Summary 4: Pride and Prejudice

The story begins with the Bennet family ladies chitchatting about the new wealthy bachelor Bingley, who has just recently moved into Netherfield. At a ball that they later attend with Bingley, the eldest Jane Bennet and Bingley hit it off  quite nicely. Elizabeth and Bingley's friend Darcy, however, do not experience the same feeling as she finds him to be quite rude and arrogant. After a while, Jane gets sick on the way to the Bingley residence and spends a while there getting better. In this time, bonds form between not only Jane and Bingley but also between Elizabeth and Darcy. Eventually, Jane is well enough to return home. The clergyman Mr.Collins then comes to visit the Bennets, and eventually asks Elizabeth to marry him. She declines, and he quickly then asks her friend Charlotte Lucas. Her mother is absolutely infuriated with her daughter, especially because Charlotte Lucas says yes. Meanwhile though, Elizabeth is fostering feelings for a militia officer Wickham. Wickham talks about all the grievances Darcy has supposedly committed against him. This makes Elizabeth dislike Darcy more and grow extremely cold towards him. Soon, the Bingleys and Darcys quickly move back to London, and Elizabeth thinks Darcy has something to do with it. She’s convinced that Darcy convinced Bingley to not marry Jane and to hastily leave so they could avoid the family. In the springtime, Elizabeth goes to visit the newly married Charlotte and Mr.Collins in Kent, and they often go to the residence of Lady Catherine De Bourgh. She is Darcy’s aunt, so naturally they bump into Darcy a lot. Here, he proposes to Elizabeth, and she calls him out on ruining Bingley and Jane’s relationship and also Wickham’s life. As a delayed response, he writes her a letter that explains everything. He tells the truth about Wickham and how he had schemed to elope with Darcy’s sister so he could get her fortune. He also admits to getting between Bingley and Jane and says he will make amends. After returning to her home and some time passes, Elizabeth and Jane go to visit their beloved aunt and uncle Gardiner at Pemberley where Darcy also lives. They take a day trip to his estate thinking he’ll be gone all day, but indeed he shows up and is extremely kind towards them. He shows a side of himself that Elizabeth has never really embraced, and a side that also makes Elizabeth more keen towards Darcy. The news soon arrives though, of Lydia’s elopement with Wickham and everyone worries about the disgrace it could cause. They are eventually found and have a proper marriage, which Elizabeth soon finds out is all thanks to Darcy. Following this, Bingley comes back and proposes to Jane. Lady Catherine also visits and insists that Elizabeth not marry Darcy; she is not elite enough to be in their crowd. In the end, Darcy proposes again and the two ignore Lady Catherine and get married.

The relationships in Austen's novel help us see the mannerisms and societal customs of the time. Most of the story is told through Elizabeth's point of view, and Austen uses a very light tone. Even when the characters are upset, every speech is sugar-coated before it's delivered. Rarely do we see people get straight to the point and deliver a harsh blow; indeed, everything has a very crisp and dainty feeling to it. There is little memorable imagery or symbolism, as the events that occur seem to overshadow the specific details of a setting or scene. There is, however, considerable detail when Austen describes Darcy's estate at Pemberly. It is majestic and grand, and Elizabeth sees it as an absolutely splendid place. Additionally, Pemberly could be a symbol because not only does Darcy seemingly act nicer, but also because Elizabeth begins to fondle an attraction for him. Indeed, Pemberly could represent the beginnings of their positive relationship. 

One theme Jane Austen explores is that love truly is blind, in many senses. For example, Lydia completely ignores all the faults of Wickham as she falls for him. After she has ignored Wickham's faults, she then ignores all the consequences that would go along with eloping with Wickham: she ignores the well-being of her family, the shame that her actions might bring, and overall being considerate of other people. Additionally, after Darcy eventually falls for Elizabeth, we see that love is blind in a socioeconomic spotlight. Though the Bennets are not as wealthy as Darcy, even the once arrogant Darcy is able to look past that and love Elizabeth for the smart woman that she is.

Some quotes to pass along:

"The business of her life was to get her daughters married." This illustrates the social norms of the times, and could easily be used in a "how society affects a character" essay. Mrs.Bennet is really crazy in her pursuit of eligable batchelors for her daughters, and one must remember that when writing an essay about Pride and Prejudice.

"Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth—and it was soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire." This quote could easily be used to juxtapose what Elizabeth wants in a marriage and what her society expects. At this point in time, love meant a mechanical sort of deal where one was just grateful to be married. Elizabeth yearns for much more than what most girls settle for, and this quote emobides exactly the opposite of what Elizabeth wants.