Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Review
First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel written by Jane Austen, a famous English writer in the nineteenth century. It has always remained one of the most famous and beloved novels in English. Jane Austen called this novel “her own darling child” and Elizabeth Bennet, its major character, “as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.”
The story’s plot is set in the fictional town of Merton, the home to the well-off Bennett family with five daughters. However, they have one misfortune of having no son. Because their house must have a male heir, the five daughters of the family can’t inherit it. As a result, they have to live off or marry a male relative, or the other way is to become a governess. Their silly mother, Mrs. Bennett, is haunted by marrying them off, especially to men with big fortunes.
The daughters are: Jane, 22 years old, the most beautiful girl in the neighborhood. She is kind, sweet, sensible, and rather naive. Then there is Elizabeth, 20 years old, known as Lizzie or Eliza. She is the novel’s heroine and clever, lively, and witty, but not so beautiful as Jane. Then there is Mary, 18-19 years old, who sings awfully and usually quotes things from boring books. Then there is Kitty, 17 years old, who is empty-headed and silly, and Lydia, 15 years old, the silliest of them. Both sisters want to marry for love and don’t want an unromantic marriage. However, in those days, marriage for love was of so little consequence.
Mrs. Bennett finds an opportunity for Jane, when Mr. Bingley, a rich, kind, and handsome gentleman, rents Netherfield Park which is near their house. His friend Mr. Darcy, who always looks down on the provinces’ residents, is much different from him. Elizabeth can’t stand his behavior and becomes prejudiced toward him. The romantic clash between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is a civilized sparring’s splendid performance.
Pride and Prejudice is considered one of the most beautiful romance books of all time and all love story fans should read it.