essay questions about pride and prejudice

• Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Book Summary
• About Pride and Prejudice
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Chapters 1-5
• Chapters 6-9
• Chapters 10-14
• Chapters 15-18
• Chapters 19-23
• Chapters 24-27 (Volume II, 1-4)
• Chapters 28-32 (Volume II, 5-9)
• Chapters 33-36 (Volume II, 10-13)
• Chapters 37-42 (Volume II, 14-19)
• Chapters 43-46 (Volume III, 1-4)
• Chapters 47-50 (Volume III, 5-8)
• Chapters 51-55 (Volume III, 9-13)
• Chapters 56-61 (Volume III, 14-20)
• Character Analysis
• Elizabeth Bennet
• Fitzwilliam Darcy
• Jane Bennet
• Mrs. Bennet
• Lydia Bennet
• George Wickham
• Charlotte Lucas (later Collins)
• Character Map
• Jane Austen Biography
• Critical Essays
• Women's Roles in Early Nineteenth-Century Britain
• Money in Pride and Prejudice
• Full Glossary for Pride and Prejudice
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Examine Austen's use of irony throughout the novel. Give examples of structural irony as well as irony within the narrator's descriptions and characters' dialogue.

2. Explore the developing relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. How do they misunderstand each other, and when do they reach accord?

3. Why do you think Pride and Prejudice has such moving force for so many readers?

4. Darcy's behavior is very different at the end of the novel from what it is at the start. Do you think this change is credible within the story? Explain why or why not.

5. How do Elizabeth's forthrightness and independence represent an attack on the conservatism of characters like Lady Catherine De Bourgh?

6. The Meryton community is described as materialistic and fickle. How does town opinion affect the novel's progress?

7. Why is Elizabeth so anxious to distrust Mr. Darcy at the start of the novel, and to instead trust Mr. Wickham?

8. How do Elizabeth Bennet's ideas on marriage differ from her society's? Which characters in the novel share Elizabeth's views of marriage and which characters reflect society's perspective?

9. Show how Austen uses minor characters like Miss Bingley, Mr. Collins, and Lady Catherine De Bourgh to bring Elizabeth and Darcy together.

Previous Full Glossary for Pride and Prejudice

Next Practice Projects

Pride and Prejudice

By jane austen, pride and prejudice essay questions.

In which ways is Elizabeth different from the rest of the Bennet family? What does the contrast reveal about her character?

Elizabeth is one of the only characters in Pride and Prejudice who changes significantly over the course of the story. Her distinctive quality is her extreme perceptiveness, which she uses to assess others at the beginning of the novel and understand her own flaws at the end. Most of the other Bennets are stuck in their ways - Jane is eternally optimistic, Lydia and Mrs. Bennet are frivolous, Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and cynical, and so on - but Elizabeth regularly reflects on the events in her life. She learns to question herself whereas most of the others act as though they have settled on a certain worldview. Elizabeth is therefore a true individual who adapts to the world around her, and seeks constantly to better understand her desires so that she can find happiness.

Overall, do you believe Austen has a conservative or radical approach to the issue of class? Why or why not?

Ultimately, Pride and Prejudice takes a moderate stance on class differences. Austen never posits an egalitarian ideology. However, she does criticize the society's over-emphasis on class instead of individual moral character. Darcy's journey from extreme class-consciousness to prioritizing manners over money is the best example of Austen's criticism. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is affected upon visiting Pemberley. The grand estate does have an impact on her already changing feelings towards Darcy, which is one example of Austen justifying the appeal of the upper class. Overall, Austen accepts (and even appreciates) the existence of class hierarchy, but also offers a warning about how class-based prejudice can poison society.

Explore Austen's portrayal of the women in the novel. In what ways does she sympathize with their plight, and in what ways is she unsympathetic?

Austen's attitude towards women is quite complicated. Generally, Austen is critical of the gender injustices present in 19th century English society, particularly in the context of marriage. She is able to voice this criticism through characters like Charlotte Lucas (who marries Collins because she needs security) and even Mrs. Bennet (who, though ridiculous, is the only one to speak out against the entailment of Longbourn). Furthermore, Austen's caricatured portrayal of the younger Bennet daughters is evidence of her disdain for frivolous women. Her opinion was perhaps more in line with Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, or even the dour Mary. While Austen seems to accept the limitations of her gender, she criticizes a society that forces women to emphasize their least flattering characteristics.

Elizabeth has a markedly different attitude about marriage than other characters - notably Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet - have. To what extent is she unfair in her assessment of their attitudes, and to what extent might they benefit from employing her perspective?

Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet both believe that marriage is a business transaction in which a woman must be the active party in securing a good match for herself. This pragmatic assessment stands in stark contrast to Elizabeth's more romantic worldview. However, at this period in history, at least in certain higher classes, if a man chose not to marry, he only risked loneliness and regret. Meanwhile, a woman in the same situation could lose her financial security. Therefore, it is understandable why Charlotte and Mrs. Bennet believe that a woman must consider employing manipulation for the sake of her future. Charlotte deliberately draws Mr. Collins's attention in order to secure a proposal. However, Jane does not follow Charlotte's advice and nearly loses Bingley's love in the process. Lydia takes a drastic action that forces her marriage to occur. It is only Elizabeth who operates entirely outside the societal norm, but Austen makes it clear that her situation is quite unique.

