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Pride and Prejudice
Public book overview with generated synopsis from the full running summary.

By Jane Austen

61 chapters2023en
SummaryEnglish
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Synopsis
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Mrs. Bennet’s relentless matchmaking begins when the wealthy Mr. Bingle arrives at Netherfield, quickly drawing the shy Jane’s affection while her aloof friend Mr. Darcy snubs the spirited Elizabeth, sparking her fierce prejudice against him; as balls, walks, and witty confrontations reveal Darcy’s hidden admiration and Wickham’s duplicitous charm, Elizabeth’s pride is shattered by Darcy’s candid letter and restored by his generous act in rescuing her sister Lydia from a scandalous elopement. The family’s fortunes sway with Mr. Collins’s absurd proposals, Charlotte’s pragmatic marriage, and the departure and return of Bingle, whose renewed devotion leads to his engagement to Jane. After Lady Catherine’s furious attempt to block the union, Darcy re‑proposes and Elizabeth, now enlightened by Darcy’s integrity and her own misjudgments, accepts. The novel concludes with the double happiness of Jane and Bingle’s marriage and Elizabeth and Darcy’s union, while the remaining Bennet sisters adjust to the new social order and the lingering consequences of Wickham’s folly.

Bibliographic Details
Details from the uploaded book file.

Primary Author

Jane Austen

Source Title

Pride and Prejudice

Publisher

Global Publishers

Language

en

Summary Language

English

Published Date

2023-08-29T18:30:00+00:00

Published Year

2023

Rights

Not available

Contributors

Jane Austen (Author)

Identifiers

UUID - 191517B7-F9CE-4583-B8CB-F438EC2370E9

Description

No bibliographic description provided.

Characters
Character directory for this processed book.

Elizabeth Bennet

female

Middle daughter, less beautiful than Jane but possesses quickness. Nurses Jane, endures mud‑covered walk, receives mixed praise and insults, engages in debates about accomplishments, declines cards, reads books offered by Bingley. Elizabeth engages in debate about country versus town and corrects her mother’s misunderstanding of Darcy’s comment Observed Darcy's admiration, refused his dance invitation, noted Miss Bingley's jealousy, and walked away alone Expresses indignation at Bingley’s situation and condemns Charlotte’s marriage to Mr. Collins Rejects Darcy's marriage proposal and confronts him with accusations about his role in separating Jane and Bingley and mistreating Wickham. Experiences intense emotional turmoil after reading Darcy's letter; recognizes her prejudice and vanity; feels shame and resolves to appear cheerful

Jane Bennet

female

Eldest daughter, considered more handsome than Lizzy. Suffers a cold, being nursed by Elizabeth at Netherfield; family arranges for a physician if she does not improve. Accepts that Mr. Bingley is likely lost to her and resolves to move on Her letters from Kent are read, showing her continued unease and lack of cheerfulness.

Lady Lucas

female

Accompanies Sir William in visiting newcomers. Lady Lucas expresses triumph at her daughter's marriage and visits Longbourn frequently

Lydia Bennet

female

Youngest daughter, described as lacking good humour. Lydia demands Bingley keep his promise of a Netherfield ball and insists on also a ball from Colonel Forster

Mr. Bennet

male

Sarcastic, capricious father of five daughters, resistant to wife’s marriage schemes. Shows concern for Jane's health and supports Elizabeth's nursing duties. Mr. Bennet remains calmly amused, commenting on Charlotte's foolishness

Mr. Bingley

male

Young, single, wealthy gentleman from the north renting Netherfield Park, income four to five thousand a year. Praises Elizabeth's walk, offers to fetch a physician for Jane, and discusses his family's library. Bingley says he may quit Netherfield quickly but considers himself fixed there despite a short lease Defended his quick temperament against criticism, engaged in a conversation about his impulsiveness Bingley and his sisters personally invite the Bennet sisters to a Netherfield ball Informed that he is staying in London for the winter and unlikely to return before summer

Mr. Morris

male

Landlord with whom Bingley agreed the lease of Netherfield.

Mrs. Bennet

female

Anxious mother intent on marrying off daughters, prone to nervousness and shallow judgments. Mrs. Bennet visits Netherfield, delays Jane's return, praises the estate, and pushes for a Netherfield ball Mrs. Bennet reacts with intense jealousy and resentment toward the marriage, fearing loss of estate

Mrs. Long

female

Visitor who informs the Bennets about the new tenant of Netherfield.

Sir William Lucas

male

Neighbour who intends to visit newcomers for social reasons. Sir William Lucas announces Charlotte's engagement to the Bennet family

Kitty Bennet

female

The youngest Bennet daughter who coughs frequently and is scolded by her mother.

Mary Bennet

female

The reflective, book‑reading Bennet daughter who remains quiet during the discussion. Mary declares she will attend the ball despite preferring mornings

Miss Bingley

female

Sister of Mr Bingley, lives with him, proud, conceited, educated at a private seminary, £20,000 fortune, enjoys social rank Insults Elizabeth's manners and appearance, engages in conversation about accomplishments, and mocks the Bennet family. Miss Bingley promises care for Jane while she stays and displays cold civility Jealous of Elizabeth, interferes in conversation, attempts to provoke Darcy, and shows anxiety about Jane's recovery Attempts to win Darcy's attention by proposing a dance, a ball, and a walk; critiques ordinary balls; invites Elizabeth to walk; engages in witty debate about pride and resentment. Accompanies Bingley in delivering the ball invitation Sends a letter boasting of Bingley’s winter residence and praising Miss Darcy

