What happens when marriage is the only option to get settled in life? How do pride and prejudice complicate our lives? Jane Austen answers these questions in her famous novel. There, Victorian England culture and society are shown through the characters with different backgrounds and personalities. Pride & Prejudice Study Guide will make your reading and analysis of the novel more meaningful.
Pride & Prejudice: Key Facts
Pride & Prejudice Articles
Pride and Prejudice is a classic love story where an independent and intelligent woman is loved by a self-reserved and powerful man. It describes the provincial life of the British aristocracy at the beginning of the XIX century. In the first sections of the article, you’ll find the novel’s synopsis and a plot infographic. Chapter summaries will follow.
The article contains all the information about the characters in Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen: Elizabeth Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jane Bennet, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Wickham, & others. In the first section, you’ll find the Pride & Prejudice character map.
Pride & Prejudice: Themes & Ideas
Authenticity, simple plot, and profound psychologism make Pride and Prejudice a memorable milestone. In the first section of the article, the main themes of the novel are described. The other sections aim to analyze Pride & Prejudice symbolism, imagery, metaphors, and satire.
Pride & Prejudice: Essay Topics & Samples
Pride and Prejudice discussion questions extend from feminist criticism of women’s position in the XIX century to the analysis of the writing devices that Jane Austen employs. Don’t know where to start your essay on Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen? Check out the essay ideas to help you write a successful paper!
Historical Context of Pride & Prejudice
Austen wrote Pride & Prejudice in the context of the lack of women’s rights. In the 19th century, women were subordinated to men. They could not inherit their fathers’ estates, had no employment opportunities, and no other reliable sources of income. The only way for social validation and financial stability was to marry a well-to-do man. Love was not the main criterion for a happy marriage; at least, it was regarded so.
All the property of an unmarried woman belonged to her father. In the case of the father’s death, only male heirs could inherit it. After the wedding, her share of inheritance passed to the husband. But women could already choose who they want to saddle up with, which was quite a progress.
Pride and Prejudice was written before the Victorian era, but it is often called a Victorian novel. It is incredibly realistic and aims to depict the English society with uttermost credibility. In the early 19th century, England was a land of the aristocracy. However, the Industrial Revolution transformed the structure of the upper class. It consisted of the nobility (who had land, money, and title), gentry (with land and sometimes money), and independent gentlemen (who had only money and no land or title). The novel explores the historical life of the gentry or landlords. Money was the only matter that fueled their lives. Poor landlords strived to marry their children with wealthier neighbors. Money meant stability and often compensated for the lack of title.
