Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a romantic novel of manners written in 1813. Originally titled as ‘First Impressions' and published as three volumes, it throws light upon the character progress of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a romantic novel of manners written in 1813. Originally titled as ‘First Impressions’ and published as three volumes, it throws light upon the character progress of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. It is a classical piece of Literature with a detailed description of characters, and their manners, in 19th century rural England.

Key Facts about Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular novels in the English language and by Jane Austen. Entitled ‘First Impressions,’ in the beginning, it is the second of four novels that Austen published during her lifetime. It was published anonymously in the beginning by Thomas Edgerton. Even now, centuries from the date of publication, the novel captures the hearts and minds of readers across the world.

Jane Austen was an avid reader, from a family of readers, who would gather in her father’s rectory to read aloud. They used to read works such as Samuel Johnson, Frances Burney, and William Cowper. Ultimately, she would read from her own works-in-progress.

Needless to say the impact of reading in her works, which is often a key indicator of the character development in her novels. According to Austen, the way a character reads, symbolizes the character’s potential in understanding life, other people, and oneself.

The popularity of Pride and Prejudice lies in the beautiful description of characters, especially the delightful nature of Elizabeth, an unforgettable cast of comic characters, witty dialog, and satisfying romantic plot.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Artwork
Artistic representation of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Books related to Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is a romantic novel of Manners that satires the class and perspectives of people. In the novel of manners, the conventions of society have dominance over the story. The characters are differentiated based on their stand in the societal conventions.

Jane Austen’s novel deals with the domestic affairs of the English landed gentry of the 19th century. The novel of manners is a popular genre used in the 19th century. Notable writers of the novel of manners include Henry James, Evelyn Waugh, Jane Austen, Edith Wharton, and John Marquand.

Some of the notable works similar to that of Pride and Prejudice include Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, William Makepeace Thackeray’s  Vanity Fair,  Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary, Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, Guy de Maupassant’s Bel-Ami, Thomas Hardy’s  Tess of the d’Urbervilles, and  Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence.

The Lasting Impact of Pride and Prejudice

From January 28, 1813, the day Jane Austen’s second novel first saw print it has enchanted readers around the world, in every language, for 200 years. As a story of happily ever after, the novel has set a model for an infinite number of romantic novels, yet none equaled to replace the delights of Austen’s.

Beyond the “love” in the story, there is humor, hypocrisy, and scandal, all that makes it a story to inspire. The novel has been adapted several times for films and miniseries around the world.

It is obvious that the lasting impact Pride and Prejudice created will not die sooner amidst the lovers of literature even among the generation to come. Being one of the most popular novels in English literature, 20 million copies are sold so far. Also, the number of derivatives abound in modern literature, stand as a testimony to its popularity.

Pride and Prejudice Historical Context

‘Pride and Prejudice’ was written during the Georgian era (1714–1837) into which Jane Austen was born into. It was a period of transition along with Britain’s constant warfare abroad.

Pride and Prejudice Quotes

Love and Marriage, and, Pride and Prejudice go parallelly in the novel. The plot is set to move with the possibility of a prospective marriage and Mrs. Bennet’s worry about getting her daughters married well.

Pride and Prejudice Review

‘Pride and Prejudice’, the widely read novel of Jane Austen begins with a practical saying about the marriage of that time, introducing one of the major themes of the novel.

Pride and Prejudice Summary

‘Pride and Prejudice’, a romantic novel of manners, is a story of the two protagonists, taken over by their pride and prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice Themes and Analysis

A literary work, such as ‘Pride and Prejudice’, can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on the mood, prior knowledge, level of understanding, and perspective of the reader.