The
author says (with a touch of irony) that a single
man with a large fortune must be in want of a wife! Mrs. Bennet was no exception to this rule; the mother of five daughters, she desired nothing more than to see them well married. Whereas Elizabeth is independent and lively, her elder sister Jane is a study in contrast – she is docile and agreeable by nature. Among the prospective grooms are the gentleman-like Mr. Bingley (who has just moved into the neighborhood) and the reserved Mr. Darcy, whose reserve is often mistaken for pride. But the greatest barrier to the sisters’ romances are the class differences between them and their prospective husbands. This inferiority in wealth and connections forms the backdrop to the novel. Mr. Darcy is accused of being vengeful towards a former associate of his, a certain Mr. Wickham. Mr Darcy, in his defence, counters that Mr. Wickham is capable of making friends, but not retaining them. In the gallant Mr. Darcy, the author has given us the prototype (if one may venture to use the word) of the “tall dark stranger” who has become the staple of countless Mills and Boons romances. The heart of the
story is the changing relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Though Mr. Darcy is bewitched by Elizabeth’s obvious charm, Elizabeth has reasons to distrust his motives. As their intimacy grows, the distance between them narrows. Supposedly, the "Pride" is his and the "Prejudice" hers - but as the story unfolds, both prove to be equally unfounded! The story is witty and entertaining by turns, but it is never trivial; because underlying it all one can discern a certain sympathy for the human condition. Through the character of Charlotte (Mrs. Collins), the author has also cast a somewhat critical eye at the institution of marriage. Charlotte has accepted Mr. Collins’
marriage proposal solely from the point of gaining a husband, and setting up an “establishment”. Charlotte was not ashamed of herself - marriage had always been her objective, it was the only honourable option before her; even if meant sacrificing her happiness. Mr. Collins is an eligible man, a suitable man even though he seems to be more interested in the size of the furniture!
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