The summary of Pride and Prejudice?

Answer 1

The Bennets are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Mr. Bingley, an eligible bachelor. Mrs. Bennet, excited about a prospective son-in-law, sends her daughters to a ball at Netherfield, where the second daughter, Lizzy Bennet, meets the disagreeable Mr. Darcy. Lizzy's older sister Jane and Mr. Bingley love one another and wish to be together. Lizzy is furious when she finds Mr. Darcy trying to separate them. She turns down a proposal from both a distant cousin and Mr. Darcy. After meeting a certain Mr. Wickham, she finds Mr. Darcy even more despicable. Upon discovering that Lizzy's youngest sister Lydia has eloped with Mr. Wickham, she realizes that Mr. Darcy was the "good guy" all the time. Despite pressure from Mr. Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, to turn down Mr. Darcy's second proposal, she accepts. Jane and Mr. Bingley are also reunited at the end and Lydia and Mr. Wickham are forced to marry. Everybody lives happily ever after. THE END.

by amna saleem
Elizabeth Bennet is a country gentleman's daughter in 19th Century England. She is one of five daughters, a plight that her father bears as best he can with common sense and a general disinterest in the silliness of his daughters.

Elizabeth is his favorite because of her level-headed approach to life when his own wife's greatest concern is getting her daughters married off to well-established gentlemen. Only Jane, Elizabeth's older sister, is nearly as sensible and practical as Elizabeth, but Jane is also the beauty of the family, and therefore, Mrs. Bennet's highest hope for a good match.

When Mr. Bingley, a young gentleman of London, takes a country estate near to the Bennet's home, Mrs. Bennet begins her match-making schemes without any trace of subtlety or dignity. Despite Mrs. Bennet's embarassing interference, Mr. Bingley and Jane become fond of one another. Mr. Darcy, who has accompanied Bingley to the country, begins his acquaintance with Elizabeth, her family, and their neighbors with smug condescension and proud distaste for the all of the country people. Elizabeth, learning of his dislike, makes it a point to match his disgust with her own venom. She also hears from a soldier that she has a fondness for that Darcy has misused the man. Without thinking through the story, Elizabeth immediately seizes upon it as another, more concrete reason to hate Mr. Darcy.

She contradicts and argues with Darcy each time they meet, but somewhere along the way he begins to like Elizabeth.

When Bingley leaves the countryside suddenly and makes no attempts to contact Jane anymore, the young woman is heartbroken. Elizabeth, who had thought well of Bingley, believes that there is something amiss in the way that he left Jane in the lurch. Only when Elizabeth goes to visit her friend at the estate of Darcy's aunt does the mystery begin to unfold. After several encounters with Mr. Darcy while visiting her friend, Elizabeth is shocked when Darcy proposes to her. Elizabeth refuses him and questions him about the way that he misused her soldier friend and his undoubted role in the way that Bingley abandoned Jane. Darcy writes a letter to explain himself, and Elizabeth is embarrassed to learn that she had been mislead about Darcy's character.

Had she known the truth, she would have loved Darcy as he loved her. Darcy leaves that part of the country before she can sort out her feelings and make amends with him. Then she meets him again when she is touring the gardens of his estate with her aunt and uncle. Darcy treats her with kindness and she believes he may still love her, but before anything can be done about it, she learns that one of her younger sisters has shacked up with the very soldier who mislead Elizabeth and the rest of her family about Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth returns home immediately.

When the indignity of her sister's shot-gun wedding is straightened out, Elizabeth is surprised that Darcy returns to the country with Bingley. She expected that the shame of her sister's actions had ruined any chances of a relationship with Mr. Darcy, or Jane and Bingley.

Elizabeth learns from her aunt that Darcy did a great part to help get her younger sister properly married to the infamous soldier. Jane and Bingley sort out the misunderstanding that drove him away before and get engaged. Then Elizabeth and Darcy work out their misunderstandings and agree to marry.

Answer 2

Text

Comment

Mr. Collins's triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady Catherine's condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.

1

• Possession grows in value by display.
• In life, social power lies in the attendance of family functions. Hence the importance of weddings. Nationally the celebrations of Independence days mark it. Ones status is fixed by such an event. The grandeur of a place, especially the palace, the headquarters, the house is thus important. It is a physical trait. Collins being utterly physical overdoes it with Lady Catherine
• For such a person, the measure of attention, its quality, its frequency, its timing, etc. are significant

"I confess," said he, "that I should not have been at all surprised by her Ladyship's asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the evening at Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it would happen. But who could have foreseen such an attention as this? Who could have imagined that we should receive an invitation to dine there (an invitation, moreover, including the whole party) so immediately after your arrival!" 3

• Information spoils the surprise.
• Mr. Collins wants the surprise and is unable to resist giving information.