Some critics applaud Austen's ability to craft psychologically complex and believable characters, while others believe she mostly creates well-drawn comic stock characters. Which argument do you support?

Though this question asks for an opinion, a strong thesis would be that Austen straddles the line between comic stock characters and psychologically complex ones. Elizabeth Bennet has a magnetic and singular personality, as does Darcy. They are arguably one of the most beloved literary couples of all time. On the other end of the spectrum, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine are almost trapped in their exaggerated personality traits, which Austen often uses for comic (and satirical) effect. However, Austen reveals a keen perception of human psychology, even through these supposedly two-dimensional characters. Mr. Collins, for instance, reflects the truth of a class-obsessed society. Mrs. Bennet embodies the desperation of women to find a good marriage. Therefore, Austen does create unique stock characters that emphasize certain aspects of human psychology while also providing comic relief.

Austen's original draft of this novel was titled First Impressions . Explain why this title makes sense, as explore the reasons why Pride and Prejudice is more apt.

First Impressions describes the main romantic conflict - will Elizabeth and Darcy end up together despite their first impressions of one another? However, Pride and Prejudice suggests a much deeper psychological struggle, more fitting to the complexity of Austen's novel. Whereas First Impressions only implies a story of corrected perceptions, Pride and Prejudice describes a story where the characters must investigate themselves, addressing the unconscious impulses that work to prohibit self-awareness. Finally, the final title is all-encompassing, reaching beyond just Elizabeth and Darcy. It offers a comment on the novel's larger themes like class and the role of women.

Darcy is initially attracted to Elizabeth's "fine eyes." Analyze this symbol, and explain what it shows about both Darcy and Elizabeth.

Despite Elizabeth's obvious coldness toward him, Darcy finds himself increasingly attracted to her, particularly her beautiful dark eyes. The darkness of her eyes also represents Elizabeth's main weakness‹: the pride and prejudice that cloud her perception. Elizabeth prides herself on her ability to judge others and uncover their motives. However, her prejudgment of Darcy makes her blind to his admiration. In the conversation about Darcy at Netherfield, Elizabeth offers that Darcy's defect is "a propensity to hate everybody," while Darcy perceptively replies that hers is "Œwillfully to misunderstand them." Indeed, while Elizabeth judges Darcy for over-valuing his first impression of her, she exhibits the exact same shortcoming. Ultimately, the darkness of her eyes reflects the complexity of Elizabeth's prejudice, but that complexity is very much what draws Darcy towards her in the first place.

In what ways does Austen portray the family and community as responsible for its members?

Though Pride and Prejudice is largely a story about individuality, Austen portrays the family unit as primarily responsible for the intellectual and moral education of children. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's failure to provide a proper education for their daughters leads to Lydia's utter foolishness. Elizabeth and Jane manage to develop virtue and discernment in spite of their parents' negligence, though it is notable that they have other role models like the Gardiners. Darcy shares both his father's aristocratic nature and the man's tendency towards generosity, while Lady Catherine's daughter is too frightened to speak. This attitude extends to the larger community, as well. Lydia's time in Meryton and Brighton bring out her worst impulses. Similarly, the community around Pemberley respects Darcy's generosity and follows his lead in being kind and trustworthy.

Though undoubtedly a comic character, Mr. Collins reflects some rather unattractive qualities of his society. Explain this statement.

Mr. Collins is defined by his rambling speeches of excessive formality and his boorishness disguised as faux-politeness. And yet, Mr. Collins is also a reflection of a society obsessed with class, a monster engendered by this singular pressure. Mr. Collins comes from modest means and likely always dreamed of a respectable position. When he attracted an aristocratic patroness like Lady Catherine, he saw only her rank, which made him blind to her harsh and condescending attitude. He compensates for his insecurity by pretending to act like Lady Catherine and those of her class. In this way, Collins and Lady Catherine are examples of the societal acceptance of class without manners but not the opposite.

Explain why Austen ends her novel with a line about the Gardiners, even though they are minor characters in Pride and Prejudice .

The Gardiners are important because they are a middle-class couple that behaves reasonably and virtuously. Mrs. Gardiner is a great role model for Elizabeth, though she reveals little unique personality of her own. Mr. Gardiner proves to be instrumental in saving Lydia from her scandalous elopement. They both acknowledge the importance of class and education, but place a greater emphasis on personal conduct. The Gardiners also externalize Darcy's inner struggle. When Darcy treats the Gardiners well at Pemberley and then later works with Mr. Gardiner to rescue Lydia, it indicates that he has internalized Elizabeth's view of personality and class. The novel thus ends on the Gardiners because is offers a final illustration that Elizabeth and Darcy have reached a happy medium between class and behavior beyond the barriers of pride and prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Pride and Prejudice is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Elizabeth is one of the only characters in Pride and Prejudice who changes significantly over the course of the story. Her distinctive quality is her extreme perceptiveness, which she uses to assess others at the beginning of the novel and...

