Opening
Bibliographic Information:
Pride
and Prejudice / by Jane Austen
ISBN-10:
0-486-28473-5 / Dover Publications
p. 262 / $2.00 (Retail)
1813 (Original) / 1995 (Reprint)
Body of Content
Summary: The
novel Pride and Prejudice centers
around the courtships and marriages of the Bennett sisters – numbering five in
total – Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia. Elizabeth Bennett represents the chief
protagonist. The novel starts with a
bachelor – Mr. Bingley – looking for a partner to marry – visiting various
social events. His good friend, Mr.
Darcy accompanies him – but Elizabeth immediately forms an ill disregard for
the friend. She is prejudiced against him. But circumstances cause Elizabeth to visit his
household attending to another friend who is sick. Mr. Darcy misperceives her intentions. The Bennett parents worry about all of their
daughters’ futures – as a married life to a wealthy gentlemen is the chief aim
of many British females at the time – as a necessary means to secure their
future. Another man, Mr. Collins asks
for the hand of Elizabeth – but surprisingly, she declines his offer of
marriage. If Elizabeth does not marry
Mr. Collins, then who will she marry?
Critique: [Spoiler Alert] Novels are based upon building
tension to “the climax” of the novel – the zenith of the story’s actions –
before the story produces “falling action” to the novel’s conclusion. But before the climax, it is not uncommon for
multiple pivot points to stand as major markers within the story, which help
build the tension – serving to complicate and/or resolve narrative issues up to
that point.
One of these early pivot points occurs in the form of a
letter – or more directly, upon Elizabeth reading a letter written to her by
Mr. Darcy. In the earlier parts of the
novel, she had held a prejudice against him for various reasons – causing her
to hold a resentment and cautionary attitude towards him. After his role in breaking up her sister’s
engagement, the prejudice only hardened.
Then, the letter came (p. 133).
In the letter, Mr. Darcy explains his actions – how he actually protected
Elizabeth’s sister and the Bennett family from a playboy of a prodigal – from Mr.
Bingley.
Elizabeth’s thoughts and attitudes towards Mr. Darcy soften
after reading that letter – and the letter itself stands as an early pivot
point – which redirects the rest of the novel – towards a conclusion not
possible without the inclusion of the handwritten correspondence.
Teaser: “Love is afoot – love is
amiss – pray tell of this love!”
Information about the Author: Jane
Austen lived a few centuries removed from modern times – born in 1775 and dying
at the age of 41 in 1817. A famous
author of British descent, Austen wrote a handful of novels including the
aforementioned Pride and Prejudice, along
with Emma, Mansfield Park, and Sense and Sensibility (Wikipedia, 2011).
Her works continue to spawn modern redactions in both literature and
cinema including the satirical book Pride
and Prejudice and Zombies and the recent film The Jane Austen Book Club.
Actual adaptions of her works are still popular – particularly Pride and Prejudice.
Her themes often are comedic in nature – center on the perspectives of women – set against middle-class or affluent classes within English society – and deal with relationships, marriage,
and/or courtship (Wikipedia, 2011).
Supplemental Material
Genre: Drama / Romance /
Humor
Curriculum Ties: History – Victorian era,
social customs, English history
Booktalking Ideas: 1) How
does courtship compare to modern dating? 2) “Have you ever had to tread over a
sibling while pursuing a shared love interest?”
Reading Level: Women are more interested in
the title – with readership including ages 15-18.
Challenge Issues and Defense: Some adult situations and
content – overall, though, a pretty safe title.
Personal Reasons for Inclusion: I
actually like this book – which is a rare circumstance, given my chromosomal predispositions.
Last Thoughts
References:
Wikipedia.
(2011). Jane Austen [Webpage]. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen
Listening to (Music):
Artist – Beethoven / Album – “Symphony #9”
