Pride And Prejudice Essay, Research Paper

1. Title: Pride and Prejudice

2. Author: Jane Austen

3. Number of Pages: 332

4. Setting: Longbourn, which is in rural England. The story

took place sometime during the Napoleonic Wars (1797-1815).

5. Characters:

1. Mr. Bennet: An odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve, and impulsive tendencies. Married 23 years to Mrs. Bennet. First to call on Bingley. Father of Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Kitty, and Mary. He has a close relationship with Elizabeth. As for the rest of his family, they aren?t of greatest importance to him. He isn?t really fond of his wife, as he attempts to irritate her throughout the story. Goes to call on Bingley when he first arrives at Netherfield, to make his acquaintance. Refuses to order Elizabeth to marry Collins when directed by his wife, saying that he would not see Elizabeth if she did marry Collins. Takes off to London to search for Lydia, who has run off with Wickham during her stay at Brighton. Returns home after no success, leaving Mr. Gardiner to look for Lydia. Is angry with Lydia for her actions and stays angry. Is happy to receive Bingley as a son when he proposes to Jane during his return to Netherfield. Receives a letter from Collins saying that Darcy and Elizabeth are rumored to be engaged. Later on, Darcy asks his consent to marry Elizabeth. Writes a letter to Mr. Collins announcing Darcy and Elizabeth?s engagement.

2. Mrs. Bennet: Mr. Bennet?s wife. Mother of Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Kitty, and Mary. Married to Mr. Bennet for 23 years. Seems centered on marrying her daughters off well. Mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. Not very bright. She is often rude and uncivilized, caused by ill-breeding. Very fussy. Attends the ball in Meryton with her daughters. Sends Jane on a horse to Netherfield. Talks of Jane and Bingley?s supposed marriage at the ball at Netherfield and embarrasses Elizabeth. Is angered by Elizabeth?s refusal of Collins? hand and tells her that she will never see her again if she doesn?t marry him. Is in hysterics after she receives word from Colonel Forster that Lydia has run off with Wickham during her stay at Brighton. Is ecstatic that Lydia is marrying Wickham. Keeps finding ways to leave Bingley and Jane alone when Bingley and Darcy spend much time at Longbourn. Is ecstatic when their engagement is announced. Yet another daughter is engaged when Darcy and Elizabeth?s engagement is announced. She is shocked but pleased.

3. Mr. Charles Bingley: Rich, young, single man, from north of England. Purchased Netherfield(near the Bennet?s). Easygoing gentleman. Doesn?t care about class differences. Good-looking. Cheerful, friendly, good-natured, thinks the best of others. Liked wherever he appears, friend of Darcy?s, takes a liking to Jane. Goes away to London shortly after arriving at Netherfield and brings back with him his two sisters, his brother-in-law, and Darcy. Meets Jane at the ball in Meryton and immediately likes her and dances with her twice. Opens his home to Jane and then Elizabeth when Jane falls ill. Comes with Darcy back to Netherfield after Lydia and Wickham head north. He proposes to Jane and she accepts gladly. After the weddings, he purchases an estate near Pemberley and the sisters visit one another often. Lydia and Wickham visit the Bingleys often and soon enough, the Bingleys get sick of them.

4. Sir William Lucas: The Bennet?s neighbor. Accompanied Elizabeth to visit his daughter and her new husband.

5. Lady Lucas: The Bennet?s neighbor.

6. Elizabeth Bennet: Fiery, contentious nature, 2nd daughter, most intelligent and sensible of the five girls. Favorite of Mr. Bennet. Well-read, quick-witted, lovely, clever, honest, makes hasty judgments, self-possessed. Offended by Darcy at the ball in Meryton. She goes to visit the ill Jane at Netherfield and is asked to spend some time there with her sister. After a few days, she and Jane leave. Hears Wickham?s story of Darcy keeping money willed to Wickham and is angry with Darcy. Is embarasses by her family at the Netherfield ball. The next day, Collins proposes to her and she turns him down. Shows an interest in Wickham after Collins proposes to Charlotte. Travels with Sir Lucas to visit his daughter. Dines at Rosings with Lady de Bourgh many times during her visit. Is criticized numerous times the first time. Is told by Darcy that Bingley isn?t likely to spend much time at Netherfield in the future. She blames Darcy for Bingley?s absence from her sister. Darcy declares his love for her. She refuses him and becomes angry at him for everything. Darcy hands her a letter the next day that tells her he did try to break up Bingley and Jane, and explains his dislike for Wickham. Wickham attempted to elope with Georgiana to obtain her fortune. She is shocked. Darcy and Fitzwilliam leave Rosings. She leaves a week later. She travels to the Gardiner?s London house to be joined by Jane and they return home. Tells Jane the truth about Wickham. Joins the Gardiners in July and tours Pemberley. Meets Georgiana during her tour. Receives two letters from Jane telling her that Lydia has run off with Wickham. She rushes home. Lydia is found and is to be wed to Wickham. Elizabeth realizes that she loves Darcy and would marry him. Writes a letter to Mrs. Gardiner asking why Darcy was at Lydia and Wickham?s wedding. Received a letter telling her that Darcy found Lydia and Wickham and paid Wickham to marry Lydia. Is visited by Lady Catherine, whom is very rude to her and tells her that she cannot accept any marriage proposal from her nephew. Elizabeth is just as cool in return and doesn?t promise anything to Lady Catherine. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth and she happily accepts. After the weddings, she visits her sister often. The Gardiners visit the Darcys often. Elizabeth becomes great friends with Georgiana.