"I am the less surprised at what has happened," replied Sir William, "from the knowledge of what the manners of the great really are, which my situation in life has allowed me to acquire. About the court such instances of elegant breeding are not uncommon." 7

• Sir Lucas has his own experience as reference.
• It is a reference to apperceptive mass.
• Sir William Lucas is one who lives by one event in his life

Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next morning, but their visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing them in what they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and so splendid a dinner, might not wholly overpower them. 9

• Enthusiasm expands in energy to occupy the whole being.

When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to Elizabeth -- 11

"Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us which becomes herself and daughter. I would advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest -- there is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved." 12

• Keeping the distinction is one strategy of those who are not distinct.
• The Industrial Revolution bringing luxury products within the range of poor people was systematically abridging the gap.
• It also compelled the employers to pay more so that their goods would be sold. No wonder the standard of living began to rise after the advent of the Industrial Revolution.

While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their different doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady Catherine very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. Such formidable accounts of her ladyship, and her manner of living, quite frightened Maria Lucas, who had been little used to company, and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings with as much apprehension, as her father had done to his presentation at St. James's. 17

• Punctuality is seen by the superiors as a mark of respect by the inferiors.

As the weather was fine they had a pleasant walk of about half a mile across the park. Every park has its beauty and its prospects; and Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with, though she could not be in such raptures as Mr. Collins expected the scene to inspire, and was but slightly affected by his enumeration of the windows in front of the house, and his relation of what the glazing altogether had originally cost Sir Lewis De Bourgh. 19

• Weather is always an omen.

When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria's alarm was every moment increasing, and even Sir William did not look perfectly calm. Elizabeth's courage did not fail her. She had heard nothing of Lady Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money and rank she thought she could witness without trepidation. 21

• Imposing structures physically impose on the visitors.
• The atmosphere of a capital, court, or headquarters cows down small people. Such is the significance of magnificence
• Sir Lucas, Maria and Collins are brainless stupid people. They are overawed by splendour. Along with that goes authority, condescension, power, prestige, etc.
• Charlotte knows where she cannot cross the vigour of her husband, when his exuberant apologies can be relieved of him

From the entrance-hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out, with a rapturous air, the fine proportion and finished ornaments, they followed the servants through an antechamber, to the room where Lady Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson were sitting. Her ladyship, with great condescension, arose to receive them; and as Mrs. Collins had settled it with her husband that the office of introduction should be her's, it was performed in a proper manner, without any of those apologies and thanks which he would have thought necessary. 24

• Condescension is the hallmark of the conceited in that century.
• Charlotte is wise enough in her discrimination with Collins.

In spite of having been at St. James's, Sir William was so completely awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had but just courage enough to make a very low bow, and take his seat without saying a word; and his daughter, frightened almost out of her senses, sat on the edge of her chair, not knowing which way to look. Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the scene, and could observe the three ladies before her composedly. -- Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by silence; but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. Wickham immediately to Elizabeth's mind; and from the observation of the day altogether, she believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he had represented. 26

• Sir Lucas is awed.
• St. James is impersonal, this is personal.
• To be free before greatness needs social courage.
• One is frightened out of his senses when the senses are overpowered.
• Every girl in Meryton was out of her senses when Wickham came.
• One is power and the other is charm.
• Senses can be overpowered, not mind. Mind can be overwhelmed by a great idea, not the spirit.
• Samadhi is the overpowering of the Mind contemplating spirit.
• Supermind having infinite capacity, instead of being overpowered, sees the Marvel.
• Greatness of power overwhelms.
• Greatness of culture puts one at ease.
• Silence renders power formidable.
• cf. the strong man who met Mother.
• Authoritative tone makes one formidable by the poise.
• Elizabeth sees the truth of Wickham's words in Lady Catherine.
• Sitting on the edge of the chair, bodily shrinking, readiness to smile approval, etc. are the characteristics of snobs
• Sir Williams who knows of St. James impersonally, is overawed by Lady Catherine as it touched him to the quick
• Still Elizabeth is at the point of infatuation that refers anything constantly to her favourite Wickham
• She found Lady Catherine exactly as he described

