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Pride & Prejudice is written by Jane Austen and was
first
published in
1813. Pride & Prejudice has consistently been Jane Austen's most popular
novel. Popularity for P&P heighten with a remake of the
movie based on the novel. The remarkable performance in the 1995 remake
has left me completely enamoured with the story and quickly became
one of my absolute favorite books and movies.The A&E/BBC production
of Pride & Prejudice starrs Jennifer Ehle as Miss. Elizabeth Bennett and
Colin Firth as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Characters
The most strong-willed out of the five Bennett sisters. The favourite of Mr. Bennett. She speaks what she thinks and may be considered unladylike in her times and has a "lively playful disposition". Elizabeth can be considered prejudiced in her opinions. At home, she is called "Lizzy", and her friends and neighbours call her "Eliza". Elizabeth is twenty years of age. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy Best friend of Mr. Bingley and very wealthy, has ten thousand a year. Mr. Darcy is a "fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien. . . the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley. . ." . Mr. Darcy is the nephew of her ladyship Catherine de Bourgh and he is intended for her daughter, Anne de Bourgh. Mr. Darcy is of eight and twenty (28).
Miss. Jane Bennett Has a very sweet and quiet countenance and is loved by all. Considered to be the prettiest of the five Bennett sisters. She is the object of Mr. Bingley's affections. Jane is of two and twenty (22). Mr. Charles Bingley Unlike his best friend, Mr. Bingley is very good nature and well liked by everyone. Mr. Bingley is twenty two years of age. He is very good looking, very gentlemanlike, and extremely agreeable. Miss. Caroline Bingley Sister of Mr. Bingley. Comes from a very wealthy and respected family. However, she is proud and conceited. She speaks terribly of Eliza Bennett on her person, dress, and behaviour. Miss. Bingley pays much attention to Mr. Darcy and tries to win his affections. Miss. Georgianna Darcy Beloved sister of Mr. Darcy. She loves and admires her brother greatly. She is 16 years of age. She is said to be highly accomplished in singing and playing (piano forte). Miss. Darcy is unassuming and gentle, she is extremely shy.
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Gardiner Favourite aunt and uncle of Eliza Bennett. Mr. Gardiner is the brother of Mrs. Bennett. They reside in London, in the parts of Cheapside on Gracechurch Street. Miss. Charlotte Lucas Elizabeth's best friend. She is 27 years of age and was doomed to be an old maid. She is not a romantic and is willing to settle for convenience, not love. Reverend William Collins Cousin of the Bennetts. He will inherit Longbourn after Mr. Bennett passes away. He is a tall, heavy man of five and twenty. A clergyman who holds patronage with Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Has set his eyes on Miss. Eliza Bennett to be his wife. Mr. George Wickham The son of the old Mr. Darcy's steward, and is god-child to the old Mr. Darcy. There exists a strong dislike between Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham is currently in the militia. Miss. Mary Bennett The third daughter of the Bennetts. She is perhaps the least attractive out of the five sisters. She reads very much. Mary is outshine by her sisters. Miss. Kitty (Catherine) and Lydia Bennett The two youngest daughters of Mr. & Mrs. Bennett. Lydia is the youngest at 15 years of age. Kitty is two years older than Lydia. Lydia is "self-willed and careless", and scarecly listens to anyone. Kitty is "weak-spirited, irratable, and completely under Lydia's guidance". Lady Catherine de Bourgh Sister to Lady Anne Darcy (Mr. Darcy's mother). Lady Catherine de Bourgh is very proud and is determined to have Mr. Darcy marry her daughter. *NOTE* This is by no means a complete list of the characters. All descriptions are based on my own opinion.  Back to Top
Places Longbourn The Estate of the Bennetts located in Hertfordshire, England. Netherfield Country home taken by Mr. Bingley. In Hertfordshire, England.
Mr. Darcy's Estate, located in Derbyshire, England. Meryton Town where Mrs. Phillips lives and where Colonel Forster's militia was first stationed. Hunsford Where Mr. Collins is the rector, located in Kent, England. Rosings Where Lady Catherine de Bourgh resides. Is seperated by a lane next to Hunsford.
