Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen

Reviewed by Krystal Lam

REVIEW: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

THE STORY:

The Bennet family is a family with a modest income. Jane, the eldest of the Bennet sisters, dances with Mr. Bingley twice, much to the delight of her mother. Mr. Bingley brought an acquaintance, Mr. Darcy, with him, and everyone assumes he is rude and arrogant. Jane catches a cold on the way to the Bingley’s house and Elizabeth walks over to the Bingleys. Mr. Darcy begins admiring her, and Miss Bingley, Mr. Bingley’s sister, notices his admiration for her she instantly feels jealous.When Mr. Collins a self important man comes to visit, and proposes to Elizabeth, she says no.  Elizabeth later goes to visit Charlotte, who has married Mr. Collins. She there meets Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Darcy also comes to visit, and while there, he goes to meet her, purposefully during walks. Elizabeth reads a letter from Mr. Darcy himself that he did not stop fortunes from going to his family’s ward, Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth goes to visit the Gardiners, where she learns of Mr. Darcy’s true nature. Mr. Wickham who hates Mr. Darcy, whom at first Elizabeth saw with a good light, she now learns he is distrustful, but he has eloped with Lydia, her younger sister. Elizabeth is now fearful for her family reputation because Wickham might not actually marry Lydia and goes back to Netherfield. But in the end, her family’s savior is Mr. Darcy, and Wickham agrees to marry Lydia. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy come back to Netherfield, and both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth says nothing about their current relationship with each other. Even though Lady Catherine does not want Elizabeth dating her nephew, she still does it anyway.(281 words)

MY OPINION:

At first I thought the book would be hard to understand when reading, because this is set and written in the eighteen hundreds, and I assumed the grammatical structure would be different from today’s structure. If you like the classical romance story, the I hate you then slowly start to find you endearing story, I would read this book, even if it is a classic. If you want more action, I suggest you move to another story because this is a dull book if you want action. The most action you would likely get is Lydia eloping with Wickham under wedlock. The age group best suited for this novel is most likely to be an older group of people, because this book is a peaceful river with not many rapids that a younger group might like. Jane Austen’s book is a book of the world in the eighteen hundreds like a time machine to bring you back to Elizabeth’s time to experience 7her developing love with Mr. Darcy, which was always coming, although she had bad accounts of him at first. The weakness the book had was most likely the vocabulary used in the book. Sometimes the spelling is hard to understand.Overall I would rate this a seven out of ten, so I would not necessarily read it again, but it still is a excellent book.(227)

STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:

FIRST SECTION

1Why does Mr. Bennett prefer Elizabeth, not his other daughters?

1a.The rest of his daughters are silly and ignorant, but Elizabeth is faster answering.  (pg7)

2. Why did Sir William make Elizabeth dance with Mr. Darcy?

2a. He saw Elizabeth come over to him and Mr. Darcy, with no partner so he made her dance with him.(27)

3.Why does Miss Bingley try to make Mr. darcy hate Elizabeth by pointing out her flaws?

3a. Miss Bingley is jealous of Elizabeth, and can see the interest growing in Mr. Darcy but wants him for herself.(pg51)

4. When did Mr. Collins say he would come?

4a. He proposed Monday, november 18 so he would cause no inconveniences.(pg 62)

5.Why was Elizabeth puzzled about Mr. Darcy’s character?

5a. She has heard many accounts of him, all of which are different.(pg 92)

Destitute (pg 63)

Atonement (pg 69)

Redress (pg 78)

Reproach (pg 105)

Amiable (pg 112)

SECOND SECTION

6.Why is Elizabeth dissatisfied with the world?

6a. Everyday confirms her belief that people’s detestable personalities are consistent.(133)

7.Why did Jane’s letter send pain to Elizabeth?

7a. She feels sorry for her sister’s betrayal, from her so called friends.(146)

8. Why was Elizabeth indifferent to their visit to Lady Catherine?

8a. Elizabeth had only heard of Lady Catherine’s money and rank, not of her virtues.(159)

9. Why is Charlotte surprised by Mr. Darcy’s visit?

9a. He never has visited them in a friendly matter before.(175)

10. Mr. Darcy Just proposed to Elizabeth, but she has refused. Why is she regretting her behavior, but not her refusal?

10a. She still finds him uptight and ridiculous to be with, although her words to him were harsh. (207)

Alluded (127)

Ablution (139)

Enumeration (158)

Disclaim (166)

Obtuded (196)

                               

THIRD SECTION

11. Lydia and Kitty are disappointed by the regiment leaving town, but Elizabeth is over joyed, why?

11a. Lydia and Kitty are interested in some of the soldiers for husbands.(242)

12. Jane is visiting at her aunt's house, and they were about to go to Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s estate, and she is slightly embarrassed, why is she embarrassed?

12a. She is still regretting her behavior towards Mr. Darcy, and is wishing she did not refuse the proposal.(260)

13. How did Elizabeth find out about Miss Bingley’s dislike to her was rooted in jealousy?

13a. Miss Bingley was very uncivil to her, and Elizabeth keeps thinking about how her visit was most likely unwelcome.(277)

14. The Bennet’s all believe that Mr. Wickham’s debt has been paid off by the Gardiners, why do they immediately assume that it was paid off by the Gardiners and no one else?

14a. They heard the word that Lydia and Wickham were found eloping from the Gardiners, so they immediately assumed it would be them.

15. Why was Jane so surprised at Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr. Darcy?

15a. Elizabeth initially loathed Mr. Darcy with all her heart,

endeavour (245)

Acquiesce (260)

Whimsical (271)

Farthing (286)

Cordiality(300)