Analytic Overview of Pride and Prejudice
Analytic Overview of Pride and Prejudice
Study of manners
Setting
Rural England; early nineteenth century
Principal Characters
Mr. Bennet, father of five daughters
Mrs. Bennet, his opinionated wife
Elizabeth, their intelligent middle daughter, and Mr. Bennet's favorite child
Jane, Elizabeth's beautiful older sister
Lydia, the Bennet's impetuous youngest daughter
Mr. Binglcy, Jane's rich and amiable suitor
Mr. Darcy, Bingley's arrogant and wealthy friend
Reverend Collins, a conceited bore
Mr. Wickman,an army officer
Story Overveiw
Mrs. Bennet felt delighted that Netherfield, a nearby estate, was again rented, and was especially pleased upon hearing that its new occupant, Mr. Bingley, was single and rich. "What a fine thing for our girls!" she beamed. She begged her husband to go make the acquaintance of their new neighbor, and, after some teasing, Mr. Bennet did pay Bing ley a call. Mr. Bingley soon returned the visit but did not manage to meet any of the beautiful young women he had heard so much about. His interest piqued, he soon invited the entire Bennet family to dine.
Everyone at the dinner party was impressed with Bingley's fine appearance and gracious manners. However, his close friend, Mr. Darcy, though handsome and well-to-do, was not viewed so favorably. "His manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity." His pride ruled and ruined his conversation - particularly for Elizabeth. When Bingley suggested that Darcy ask Elizabeth to dance, Elizabeth indignantly overheard Mr. Darcy rep ly that she was "tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me." However, Bingley and Jane Bennet were soon drawn to one another, even though Mr. Bingley's two haughty sisters saw Jane as much beneath their brother. They pretended great fondness for Jane, but Elizabeth easily saw their hypocrisy.
The following day, as the Bennet women sat and discussed the prior evening's party, all were in agreement as to both Bingley's charm and Darcy's coarseness. "I could easily forgive his pride," Elizabeth huffed, "if he had not mortified mine."
In a matter of days, the ladies of Netherfield and those of the Bennet's Longbourne estate had exchanged visits. "By Jane this attention was received with great pleasure; but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody ... and could not like them." Bingley's sisters took an equal dislike to Elizabeth.
One morning Jane received an invitation from the Bingley girls to spend the day. Mrs. Bennet viewed this as an opportunity for Jane and Mr. Bingley to get...