" Pride and Prejudice "

Author: (British) Austen (Austen/J.) / Zhang Jinghao
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Pride and Prejudice is the masterpiece of the renowned British female writer Jane Austen (1775–1817), a novel depicting love and marriage. The story follows the romantic entanglement between the protagonists, Darcy and Elizabeth, caused by pride and prejudice, and revolves around four marriage prospects: Elizabeth and Darcy, Jane and Bingley, Lydia and Wickham, and Charlotte and Collins. Elizabeth, Jane, and Lydia are three sisters from the Bennet family, while Charlotte is their neighbor and Elizabeth's friend. The male protagonist, Darcy, is a close friend of Bingley and grew up with Wickham, whereas Collins is a distant relative of the Bennets. The Bennet couple has five daughters of marriageable age and no male heir. According to the laws of the time, their estate would be inherited by a distant cousin, Collins, upon their death. Therefore, marrying off their five daughters to wealthy families became Mrs. Bennet's greatest wish. Bingley, an unmarried wealthy young man, rents the nearby Netherfield estate from the Bennets, becoming the center of attention and the subject of much discussion. Soon after, Bingley falls in love with the beautiful and virtuous eldest sister, Jane. Darcy, a friend of Bingley, develops a fondness for the intelligent and straightforward second sister, Elizabeth, but his rude remarks at a ball lead Elizabeth to hold prejudice against him. Wickham, a man of questionable character, tells Elizabeth that he is the son of Darcy's deceased steward and grew up with Darcy. Darcy's father had promised him a position, which Darcy unjustly revoked. Darcy, however, persuades Bingley to end his relationship with Jane due to his mother and younger sisters, causing a rift between the four. Wickham's slander against Darcy, along with Darcy's interference, further deepens Elizabeth's prejudice against him. Collins, seeking to inherit the property with ease, decides to choose one of the five beautiful Bennet daughters as his "wife" and proposes to Elizabeth. After being rejected, he immediately turns to Charlotte, another unmarried woman eager for a "home," and surprisingly receives her acceptance. Elizabeth is invited to the newly married Collins and Charlotte's home, where she unexpectedly encounters Darcy, who has come to visit Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy is smitten with Elizabeth and proposes, but his arrogant words lead to her furious rejection. Elizabeth also criticizes Darcy for his cruelty to Wickham and his of Bingley and Jane's relationship. Later, Darcy writes a letter defending himself, gradually erasing Elizabeth's prejudice. During a trip with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth visits Darcy's estate, assuming he is not there, but he unexpectedly returns, leaving her feeling very embarrassed. However, Darcy shows no trace of his usual pride and warmly welcomes them. At this moment, Elizabeth receives a letter, learning that Wickham has run away with her sister Lydia! Upon returning home in a hurry, the family is at a loss, but Darcy secretly tracks down their whereabouts, funds their marriage, and arranges their lives, saving the Bennet family's honor. This incident resolves the conflict between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Bingley and Jane also reconcile. In the end, all lovers find happiness.