English-American Literature

2. Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel
by Jane Austen, first published in 1813.
The story charts the emotional
development of the protagonist,
Elizabeth Bennet, who learns the error
of making hasty judgments and comes to
appreciate the difference between the
superficial and the essential. The comedy
of the writing lies in the depiction of
manners, education, marriage, and
money during the British Regency
period.

3. THE AUTHOR
Jane Austen was an English novelist
known primarily foe her six major
novels, which interpret, critique and
comment upon the British landed gentry
at the end of the 18th century. Her plots
often explore the dependence of women
on marriage in the pursuit of favourable
social standing economic security.

4. The novel was adopted in 2005 starring Keira
Knightley and Matthew McFadyen as the lead.
It was directed by Joe Wright and was released
on September 16, 2005 in the United Kingdom
and Ireland and on November 11 in the United
States.
The film’s theme emphasize realism,
romanticism and family. The movie adaptation
of the novel earned a worldwide gross of
approximately $121 dollars which was
considered as a commercial success.

6. The story begins with the arrival of the rich and handsome Mr. Bingley
who occupies Netherfield Park as a tenant in the country of
Hertfordshire a little before Michaelmas (29th of September). The
Bennets are his immediate neighbours and Mrs. Bennet whose main
preoccupation in life “was to get her five daughters married” considers
him to be a suitable match for her eldest daughter Jane and does her
best to bring Jane and Bingley together. The plot starts in the ball when
Darcy – the friend and confidant of Bingley refusing to dance with
Elizabeth and insulting her by remarking, “she is tolerable, but not
handsome enough to tempt me.”

7. Darcy much against his wishes has begun to be attracted to Elizabeth
when she visited Jane who had taken ill and was staying at Netherfield
Park: “Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by
her. He really believed that were it not for the inferiority of her
connections he should be in some danger.”
The plot becomes further complicated with the arrival of Collins who
after failing to get Jane for a wife sets his eyes on Elizabeth and
furthermore with the arrival of Wickham to whom Elizabeth is
immediately attracted to. Thus, in the rising action, we have Darcy
secretly in love with Elizabeth, and Collins wishing to marry Elizabeth

8. and Elizabeth herself being attracted to Wickham the charming young
officer from the militia. The most important incident in which all these
matters come to a head is the Netherfield ball which takes place on a
Tuesdat November 26th.

9. Darcy fought his pride and proposed to Elizabeth which takes place at
Hunsford in Collin’s parish in the country of Kent during the Easter
vacation and having her instantly angry and rejected the proposal.
Darcy made a long letter of explanation and passionately confess his
true affections towards Elizabeth. Elizabeth soon realized her
foolishness and said to herself in chapter 36 “til this moment I never knew
myself”

10. Collin’s get married to Charlotte and Elizabeth writes a letter to her
Aunt Mrs. Gardiner, clearly stating that she was never in love with
Wickham.
Their visit to Pemberley marks an important turning point in the plot
with Elizabeth realizing that Darcy is no longer his usual proud self
and by the end of their visit, she is definitely in love with Darcy. But
everything is upset by the news of Lydia’s elopement: “and never could
have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain.”

11. The plot ends with Darcy proving that his love for Elizabeth is genuine
and that he has been purged of his pride by secretly making a financial
arrangement for Wickham who had eloped with Lydia in order that he
marry her. The story ends with Bingley marrying Jane and the plot
ends with Darcy once again proposing to Elizabeth and she accepting
him this time.