When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance and deportment she soon found some resemblance of Mr. Darcy, she turned her eyes on the daughter, she could almost have joined in Maria's astonishment at her being so thin, and so small. There was neither in figure nor face any likeness between the ladies. Miss De Bourgh was pale and sickly; her features, though not plain, were insignificant; and she spoke very little, except in a low voice to Mrs. Jenkinson, in whose appearance there was nothing remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in listening to what she said, and placing a screen in the proper direction before her eyes. 31

• Mr. Darcy is so full of Elizabeth's mind, she examines Anne from his point of view as she heard he was to marry her.
• At a time when Darcy was no object of any kind to Elizabeth, he occupies her thoughts so much.
• It is a subconscious interest, almost a presentiment.
• Elizabeth examines Anne more closely as a bride for Darcy

After sitting a few minutes they were all sent to one of the windows to admire the view, Mr. Collins attending them to point out its beauties, and Lady Catherine kindly informing them that it was much better worth looking at in the summer. 34

• Anyone wants their possessions to be fully admired.
• Sir William concedes his son-in-law's precedence over him
• Excessive admiration is an essential ingredient to people like this Lady
• The Lady gave the most gracious of smiles.
• Selfish monied power smiles at its own greatness praised.
• Not much of conversation was there because they are free only to speak praise.
• Elizabeth could not speak out, as the context was one of submissiveness
• All Maria's faculties were suspended.
• The gentlemen ate and admired. Eating is inoffensive, but they were not sure which expression would be out of place.

The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the servants and all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins had promised; and, as he had likewise foretold, he took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her ladyship's desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish nothing greater. He carved, and ate, and praised with delighted alacrity; and every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir William, who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son in law said, in a manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear. But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved a novelty to them. The party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth was ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she was seated between Charlotte and Miss De Bourgh -- the former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady Catherine, and the latter said not a word to her all dinner-time. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little Miss De Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish, and fearing she were indisposed. Maria thought speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire. 35

• Wealth overwhelms by its rich display.
• Personality overpowers by silencing the object.
• Power dominates and silences.
• Pleasantness overpowers by its expansiveness when the object loses its power of speech.
• Senses go out by anything powerfully sensational.
• Mrs. Bennet lost her speech on hearing Darcy's proposal. Mr. Bennet lost himself in a sense of wonder on knowing of his help to Lydia. Mr. Collins is a grateful object ready to lose himself in speech at the thought of greatness.
• Sir Lucas is properly admiring the luck his daughter has stepped into by becoming motionless and speechless.
• The mark of smallness is to expand by what shrinks greatness.
• Lack of sight needs bright colours. Lack of culture loves praise that is cloying.
• Surprise is an emotion of novelty.
• He who needs continuous adulation lives on sensations.
• Dinnertime conversation discloses the equality of the members.

When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgment controverted. She inquired into Charlotte's domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, and gave her a great deal of advice as to the management of them all; told her how everything ought to be regulated in so small a family as her's, and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great Lady's attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs. Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connexions she knew the least, and who, she observed to Mrs. Collins, was a very genteel, pretty kind of girl. She asked her, at different times, how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what had been her mother's maiden name? Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions, but answered them very composedly. Lady Catherine then observed -- 42

• Authoritative persons come to love their own voice as no one speaks in their presence.
• Interference is officious.
• Respect for privacy is gentlemanly.
• Anything she says to Charlotte explains her own smallness to her.
• Elizabeth attracts Lady Catherine.
• Her personality is striking, she is eager to talk.
• A further reason is she will become a member of her family.
• Lady Catherine's praise issued out naturally.
• Inquisitiveness makes for intimacy.
• Impertinence makes for intensity in the absence of intimacy.
• To talk of entail is indelicate impertinence.
• A discussion with Lady Catherine meant listening to her
• Elizabeth impressed Catherine as a pretty genteel girl
• She asks Mrs. Bennet's maiden name to know her status. Nowhere in the book it is given.
• Lady Catherine is impertinent, boorish, uncultured, uncivilised. Mrs. Bennet is her counterpart. This explains what brought Darcy to Elizabeth.