What are reasons that Elizabeth thinks darcy may still be interested?

Did you need more detail?

Pride and Prejudice How might Mr. Bennet's earlier actions have prevented this scandal? Is Mr. Bennet responsible for his youngest daughter's behavior?

Mr. Bennet has always been compacent when it came to the well being of his daughters. Mr. Bennet's main interest was that his daughters married into money. Wickham was obviously a pompous jerk but he was also a wealthy well connected jerk. Mr....

Study Guide for Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice study guide contains a biography of Jane Austen, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Pride and Prejudice
• Pride and Prejudice Summary
• Pride and Prejudice Video
• Character List

Essays for Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

• Theme of Pride
• Epistolary Study of Austen
• Money as Social Currency in the Society Described in Pride and Prejudice
• Discretion and Design in Pride and Prejudice
• Eloquence: The Window To the Soul and the Number One Requirement for a Successful Courtship

Lesson Plan for Pride and Prejudice

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Pride and Prejudice
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Pride and Prejudice Bibliography

E-Text of Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice e-text contains the full text of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

• Chapters 1-6
• Chapters 7-14
• Chapters 15-23
• Chapters 24-33
• Chapters 34-42

Wikipedia Entries for Pride and Prejudice

• Introduction
• Plot summary
• Major themes

94 Pride and Prejudice Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best pride and prejudice topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting pride and prejudice topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about pride and prejudice, ❓ pride and prejudice essay questions.

