Introduction of Jane Austen:
Jane Austen (1775 –1817)
was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which
interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at
the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of
women on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic
security. Her works critique the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part
of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her use of biting
irony, along with her realism, humour, and social commentary, have long earned
her acclaim among critics, scholars, and popular audiences alike. Her novels defined the era’s novel of manners, but they also became timeless classics that remained
critical and popular successes for over two centuries after her death
Her earliest known writings date from about 1787, and between
then and 1793 she wrote a large body of material that has survived in three
manuscript notebooks: Volume the First, Volume the
Second, and Volume the Third. These contain plays, verses,
short novels, and other prose and show Austen engaged in
the parody of existing literary forms, notably the genres of the sentimental novel and sentimental
comedy. Her passage to a more serious view of life from the exuberant high
spirits and extravagances of her earliest writings is evident in Lady
Susan, a short epistolary novel written about 1793–94 (and not
published until 1871). This portrait of a woman bent on the exercise of her own
powerful mind and personality to the point of social self-destruction is, in
effect, a study of frustration and of woman’s fate in a society that has no use
for her talents. There are also a number of
mutually contradictory stories connecting her with someone with whom she fell
in love but who died very soon after. Since Austen’s novels are so deeply
concerned with love and marriage, there is some point in attempting to
establish the facts of these relationships.
The earliest of her novels published during her
lifetime, Sense and Sensibility, was begun about 1795 as a
novel-in-letters called “Elinor and Marianne,” after its heroines. Between
October 1796 and August 1797 Austen completed the first version
of Pride and Prejudice, then called “First Impressions.” In 1797
her father wrote to offer it to a London publisher for publication, but the
offer was declined. Northanger Abbey, the last of the early
novels, was written about 1798 or 1799, probably under the title “Susan.” In
1803 the manuscript of “Susan” was sold to the publisher Richard Crosby. He
took it for immediate publication, but, although it was advertised,
unaccountably it never appeared. (Wikipedia)
Pride and Prejudice:
Pride and Prejudice, a romantic novel by Jane
Austen, published anonymously in three volumes in
1813. A classic of English literature,
written with incisive wit and superb character delineation, it centres on the
turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country
gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a
rich aristocratic landowner. It contains 61 chapters.
The work, which Austen initially titled First
Impressions, is the second of four novels that Austen published during her
lifetime. Although Pride and Prejudice has been criticized
for its lack of historical context, the existence of its characters in a social context
that is rarely entered by events beyond it is an accurate portrayal of the
enclosed social world in which Austen lived. She depicted that world, in all
its own narrow pride and prejudice, with unswerving accuracy and satire.
At the same time, she placed at its centre, as both its prime
actor and most perceptive critic, a character so well-conceived and reduced
that the reader cannot but be gripped by her story and wish for its happy
conclusion. In the end, Austen’s novel has remained popular largely because of
Elizabeth—who was reportedly Austen’s own favourite among all her heroines—and
because of the enduring appeal to men and women alike of a well-told and
potentially happily ending love story.
Brief Overview of the plot:
The novel is set
in rural England in the early 19th century. Mrs. Bennet attempts to convince Mr.
Bennet to visit Mr. Bingley, a rich bachelor recently arrived in the
neighborhood. Bennet family visited Netherfield at Mr.
Bingley’s rented house
to invite him at the local ball party of town and Mr. Bingley has accepted the
proposal. At Ball Party: Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the
husband of one of his sisters, and Mr. Darcy, his friend. Mr. Bingley wins
guests around him. He appears attracted to Jane Bennet with whom he
dances twice. Mr.
Darcy declines to dance with Elizabeth stating that she
is not attractive enough to tempt him. Elizabeth finds this amusing
and jokes about it with her friends. Mr. Bingley's sisters, Caroline and
Louisa later invites Jane to Netherfield for dinner. Jane develops a bad cold – Bingley
forces her to stay there Mrs. Bennet is happy with that. Elizabeth goes to
see Jane, Mr. Darcy got attracted to Elizabeth (stating she has
"fine eyes") Miss Bingley grows jealous, as she likes
Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth is unaware towards Mr. Darcy’s attraction.
Mr. Collins, Mr.
Bennet's cousin, and the heir to the Longbourn estate visits the Bennet family
with intention to marry one of the Bennet girls. Mrs. Bennet
suggests Elizabeth because Jane is already with Mr. Bingley. Bennet family meet George Wickham (Charming
army officer) and he told Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy has denied to keep the
promise of Late Mr. Darcy to provide Wickham a permanent ‘living’. Elizabeth
started hating Mr. Darcy more. At Ball Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth to dance
and she accepted that. Except Jane and Elizabeth Bennet family behaves
weirdly and younger Bingley sister ridiculed the family and their
expectation. Mr.
Collins proposes to Elizabeth. She rejects him.
The Bingleys
suddenly depart for London with no plans to return. Mr. Collins proposes to
Charlotte Lucas (Elizabeth's friend) She accepted the proposal to get
comfortable home and secure future. Elizabeth started observing love with
different perspective. Jane (heartbroken) visits her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner
in London. She understood that Mr. Bingley is now not interested in her. Elizabeth visits
Charlotte. They got invited to Rosings Park, Lady Catherine de Bourgh,
imperious patroness of Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy's wealthy aunt. Lady Catherine
expects Mr. Darcy to marry her daughter, as planned in his childhood. Mr. Darcy
accepts the first accusation but dismisses the second one. Mr. Darcy and
his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, are also visiting at Rosings Park. Fitzwilliam
tells Elizabeth how Mr. Darcy recently saved a friend, presumably Bingley, from
an undesirable match. Elizabeth realizes that the prevented engagement was to
Jane and is horrified that Mr. Darcy interfered.
Mr. Darcy
proposes to Elizabeth, declaring his love for her despite her low social
connections. She rejects him angrily, stating she could never love a man who
caused her sister such unhappiness and further accuses him of treating Wickham
unjustly. Mr. Darcy gives Elizabeth a letter, explaining that Wickham, the son
of his late father's steward, refused the living and instead given money for
it. Wickham quickly wasted the money and asked for the living again. After
being refused, he tried to elope with Darcy's 15-year-old sister, Georgiana,
for her considerable dowry. Mr. Darcy also writes that he separated Jane
and Bingley due to Jane's reserved behavior, sincerely believing her
indifferent to Bingley, and also because of members of her family. Elizabeth is
ashamed by her family's behavior and her own lack of better judgement that
resulted in blinded prejudice against Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth
accompanies the Gardiners on a tour of Derbyshire. They visit Pemberley, the
Darcy estate. The
housekeeper describes Mr. Darcy as kind and generous, recounting several
examples of these characteristics.
When Mr. Darcy returns unexpectedly, he invites Elizabeth and the Gardiners to meet his sister. Elizabeth is surprised and delighted by their treatment. She then receives news that her sister Lydia has run off with Wickham. She tells Mr. Darcy immediately, then departs, believing she will never see him again as Lydia has ruined the family's good name. Wickham has agreed to marry Lydia. Lydia visits the family and tells Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy was at her and Wickham's wedding. Mrs. Gardiner informed Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy handled everything because may be he is in love with Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy return to Netherfield. Bingley proposes to Jane, who accepts. Lady Catherine demands promise from Elizabeth to never accept Mr. Darcy's proposal. Elizabeth refuses. Darcy again proposed Elizabeth and she accepted the proposal. She also convinced her father for the marriage (Prejudice). Novel ended with three marriages.
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