"Your father's estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For your sake," turning to Charlotte, "I am glad of it; but otherwise I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh's family. Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?" 49

• To raise the entail of Longbourn on Mrs. Collins in the presence of both is indelicate in the extreme. Lady Catherine revels in such low intensities

"A little." 53

"Oh! Then -- some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our instrument is a capital one, probably superior to -- You shall try it some day. Do your sisters play and sing?" 54

"One of them does." 57

"Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The Miss Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income as your's. Do you draw?" 58

• To question the obvious is mean perversity.
• Lady Catherine assumes lack of culture as authority of status.
• All her questions are insensitive.

"No, not at all." 62

"What, none of you?" 63

"Not one." 64

"That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters." 65

"My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates London." 68

"Has your governess left you?" 69

• Mr. Bennet has a good income of £2000. A governess cost only £50 a year. The extravagance of Mrs. Bennet was so great that even the education of the children was neglected. To that extent, Mr. Bennet withdrew from the family. He neither saved, nor educated the children nor controlled his wife
• If a governess had been there, Lydia would not have grown wild

"We never had any governess." 70

"No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education." 71

Elizabeth could hardly help smiling, as she assured her that had not been the case. 76

"Then, who taught you? Who attended to you? Without a governess, you must have been neglected." 77

"Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be idle, certainly might." 80

• Elizabeth factually answers without assertion.
• Their visit provides occasions for the domination of the Lady.

"Ay, no doubt; but that is what a governess will prevent, and if I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It was wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; and it was but the other day that I recommended another young person, who was merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite delighted with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalfe's calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. 'Lady Catherine,' said she, 'you have given me a treasure.' Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?" 83

• Lady Catherine prides in advising everyone she meets and does not meet
• Old age goes with anecdotage
• Lady Catherine advises everyone she meets and wants to meet others for the purpose of advice.
• The Lady's opinion about the governess is true.
• The governess is an instrument that became an institution. Had they had a governess, Lydia would not have become wild.
• A governess is a miniature of the family with respect to education and culture. Mr. Bennet never engaged a governess in view of the expense which his extravagant wife dispensed with in favour of laces.
• It looks as though she would place Elizabeth as a governess.
• Lady Catherine is a busybody

"Yes, ma'am, all." 92

• Contrary to custom, all Elizabeth's sisters are out. Even in Charlotte's home, the younger girls are not out
• No one speaks to Lady Catherine. She alone speaks to them
• Lady Catherine roughly insists on knowing Elizabeth's age

"All! -- What, all five out at once? Very odd! -- And you only the second. The younger ones out before the elder are married! Your younger sisters must be very young?" 93

• Her comment on the girls being 'out' is offensive.
• In the novel, no one except her commented on it, though Maria was not out.

"Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps she is full young to be much in company. But really, ma'am, I think it would be very hard upon younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and amusement, because the elder may not have the means or inclination to marry early. The last-born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth as the first. And to be kept back on such a motive! I think it would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind." 99

• The Lady's outrageous comment gave the occasion to Elizabeth to reply.

"Upon my word," said her ladyship, "you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your age?" 105

• The Lady is further outraged by it.
• It is improper and inappropriate for her to ask for a girl's age.

"With three younger sisters grown up," replied Elizabeth smiling, "your ladyship can hardly expect me to own it." 107

• Elizabeth in replying was truthful.

Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence. 108

"You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, therefore you need not conceal your age." 109

"I am not one-and-twenty." 110

When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over, the card-tables were placed. Lady Catherine, Sir William, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat down to quadrille; and as Miss De Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the two girls had the honour of assisting Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her party. Their table was superlatively stupid. Scarcely a syllable was uttered that did not relate to the game, except when Mrs. Jenkinson expressed her fears of Miss De Bourgh's being too hot or too cold, or having too much or too little light. A great deal more passed at the other table. Lady Catherine was generally speaking -- stating the mistakes of the three others, or relating some anecdote of herself. Mr. Collins was employed in agreeing to everything her Ladyship said, thanking her for every fish he won, and apologising if he thought he won too many. Sir William did not say much. He was storing his memory with anecdotes and noble names. 111

• 'Their table was superlatively stupid'
• Dead forms violently insisting on lifeless appearances, stupidity rises to superlative eminence
• Lady Catherine is voluble and vociferous
• An undeveloped mind possessing any virtue insists on eternal display
• Small men on great occasions collect noble anecdotes
• Jane Austen's phrase superlatively stupid fully expresses the basic constitution of all the Darcies.
• Darcy's admiration of Elizabeth is because of the distance in intelligence.
• Lady Catherine states the mistakes of others!
• Memory retains what it admires.