7. Jane Bennet: Handsome, cheerful, friendly, good-natured, thinks the best of others, gentle spirit, oldest of the five girls, prettiest, reserved, gentle, pleasant. Meets Bingley at the ball in Meryton and dances with him twice. She is invited to spend the day at Netherfield so she takes a horse, gets sick when it rains and has to spend time at Netherfield while recovering. After a few days, she and Elizabeth leave. She receives a letter from Miss Bingley when their party leaves town that says they?re not coming back and Bingley is marrying Georgiana. Travels to London with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner for a change of scene. After a few months, she is joined by Elizabeth, traveling home from Rosings, and they arrive home together. Is told the truth about Wickham. Sends her sister word that Lydia has run off with Wickham. Is fatigued after taking care of Mrs. Bennet who is in hysterics because of the news of Lydia?s elopement. Is delighted that Darcy and Bingley are spending time at Longbourn and Bingley finally proposes to her and she gladly accepts. After the weddings, Bingley purchases an estate near Pemberley and the sisters visit one another often. Lydia and Wickham visit the Bingleys often and soon enough, the Bingleys get sick of them.

8. Lydia Bennet: Good-humored, youngest, tallest, vacant mind, walks to Meryton to visit her aunt and the militia regiment. Gossipy, self-involved, immature, flings herself into romance. She talks of nothing but the officers. Goes to spend the summer in Brighton with the regiment by an offer from Colonel Forster?s wife. Runs off with Wickham during her stay in Brighton. Is found by Mr. Gardiner and is to be wed to Wickham. After the wedding, Lydia and Wickham come to visit the Bennet family before going north with the regiment. After the weddings, Lydia and Wickham visit the Bingleys often and ask Darcy for money. The Bingleys grew tired of the Wickhams quickly.

9. Kitty Bennet: Vacant mind, walks to Meryton to visit her aunt and the militia regiment. Talks of nothing but the officers. Distraught when her sister travels to Brighton for the summer. Kitty is away from Lydia?s influence and matures quickly by spending time with Jane and Elizabeth.

10. Mary Bennet: The plain one in the family, works hard for knowledge and accomplishments, conceited manner, bookish.

11. Mr. Darcy: Bingley?s friend, tall, handsome features, of noble blood. Pemberley?s owner. Started out with bad manners. Easiness, openness, ductility of his temper, clever, haughty, reserved, fastidious, gives offense wherever he goes. Stiffly proud, noble, master of Pemberley, nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, intelligent, honest. Offends Elizabeth at the ball in Meryton. Finds himself attracted to Elizabeth. Visits his aunt with his cousin, Fitzwilliam during Elizabeth?s stay. Tells Elizabeth that Bingley is not likely to spend much time at Netherfield. Declares his love for Elizabeth. She refuses him and becomes angry with him about everything. He hands her a letter the next day that tells her he did try to break up Bingley and Jane, and explains his dislike for Wickham. Wickham attempted to elope with Georgiana to obtain her fortune. He and Fitzwilliam leave Rosings. Introduces Georgiana to Elizabeth during her tour of Pemberley. Found Wickham and Lydia in London and paid Wickham to marry Lydia. Comes with Bingley back to Netherfield after Lydia and Wickham head north. Spends much time at Longbourn with Bingley, who proposes to Jane, who gladly accepts. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, who happily accepts. He writes to Lady Catherine to inform her of his engagement. After the weddings, Elizabeth visits her sister often. The Gardiners visit the Darcys often. Lady Catherine eventually becomes on good terms with her nephew and visits him and his new wife.

12. Miss Bingley: Lives with her brother, Charles. Snobbish. She is attracted to Darcy and is jealous of his attraction to Elizabeth and tries very hard to impress him. Befriends Jane but betrays her later on. Tells Jane that Bingley is going to marry Georgiana.