• Essay on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen This essay contains the analysis of the novel, including the summary, description of the main characters and themes, personal opinion about the narrative, and conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay.
• Pride and Prejudice: Film Interpretation Collins, the cousin of the five sisters, is the probable heir to the family’s estate because of his close kinship to the family. In the midst of the journeys between London and Derbyshire, the viewers […] We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Pride and Prejudice: Mrs. Bennet Bennet cares for her daughters and husband, despite the ways she chooses to show her thoughtfulness that is often improper or inconsiderate, which makes her a good wife and mother.
• Importance of Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” The reader observes aspects of love, hatred, and humor in characters such as Elizabeth when she reacts to her sister’s letters.
• Stereotypes of Women in “Pride and Prejudice” In this novel of manners, the author describes the character development of the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, and depicts the society of late eighteenth and early nineteenth-century England with its values and flaws. One of the […]
• Character Analysis in Pride and Prejudice From the Feminist Perspective Darcy is a character who is able to evolve over the span of the story, and eventually, he recognizes his mistakes.Mr.
• Gardens in Pride and Prejudice In the novel, the author compares this garden to Darcy’s perception of himself. He boasts about how he knows the number and the location of each and every tree in the garden.
• Money, Status, and Marriage in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Women were under the care of the men of their families, and the search for a husband was the main path to higher status and wealth.
• Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility Macpherson asserts, In any erotic rivalry, the bond that links the two rivals is as intense and potent as the bond that links either of the rivals to the beloved.the bonds of “rivalry” and “love,” […]
• Style as Character Insight: The Use of Irony and Free Indirect Discourse in Jane Austen’s Major Works This event appears to be a seminal one in the life of the author, as the social theme of marriage plays out very much in several of Jane Austen’s novels, including Emma, and Sense and […]
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Characters Analysis Pride and Prejudice is, first of all, a profoundly realistic representation of characters and tempers, albeit not of the English society as a whole, but of its privileged groups since the end of the 18th […]
• The Concepts of Identity in Ibi Zoboi’s Remix “Pride and Prejudice” The surrounding atmosphere and cultural specificities influence the characters’ personalities throughout the story and change their attitude towards the particular minorities and races.
• Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen The paper will include the explanation of the letters’ primary function and the analysis of letters. Gardiner to Lizzy is significant in a way that it changes the latter’s perception of Darcy.
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Research Paper on the Book It is in the third chapter of the novel that Austen builds the characters of Bingley and Darcy through their manners: “Mr.
• “Pride and Prejudice”: Analysis of a Passage The story, the characters, the setting, and even the speech of the characters make strong references to the environments of the beginning of the 19th century in England.
• Why to Read “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen In addition to undermining the historical gender stereotypes, the novel portrays the importance of women’s social status in the Victorian era and their dependence on their husbands’ or parents’ financial situation.
• The Novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice can rightfully be considered one of the best works in the history of literature. But what is most striking in the book, Pride and Prejudice, is the expression of deep topics through […]
• J. Austen’s “Sense & Sensibility”, “Pride and Prejudice”, and “Emma” Dwelling in the world of words and literature, one closed to the ‘fairer sex’ of her time, she earned for herself not just the fame of a good author but one widely read even to […]
• “Pride and Prejudice” by Austen: Chapter 43 The reason for writing the piece was to explore the place of marriage in society and what is meant to women during the 18th century. In such a quote, the reader realizes that Elizabeth wanted […]
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith Zombies described in the book are called the unmentionables and, to the greatest extent, correspond to the classic image introduced by George A.
• Jane Austen’s Novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ The current study explores the link between romance with the natural, the supernatural, and emotion versus reality to understand romanticism characteristics in the novel.
• Robinson Crusoe’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Daniel Defoe and Jane Austen In the novel, Robinson Crusoe, Defoe describes it as a history of facts that seeks to portray the social institutions and structures of the medieval British society.
• Marriage in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen In spite of the predominance of this vision of the marriage and the woman’s role in society, Jane Austen in her Pride and Prejudice proposes several possible variants of realizing the scenario of meeting the […]
• Pride and Prejudice: Critical Analysis A number of styles are hard to ignore in the second part of the screen play, which focuses solely on the characters and the plot.
• The Adaptation of Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”: A Film Analysis of the Netherfield Ball Scene
• The Ages of the Reason and the Jane Austen’s Characters in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Allowance of the Dignity and Pride in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Representations of Femininity in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Changes Experienced by Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Changing Relationship Between the Central Character in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Good and Bad Aspects of the Film Adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• Women’s Rights in “Pride and Prejudice” and Persuasion by Jane Austen
• The Literary Analysis of “Pride and Prejudice” Through an Early Renaissance Prism
• The Mannerisms of the 19th Century in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Evolution of the Relationship of the Characters of Elizabeth and Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Matrimonial Value Orientation in “Pride and Prejudice”
• A Comparison of “The Odd Women” by George Gissing and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Portrayal of the Characters in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Pride and Prejudice of Elizabeth Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• Women’s Social Status and Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Problems With Marriage: The Contrasting Relationships in “Pride and Prejudice”
• Mrs. Bennet’s Relationship With Her Children in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Representation of Civility in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin and in Part IV of “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift
• A Critique of the Regency Period in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Roles of the Bennet Parents, Elizabeth, and Jane in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Running Theme of Pride and Prejudice in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• Women of Different Eras in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Bridget Jones Diary”
• The Satirization of Society’s Flaws in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Role of Property in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Significance of First Impressions in the Victorian Age Portrayed in “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Similarities Between the Novel and Film Version of “Pride and Prejudice”
• Societal Pressures and Expectations in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Theme of Happiness Demands Pride to Be Replaced by Self-Respect and Humility in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Importance of Dialogue in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
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• The Themes of Class and Class Consciousness as Seen in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austin
• The Themes of Irony, Values, and Realism in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
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• The Themes of Marriage, Social Class and Wealth, Love and Pride in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Use of Satire and Irony in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
• The Value of Letters in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
• The Ways the Theme of Pride and Prejudice Is Revealed Through the Characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy
• Understanding the Characters Through Their Actions in “Pride and Prejudice”
• What Is the Significance of Netherfield in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Who Was Mr. Collins’ Benefactor in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Contrasting Places Contribute to Theme in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Accurately Does Truth Universally Acknowledge Prove to Be in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Wealth and Class Contribute to “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen?
• What Year Did “Pride and Prejudice” Take Place?
• How Does Jane Austen Develop Mr. Collins’s Character in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Austen Use Contrasting Characters in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Contrasting Places Contribute to Theme in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Did Jane Austen Write “Pride and Prejudice” About Herself?
• How Does Austen Portray the Theme of Manners and Etiquette in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Does the 1995 BBC Adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” Enhance Your Understanding of the Novel?
• How Are the Concepts of Love and Marriage Explored in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Austen Create Her Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Are Examples of Irony in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Austen Present the Relationship Between Darcy and Elizabeth in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Are the Reader’s First Impressions of Darcy in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does Jane Austen Portray Pride in the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Was Life Easier for the Young Ladies of “Pride and Prejudice” Than It Is for Young Ladies Today?
• Why Does Mr. Darcy Flex His Hand in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Does Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Follow the Conventions of a Romantic Novel?
• Why Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Is Considered a Classic Novel?
• How Does Jane Austen Present Women’s Role in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does “Pride and Prejudice” Reflect Society?
• What Is Ironic About the First Sentence in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• How Does the First Chapter Introduce Us to the Main Themes and Central Concerns in “Pride and Prejudice”?
• What Is the Main Point of “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Why Is the First Line of “Pride and Prejudice” So Famous?
• How Does Jane Austen Create Negative Feelings Toward Mr. Darcy in the First Few Chapters of “Pride and Prejudice”?
• Does “Pride and Prejudice” Reinforce or Erode Sexist Stereotypes of Women?
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Pride and Prejudice

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Pride and Prejudice: Introduction

Pride and prejudice: plot summary, pride and prejudice: detailed summary & analysis, pride and prejudice: themes, pride and prejudice: quotes, pride and prejudice: characters, pride and prejudice: symbols, pride and prejudice: literary devices, pride and prejudice: quizzes, pride and prejudice: theme wheel, brief biography of jane austen.

