Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is a famous novel by Jane Austen. The two main characters are Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Though they have very different backgrounds, they fall in love with one another, but before they can marry, she must overcome her prejudice and he must overcome his pride.

The novel is set in rural England at the beginning of the 19th century.  Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have five daughters, and Mrs. Bennet is very determined to find good husbands for them. The eldest sister, Jane, is very close to Elizabeth. Unlike her mother, Elizabeth is not so concerned with wealth and status. 

When Mr. Bingley arrives to look for a bride, Mrs. Bennet is very excited that one of her daughters might marry the wealthy man. In a ball organized by Mr. Bingley at his estate, Jane and Mr. Bingley are immediately attracted to one another. However, Elizabeth does not have a good impression of Mr. Darcy. She finds him cold and arrogant.

The arrival of Mr. Collins, the heir of the Bennet family's modest estate, complicates the situation. He proposes to Elizabeth, but to her mother's diappointment, she rejects his offer. Mr. Collins later marries Charlotte, Elizabeth's best friend.

Elizabeth meets Mr. Wickham, and he charms her. After the sudden departure of Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth becomes convinced that Mr. Darcy was responsible, and her anger towards him grows. During her visit to the home of Charlotte and Mr. Collins, Elizabeth meets Mr.Darcy and is shocked to hear him confess his love for her. When she rejects his proposal and he asks for a reason, she explains that he broke the heart of her sister Jane.

Mr. Darcy writes a letter to Elizabeth. He tells her that he advised Mr. Bingley not to marry Jane because he did not think Jane was truly in love with him and was pressured by her mother to marry. He also informs her of Mr. Wickham's bad intentions when he tried to marry Mr. Darcy's 15-year-old sister for her inheritance.

Shortly after receiving Mr. Darcy's letter, Elizabeth learns that Lydia, the youngest sister, has run away to be with Mr. Wickham. The news worries Elizabeth, who knows that Lydia's actions could lead to scandal and ruin her sister's reputation. She informs Mr. Darcy, who offers Mr. Wickham money to propose marriage. When Elizabeth realizes what Mr. Darcy has done, she agrees to marry.

Mr. Darcy is a wealthy landowner, who is surprised that his great wealth is not enough to impress Elizabeth. Though she has lower status, she wants to marry for love. Through his actions, he shows his love for Elizabeth and she accepts that she has misjudged him. Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel of social class, love and family.