaining to her all the reasons he really shouldn’t marry her.
Final Proposal
Having gone through the journey of self-awareness and finally liberated from their faulty prejudices against each other, Elizabeth and Darcy are ready to—really—accept each other and surrender to their feelings for each other.
Pride and Prejudice is one of the most precious gems of classical English literature that has inspired countless adaptations. It is a rather comforting story as it reminds us of the glory of true love and the impact it has on those who are ready to accept it, even when it challenges their ego. It is a beacon of hope in a world where romanticism is challenged by things like status and wealth. Jane Austen calls upon matters that will always be relatable to us, and that is the beauty of her writing!
Still not convinced that Pride and Prejudice is to be your next read or re-read yet? If what you are looking for is one last push, you can dive into our favorite Pride and Prejudice quotes.
Jane Austen would have approved this message—we’d wish!
Jane Austen leaves us with the valuable message to seek love and affection above all in a marriage, instead of proceeding with a union based on wealth and status alone.
Jane Austen’s work calls us to reconsider human flaws, such as pride and prejudice, and understand their social basis that can easily sway people’s hearts. The moral of the story is that love can change people, but only in the sense that one lover learns to accept the other after they discover themselves first.
The main theme of Pride and Prejudice is love and marriage. Jane Austen explores the social institution from a lot of perspectives, analyzing a variation of human relationships in a marriage.
The greatest plot twist that—at least in the 18th century—readers did not expect is Mr. Darcy’s proposal while Elizabeth is visiting Rosings Park. Elizabeth refuses that very proposal, despite Darcy’s estate and the great opportunities marrying someone like him would offer.
Nikki Sheryee insists that she’s “up to no good” whenever she’s in the company of books. Armed with a degree in English Language and Literature, she wields the power of words like a mischievous wizard. Her lifelong dream? To be the editor who sprinkles magic dust on manuscripts! To Nikki, a book is more alive than a caffeinated squirrel on roller skates. Readers nurture it, cuddle it, scold it, and occasionally challenge it to a duel! But in the end, a book does its own thing, pulling at our heartstrings and revealing our inner human-ness. Nikki’s favorite pastime? Well, it’s none other than the noble art of daydreaming! And she wears her daydreamer’s badge with pride, sharing this delightful delusion with the crème de la crème of her friends.