Historical Context of Pride and Prejudice

Other books related to pride and prejudice.

• Full Title: Pride and Prejudice
• When Written: 1797-1812
• Where Written: Bath, Somerset, England
• When Published: 1813
• Literary Period: Classicism/Romanticism
• Genre: Novel of manners
• Setting: Hertfordshire, London, and Pemberley, all in England at some time during the Napoleonic Wars (1797–1815)
• Climax: The search for Lydia and Wickham
• Antagonist: There is no single antagonist. The sins of pride and prejudice function as the main antagonizing force
• Point of View: Third person omniscient

Extra Credit for Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Silver Screen? Pride and Prejudice was first adapted for movies in a 1940 production starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. It was again filmed in 1995, as a mini-series for A&E Television, featuring Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. The most recent production stars Keira Knightley as Elizabeth and was filmed in 2005.

First Impressions: Austen's initial title for her manuscript was "First Impressions." Though the book was eventually published as Pride and Prejudice , the initial title hints at the story's concern for social appearances and the necessity of finding people's true qualities beneath the surface.

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117 Pride and Prejudice Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a classic novel that has captivated readers for centuries. The story follows the lives of the Bennet sisters as they navigate romance, social status, and family dynamics in Regency-era England. With its timeless themes of love, class, and societal expectations, Pride and Prejudice continues to be a popular choice for literary analysis and discussion.

If you're in need of inspiration for an essay on Pride and Prejudice, look no further. We've compiled a list of 117 essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started on your assignment. Whether you're focusing on character analysis, themes, or literary devices, there's something here for every type of essay.

Character Analysis:

• Analyze the character of Elizabeth Bennet and her development throughout the novel.
• Explore the role of Mr. Darcy as a romantic hero in Pride and Prejudice.
• Discuss the character of Mrs. Bennet and her obsession with marrying off her daughters.
• Examine the relationship between Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley.
• Compare and contrast the personalities of Lydia Bennet and Mary Bennet.
• Analyze the role of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in the novel.
• Discuss the character of Mr. Collins and his social climbing tendencies.
• Explore the character of Mr. Wickham and his impact on the plot.
• Examine the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and its effects on their daughters.
• Discuss the character of Charlotte Lucas and her decision to marry Mr. Collins.

Themes: 11. Explore the theme of social class in Pride and Prejudice. 12. Discuss the role of marriage and courtship in Regency-era England. 13. Analyze the theme of love and romance in the novel. 14. Examine the theme of reputation and its importance to the characters. 15. Discuss the theme of pride and prejudice and its impact on the plot. 16. Explore the theme of gender roles and expectations in the novel. 17. Analyze the theme of family dynamics and relationships. 18. Discuss the theme of self-awareness and personal growth. 19. Examine the theme of judgment and misunderstandings in the novel. 20. Explore the theme of wealth and its influence on the characters' decisions.

Literary Devices: 21. Analyze the use of irony in Pride and Prejudice. 22. Discuss the role of satire in the novel. 23. Examine the use of dialogue to reveal character traits. 24. Analyze the use of foreshadowing in the plot. 25. Discuss the use of symbolism in Pride and Prejudice. 26. Explore the theme of appearance vs. reality in the novel. 27. Analyze the use of humor in the narrative. 28. Discuss the role of setting in conveying themes and mood. 29. Examine the use of narrative voice in the novel. 30. Explore the role of letters and correspondence in the plot.

Essay Examples: 31. How does Elizabeth Bennet defy societal expectations of women in Pride and Prejudice? 32. Analyze the role of Mr. Darcy as a romantic hero in the novel. 33. Discuss the theme of social class and its impact on the characters' relationships. 34. Explore the character of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her influence on the plot. 35. How does Jane Austen use irony to critique the societal norms of her time in Pride and Prejudice? 36. Analyze the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and its effects on their daughters. 37. Discuss the theme of love and romance in the novel, focusing on the relationships between the characters. 38. How does the novel explore the theme of pride and prejudice through the characters' interactions? 39. Analyze the role of marriage and courtship in Regency-era England, using examples from the novel. 40. Discuss the theme of self-awareness and personal growth in Pride and Prejudice, focusing on Elizabeth Bennet's journey.

With these 117 essay topic ideas and examples, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any assignment on Pride and Prejudice. Whether you're analyzing character development, exploring themes, or examining literary devices, there's plenty to unpack in Jane Austen's beloved novel. Happy writing!

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Discussion Questions for Pride and Prejudice

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Pride and Prejudice is one of the most well-known works by Jane Austen . A classic piece of literature, the ever satiric Jane Austen brings us a love story that is both critical of 19th-century English society and reminds us not to take first impressions too seriously. 

Still very popular, Pride and Prejudice is a great story to discuss with friends and classmates. Here is a list of questions that can be used for conversation.