13. Lady Lucas: Good kind of woman, neighbor of the Bennet?s.

14. Charlotte Lucas: Intelligent young woman, sensible, oldest daughter of Sir William and Lady Lucas, 27 years old, Elizabeth?s good friend. Accepts Mr. Collins? proposal after he is turned down by Elizabeth. Dines at Rosings many times with her husband and Elizabeth during her visit.

15. George Wickham: Handsome, greedy officer. Good looks, charming. Tells Elizabeth a story of how Darcy kept money willed to Wickham himself. Shows an interest in Elizabeth after Collins proposes to Charlotte. Shifts his interest to Miss King, who inherited a large fortune. Wickham attempted to elope with Georgiana to obtain her fortune. His story of Darcy keeping his will money was true, but under those circumstances. Runs off with Lydia during her stay at Brighton. Is found by Mr. Gardiner and is to be wed to Lydia. Comes to stay with the Bennet family with Lydia before moving north with the regiment. Was paid by Darcy to marry Lydia. After the weddings of the Darcys and the Bingleys, the Wickhams ask Darcy for money and out-stay their welcome with the Bingleys.

16. Mr. William Collins: Inheritant of Mr. Bennet?s land, idiotic, pompous. clergyman, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is his patroness. Snobbish. He writes to Mr. Bennet to inform him of his upcoming visit to Netherfield. Sets his sights on Elizabeth for his wife. Introduces himself to Darcy, who treats him badly. Proposes to Elizabeth the day after the Netherfield ball and she refuses. Proposes to Charlotte Lucas days later. Dines at Rosings with his wife and Elizabeth many times during her visit. Sends a letter criticizing the Bennet?s of their parenting skills after hearing of Lydia?s running off with Wickham. Sends another with the rumor of Darcy and Elizabeth?s engagement. Receives a letter of announcing the engagement from Mr. Bennet.

17. Lady Catherine de Bourgh: Very rich, bossy, noblewoman, Darcy?s aunt and Collins? patroness. Insolent, dictatorial. Dominates the conversation each time Elizabeth, Charlotte, Mr. Collins, and Sir Lucas come to dinner. Criticizes many things about Elizabeth?s life. Visits Longbourn, is very rude to Elizabeth and tells her that she cannot accept any marriage proposal from her nephew. Elizabeth is just as cool in return and doesn?t promise anything to Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine accepts the marriage between her nephew and his wife and visits them at Pemberley.

18. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner: Mrs. Bennet?s brother and his wife, caring, nurturing, full of common sense. Come to visit the family and invite Jane to come to London with them to cheer her up because she is upset that Bingley left. Warn Elizabeth to stay away from Wickham. Joined by Elizabeth to tour Pemberley. They rush home with Elizabeth when word of Lydia running off with Wickham reaches them. Mr. Gardiner joins Mr. Bennet in London to search for Lydia. Mr. Gardiner stays in London to search for Lydia when Mr. Bennet returns home. He finds them days later and they are to be wed. Tells Elizabeth that Darcy found Wickham and Lydia and paid Wickham to marry Lydia.

19. Georgiana Darcy: Darcy?s sister, extremely pretty, very shy girl. Meets Elizabeth while she?s touring Pemberley. Georgiana likes Elizabeth and they become great friends after Darcy and Elizabeth wed and move into Pemberley.

20. Mrs. Phillips: Mrs. Bennet?s sister. Invites the whole Bennet family to a dinner party after Mr. Collins? arrival.

21. Miss de Bourgh: Lady de Bourgh?s daughter, sickly and cross.

22. Colonel Fitzwilliam: Darcy?s cousin. Visits his aunt during Elizabeth?s stay. He departs from Rosings with Darcy after a few weeks stay.

6. Plot:

Man versus man:

1. Darcy vs. Elizabeth at the ball.

2. Miss Bingley vs. Elizabeth over Darcy.

3. Mr. Collins vs. Elizabeth with his proposal.

4. Wickham vs. Darcy over the inheritance.

5. Darcy vs. Elizabeth at Hunsford after his proposal.

Man versus society:

1. Wickham vs. everyone when he takes off with Lydia.

Man versus nature:

1. Jane vs. the rain.

Man versus himself:

1. Elizabeth vs. herself when she considers her

feelings for Darcy.

2. Mrs. Bennet vs. herself for her need to have her

daughters wed.

The most important conflict was Darcy vs. Elizabeth at Hunsford after his proposal. This started a chain reaction of events that ended the book with a bang. Everything started to piece together with that conflict.

7. Rising action:

1. Darcy and Elizabeth meet at the Netherfield ball and are

off to a bad start.

2. Darcy finds himself attracted to Elizabeth.

3. Miss Bingley showers Darcy with compliments and tries to

impress him.

4. Darcy only has eyes for Elizabeth and Miss Bingley gets

insanely jealous.

