Pride and

Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Nur Lina Farhana binti Yusli
1423740
(ENCO 1102)
Introduction to World Literature

Jane
Austen
(16 December
1775
18 July 1817)

Her works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the
most widely read writers in English literature.
She was primarily educated at home, benefiting from her fathers extensive library as well as
through her own reading.
Her works include Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park
(1814) and Emma (1816). She also wrote Northanger Abbey and Persuasion,both published in
1818.
Her novels mostly highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social standing
and economic security.
After her death, her brother, Henry Austen contributed a Biographical Note which for the first
time identified her as the author of the Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Jane
Austen
(16 December
1775
18 July 1817)

Her works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the
most widely read writers in English literature.
She was primarily educated at home, benefiting from her fathers extensive library as well as
through her own reading.
Her works include Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park
(1814) and Emma (1816). She also wrote Northanger Abbey and Persuasion,both published in
1818.
Her novels mostly highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social standing
and economic security.
After her death, her brother, Henry Austen contributed a Biographical Note which for the first
time identified her as the author of the Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Pride and Prejudice

Published

January 28, 1813

Settings

The novel is set in the 19th century in England,

specifically in Netherfield.
Adaptations

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Pride and Prejudice (1980)

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy (2003)

Bride and Prejudice (2004)

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Summary
It tells the story of the Bennet who have five daughters and no son to inherit their land so all of
their daughters have to marry well In order to support themselves. Fortunately, young and rich Mr.
Bingley moves in to Netherfield along with his relatives and friend, Mr. Darcy. After the next few
encounters, Jane and Bingley fall in love while Darcy finds himself attracted to Elizabeth but she
dislikes him for his proud manner. Mr. Collin, Mr. Bennet's cousin visits them and proposes to
Elizabeth who turns him down as she is interested with Mr. Wickham, who tells her that he has been
mistreated by Mr Darcy. Collin ends up marrying Charlotte, Elizabeth's friend.
Elizabeth visits Charlotte while Darcy goes to visit his aunt and they run into each other. Darcy
asks Elizabeth to marry him but she refuses. She charges him with destroying her sister's and Bingley's
happiness, mistreating Wickham and for being an arrogant man. Darcy admits to interfere between
Jane and Bingley's relationship, but tells her that Wickham is not a saint as she thinks he is. Elizabeth
realizes that she has misjudged him.
In the same month, Elizabeth goes on a trip with her aunt and uncle to Darcys mansion in
Pemberley. His housekeeper tells her what a sweetheart the guy is. Then Elizabeth receives the news
that that Lydia has eloped with Wickham. Darcy convinces Wickham to marry Lydia and pays up his
debts. Elizabeth finds out the truth about Darcys assistance and is impressed with his kindness.
Bingley makes an unannounced reappearance at Netherfield Park, and renews his courtship of
Jane. They are soon engaged. Lady Catherine also arrives unannounced for she has heard a rumour
about Elizabeth and Darcy's engagement. She threatens Elizabeth with dire consequences if she
marries Darcy, but Elizabeth refuses to promise that she will not accept a proposal from Darcy. A few
days later, Darcy makes a second proposal of marriage to Elizabeth. This time she accepts
wholeheartedly. He thanks Elizabeth for teaching him the lesson of humility.

Theme
Pride

Pride blinds Elizabeth and Darcy to their true feelings about each other.

Darcy's pride about his social rank makes him look down on anyone who are below his social rank.

Elizabeth takes so much pride in her ability to judge others that she refuses to revise her opinion even in
the face of clearly contradictory evidence.
Marriage

Charlotte Lucas, Lydia Bennet, Jane Bennet and Elizabeth Bennet get married to men who are sufficiently
appropriate for each of them.
Marriage becomes an economic rather than social activity, based on the opening line of the novel; It is a
truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a
wife.
Wealth

Inheritance was governed by laws of entailment (when there was no heir to the estate, the family had to
entail its fortune to a distant cousin). This laws benefits males.
Marriage to a man with a reliable income was almost the only route to security for the woman and her
future children.
Mr Collins was to inherit and his proposal to Elizabeth would have allowed her to have a share.