• What is important about the title?
• What conflicts did you notice in Pride and Prejudice ? Were they physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional conflicts?
• How does Jane Austen reveal character in Pride and Prejudice ?
• What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
• What are some symbols in Pride and Prejudice ? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
• Is Elizabeth Bennet consistent in her actions? Is she a fully developed character? How so?
• Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters people you would want to meet?
• Does the novel end the way you expected? Why?
• What is the primary purpose of the novel? Do you find the purpose important or meaningful?
• How does the novel relate to feminist literature ?
• How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?
• What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single and/or independent women?
• Would you recommend this novel to a friend?
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• 50 General Book Club Questions for Study and Discussion
• 'Pride and Prejudice' Overview
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• 'Pride and Prejudice' Quotes Explained
• 'The Old Man and the Sea' Questions for Discussion
• How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story
• 'Pride and Prejudice' Themes and Literary Devices

Pride and Prejudice

164 pages • 5 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Volume 1, Chapters 1-3

Volume 1, Chapters 4-6

Volume 1, Chapters 7-10

Volume 1, Chapters 11-15

Volume 1, Chapters 16-18

Volume 1, Chapters 19-23

Volume 2, Chapters 1-6

Volume 2, Chapters 7-11

Volume 2, Chapters 12-15

Volume 2, Chapters 16-19

Volume 3, Chapters 1-3

Volume 3, Chapters 4-10

Volume 3, Chapters 11-14

Volume 3, Chapters 15-19

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

What is Charlotte Lucas’s approach to marriage, and how does it explain why she marries Mr. Collins? How does her decision to marry Mr. Collins reflect women’s roles in Austen’s day?

What is it about Elizabeth that attracts Darcy, and how does she continue to draw him in as the novel progresses? Describe how the qualities criticized by Lady Catherine—and the qualities that make Elizabeth reject Darcy’s first proposal—are the very qualities that make Darcy fall in love with her. Describe Mr. Collins’s opinions of these same qualities.

Compare and contrast the marriages in Pride and Prejudice . Consider Mr. and Mrs. Bennet , Lydia and Wickham, Charlotte and Mr. Collins , Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Jane and Bingley, or Elizabeth and Darcy. Which marriages are unhappy, and why? What, according, to the novel, is necessary for a happy marriage? Why does Mr. Bennet warn Elizabeth against choosing a husband she is “unable to respect” (350)?

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A Summary and Analysis of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Pride and Prejudice , published in 1813, is Jane Austen’s best-known and probably most widely studied novel. But what does the novel mean? What is it really all about? And where did that title, Pride and Prejudice , come from?

Before we attempt to answer some of these questions, it might be worth recapping the plot of Austen’s novel. So, before our analysis of Pride and Prejudice , here’s a brief plot summary.

Pride and Prejudice : plot summary

A wealthy man named Mr Bingley moves to the area, and Mrs Bennet – mother of five daughters – tells her husband to call on the eligible young bachelor. A match between Bingley and the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, is soon in the works – but a match between another rich bachelor, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, and the second-eldest Bennet daughter, Elizabeth, looks less likely.

This is because Mr Darcy’s pride – his haughty attitude towards Elizabeth Bennet and her family – sour her view towards him, while Elizabeth’s prejudice towards Mr Darcy is also a stumbling-block. After he acts in an arrogant and disdainful way towards her at a ball, she learns from a young soldier, Mr George Wickham, that Darcy apparently mistreated him.

Wickham is the son of a man who used to be Darcy’s steward or servant, and Darcy acted unkindly towards the young George. Darcy’s and Bingley’s sisters conspire to drive a wedge between Mr Bingley and Jane Bennet because they believe Bingley can find a wife from a better social station than the Bennets.

Meanwhile, Darcy also has an arrogant aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who acts as patroness to a clergyman named Mr Collins, who in turn flatters her with disgusting servility. (Mr Collins is also Mr Bennet’s nephew: since Mr and Mrs Bennet have no sons, Mr Bennet’s estate is due to pass to Mr Collins when Mr Bennet dies.)

Mr Collins is encouraged to ask one of the Bennet sisters for her hand in marriage, and he decides upon Elizabeth. She, however, turns him down, and he marries Charlotte Lucas instead.

The happy couple get together, and Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but it’s clear he still views her and her family with some contempt because he is of a higher social status than they are. She responds by citing George Wickham’s accusations against him; she also thinks he played a part in breaking up the match between her sister, Jane, and Bingley.

However, in a later letter to her, Darcy reveals that Wickham cannot be trusted: he is a womaniser and a liar. Elizabeth visits Darcy’s home, Pemberley, while visiting the north of England with her aunt and uncle. Darcy welcomes them and introduces them to his sister.

Darcy’s words about Wickham are proved true, as the soldier elopes with Lydia, the youngest of the five Bennet sisters. Darcy tracks the two lovebirds down and persuades them to marry so Lydia is made an honest woman of. Bingley and Jane finally get engaged, and Darcy and Elizabeth overcome their ‘pride and prejudice’ and become a couple.

