PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1813) First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has consistently been Jane Austen's most popular novel. Its title refers to the ways in which Elizabeth and Darcy first view each other. The original version of the novel was written in 1796-1797 under the title First Impressions, and was probably in the form of an exchange of letters. Jane Austen wrote to Thomas Egerton, in 1811: You say the book is indecent. You say I am immodest. But Pride and Prejudice portrays life in the genteel rural society of the day. Plot The Bennets are a family with five daughters. They live in the country village of Longbourn where the Bingleys, a wealthy family, buy an estate. Mr. Bingley falls in love with the Bennets' eldest daughter, Jane, whereas Darcy, Bingley s friend, feels attracted by Jane's sister Elizabeth. At first, both Darcy and Elizabeth are too proud and have many prejudices to accept their true feelings, Then Darcy will revel his gentle and generous nature and Lizzie accepts his proposal. Both Jane and Lizzie will realize their love dream. The fisrt chapter of Pride and Prejudice introduces the Bennet family: father, mother with their peculiarities, and their five daughters. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want 1 of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let 2 at last? Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. But it is, returned she; for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it. Mr. Bennet made no answer. Do you not want to know who has taken it? cried his wife impatiently. You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it. This was invitation enough. Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four 3 to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas 4, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week. What is his name? Bingley. Is he married or single? Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls! How so? How can it affect 5 them? My dear Mr. Bennet, replied his wife, how can you be so tiresome 6! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them. Is that his design in settling 7 here? Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely 8 that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes. I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the best of the party.
My dear, you flatter9 me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over 10 thinking of her own beauty. In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of. But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood. It is more than I engage 11 for, I assure you. But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not. You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty 12 consent to his marrying whichever 13 he chooses of the girls; though I must throw in 14 a good word for my little Lizzy. I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference. They have none of them much to recommend them, replied he; they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness 15 than her sisters. Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse 16 your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing 17 me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves. You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least. Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts 18, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean 19 understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace 20 was visiting and news. (Pride and Prejudice, Chapter I) Glossary 1. need 2. has been sold 3. carriage with four horses 4. St. Michael s feast (29 th September) 5. influence 6. annoying, boring 7. going to live 8. is probable 9. praise, compliment 10. stop 11. hope 12. warm 13. any 14. say 15. bright mind 16. mistreat 17. irritating 18. sudden changes of temperament 19. low, poor 20. pleasure, comfort
Comprehension 1. Answer the following questions 1) What are Mr and Mrs Bennet discussing about? 2) What is Mrs Bennet's main concern? 3) Who is coming to live in the same village? 4) Which daughter does Mr Bennet prefer? Why? 5) What kind of social class do the Bennets belong to? Vocabulary 2. a. Choose the adjectives that most apply to Mrs. and Mr Bennet Mrs Bennet: silly, intelligent, educated, ignorant, possessive, self-centred Mr. Bennet: critical, detached, ironic, indifferent, educated, patient, resigned. Writing b. Explain why referring to the text. Language 3. Choose between the following alternatives 1) The narrator is first person/ third person 2) The narrator is/is not the author 3) The narrator makes comment/ only judges Mrs Bennet 4) The tone is indifferent/ ironical 5) the characters' personalities are shown by mean of dialogue/ descriptions. Keys 1. 1) About new neighbours; 2) To marry her daughters; 3) The Bingleys; 4) Elizabeth because she is witty; 6) To the country gentry 2. silly, ignorant, self-centred; critical, detached, educated, resigned, ironic Mrs. Bennet is talkative, self centred because she speaks about her nerves and her problems; she reveals her ignorance just speaking about money and not about moral qualities of possible future husbands. Mr Bennet is critical towards his daughters, ironical when he answers Mrs Bennet's questions, but he reveals he has not taken part to his daughters' education. He seems to be resigned because he accepts his wife's desire without questioning them too much, even thought it is evident he does not agree with her. 3. 1) third person;2) is he author; 3) only judges Mrs Bennet; 4) ironical; 5) dialogues
An unexpected proposal Elizabeth is paying a visit to her friend Charlotte, now Mr Collins s wife. One afternoon she is alone in the cottage, while the Collinses are having tea with Lady Catherine. Unexpectedly Mr Darcy rings the door-bell While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after her. But this idea was soon banished, and her spirits were very differently affected, when, to her utter amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the room. In an hurried manner he immediately began an inquiry after her health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better. She answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began: "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority-of its being a degradation-of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit. In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said: In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot, I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation. Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed on her face, seemed to catch her words with no less resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. He was struggling for the appearance of composure, and would not open his lips till he believed himself to have attained it. The pause was to Elizabeth's feelings dreadful. At length, with a voice of forced calmness, he said: And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting! I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavour at civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance. (Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 34)
excited, agitated absolute polite behaviour it s no use declaration, admission described related to finished efforts declared given admission, declaration defeating making an effort got terrible Activities Comprehension 1. Say whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) and correct the false ones 1) Colonel Fitzwilliam comes to see Elisabeth 2) Elizabeth is surprised to see him 3) He reveals Elizabeth his love 4) He says that she is the rigt woman for him 5) She is happy and accepts Vocabulary 2. How would you describe Elizabeth and Darcy's behaviours? Fill in the chart below choosing among the following adjectives surprised annoyed angry pleased sorry gratified satisfied puzzled incredulous desperate angry offended surprised pleased astonished Darcy Elizabeth Language Annswer the following qiestions choosing the right alternatives 1) What is the tone of the dialogue? Serious/ ironical 2) How does Darcy proposes? In a wrong way/ in the right way expressions 3) Why? Because he is kind to Lizzie/ Because he underlines the negative aspects of Lizzie's family/ 4) Does the first title of the novel apply to the protagonists personalities? Why? Yes /No Because they are free from prejudices/ Because both of them reveal their pride and class prejudices/ Speaking 4. Discuss Which of the two, Elizabeth and Darcy, would you associate with pride and which one with prejudice? Why?
Key 1.1) F, Mr Darcy; 2) T; 3) T; 4) F, he says that she is not the right woman because she is of an inferior social class; 5) F, she refuses 2) Darcy Elizabeth Surprised, sorry, offended, astonished, incredulous puzzled, angry, pleased, incredulous 3) ironical, in a wrong way, he underlines the negative aspects of Lizzie's family; Yes, because they both reveal their pride and class prejudices/