Resumo de Pride And Prejudice

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Austen's novels needed nothing more than a few countryside families for their plot and theme. Austen, a sarcastic observer of human inconsistencies, brings out thus, a novel of Pride And Prejudice's stature in which she wittily deals with the comedy of manners.

Immediately, we are thrown into the world of the Bennets, Lucases, Bingleys and the like: their gossips and preoccupations rein the author's narration so that the reader is acclimatised to the 19th century country England. The chase for prospective grooms for marriageable daughters which mothers zealously participate in and try to outwit each other are telling. Marriage manifests itself as the only promising refuge for a woman without property. The peculiar property laws of those times put the Bennet daughters in a highly precarious situation as the Bennet property would be entailed to a distant male relative called Collins after Mr Bennet's death. Thus Mrs Bennet has to undertake the grave responsibility of marrying off her five daughters before they become homeless and are compelled to become governesses.

The novel's action triggers off from a scene in the Bennet residence which is peopled by Mr Bennet, the nervous Mrs Bennet, and their five daughters; Jane, Elizabeth, Lidya, Kittie and Mary. It is interesting to note that most of the pivotal turning points of the novel's plot occur at balls. The Meryton Ball triggers the onset of various relationships. Love blossoms between Bingley, a rich and eligible bachelor, and Jane, the eldest and the most beautiful Bennet daughter. Unfortunately, Bingley's friend Darcy and Elizabeth fail to do the same. An insurmountable pride and prejudice is nurtured by each against the other thereby thwarting a relationship that could have begun well. The Netherfield ball testifies to Elizabeth's irrational pride as she is gullible enough to believe in Wickham's scandalous story to rigidify her own prejudice against Darcy.

The ludicrously pompous proposal of marriage offered by Collins to Elizabeth may be considered as one of the most comic proposals written in fiction. Lizzy, in spite of being aware of the precarious economic position she stands in, rejects his proposal pleading - 'do not consider me as an elegant female intending to plague you but a rational creature speaking ...' . Already facing the ire of her scheming mother for having acted thus, she is in for a rude shock when Charlotte Lucas, a close friend of hers, agrees to Collins' proposal. Considering marriage as the only possible security for herself, and realising that happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance, Charlotte gives into the then prevalent marriage of convenience. Mrs Bennet is visibly frustrated at being outwitted by her neighbour, Lady Lucas, in the plot of husband-hunting this time. The very thought of her neighbour's daughter occupying the Bennet residence after Mr Bennet's death leaves her in nervous fits. The novel's plot has reached its crisis.

However, things fortunately undergo a coveted metamorphosis. Darcy?s letter, in which he earnestly explains his stand and Lizzy?s visit to Darcy?s estate in Pemberley signal a marked shift in her attitude towards him. Darcy too realises that he had been unjustly proud to disdain Lizzy? low connections when he meets the Gardiners. When the relation of the pompous Lady Catherine de Bourgh with Darcy is revealed to Lizzy, it is Darcy?s turn to be ashamed. In the course of time, both Darcy and Elizabeth vindicate their subjective pride and prejudice and realise their affection for each other. At this crucial juncture, the news of the irresponsible Bennet daughter, Lidya?s elopement with Wickham is received. Lizzy is crestfallen; she apprehends that the chances of her betrothal with Darcy and the entire Bennet family?s honour stand in jeopardy. The redeeming act of Darcy rubbish all her apprehensions and Lidya?s elopement emerges as a blessing in disguise. By marrying off Lidya and Wickham and saving the Bennet family from disgrace, he rises in the esteem of the family and reveals his innate goodness es. Marriages between these two and the other between Bingley and Jane rest as an inevitable follow-up. However, the venomous side of the society reveals itself in the garb of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and the Bingley sisters who attempt at every possible step to avert the two marriages. Love finally overcomes the societal barriers and the lovers live a happy conjugal life thereafter.

The novel is highly praiseworthy for the new ideas that it strongly suggests at. The plea of being a rational creature demands attention and a worthier status for the woman as the heroine of the novel is the one who voices it. The two marriages across two different economic classes hint at an embracing social synthesis. However, I think the characters have been dealt with by the author in a slightly prejudiced manner. Mrs Bennet's worry has been unjustly caricatured. Darcy is imbecile enough to demand myriad talents from an eligible wife and regard Lizzy inferior when his own aunt is hopelessly pompous.Elizabeth, who proclaims herself as a rational creature, does not hesitate twice before believing in Wickham's story, someone who has an immensely questionable character. Charlotte, who had exhibited a rational outlook throughout is gradually sidelined and she stands disqualified moreover as a heroine because she is not beautiful.

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