When Lady Catherine and her daughter had played as long as they chose, the tables were broke up, the carriage was offered to Mrs. Collins, gratefully accepted, and immediately ordered. The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were to have on the morrow. From these instructions they were summoned by the arrival of the coach; and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr. Collins's side, and as many bows on Sir William's, they departed. As soon as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was called on by her cousin to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings, which, for Charlotte's sake, she made more favourable than it really was. But her commendation, though costing her some trouble, could by no means satisfy Mr. Collins, and he was very soon obliged to take her ladyship's praise into his own hands. 120

• Lady Catherine's authority tries to extend to the weather
• The extent of authority Lady Catherine felt is seen in her view of the weather. Incidentally, it speaks of England of those days.
• A man in love never hears all the praise his lady deserves from others.

Hope this helps x

Answer 3

As the novel opens, Mr. Bingley, a wealthy young gentleman, rents a country estate near the Bennets called Netherfield. He arrives in town accompanied by his fashionable sisters and his good friend, Mr. Darcy. While Bingley is well-received in the community, Darcy begins his acquaintance with smug condescension and proud distaste for all the 'country' people. Bingley and Jane Bennet begin to grow close despite Mrs. Bennet's embarrassing interference and the opposition of Bingley's sister, who considers Jane socially inferior. Elizabeth is stung by Darcy's haughty rejection of her at a local dance and decides to match his coldness with her own wit.

At the same time Elizabeth begins a friendship with Mr. Wickham, a militia officer who relates a prior acquaintance with Darcy. Wickham tells her that he has been seriously mistreated by Darcy. Elizabeth immediately seizes upon this information as another reason to hate Darcy. Ironically, but unbeknownst to her, Darcy finds himself gradually drawn to Elizabeth.

Just as Bingley appears to be on the point of proposing marriage he quits Netherfield, leaving Jane confused and upset. Elizabeth is convinced that Bingley's sister has conspired with Darcy to separate Jane and Bingley.

Before Bingley leaves, Mr. Collins, the male relative who is to inherit Longbourn, makes a sudden appearance and stays with the Bennets. He is a recently ordained clergyman employed by the wealthy and patronizing Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Though he was partially entreated to visit by his patroness, Collins has another reason for visiting: he wishes to find a wife from among the Bennet sisters. Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth are amused by his self-important and pedantic behaviour. He immediately enters pursuit of Jane; however, when Mrs. Bennet mentions her preoccupation with Mr. Bingley, he turns to Elizabeth. He soon proposes marriage to Elizabeth, who refuses him, much to her mother's distress. Collins quickly recovers and proposes to Elizabeth's close friend, Charlotte Lucas, who immediately accepts him. Once the marriage is arranged, Charlotte asks Elizabeth to come for an extended visit.

In the spring, Elizabeth joins Charlotte and her cousin at his parish in kent. The parish is adjacent to Rosings Park, the grand manor of Mr. Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, where Elizabeth is frequently invited. While calling on Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy encounters Elizabeth. She discovers from a cousin of Darcy that it was he who separated Bingley and Jane. Soon after, Darcy admits his love of Elizabeth and proposes to her. Insulted by his high-handed and insulting manner of proposing, Elizabeth refuses him. When he asks why she should refuse him, she confronts him with his sabotage of Bingley's relationship with Jane and Wickham's account of their dealings.

Deeply shaken by Elizabeth's vehemence and accusations, Darcy writes her a letter justifying his actions. The letter reveals that Wickham soon dissipated his legacy-settlement (from Darcy's father's estate), then came back to Darcy requesting permanent patronage; he became angry when rejected, accusing Darcy of cheating him. To exact revenge and to make off with part of the Darcy family fortune, he attempted to seduce Darcy's young sister Georgiana-to gain her hand and fortune, almost persuading her to elope with him-before he was found out and stopped. Towards Bingley and Jane, Darcy justifies his actions from having observed that Jane did not show any reciprocal interest in his friend; thus his aim in separating them was mainly to protect Bingley from heartache.

Darcy admits he was concerned about the disadvantageous connection with Elizabeth's family, especially her embarrassing mother and wild younger sisters. After reading the letter, Elizabeth begins to question both her family's behaviour and Wickham's credibility; she concludes that Wickham is not as trustworthy as his easy manners would indicate, he had lied to her previously, and that her early impressions of Darcy may not have been accurate. Soon after receiving the letter Elizabeth returns home.

