" Pride and Prejudice "

Author: Li Zhengshuan et al. (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Renowned figures and experts in the field of English discuss reading. Dry English sentences are not effective; do not always focus on improving English as the sole purpose of reading. Reading is primarily about absorbing knowledge, and in the process of absorbing knowledge, the language is naturally absorbed. Thinking in English is a goal many English learners aspire to, as it is the foundation for expressing thoughts fluently in English. For Chinese students living in a non-English environment, achieving partial or full thinking in English is indeed challenging, but it is not an unattainable goal. From my own experience in learning English, I have found that persistent extensive reading is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal. For intermediate and advanced English learners, I especially recommend English easy readers. The materials should be easy to understand, with a strong narrative element, and the reading speed should be as fast as possible. The more you read, the better. This is a proven method for learning English.
This series contains works worth reading throughout your life. Reading these works not only improves your English proficiency but also enhances your personal cultivation.
Authentic Language: All the books in this series are written by American authors in fluent modern English. They possess a strong writing foundation, which is difficult for non-native English speakers to achieve.
Easy to Understand: The books are written using 3,300 commonly used English words, making them easy to read. Difficult words are annotated, and the format is presented in English-Chinese, allowing you to read smoothly without flipping through a dictionary while lying in bed.
High-Quality Audio Cassette Provided: This enables you to practice listening after reading. Please note that reading requires a certain amount of exposure, and listening requires even more. Extensive audio input is the source of in-depth English conversations.
This series is designed for reading after class or work during leisure time. Its advantage is to help you integrate English learning into your daily life, making English a part of your life. This is the true essence of English success, and more importantly, the essence of success in any challenging endeavor.
Plot Summary: Pride and Prejudice is the masterpiece of the renowned British female writer Jane Austen (1775–1817) and is a novel depicting love and marriage. The novel follows the romantic entanglements between the protagonists, Darcy and Elizabeth, caused by pride and prejudice, and chronicles 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, while Collins is a distant relative of the Bennet family. The Bennet couple has five daughters of marriageable age and no sons. According to the laws of the time, their estate would be inherited by a distant cousin, Collins, upon their death. Therefore, marrying their daughters into wealthy families became Mrs. Bennet’s greatest wish. Bingley, an unmarried wealthy young man, rented the nearby Netherfield estate, becoming the center of attention and the topic of conversation. Soon after, Bingley fell in love with the beautiful and virtuous eldest daughter, Jane. Darcy, a friend of Bingley, had a fondness for the intelligent and straightforward second daughter, Elizabeth, but due to his tactless remarks at a ball, Elizabeth developed a prejudice against him. Wickham, a man of questionable character, told Elizabeth that he was the son of the deceased steward of Darcy’s estate and had grown up with Darcy. Darcy’s father had promised him a position, which Darcy unjustly revoked. As a result of his mother and younger sisters, Darcy persuaded Bingley to break off his relationship with Jane, leading to a rift between the four. Wickham’s slander against Darcy, combined with Darcy’s interference in Jane’s relationship, further deepened Elizabeth’s prejudice against him. Collins, seeking to inherit the estate with ease, decided to choose one of the five beautiful daughters of the Bennet family as his wife and proposed to Elizabeth. After being rejected, he immediately turned to Charlotte, an unmarried woman eager for a “home,” who surprisingly accepted. Elizabeth was invited to the newly married Collins and Charlotte’s home, where she unexpectedly met Darcy, who had come to visit Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy was instantly captivated by Elizabeth and proposed, but his arrogant words led to her firm rejection. Simultaneously, Elizabeth accused Darcy of being cruel to Wickham and of destroying Bingley and Jane’s relationship. Afterward, Darcy wrote a letter to defend himself, gradually erasing Elizabeth’s prejudice. While traveling with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth passed by Darcy’s estate, assuming he was not there, and entered unannounced. To her surprise, Darcy returned unexpectedly, leaving Elizabeth feeling extremely embarrassed. However, Darcy showed no trace of his usual arrogance and warmly welcomed them. At that moment, Elizabeth received a letter, learning that Wickham had run away with her sister Lydia! Rushing home, the family was at a loss, but Darcy secretly tracked down their whereabouts, funded their marriage, and arranged their lives, saving the Bennet family’s honor. This incident resolved the conflict between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Bingley and Jane also reconciled, with all the lovers eventually finding happiness.