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ABOUT PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

"I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her...I do not know."
-Jane Austen on Elizabeth Bennet

Jane Austen began composing Pride and Prejudice in October of 1796 and finished it in August of 1797 when she was twenty-one years old; it was rewritten in 1811-1812 and then published in 1813. It is Jane Austen's best-known work. It was originally entitled First Impressions because the appearances of the characters created the plot; however, since the novel concerns the effects of these impressions as well, mainly prejudice, the novel was renamed Pride and Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice is a story about misjudgments that can change as individuals learn more about each other; it is the story of the lively and witty Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest of five unmarried daughters residing in the small village of Herfordshire in the English countryside during the early 19th century, and of her mistaken first impressions about the seemingly proud, arrogant, and mysterious Mr. Darcy.

The story follows the experiences of Elizabeth and Darcy, who are both intelligent and romantic. Elizabeth initially makes a mistake about Darcy's character and his apparent arrogance and conceit. As further experiences help Elizabeth to know Darcy better, Elizabeth eventually realizes that she was mistaken in her first opinion of him. Before the two of them can enter into a happy relationship together, they are forced to give up their personal pride and prejudices.

There are many themes in Pride and Prejudice, some of the main ones are the following: the mercenary and the ignorance of these people, courtship and marriage, and the characteristics that constitute a successful marriage. The plot of the novel is advanced by the interactions between ideas, opinions, and attitudes. Jane was able to convey these complex messages through a simple, witty, light, and satirical style.

Pride and Prejudice has sold over 20 million copies and has never been out of print.