Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader 1 (Pride and Prejudice) (English-Chinese Contrast)

Author: Mao Ronggui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Plot Summary: Pride and Prejudice is the masterpiece of the renowned British female writer Jane Austen (1775–1817), a novel that depicts love and marriage. The novel follows the romantic entanglement between the male and female protagonists, Darcy and Elizabeth, caused by pride and prejudice, and tells four love stories: Elizabeth and Darcy, Jane and Bingley, Lydia and Wickham, and Charlotte and Collins. Elizabeth, Jane, and Lydia are three sisters among the five daughters of 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 who are (unmarried and ready for marriage) and no male heir. According to the laws of the time, their estate would be inherited by their distant cousin Collins after their death. Therefore, marrying their daughters to wealthy families became Mrs. Bennet's greatest wish. Bingley, an unmarried wealthy young man, rents the nearby Netherfield estate from the Bennet family, becoming the center of attention and the subject of much discussion. Soon, Bingley falls in love with the beautiful and virtuous eldest daughter, Jane. Darcy, a friend of Bingley, develops a fondness for the intelligent and straightforward second daughter, Elizabeth, but due to his rude remarks at a ball, Elizabeth develops a prejudice against him. Wickham, a man of questionable character, tells Elizabeth that he is the son of the deceased steward of Darcy's estate and grew up with Darcy. Darcy's father had promised him a position, which Darcy unjustly deprived him of. Darcy, however, persuades Bingley to break off his relationship with Jane due to the behavior of Elizabeth and her other sisters, resulting in a rift between the four. Wickham's slander against Darcy, along with Darcy's persuasion, further deepens Elizabeth's prejudice against him. Collins, wanting to inherit the property in peace, decides to choose one of the five beautiful daughters of the Bennet family as his "wife" and proposes to Elizabeth. After being rejected, he immediately turns to Charlotte, who is also unmarried and eager to find a "home," and surprisingly receives her acceptance. Elizabeth is invited to the home of the newly married Collins and Charlotte, where she unexpectedly encounters Darcy, who has come to visit Catherine. Darcy is deeply impressed by Elizabeth and proposes to her, but his arrogant words lead to Elizabeth's furious rejection. At the same time, Elizabeth accuses Darcy of being cruel to Wickham and of ruining Bingley's relationship with Jane. Afterward, Darcy writes a letter to defend himself, gradually erasing Elizabeth's prejudice. While traveling with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth passes by Darcy's estate and enters it, thinking Darcy is not there, only to find him returning unexpectedly. Elizabeth feels very embarrassed. However, Darcy shows no trace of his usual arrogance and warmly welcomes them. At this moment, Elizabeth suddenly receives a letter from home, learning that Wickham has run away with her sister Lydia! Rushing home, 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 dignity. This incident resolves the conflict between Elizabeth and Darcy, and Bingley also rekindles his relationship with Jane. In the end, all the lovers find happiness.