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“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” So begins one of the more memorable works of literature in our society, none other than Pride and Prejudice, by the esteemed and eloquent Jane Austen. In addition to providing a rich, romantic read, the book is lush with human personality and the divining forces therein. It is also a wonderful example of the typical romantic practices of the time, such as the more refined courting instead of dating, and use of parents, relatives, and gossipers as a sort of dating service. History of the Novel Pride and Prejudice was originally intended to be released under the working title First Impressions, but after a refusal of publishing in 1797, Austen reworked the manuscript until it was finally printed in 1813 under its current title. It was translated to French later that same year, and by 1817, three editions of the book had been published. The novel did not reach the United States until 1832. While initially quite popular and maintaining said popularity throughout time, the novel did come under some initial scrutiny. One such reviewer was none other than the fellow authoress Charlotte Brontë, who found the work disappointing. Since the novel’s publication, multiple screen and stage adaptations have been made of it, including the 1940 film starring Greer Garson and a 1959 Broadway musical entitled First Impressions. Reluctant Lovers The romance that blooms between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy is arguably one of the most well-known in history. It begins with the characters initially desiring no interaction whatsoever from one another – Elizabeth is displeased with her initial assessment of Darcy, and he likewise. Darcy had slighted Elizabeth during their first meeting, over a matter of his own pride. However, over time, he is smitten by her spirited nature, and struggles to court her in his own, aloof manner. Her opinion of him is only worsened, especially by his interference with the romance blooming between Elizabeth’s sister, Jane, and Darcy’s friend Bingley. When Darcy initially confesses his feelings to Elizabeth, she quickly rebukes and chastises him for his superior attitude and his unwanted meddling. Shocked by this revelation of how he is perceived, Darcy writes her a letter explaining his actions, asks forgiveness, and sets about redefining himself through new actions. While he does not overtly pursue her, he does set about to please her, such as persuading George Wickham to marry Elizabeth’s sister Lydia, whom Wickham had run off with, sparing the Bennett family much unwanted gossip and social slight. Through this action, and other such changes, Elizabeth is made to reevaluate her opinion of Darcy, and is surprised when she discovers herself to have fallen in love with the noble character revealed within him. Darcy eventually asks Elizabeth, a second time, to marry him. The difference with this encounter is that Elizabeth happily accepts. Other Romances in the Novel As typical of an Austenian novel, there are multiple romances that take place throughout the course of the book, the most notable of them occurring among the Bennett sisters. Jane Bennett is in love with Charles Bingley, close friend of Mr. Darcy. George Wickham, Mr. Darcy’s enemy and mutually attracted to Elizabeth at one point, runs off with and eventually marries Lydia Bennett. William Collins, who initially proposed to Elizabeth, ends up marrying Elizabeth’s best friend, Charlotte Lucas. Additional Information For more information on the novel, characters, or time period, please peruse the links listed below. Project Gutenberg E-Text of Pride and Prejudice Character Guide and Online Text Literary Article - Analysis of Themes of Pride and Prejudice Teacher's Guide - Teaching Jane Austen (pdf) Jane Austen Society of North America 2005 Film Review by Robert Roten, Film Critic 1995 and 1996 Film and Television Adaption Reviews Pride and Prejudice - Notes and Study Guide (pdf) Characterization in Pride and Prejudice Regency Period Information page last edited by John Schmidt More Content Pages dating tuscaloosa alabama - gastonia dating site - singles bellingham washington - va chat - lawrence personals - hayward chat rooms - waterbury chat - stone mountain chat rooms - moreno valley online dating - yuma online dating - singles in fredericksburg - dating merced california - singles in henderson - free saint louis online dating - single women in tampa fl - dallas chat rooms - kokomo singles - douglasville chat rooms - yakima dating site - singles bismarck north dakota - singles in renton - dating bethlehem pa - single men in florida - online dating in appleton wi - dating pueblo colorado - single men in hollywood - dating joplin mo - arvada personals - amarillo dating site - muskegon chat rooms - singles el cajon california - dating san bernardino california - single women in lincoln ne - ca chat - nd chat rooms - nj dating site - north las vegas singles - hawaii men - madison personals - manassas online dating - staten island singles - online dating in duluth mn - hattiesburg chat rooms - columbus singles - allentown chat |
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