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Story"IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
The Bennett family resides in Longbourn in Hertfordshire, England. The family consists of Mr. & Mrs. Bennett and their five lovely daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. They are by no means wealthy. With their present disposition, their chances of marrying well is slim. The girls have only their looks and charms to recommend them. Along with Mr. Bingley came his two sisters, Miss. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, her husband Mr. Hurst , and Bingley's best friend, Mr. Darcy. All seem very proud and conceited, except for Mr. Bingley.
Upon their first meeting at a Meryton Assembly with the Bingleys, it was evident by all that Mr. Bingley has taken a liking to Jane. Unlike his friend, Mr. Darcy was disliked by all and slighted Lizzy by not asking her to dance, he also abominably stated, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me . . ." From that comment, Lizzy has vowed to never dance with Mr. Darcy. Soon, a ball was hosted by Sir Lucas. The militia stationed in Myerton was also invited. Mr. Bingley's party also made an appearance at the party. Mr. Bingley continues to pay much attention to Jane. At one point, Sir Lucas tries to get Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to dance. However, Eliza flatly refused! Mr. Darcy also commented to Miss. Bingley of a pair of fine eyes bestowed upon a pretty woman. Quite unaware, but Eliza has caught the eye of Mr. Darcy. Wanting to learn more of the Bennett family connection, Miss. Bingley soon invited Miss. Jane Bennett to Netherfield for a day while the the men are out hunting. Jane is the only one that Miss. Bingley could slightly tolerate. However, upon asking for the coach to Netherfield, Mrs. Bennett refused and made Jane go on horseback. The reason for this is so that in the case of rain, Jane would of no choice but to stay in Netherfield until the weather clears. Just as Mrs. Bingley has hoped, it did rained and Jane had no choice but to stay with the Bingleys'. Unfortunately, riding in the rain has given Jane a fever. Elizabeth soon asked to be allowed to Netherfield to see Jane. Instead of taking the coach or a horse, Elizabeth has chosen to walk. Her walk to Netherfield was about 3 miles away, and her appearance upon reaching Netherfield was highly criticized by Mrs. Hurst & Miss. Bingley. Though, Mr. Darcy, did say that her 'fine' eyes were brighten by the exercise! Mr. Bennett soon received a letter from the girls' cousin, Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins was to visit the Bennetts and hopefully marry one of his cousins. Mr. Collins is the heir to the Longbourn estate since Mr. Bennett was unsuccessful in producing a male heir. Mr. Collins
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QuotesHere are some of my favorite quotes from Pride & Prejudice: "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men..." - Mr. Darcy
"Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow." - Mr. Darcy "Yes, Sir, I know I am. If I was to go through the world, I could not meet with a better. But I have always observed that they who are good-natured when children are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted, boy in the world." - Mrs. Reynolds "In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." - Mr. Darcy "Exceed their income! My dear Mr. Bennet, what are you talking of? Why, he has four or five thousand a year, and very likely more... Oh! my dear, dear Jane, I am so happy! I am sure I shan't get a wink of sleep all night. I knew how it would be. I always said it must be so, at last. I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing!" - Mrs. Bennett "You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way, than as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner." - Miss. Elizabeth Bennett "Yes, but that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance." - Mr. Darcy "A friend in need is a friend indeed." - Miss. Mary Bennett "...and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry." - Miss. Elizabeth Bennett "Oh! hang Kitty! what has she to do with it?" - Mrs. Bennett
"It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley." - Miss. Elizabeth Bennett (on how long she has loved Mr. Darcy) "What is the matter mamma? What do you keep winking at me for? What am I to do?" - Miss. Kitty Bennett "I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun." - Mr. Darcy (his account on when he fell in love with Elizabeth...) (=~~~~ So beautiful!!!) =) "Poor stupid Lydia!" - Miss. Elizabeth Bennett "If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you." - Mr. Darcy
"I must go instantly to my mother; I would not on any account trifle with her affectionate solicitude; or allow her to hear it from any one but myself. He is gone to my father already. Oh! Lizzy, to know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear family! how shall I bear so much happiness!" - Miss. Jane Bennett "Capital, Capital!" "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever." - Mr. Darcy Back to Top
Pride & Prejudice LinksHere are links to pages on Pride & Prejudice:
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