Jane Austen's most famous novel is Pride and Prejudice. The plot of the work is based on the English provincial society and the role of women in it. Artistic analysis allows us to understand the depth of this topic, but a brief summary should also be given. “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the first works that belong to the genre of a female novel. But thanks to the talent of the author, he entered the collection of world literary masterpieces.
about the author
Jane Austen is an English writer whose years of creativity fell on the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. A feature of this period is the transition from Enlightenment to realism and romanticism. The writer's works today are of interest to both researchers and readers. Universal human values, which were the theme of her work, are relevant at all times. In Russian literature, one of the most tragic female images is dowry. Jane Austen was more optimistic about this subject in Pride and Prejudice.
Summary
It was not easy for girls from poor families at the end of the nineteenth century. And it was extremely difficult for parents. To marry a daughter to a wealthy and decent man without a dowry was almost impossible for the father of a provincial family. And if he has five daughters, then there’s nothing to talk about.
A similar situation has developed in the family of Mr. Bennet. His wife did not have any mind, no upbringing, no origin. However, she had a high opinion of her own person. Of course, it was impossible to find spiritual support in her.
Daughters also did not inspire hope. At least three of them. The elders, Jane and Elizabeth, inherited the mind and spiritual qualities from their father. The ups and downs in the fate of members of the Bennet family are narrated by the novel Pride and Prejudice. A summary of the chapters is the best way to present the plot of this work and make a detailed analysis of the main images.
The commotion in Mr. Bennett's family
Once in a small town Meriton, a rumor flashed about the arrival of a young rich and, most importantly, unmarried person. His last name was Bingley. He arrived not alone, but in the company of Mr. Darcy - a man with the same positive qualities, that is, well-being and lack of a wife. What this news has become in a respected, but not rich house, where there were five girls for marriage, can not be explained. However, the Bennett sisters reacted differently to her. As already mentioned, the elders possessed intelligence and prudence, which the other representatives of this large family could not boast of.
The problems of the novel are connected with the clash of human vices that are present in the title. There was pride and prejudice in the Bennett house, as well as throughout the town. A summary of this work cannot be stated without the characteristics of its main character, the owner of one of these vices. However, in this case he was, rather, a virtue.
The Image Of Elizabeth
The nature of this girl combines such contradictory traits as tenderness and obstinacy, unwaveringness and mercy. She is very attached to her father and cherishes every minute spent with him. A special relationship has developed between her and her older sister. They always treated each other with deep tenderness, but when Jane falls ill, Elizabeth walks several kilometers on foot to visit her beloved sister. This is the main character of the novel Pride and Prejudice. A summary of the following chapters reveals her character in more detail as an example of a complex relationship with Mr. Darcy.
Love and dislike
Already at the first evening party, where the Bennett sisters met with the young people who arrived, intrigue ensued. Mr. Bigley and Jane from the first minutes begin to feel sympathy for each other. The relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is controversial. Each of their dialogue is a verbal duel. Everything looks decorum and courteous, but nevertheless these people feel mutual hostility. Or love ... The stubbornness and independence of judgment are possessed by these heroes of the novel by Jane Austen.
“Pride and Prejudice”, a brief summary of which is set forth below, translated by Anastasia Gryzunova, according to some literary critics, most adequately conveys the author’s caustic and ironic style. To make sure of this, it is better to reread several versions of the novel, of course, in full exposition. However, we were a little distracted. Analysis of the work can not do without a description of the protagonist. We will turn to him now.
Characteristic of Mr. Darcy
He is cold and possesses a certain insight. Mr. Darcy is significantly different from all the young people Bennett's sisters had met before. But he makes an impression on them rather unpleasant. The reason is this man’s extreme arrogance. Later it turns out that behind a mask of coldness and contempt for others is a sensitive and kind soul. But this will only be known in the final chapters of the novel by Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice). A summary of Darcy's first meetings with Elizabeth is a clash of two extremely similar people. Almost from the first days of the arrival of friends in a provincial town, they are in love with each other, but they do not even want to admit it to themselves. They are hindered by pride and prejudice.
A summary, description and analysis of the popular novel by an English writer gives an idea of the mores and prejudices that prevailed at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mr. Darcy is in love with Elizabeth, but is trying to suppress this feeling in himself, because marriage with her would become a misalliance. The girl’s family is much poorer than all members of the aristocratic family to which this young man belongs.
Mr. Collins
As befits in any story about a dowry, an unwanted groom appears on the scene. This storyline was first used by D. Austin.
Pride and Prejudice, the brief content of which gives the impression of a work with a rather unoriginal plot, is still a novel created in a completely new genre. This is the innovation of the English writer.
Mr. Collins is not a man of aristocratic descent, but he is extremely purposeful. Besides a careerist. He enters into trust in Lady de Beers, which favorably affects his fate. And, having achieved significant heights in his view, Collins decides to bless Elizabeth with an offer of marriage. Needless to say, this self-confident person of a small mind is refused?
Miss Bennett is Darcy's future wife, although at the time she met Collins she did not even suspect it. This is the design of Austin's Pride and Prejudice. The summary of the work should not be burdened with a description of the complex explanations between the failed bridegroom and the proud Elizabeth. It would be more correct to return to the image of her chosen one, who in the second part of the novel takes on new unexpected features.
Another Darcy
Traveling with her relatives, Elizabeth visits a beautiful castle, the owner of which, according to local residents, is a young gentleman. This man is none other than Darcy. In the chapter that describes these events, he appears before Elizabeth in a different light. There is no arrogance, no contemptuous cold gaze that so annoyed the girl.
It should be said that no less important events preceded this unexpected meeting. Darcy once confessed to Miss Bennet his feelings, but he did it in such an arrogant manner that he only intensified an unpleasant impression on himself. Making a proposal to the girl, he noticed that this step for his social status would be almost destructive. And later, his reputation in the eyes of Miss Bennet was finally ruined by the false story of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth later learned the truth and for a long time reproached herself for being unfair with Darcy. And his new image, in which he appeared in the castle, turned out to be very helpful. From that moment on, Elizabeth no longer resisted her feelings.
Our article is a concise retelling of the plot that the novel “Pride and Prejudice” possesses. The summary does not include descriptions of some secondary, but still important images. And most importantly, in no way can convey the unique English humor, which is characteristic of the famous writer of the nineteenth century.