A snapshot of the 2005 film adaptation if Pride and Prejudice (Source: Rotten Tomatoes)
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the most treasured literary classics from the 19th century. The plot of the novel serves as inspiration for many romance stories even today.
The book tells the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is referred to as Mr. Darcy. While she is born into a family with money, her dad doesn’t have enough to support Elizabeth and all of her sisters. Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth’s mom, is determined to ensure that all her daughters are well-married so they can have a better life.
Mr. Darcy, who is new to town, has a fortune of ten thousand pounds a year. He goes to a local ball with his friend Mr. Bingley, who also has an annual fortune of five thousand pounds. At the ball, they are introduced to the Bennet sisters by Mrs. Bennet, and Mr. Bingley takes an immediate liking to Jane Bennet, Elizabeth’s older sister.
Later that evening, Elizabeth overhears Mr. Darcy saying that he doesn’t want to dance with her, and she begins to think that he is a very rude person. Because Elizabeth already doesn’t like Mr. Darcy, she is very keen to believe negative rumors about him. A few weeks later, when a man called Mr. Wickham tells Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy cheated him, she begins to hate Mr. Darcy even more.
In the meantime, Jane quickly falls in love with Mr. Bingley, who seems to also like Jane because they write letters to each other frequently. However, Mr. Bingely suddenly disappears to London without explanation. Elizabeth later discovers that Mr. Darcy convinced Mr. Bingley to stay away from Jane because he didn’t think that Jane loved him.
Mr. Darcy secretly develops feelings for Elizabeth because he is attracted to her bold attitude and wits. He eventually proposes to Elizabeth, but she rejects him because of Mr. Wickham’s story and what he did to Jane. Mr. Darcy writes a letter to her in response, apologizing for convincing Mr. Bingley to leave and explaining that Mr. Wickham’s story is false. Elizabeth begins to forgive Mr. Darcy, and learns that Mr. Wickham is a greedy and dishonest person.
Suddenly, Elizabeth’s sister Lydia Bennet runs away from home with Mr. Wickham, bringing dishonor to the whole family. In order to save their reputation, the Bennet family must convince Mr. Wickham to marry Lydia. Mr. Darcy offers to pay Mr. Wickham on behalf of the Bennets, and Elizabeth is very moved by his act of kindness. Elizabeth realizes that she was completely wrong about him and accepts his marriage proposal shortly after.
Discussion Questions:
Which of the characters in Pride & Prejudice stand out to you?
Why do you think this novel became a literary classic?
Would you read a book like Pride & Prejudice for fun?
Vocabulary:
Treasured: greatly appreciated
Inspiration: the act of being emotionally moved
Pounds: a form of currency used in 18th century England
Annual: happens every year
Overhears: hears a conversation when not directly involved
Frequently: very often
Explanation: a description or reteaching
Wits: cleverness
Attitude: state of mind or behavior
Dishonor: shame
Reputation: social standing or image