Mr Darcy

male

Friend of Mr Bingley, haughty, reserved, fastidious, intellectually superior, gives offense, disdainful of Meryton assembly, finds Elizabeth pretty but over‑smiles Defends Elizabeth's character, debates the definition of an accomplished woman, and remarks on the Bennet family's limited prospects. Darcy comments that poetry can nourish strong love but extinguish a faint one and debates country versus town Writing a long letter to Elizabeth, finished it after her suggestion, asked her to dance, showed admiration despite her disdain Remains absorbed in his book, refuses to join the walk, and openly admits his pride and resentful nature; later tolerates music. Darcy is implicated in Wickham’s accusations during Elizabeth’s discussion with Jane Darcy meets Elizabeth repeatedly in the park, asks about her happiness at Hunsford, and is revealed to have interfered in Bingley and Jane's potential marriage. Confesses his love for Elizabeth, admits his interference in Jane and Bingley's relationship, and acknowledges his role in Wickham's misfortunes. Provides detailed justification for separating Bingley and Jane, outlines his father's support of Wickham, and reveals Wickham's betrayal and attempted elopement with Georgiana, including her age and the involvement of Mrs. Younge. His explanatory letter is read by Elizabeth, revealing his true motives and kindness; briefly visits her home after the letter

Mrs Hurst

female

Sister of Miss Bingley, married to a fashionable but not wealthy man, shares similar proud attitudes Shares her low opinion of Elizabeth's appearance and comments on the Bennet family's marriage prospects. Participates in music and walking scenes, comments on the group's size Passively occupies herself with bracelets, occasionally joins Darcy's conversation, and consents to music. Accompanies Bingley in delivering the ball invitation

Charlotte Lucas

female

Elizabeth's close friend who offers marriage advice. Charlotte is described as plain and recalled to have had an unrequited suitor who wrote verses for her Charlotte Lucas accepts Mr. Collins's proposal and becomes engaged

Colonel Forster

male

Mentioned in Elizabeth's teasing about arranging a ball.

Mr. Hurst

male

Indolent husband of Mrs. Hurst, present at dinner, lives for eating, drinking, and cards. Observed Bingley and himself playing piquet Suggests a card‑table, is rebuffed, and ends the evening sleeping on a sofa.

Mr. Jones

male

Physician summoned to attend to Jane Bennet if her illness does not improve.

Captain Carter

male

Lydia refers to Captain Carter possibly returning to Meryton

Mr. Gardiner

male

Elizabeth mentions her brother Gardiner, indicating he lives in town and had a suitor for Charlotte

Mr. Collins

male

Cousin of Mr. Bennet, clergyman and heir to the Longbourn entail, seeks to make amends and proposes marriage to the Bennet daughters Collins proposes to dance with Elizabeth at the Netherfield ball, showing willingness to court her Mr. Collins announces his engagement to Charlotte and returns to Longbourn, staying mainly at Lucas Lodge Referenced indirectly as a poor match for Elizabeth

Mr. Denny

male

An officer who has just returned from London and introduces his friend Mr. Wickham to the Bennet sisters.

Mr. Wickham

male

A newly commissioned lieutenant returning from London, handsome and charming, whose appearance astonishes the Bennet party and Darcy and Bingley. Elizabeth recounts Wickham’s allegations against Darcy to Jane Mrs. Gardiner notes Wickham’s frequent presence among the officers and his conspicuous familiarity with Elizabeth, causing her concern. His background as his father's godson, his father's patronage, his abandonment of church plans, his financial support, and his attempt to elope with Georgiana with Mrs. Younge's aid. His falsehoods are exposed in Darcy's letter; Elizabeth now sees him as deceitful

Mrs. Phillips

female

The aunt who welcomes the Bennet sisters and Mr. Wickham, extending a dinner invitation and promising further social entertainment.

Charles Bingley

male

Brother of Mr. Bingley who travels to London with the Netherfield party

Georgiana Darcy

female

Mr. Darcy's sister referenced in Miss Bingley's letter as a desirable match She was fifteen and almost eloped with Wickham, but the plan was thwarted by Darcy.

Miss de Bourgh

female

Lady Catherine's daughter referenced indirectly in the letter Lady Catherine discusses her musical practice and encourages her to continue.

Mrs. Gardiner

female

Mrs. Gardiner, sister of Mr. Gardiner, arrives for Christmas, distributes presents, comments on Jane and Bingley’s broken match, blames Darcy for preventing contact, and observes Elizabeth’s acquaintance with Wickham, planning to advise Elizabeth.

Miss King

female

Introduced as a young lady toward whom Elizabeth feels impartial.

Lady Metcalf

female

A lady who thanked Lady Catherine for her patronage, mentioned briefly.

Mrs. Jenkinson

female

A lady attending Lady Catherine at Rosings, noted for encouraging Miss de Bourgh to eat more.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

male

young, courteous nephew of Lady Catherine who accompanies Mr. Darcy to Rosings; about thirty, not especially handsome but a true gentleman Flirts with Elizabeth, engages in lively conversation, praises music, mentions Anne and Georgiana, requests Elizabeth’s piano performance. Colonel Fitzwilliam discusses his annual park walk, his relation to Darcy, and reveals Darcy's interference in a marriage (likely Bingley and Jane). Mentioned as possibly accompanying Darcy but having no intention to travel with him. Remains at the Bennet house after Darcy's brief visit, hoping to see Elizabeth

Anne de Bourgh

female

Referred to by Colonel Fitzwilliam as a potential musician hindered by health.

Miss Younge

female

Facilitated Wickham's scheme to elope with Georgiana and was removed by Darcy.