Pride and Prejudice : analysis

In his vast study of plot structures, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories , Christopher Booker suggests that Pride and Prejudice is more straightforwardly in the ‘comedy’ genre than it may first appear to be. He points out that much of the novel turns on misunderstandings, characters misreading others’ intentions or others’ personalities, and people generally getting things wrong: the Bennets think Mr Wickham is the wronged one and Darcy the villain, but it turns out that they have this the wrong way around.

So what used to be more explicit in, say, stage comedies of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries – indeed, going right back to Shakespeare – is made more subtle and internalised in Austen’s novel, and rather than having her characters literally confuse one person with another (because of some absurd coincidence, wearing similar clothing, and so on), her characters find they have misread a person’s motive or misjudged their honesty, as with Mr Wickham.

This is why the title of the novel is so important: Darcy and Elizabeth’s union at the end of the novel strikes us as true because they have had to overcome their own personal flaws, which prevent a union between them, but having done so they have an honest and realistic appraisal of each other’s personality. They have, if you like, ‘seen’ each other.

We might contrast this with the various illusions and misapprehensions in the novel, or the other motivations driving people together (Mr Collins trying to woo Elizabeth simply because she’s the next Bennet sister in the list).

Is  Pride and Prejudice  a late Augustan work or a novel belonging to Romanticism? Romanticism was largely a reaction against Augustan values: order, rationalism, and the intellect were tempered if not wholly replaced by the Romantic values of freedom, emotion, and individualism.

But whether we should regard  Pride and Prejudice  as Augustan or Romantic is a question that divides critics. Terry Eagleton, in The English Novel: An Introduction , points out that Austen was not somebody who trusted wholly in the supremacy of reason, not least because her beliefs – what Eagleton calls her Tory Christian pessimism, which made her alert to the flawed nature of all human beings – would not allow her to be so. Austen is aware that human beings are imperfect and, at times, irrational.

And in this connection, it is worth pondering what Andrew H. Wright observes in Jane Austen’s Novels, a Study in Structure : that the reason Elizabeth Bennet, rather than Jane, is the real heroine of  Pride and Prejudice  is that Jane is not flawed enough. She is too perfect: something that would make her the ideal heroine for most novels, but the very reason she cannot be the protagonist of a Jane Austen novel.

Austen is too interested in the intricate and complex mixture of good and bad, as Wright points out: Austen likes the explore the flaws and foibles of her characters. Elizabeth, in being taken in by Wickham and his lies and in misjudging (or at least partly misjudging) Darcy, is flawed because both her pride  and  prejudice need tempering with a more nuanced understanding of the man she will marry.

The opening line of Pride and Prejudice is arguably the most famous opening line of any novel: ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ But what is less widely known is that the tone of this opening line is clearly ironic.

Far from being Austen the detached, impartial narrator, this is actually Austen ventriloquising her characters’ thoughts – specifically, those of Mrs Bennet, whose views in the novel are often derided by Austen’s narrator – using a narrative technique which Austen did so much to pioneer.

This technique is known as free indirect speech , and it is what makes Austen’s prose so full of wit and surprise, so we always have to keep an ear out for her narrators’ arch commentary on the characters and situations being described. (The clue in this opening line is in the phrase ‘universally acknowledged’, since how many things in life really are truly universally acknowledged?)

Pride and Prejudice was originally titled First Impressions , but that eventual title, Pride and Prejudice , was a cliché even when Austen used it for her novel. The phrase is found in two important works of the 1770s, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and Edward Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire .

But the most important precursor to Austen’s novel by a long way is Fanny Burney’s 1782 novel Cecilia , in which that phrase, ‘pride and prejudice’, appears three times in rapid succession, with the words ‘pride’ and ‘prejudice’ capitalised: ‘The whole of this unfortunate business, said Dr Lyster, has been the result of PRIDE and PREJUDICE. […] if to PRIDE and PREJUDICE you owe your miseries, so wonderfully is good and evil balanced, that to PRIDE and PREJUDICE you will also owe their termination.’

Austen learned a great deal from Burney, and refined the comedy of manners which Burney had helped to pioneer several decades earlier.

Pride and Prejudice is, in the last analysis, one of the great comedies in the English language, because in its construction it takes the hallmarks of romantic comedy and refines them, making subtle and abstract what was literal and physical in earlier stage comedies.

It is also a novel about how true love needs to be founded on empirical fact: we need to know the person we’re marrying, to see them with our own eyes, rather than rely on others’ opinion or let ourselves be blinded by romantic notions and delusions.

1 thought on “A Summary and Analysis of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”

It’s a brilliant romantic novel, but, yes, it’s a comedy as well. Mr Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and even Mrs Bennet verge on the pantomimish sometimes, and Miss Bingley is so bitchy that she’d have fitted very well into Dallas or Dynasty :-) .

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Practice questions

A comprehensive selection of 32 essay questions for A-level students organised by theme for use in class, for exam practice and preparation. The themes include the following:

• individuals and society
• moral judgements
• relationships and themes
• attitudes to money and marriage
• attitudes to being single 
• author/reader relationship
• irony and narrative technique
• dynamics of male-female relationships.

