Jane Austen was one of the principal female writers of her time. She took the cruel realities life handed to females in her
era and used them to produce romantic epics that have survived the ages.
Pride and Prejudice paints a dramatic portrayal of living in the early 18th century as a female in a middle class family. The Bennet household consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters: Elizabeth, Lydia, Catherine, Jane and Mary.
Marriage was the name of the game in the Bennet household. The mother wanted to find a worthy but financially well off suitor for each daughter. Of the five daughters Elizabeth was her
father’s favorite. She was of sharp wit and very outspoken about her desires from life.
The story begins with the introduction of new faces into the mix: Mr. Bingley, his sister Caroline and his friend Mr. Darcy. The handsome gentlemen became the object of pursuit for all of the available women in the area. Everyone, except Elizabeth, that is.
The storyline winds through a labyrinth of relationships, social circles and family. Jane Bennet pursues Bingley, the Bennet’s cousin Mr. Wickham comes in search of his bride and Elizabeth avoids the insanity.
The question is do you marry for love or money. Financial steadfastness was more important for some as it would affect the entire family’s future. Elizabeth’s mother tried to push her off on Mr. Wickham to prevent his pursuit of Jane as a wife. She feels Jane is better off with a wealthy man instead of a mere toady for the wealthy.
Luckily her father supported her stubbornness and refused to allow the union. As time passed for “Lizzy” her attraction for Darcy continues to build within. Darcy’s misunderstood behavior
keeps them apart until the very end.
Jane finally has her love returned by Bingley. Darcy finally admits the pains of his heart. For Darcy he chose to love outside his “class” of people. The intricacies of having a house full of females in the early 18th century are a great draw for the reader. The story keeps you entertained as well as enthralled by the era.