Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, her most popular novel, is a delightful read for an avid literary mind. Austen’s understanding of culture in her time period, and her understanding of people come through in her character development and plot structure. Pride and Prejudice is a great example of classic 19th century literature that although is dated back to the Regency Period, is timeless in the way it is written.
Pride and Prejudice a Simple Story
Pride and Prejudice has a simple plot line, describing everyday events with a bit of mischief woven into it. Elizabeth Bennet meets Mr. Darcy at a party, shortly after the Bennets befriend Mr. Bingley. Propriety tells her to be civil to Mr. Darcy although she does not like him, but propriety also keeps them both from fully acknowledging their thoughts throughout the novel.
Living in a society where propriety is valued and must be observed at least on the surface, Elizabeth’s silly younger sisters become scandalous and therefore taint the entire family by association. Part of the beauty of the story, however, is that Elizabeth and Jane Bennet are not held in contempt because of their sisters, but each one stands alone as her own person and is highly regarded.
Pride and Prejudice Timeless Characters
Although the story may be fairly simple, Austen’s writing brings an excitement to it, and the reader is drawn in by the characterization. Jane Austen is a very skilled in creating characters that are sensible, characters that are ridiculous, that are smart, proud, naive or blithely ignorant, but are every one real.
In her writing, Austen shows great understanding of the culture in which she lived. All of these types of characters are a depiction of the people of her own time, influenced in some way by the society around them. Jane Bennet represents the naive but nice girl who will marry well because of her temperament and beauty. Mr. Collins represents the ridiculous who is blithely unaware that the things he says are condescending and at the same time fairly nonsensical. Mrs. Bennet is the hysterical woman who just wants to marry off her daughters.
Charlotte represents the sensible and unromantic woman who knows a better offer will not come her way when she accepts Mr. Collins in spite of what he is. Mr. Darcy represents the proud and wealthy gentleman who has his own quiet reasons for being so. And Elizabeth Bennet represents the sensible, if slightly misled, young woman who dares to hope within her heart for what is best.
The Pride and the Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice focusses mostly on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, and one could say that Mr. Darcy represents the pride, while Elizabeth the prejudice. Elizabeth’s initial judgement of Mr. Darcy is influenced by a prejudice that those around her have of him, and by his first actions toward her. Mr. Darcy’s pride stems from his stature and from the ideals that he finds most prudent to keep quiet. Not only are Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet two of the greatest literary characters, but are two characters well matched should they realize the reasons for his pride and her prejudice.
Jane Austen displays a competency in writing for a reader who enjoys a play of words and a collection of memorable characters. Austen’s Pride and Prejudice follows a simple but intriguing plot line with amusing and at the same time touching characterization. The novel has many Pride and Prejudice film adaptions, including the ever popular A&E version, which stays very true to the story and successfully brings the novel to life.
Michelle Wright - Michelle is an avid reader and writer, with a focus on book, film and music reviews, gluten free recipes, and fiction writing "how-tos."
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