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Pride and Prejudice Summary.
03.02.2010, 11:56
The Bennet family, consisting of a mother, father, and five daughters, lives at Longbourn, close to the small town of Meryton in Hertfordshire. The family is part of the landed rural elite, but it is neither particularly wealthy nor significant in its connections. As Longbourn is to be entailed away from the female line, Mrs. Bennet is determined to find advantageous marriages for her daughters. Charles Bingley, a wealthy bachelor, moves to the area with his two sisters and his even richer friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, provoking much excitement from Mrs Bennet and the family at large. A town ball is held in which Jane Bennet, the oldest and most beautiful of the Bennet sisters, attracts Mr. Bingley’s eye. The couple share dances and begin to fall in love. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy refuses to dance with the Bennets’ second eldest daughter, Elizabeth. He dismisses her as "not handsome enough to tempt me” within Elizabeth’s earshot. Local society comes to consider Darcy insufferably arrogant and proud. Jane Bennet visits Netherfield, Charles Bingley’s residence, after receiving an invitation from his sister, Caroline. Jane is caught in a rainstorm and falls ill, and has to stay at Netherfield until she recovers. Elizabeth comes to visit Jane, and Darcy becomes drawn to Lizzy’s liveliness and independent spirit. Sensing Darcy’s growing attraction to Elizabeth, Caroline’s jealousy becomes obvious. Mr Bennet receives a letter from the Reverend Mr. Collins, heir to the Longbourn estate. He intends to visit Longbourn to mend relations after an old family feud. Mr. Collins is a ridiculous character, a strange mix of arrogance and obsequiousness to his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. A militia is to be stationed near to Meryton. This news is another source of great excitement for Mrs. Bennet and some of her daughters. Among the officers is George Wickham, a handsome and charming man, who tells Elizabeth about his past mistreatment at the hands of Mr Darcy. Elizabeth’s disdain for Mr. Darcy grows stronger. Mr. Wickham apparently plans to attend a ball at Netherfield, yet Elizabeth’s hopes are dashed when she cannot find him there. Elizabeth is told in vain by Caroline and Mr. Darcy himself not to believe Wickham’s version of events. Elizabeth and Darcy share a dance and some cold conversation. The behaviour of Elizabeth’s family at the ball leaves her feeling embarrassed. Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth. She rejects the offer in increasingly strident terms, finding that nothing else will convince the reverend of the truth and finality of her answer. Just three days later, Mr. Collins transfers his attention to Elizabeth’s more pragmatic friend, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte accepts his marriage proposal, which initially shocks Elizabeth, but she quickly calms herself and agrees to visit them. Netherfield is abandoned by the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy, who all return to London. Elizabeth believes that Caroline Bingley is deliberately attempting to separate Mr. Bingley from Jane. Jane visits London in the hope of meeting with Mr. Bingley, but finds herself treated harshly by Caroline Bingley. She comes to believe that Bingley no longer cares for her and returns heartbroken. Elizabeth visits Charlotte, who appears happy with her new life with Mr. Collins. Elizabeth meets the domineering Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Catherine is Mr. Darcy’s aunt. She is paid a visit by Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth learns that Darcy was involved in separating Mr. Bingley and Jane. To Elizabeth’s surprise, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, making it clear that he had been fighting his feelings due to the Bennet family’s inferiority. Insulted at his speech, Elizabeth refuses the proposal and mentions another two reasons for her dislike of Mr Darcy: firstly, he separated Jane from Bingley; and second, he mistreated Mr. Wickham. The next day, Darcy gives Elizabeth a letter, which offers an alternative version of events. Lydia Bennet, the youngest and most flirtatious of the sisters, is permitted to visit Brighton with the militia. Elizabeth foretells problems arising from her younger daughter’s tendency for impropriety, but her appeals are ignored. Elizabeth visits Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs Gardiner. They visit Pemberley, Darcy’s grand estate, thinking that the master is currently absent. She learns from the housekeeper that Darcy is considered to be a kind and generous man. Elizabeth is embarrassed to see that Darcy has returned to Pemberley, and feels terribly awkward when they meet. However, Darcy’s behaviour is friendly and courteous to her and her family. Elizabeth’s affection for Darcy grows rapidly but all is feared lost when a letter arrives from Jane Bennet, informing her sister that Lydia has left Brighton with Mr. Wickham. The family hopes that they intend to marry, but Elizabeth –aware of Wickham’s true character – fears this is unlikely. The family are likely to be disgraced, and their daughters’ prospects severely damaged. However, a letter arrives from Mr. Gardiner, stating that marriage between Lydia and Mr. Wickham had been agreed. This provides great relief to the family, and even excitement to Mrs Bennet. Lydia is either unaware or unrepentant about the stress she had caused her family when she returns to Longbourn. She absent-mindedly mentions that Mr. Darcy was present at the wedding, and Elizabeth later learns from Mrs Gardiner that it was Darcy that organised and enforced the marriage. Elizabeth feels gratitude and also curiosity about his motivations. Lydia and Wickham leave for Newcastle, where the militia is now to be stationed. Bingley and Darcy arrive at Longbourn, and soon Bingley proposes to Jane. She accepts. Darcy’s behaviour appears a little cold. Mrs Bennet is unaware of the debt of gratitude owed by the Bennets to Mr. Darcy, and continues to treat him unpleasantly, leaving Elizabeth feeling acutely embarrassed. Lady Catherine de Bourgh pays a visit to Longbourn, angry at rumours that Darcy plans to propose to Elizabeth. She tries to have Elizabeth reject the rumour and state categorically that she would refuse an offer of marriage. Elizabeth declines to give in to Lady Catherine’s demands. Darcy learns of, and is encouraged by, Elizabeth’s defiance. He proposes once more. Elizabeth accepts and the marriages of Mr. Bingley to Jane, and Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth, are held together.
Category: Literature | Added by: Ann
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