Elizabeth tells her father that Darcy was responsible for uniting Lydia and Wickham. This is one of the two earliest illustrations of Pride and Prejudice.pride-and-prejudiceThe clothing styles reflect the time the illustration was engraved (the 1830s), not the time the novel was written or set.

Some months later, during a tour of derbyshirewith her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth visits pemberley, Darcy's estate. Darcy's housekeeper, an older woman who has known Darcy since childhood, presents Elizabeth and her relatives with a flattering and benevolent impression of his character. Unexpectedly, Darcy arrives at Pemberley as they tour its grounds. He makes an effort to be gracious and welcoming to them, thus strengthening Elizabeth's newly favourable impression of him. Darcy then introduces Elizabeth to his sister Georgiana. He treats her uncle and aunt very well, and finds them of a more sound character than her other relatives, whom he previously dismissed as socially inferior.

Elizabeth and Darcy's renewed acquaintance is cut short when news arrives that Elizabeth's younger sister Lydia has run away with Wickham. Initially, the Bennets believe that Wickham and Lydia have eloped, but soon it is surmised that Wickham has no plans to marry Lydia. Lydia's antics threaten the family's reputation and the Bennet sisters with social ruin. Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle hurriedly leave Derbyshire, and Elizabeth is convinced that Darcy will avoid her from now on.

Soon, thanks to the intervention of Elizabeth's uncle, Lydia and Wickham are found and married. After the marriage, Wickham and Lydia make a visit to Longbourn. While bragging to Elizabeth, Lydia comments that Darcy was present at the wedding. Surprised, Elizabeth sends an inquiry to her aunt, from whom she discovers that Darcy was responsible for both finding the couple and arranging their marriage at great expense to himself.

Soon after, Bingley and Darcy return to the area. Bingley proposes marriage to Jane, and this news starts rumors that Darcy will propose to Elizabeth. Lady Catherine travels to Longbourn with the sole aim of confronting Elizabeth and demanding that she never accept such a proposal. Elizabeth refuses to bow to Lady Catherine's demands. When news of this obstinance reaches Darcy, it convinces him that her opinion of him has changed. When he visits, he once again proposes marriage. Elizabeth accepts, and the two become engaged.

The final chapters of the book establish the future of the characters. Elizabeth and Darcy settle at Pemberley where Mr. Bennet visits often. Mrs. Bennet remains frivolous and silly, and often visits the new Mrs. Bingley and talking of the new Mrs. Darcy. Later, Jane and Bingley move from Netherfield to avoid Jane's mother and Meryton relations and to locate near the Darcys in Derbyshire. Elizabeth and Jane manage to teach Kitty greater social grace, and Mary learns to accept the difference between herself and her sisters' beauty and mixes more with the outside world. Lydia and Wickham continue to move often, leaving their debts for Jane and Elizabeth to pay off. At Pemberley, Elizabeth and Georgiana grow close, though Georgiana is surprised by Elizabeth's playful treatment of Darcy. Lady Catherine stays very angry with her nephew's marriage but over time the relationship between the two is repaired and she eventually decides to visit them. Elizabeth and Darcy also remain close with her uncle and aunt.

Answer 4

Pride & Prejudice is the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, set in England in the 1800's. When Elizabeth and Darcy first meet, he insults her. But as they get to know each other, Darcy falls in love with her. On the other hand, Elizabeth completely hates him because of his proud attitude. He proposes and she turns him down. When the meet again sometime later, Darcy does everything he can to win her over and when it seems she is starting to love him too, a family emergency calls her away. He secretly solves the problem, and when they finally see each other again, he proposes for the second time. Elizabeth accepts and they live happily ever after.

Answer 5

The main premise of the book is Elizabeth slowly falling in love with Mr. Darcy and the problems she encounters along the way. Her sisters have love stories of their own: Jane (the pretty one) falls in love with Mr. Darcy's friend Mr. Bingly, Lydia (the brat and flirt) chases after every man she meets and elopes with a soldier, Mary (the stupid one) doesn't have a love life at all, ever. I would definitely suggest reading it though, its a great book! But if its for school and you don't have enough time, use Sparknotes.

Answer 6

"Pride and Prejudice" follows the romantic entanglements of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in 19th century England. The novel explores themes of class, marriage, and societal expectations through the interactions of the characters. Ultimately, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy overcome their differences and misunderstandings to find love and happiness together.

Answer 7

it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.