Pride and Prejudice Notes

Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen

Characters:
The characters in this book are all very colorful in the way they act compared to one another. The way Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet relationship is compared to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet is one that is very distinct. As Mr. Bingley is all joyful and happy Mr. Darcy is the complete opposite because he only thinks down on society and all of the people that are in it. Elizabeth and her sister Jane are pretty similar except for the fact that Elizabeth is someone who speaks her mind with her sharp mouth that can sometimes lead to things she does not actually mean to happen. Jane however is a just a sweet woman who tries to not get sad at things she cannot control. Mr. Bennet is someone who has subtle sarcasm in his wit. Mrs. Bennet is an over-dramatic mother who is super ridiculous because she wants everything her way even if it is crazy. Mr. Wickham is a soldier who once was friends with Mr. Darcy but then lied and took money that he never paid back. Mr. Collins is the uncle to the Bennets daughters, he is very snobbish and always talking about Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh who is equally as snobbish and super rich.
Story:
Pride and Prejudice is a book based off the idea of social conduct back in the 1800's. It starts off where we learn about the Bennets household and that they are in need of finding husbands for their 5 daughters. They would lose their house to their uncle Mr. Collins when their father dies if his daughters do not have husbands. There are several balls and social gatherings where Jane and Mr. Bingley begin to talk and like each other. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth on the other hand start to dislike each other. Mr. Darcy begins to be more attracted to Elizabeth Bennet when she is looking after her sister Jane at Mr. Bingley's house. Mr. Collins Proposes to Elizabeth and she refuses him due to the fact that she does not like him at all. Elizabeth's friend Charlotte soon marries Mr. Collins for financial reasons. Mr. Darcy makes several visits to Mr. Collins house because Elizabeth is staying there for a little while. Mr. Darcy Proposes to Elizabeth but she refuses him because she thinks he is arrogant. Elizabeth is given a letter from Mr. Darcy that changes her opinion about him because he says what Mr. Wickham really is. Elizabeth then goes on a trip with her Aunt and Uncle to Pemberley which is Mr. Darcy's house. She runs into Mr. Darcy and they meet his sister who is a really good pianist. Elizabeth receives a letter that her youngest sister Lydia was eloped with Wickham. She feared for her families disgrace this could bring them. Lydia and Mr. Wickham get married because of Mr. Darcy paying all of Mr. Wickham's previous debts. Mr. Bingley returns to the Bennets and marries Jane. Elizabeth is confronted by Catherine de Bourgh that she doesn't want Elizabeth to marry Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth refuses any promise that she will not marry Mr. Darcy. Finally Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy go on a walk and confess their love and in the end both Jane and Elizabeth get married.
My Thoughts:
This book is not a book that I would see in a book store and think of reading at all. Since I had to read this for school I thought it was going to boring like most every book, but after getting passed the different diction of older English I found it to be an entertaining story. It reminds me of how there is gossip and people lying just like in High School. I related to Mr. Bennet in this story because I enjoyed his sense of humor and wit that he used throughout the story. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story.