5. Darcy is glad to see Elizabeth go because of the

attraction he feels toward her.

6. Wickham?s lies turn Elizabeth against Darcy as she jumps

to conclusions.

7. Darcy visits Lady Catherine at Rosings while Elizabeth is

staying at Hunsford.

8. Elizabeth teases Darcy after dinner one night at Rosings

about the night that they first met.

9. Darcy visits Elizabeth letting her know that Bingley most

likely won?t be spending a lot of time at Netherfield.

10. Darcy visits Elizabeth much more often in the next few

days at Hunsford.

11. Charlotte assumes that Darcy is in love with Elizabeth.

12. Elizabeth runs into Darcy and Fitzwilliam very often on

their walks.

13. Fitzwilliam mentions that Darcy claims to recently have

saved a friend from an imprudent marriage.

14. Elizabeth blames Darcy for Jane?s unhappiness.

15. Elizabeth is pondering what Fitzwilliam had just told

her.

8. Climax:

1. Darcy comes in and declares his love for Elizabeth.

2. She refuses and gets angry with him, placing all blame of

Jane?s unhappiness upon him.

3. After accusing him of many things, Darcy sadly leaves

Hunsford.

9. Falling action:

1. Elizabeth finds that Darcy was at Lydia and Wickham?s

wedding because he found them and paid Wickham to marry

Lydia.

2. Lady Catherine visits Longbourn to instruct Elizabeth

not to accept any marriage proposal from her nephew, all

the while insulting her and and her family.

3. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth once again and without a

second thought, she happily accepted.

10. Point of view: Limited omniscient

The story is mostly told from Elizabeth Bennet?s point of

view. It covers every event the occurs in her life

throughout the story and more of her feelings than

anyone else?s.

11. Author?s purpose or theme statement:

The book is namely about love and courtships and all the

relationships. I think that she?s trying to get the

point across that love and marriage can happen in many

different ways. Take Charlotte Lucas? marriage to

Wickham. Her purpose for accepting Wickham?s proposal

was based on the money and security it would provide her

for later in life. Her time was running out to find a

husband. Then take a look at Jane?s marriage to

Bingley. They are so similar and it?s a total

fairy-tale marriage. There were no obstacles that were

hard to overcome within their own minds. Darcy and

Elizabeth on the other hand, had to overcome their

pride and prejudice to be together. Jane and Bingley?s

love was somewhat boring because of the simplicity of

it all.

12. Significance of title:

This relates to the last question, as in the pride and

prejudice comment about Darcy and Elizabeth?s

relationship. The two of them had to overcome many

roadblocks to end up happy and together. Elizabeth?s

pride made her judge Darcy on a first impression and

keep that impression. Darcy has a prejudice against

Elizabeth because of her status which isn?t as

superior as his. This shields him from actually

getting to know her.

13. Creativity:

Style:

This book is written in a comedic sense. It?s very

witty if you can pick up the wit. It?s a fun book.

Choice of Words:

Because this book was written sometime between 1796 and

1813, the language is different from what it is today.

Jane Austen also was very educated and the vocabulary

is somewhat difficult to understand. Once I looked up

the words, it all made sense and was written very well.

Description:

If you could follow the script of the book with the

difference in language, things were described very

vividly.

Conversation:

The conversational sections of the book were sometimes

hard to follow because there were pages of conversation

written without a hint of who was speaking. You would

have to go back to where the two people first started

conversing and figure it out from there.

Mood(feelings):

The feelings of the characters were not described as

fully as they were needed to be. Elizabeth?s feelings

were vivid, being as it was her point of view, but the

rest weren?t as much obvious at all.

Setting:

I like that the book was set in England during the time

where society was top priority to the people. Image was

everything. It makes them seem very important when

the events taking place in their lives are so elegant.

But it?s really all just for the image. Even if they?re

not important, they have to uphold that image.

Characters:

Every character in this book has a completely different

personality from another(with the exception of Jane and

Bingley). It has to be hard to create personalities so

opposite each other so that they clash or mesh well.

Each personality has some purpose to the story, too.

If Mrs. Bennet hadn?t been so focused on getting her

daughters married well, the story wouldn?t have been as

great as it was.

Plot-conflict, values, situation:

Society played a big role in the plot, and there were so

many conflicts between people. They all centered

around relationships. Image is the most valued

possession to the characters in the book. Every event

that took place had some concern about their image.

The girls all expected to know how to play the piano,and sing, and have many other outstanding talents sothat they?re worth something as a wife or as a daughter. Family values were definitely not a big issue. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet quite obviously don?t have love for each

other. They stayed together for security. They put their money together so they could secure their future. Mrs. Bennet attempted to force her daughters to marry for security.