Publisher and Publication Date: Penguin Books. 2014. First published in 1813.
Genre: Fiction. Classic literature. British literature.
Format and Pages: Paperback.
Source: Self-purchase.
Vivien Jones edited and wrote the intro and notes sections.
“The Novels of Jane Austen” was written by Claire Lamont.
Both of the above illustrations are from Wikipedia.
Further links on Jane Austen.
- A PBS guide to Jane Austen.
- Biography.
- Britannica.
- Jane Austen’s World. *
- Jane Austen Society of North America. *
2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
Prelude:
Jane Austen began writing Pride and Prejudice in 1796-1797. It was first titled, First Impressions. It was successfully published in 1813 under the name Pride and Prejudice.
The Napoleonic Wars were between 1800 and 1815. I see various years are depicted as the start. According to Briannica the campaigns began in 1800.
The Regency Period was 1811-1820.
The Georgian Era was 1714-1837. William the IV’s death ended the Georgian Era.
You do not have to read the above online articles on the history of the period when Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice, but they will help you to understand the culture, society, and history of that period.
Pride and Prejudice is the story of Elizabeth Bennet and her family. Elizabeth or Eliza is the second daughter. She has an older sister named Jane. She has younger sisters named: Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. Lydia is mentioned to be 16 in the later part of the story. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have been married 23 years. So, I assume Jane is about 22. Eliza is about 20 or 21. Mary is probably 18 or 19. Kitty is 17ish. And Lydia is 15ish when the story begins.
Mrs. Bennet has a goal of her daughter’s marrying well.
Mr. Bennet is content to remain in his study.
Early in the story, the family finds out that Netherfield has been “taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England.” The man’s name is Mr. Bingley. He is unmarried.
At the next ball the family is able to meet Mr. Charles Bingley and his friend Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Mr. Darcy is a “fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mein;” Page 12.
Mr. Bingley and Jane are smitten with one another. But Mr. Darcy and Eliza Bennet are put off with one another. What could have been polite conversation is instead “disagreeable.”
The Lucas family live near the Bennet family and the older daughter Charlotte is close friends with Eliza. Later when a relative of Mr. Bennet’s came to visit the Longbourn home that maybe his someday, Eliza does not like him. Mrs. Bennet is angry with Eliza but Eliza stands her ground.
One of the things I love about this story is Eliza’s determination. She will not do something she cannot believe as the right thing to do.
This leads me to the My Thoughts section.
My Thoughts:
When I think about the Georgian Era, I imagine females who did exactly as they were told to do by their parents or guardians. They married men who were chosen for them. They lived a life of obedience. They lived a life as if they did not have a choice, which in reality there were few choices for women to be independent, even in their feelings and expressions. It is depressing. But here is Elizabeth Bennet who in the early part of the story, the first half, tells two men, no. No, I will not marry you.
Elizabeth is a thinker. She ponders and wrestles deep thoughts. She is a person of character. She is responsible, dependable, intelligent, quick with her mind and her voice, she stands her ground in the things she believes are the right thing to do and does not veer away. She has the ability to observe keenly those around her and she is not impressed with those who try to impress. She keeps her cool among those who come across and prideful and rude. She is a very impressive and formidable character. She is a true heroine.
On the other end of the sphere from Elizabeth is her mother, Mrs. Bennet, and the youngest sister, Lydia, whom I refer to as flibbertigibbets. I believe these women are emphasized because they are so polar from one another. This is an example of contrasts and comparisons in the story.
The story’s strengths are in the characterization of the people and their dialogue.
I learn so much by letting the story gently reveal itself as to how the characters really are and what kind of choices they make that reveal their inner persons. Sometimes I am surprised in who I thought they were but later my mind is changed. I love it that some of them have the ability to learn from what they had believed and imagined about a person. This helps give the story depth. A depth much more than a mere romance tale.
The dialogue often made me listen in a bit closer. As words said had deeper meaning. I certainly reread many pages in trying to decipher what was happening.
Pride and Prejudice is a story that is much more than a romance. It has several themes running through it. It shares believable situations and people. People that no matter how much money they have are still just people who are trying to navigate in life. And in the case of this story, they are trying to navigate inside the perimeters of expected social customs.
The book is in three volumes. Volume three is my favorite. It is when things come together.
Pride and Prejudice has contrasts and comparisons in the marriages. Charlotte, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner. And later Lydia.
Themes in Pride and Prejudice: love, family relationships, money, inheritance, pride, prejudice, guilt, impropriety, female roles, and honesty.
I love everything about this story. It is a book that I will read and again and again, and each time find a new morsel I’d not realized before.
Pride and Prejudice can be misjudged as only a romance or a young person’s story. Nope. It is several things all tied neatly in an unpretentious bow.
Favorite quotes:
“We must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.” Jane speaking to Elizabeth or Lizzy. Page 133-134.
“Elizabeth felt that they had entirely mistaken his character, but said nothing.” Page 247.
“Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter…Elizabeth’s mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view.” Page 235.
Excellent. Bravo. I highly recommend.
Impressions In Ink 