by Sandra Piddock

Created on: August 06, 2008   Last Updated: December 05, 2011

'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen is a masterly satire on marriage and manners in early 19th century England.  This was a time when men were men and women were grateful, and the famous opening lines - possibly  the most famous in English literature - lead the reader willingly into the marriage-go-round that obssesses young ladies of quality and their mamas. 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.'

With 5 daughters in the Bennet family - Jane, Lizzie, Mary, Kitty and Lydia - Mrs Bennet is delighted to learn that eligible bachelor Mr Bingley is moving into nearby Netherfield. She is certain that he will want to marry one of her daughters. Mr Bennet tolerates his wife and daughters, although he is very close to Lizzie, the second eldest child. His major contribution to the action is as a mouthpiece for Jane Austen's most biting satires, although his lack of a male heir means his estate will pass to his nearest male relative, pompous clergyman Mr Collins.

Mr Bingley arrives with his friend, Darcy, and his two sisters and brother-in-law. Anxious to make a good impression in his new neighbourhood,he takes the party from Netherfield to a public ball in Meryton. Here, the pride and prejudice of the title are born in Darcy and Lizzie. Darcy is haughty and will not lower himself to dance with the local girls, and Lizzie becomes prejudiced against him by his attitude and a - later proved to be false - report from Wickham, a soldier garrisoned in the village. Wickham tells Lizzie that Darcy cheated him out of his inheritance and banished him from his estate.

Bingley is attracted to Jane, so when Mr Collins arrives to marry one of the Bennet daughters, Mrs Bennet steers him towards Lizzie. Lizzie refuses him, and he marries her friend, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte doesn't really love him, but doesn't want to remain unmarried. When the Netherfield party leave the neighbourhood suddenly, Lizzie discovers Darcy is behind it. She visits the newly married Collinses at Rosings, the estate of Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine de Burgh. Here, she encounters Darcy again and, when he ungraciously proposes to her, 'against my will and in spite of your objectionable family,' she tells him he is the last man she could ever marry.

Next day, Darcy gives Lizzie a letter before leaving Rosings. Through this, she learns that he only parted Bingley from Jane because he believed she didn't

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