Pride+and+Prejudice

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In 1796, Austen began working on //First Impressions// which would later be reworked and renamed as //Pride and Prejudice//. It is a novel that communicates the effects of the main character’s impressions of one another. Their misunderstandings prevail throughout the novel, causing troubles for their relationship. The novel opens with the arrival of a wealthy young gentleman named Mr. Charles Bingley. Mrs. Bennet is anxious to see her five daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, get married so that they may be financially secured when Mr. Bennet passes away. Eventually, the Bennet family attends a local ball where they meet the famous Mr. Bingley. Among Mr. Bingley’s party were his sisters and best friend, Mr. Darcy. Though Mr. Bingley is friendly and amiable, Mr. Darcy is perceived as cold and arrogant. While Mr. Bingley dances the night away and grows closer to Jane, Mr. Darcy refuses to dance with anyone and boldly declares that Elizabeth is not beautiful enough to tempt him. Left with a bad first impression, Elizabeth is determined to dislike Mr. Darcy. Jane and Mr. Bingley continue to grow closer as time passes and Mr. Darcy, who has several more encounters with Elizabeth, finds himself becoming more attracted to her.

Aside from these social interactions, the Bennets eventually meet Mr. Collins, a distant relative, who is to inherit all of Mr. Bennet’s estate. Mr. Collins, a clergyman, wishes to marry one of the Bennet daughters and to Elizabeth’s disdain, he proposes to her. Seeing Mr. Collins as a bumbling buffoon, she rejects him much to her mother’s dismay. During this time, the militia has arrived in town and with them is Mr. Wickham, a foot soldier. Mr. Wickham tells a convinced Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy has done him some very grievous misdeeds by taking away his rightful inheritance.

While Elizabeth begins to find herself becoming partial to Mr. Wickham, Jane’s romance comes to a halt after the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy leave their estate for London in the wintertime. Jane is crestfallen and brokenhearted until she ventures to London herself in an attempt to rekindle any connections with Mr. Bingley. However, all attempts were made in vain. In the meantime, Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth’s best friend, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte accepts the proposal much to Elizabeth’s surprise. Elizabeth visits this odd couple and while there, Elizabeth encounters Mr. Darcy who surprisingly offers a marriage proposal to her. Elizabeth quickly rejects him and tells him that she views him as a contemptible, arrogant man who has insulted her family and caused many problems for her acquaintances. Mr. Darcy eventually addresses the grievances that Elizabeth had laid before him in the form of a letter. Mr. Darcy explains that though he was mistaken in tearing Mr. Bingley and Jane apart, he will never forgive Mr. Wickham. Mr. Darcy informs Elizabeth that everything Mr. Wickham has told her is entirely false and that Mr. Wickham had attempted to elope with his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, for her inheritance.

After hearing this, Elizabeth begins to ponder her own judgments while telling no one of this new piece of information. Mr. Wickham and his regiment eventually leave to go to Brighton and one of Elizabeth’s sister, Lydia, goes to follow them with her father’s permission. In the summertime, the Bennets hear that Lydia has run away to elope with Mr. Wickham. They fear that Lydia’s elopement will ruin all of the girls’ chances at marriage and search for Lydia in vain. However, with the help of Mr. Darcy, the family is able to resolve the issue; Mr. Wickham marries Lydia with the compensation of receiving an annual income. Mr. Darcy also helps bring Mr. Bingley and Jane back together. Elizabeth hears of all Mr. Darcy has done for her family and finds herself truly in love with him. After overcoming several trials and tribulations placed before her by Mr. Darcy’s disapproving aunt, the two confess to one another and the novel ends with Jane and Elizabeth happily marrying their beloved ones.

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My favorite novel by Jane Austen, //Pride and Prejudice// truly deserves the acclaim and reputation gained over the past 200 years. I thoroughly enjoyed the memorable characters (like Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins) and the quotes that contain deeper layers of meaning to them. The language in which this novel was written greatly appeals to me and the plotline is interesting. Although I enjoyed the witty moments with Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins, I loved the interactions between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy the most. The romantic tension and discourse between the two are often full of brilliant wit and humor. Their next course of action are sometimes surprising and unexpected which adds to the suspense and tension. ======

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Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are perfect for one another and I love their personalities. No matter how many times I re-read //Pride and Prejudice//, I am always entertained. I learn something new about it each and every time, but I always enjoy the same happy ending! ======