"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
The opening line of Jane Austen's most famous novel, and one of the most famous sentences of English Literature. Jane Austen's books are so famous because she was one of the great women writers of early Victorian times when women writers were totally unheard of. Her stories were mostly on the mockery of the behaviour of women during those times.
Her insights were drawn from observations of modern (in those times) women who spurned the traditional role of marriage, thought they could challenge men and yearned for book learning, something that was denied to women, even the rich.
Whereas the other Victorian women writers (namely, the Bronte sisters) wrote more on romance and the proper behaviour of the middle-class, Jane Austen's stories could well have given the ideas for early feminism.
"Pride and Prejudice" is based on a middle-class family who have five daughters, Jane (the pretty and demure one), Elizabeth (the outspoken and intelligent one), Kitty (the materialistic and dreamy one), Mary (the ditzy and abnormal one), and Lydia (the wild and restless one). The mother Mrs Bennett's only wish was for the five girls to marry young, rich and good-looking gentlemen, and went all out to make sure she could achieve that, with little support from her husband.
The new neightbour Mr Bingley started courting Jane. He brought along a friend, Mr Darcy (five points for whoever who can give me his full name), whose first impression on the girls was one of arrogance, pompous and downright rude. Needless to say, Elizabeth became very prejudiced against him, and challenged whatever he said or did.
However fate sometimes played a fool with people. Mr Darcy found himself being drawn to Elizabeth's headstrong spirit and fell in love with her, which he felt was a big blow to his pride, as he always thought himself higher-class than the Bennett family. Elizabeth of course spurned all his advances. However, when her youngest sister Lydia eloped with her lover Wickham (a guy whom the mother deemed as unsuitable), Mr Darcy assisted them the best he could, thus changing Elizabeth's impression of him for the better.
The great question is that : do they end up together in the end and if they did, how? That is an answer which can only be found towards the end of the book. About almost the whole of the book will get one wondering whether they will get together. So for those who have read the book, I am sure you will know the answer. For those who have not, keep guessing.
The movie adaptation is coming up next week. I am looking forward to watching the show, although I believe it will be a rather summarised version of the book. But once you watch the movie, you will more or less know the gist of the story. However, for a better understanding of the entire story, especially on the love-hate relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, read the book anytime for more vivid details.
The opening line of Jane Austen's most famous novel, and one of the most famous sentences of English Literature. Jane Austen's books are so famous because she was one of the great women writers of early Victorian times when women writers were totally unheard of. Her stories were mostly on the mockery of the behaviour of women during those times.
Her insights were drawn from observations of modern (in those times) women who spurned the traditional role of marriage, thought they could challenge men and yearned for book learning, something that was denied to women, even the rich.
Whereas the other Victorian women writers (namely, the Bronte sisters) wrote more on romance and the proper behaviour of the middle-class, Jane Austen's stories could well have given the ideas for early feminism.
"Pride and Prejudice" is based on a middle-class family who have five daughters, Jane (the pretty and demure one), Elizabeth (the outspoken and intelligent one), Kitty (the materialistic and dreamy one), Mary (the ditzy and abnormal one), and Lydia (the wild and restless one). The mother Mrs Bennett's only wish was for the five girls to marry young, rich and good-looking gentlemen, and went all out to make sure she could achieve that, with little support from her husband.
The new neightbour Mr Bingley started courting Jane. He brought along a friend, Mr Darcy (five points for whoever who can give me his full name), whose first impression on the girls was one of arrogance, pompous and downright rude. Needless to say, Elizabeth became very prejudiced against him, and challenged whatever he said or did.
However fate sometimes played a fool with people. Mr Darcy found himself being drawn to Elizabeth's headstrong spirit and fell in love with her, which he felt was a big blow to his pride, as he always thought himself higher-class than the Bennett family. Elizabeth of course spurned all his advances. However, when her youngest sister Lydia eloped with her lover Wickham (a guy whom the mother deemed as unsuitable), Mr Darcy assisted them the best he could, thus changing Elizabeth's impression of him for the better.
The great question is that : do they end up together in the end and if they did, how? That is an answer which can only be found towards the end of the book. About almost the whole of the book will get one wondering whether they will get together. So for those who have read the book, I am sure you will know the answer. For those who have not, keep guessing.
The movie adaptation is coming up next week. I am looking forward to watching the show, although I believe it will be a rather summarised version of the book. But once you watch the movie, you will more or less know the gist of the story. However, for a better understanding of the entire story, especially on the love-hate relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, read the book anytime for more vivid details.
2 comments:
ha, u actually did!!!
Fitzwilliam Darcy-- 5 points answer?
Half correct. It's Fitzgerald Darcy!
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