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Pride & Prejudice: Essay Topics & Samples

The acuteness of conflicts raised in a literary work defines its value. Pride and Prejudice discussion questions extend from feminist criticism of women’s position in the XIX century to the analysis of the writing devices that Jane Austen employs. Every protagonist is symbolic here. They highlight such or another trait of character. The study of these allusions can be both fascinating and intellectually rewarding.

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Do you need to write a research paper or an essay on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen? Essay topics can be hard to find, but Custom-Writing.org experts are here to help you! Below you can find the top ten topics and extended Pride and Prejudice essay prompts and samples to draw more ideas.

• 💡 Essay Topics
• ✒️ Essay Samples

💡 Pride and Prejudice: Essay Topics

Don’t know where to start your essay on Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen? Check out the essay ideas to help you write a successful paper!

• The role of books in Pride & Prejudice . In her novel, Austen satirizes the literary works and the readers who represent the two kinds of excess: overly moralizing and overly romanticizing. What are the reading preferences of shallow and selfish Mr. Collins? What does Elizabeth prefer to read? Are characters who like reading better at understanding the background of other people’s actions?
• The meaning of marriage in Pride and Prejudice . The essay should draw the line between a good and a bad marriage as Austen’s contemporaries saw it. Why was a wedding the supreme purpose of life for most women? Was it only striving for love and companionship or an obligatory social construct?
• The theme of letters in Pride and Prejudice . The novel contains about 40 letters, cited or discussed, making them a significant part of the narrative. What role do they play? How do they supplement the dialogues between the protagonists? How do letters introduce the characters’ private thoughts to the reader?
• The role of setting in Pride & Prejudice. The novel takes place in several estates. These houses differ by their design, architecture, wealth, and atmosphere. What does Pemberley symbolize in Pride and Prejudice ? Why is it placed in the center of the entire novel setting? What role does Longbourn play in the life of the Bennet family? What is the symbolism of Lady Catherine’s mansion?
• What is the key message of Pride and Prejudice ? The critical essay should examine why Jane Austen was so concerned about the status of females in the XIX century. A woman’s life depended a lot on her social class. Still, her purposes in life were relatively the same, regardless of her fortune and pedigree.
• The meaning of the first line in Pride and Prejudice . The novel’s first line is saturated with irony: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Why is this quote ironic in the context of the novel?
• Characters ’ descriptions in Pride and Prejudice. The book is poor in descriptions. How does Austen present her characters? How does the reader learn about their thoughts, weaknesses, appearance, and ways of conduct? Discuss the epithets describing the protagonists and analyze their meaning. How do the characters’ property and their opinion about it characterize them?
• The motif of journey in Pride and Prejudice. The motif of journey holds a valuable place in the destiny of Austen’s characters. During a trip, they can think over their relationships with other people, analyze their mistakes, and reconsider their conclusions. Make a summary of all journeys in the novel and show how they changed the protagonists.
• Whose views on marriage do you support: those of Charlotte Lucas or those of Elisabeth Bennet? Elizabeth is idealistic about marriage: she expects to be happy and marry for love. On the contrary, Charlotte says that “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” She suggests that happiness is not more than a nice bonus. Whose position do you support? Can we say that Charlotte was happy in her marriage? Can we take for granted that Elizabeth will still be pleased after some years of couplehood?
• Elizabeth or Darcy: who is more prejudiced? The book title shows the reader what to focus on. Find out the manifestations of pride and prejudice in the words and actions of Elizabeth and Darcy. How did these traits complicate their lives? Is Darcy’s prejudice stronger than Elizabeth’s pride, or do both of them have these features in different proportions?

✒️ Pride & Prejudice: Essay Samples

Below you’ll find a collection of Pride & Prejudice essay examples. You are welcome to use them for inspiration!

• Pride & Prejudice : literary analysis
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What happens when marriage is the only option to get settled in life? How do pride and prejudice complicate our lives? Jane Austen answers these questions in her famous novel. There, Victorian England culture and society are shown through the characters with different backgrounds and personalities. Pride & Prejudice Study...

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Pride And Prejudice: 20 Most Memorable Quotes, Ranked

• Pride and Prejudice movie adaptation connected with new audiences, still widely admired.
• Jane Austen's timeless works stand the test of time, relevant then and now.
• Iconic movie quotes like "You have bewitched me, body and soul" highlight romantic drama.

The 2005 film adaptation of this classic Jane Austen novel has brought Pride and Prejudice movie quotes to a whole new demographic of audiences. Starring Keira Knightley, Rosamund Pike, Donald Sutherland, Matthew Macfadyen, and many others, Pride and Prejudice was a remarkably wonderful adaptation. This period drama wasn't as stilted and dreary as many period dramas. This romantic drama connected with a new generation, and is still widely watched and admired by fans.

Jane Austen's works continue to be some of the most popular adaptations since their release in the early 1800s. Austen's novels have stood the test of time as people read and reread her work for her prose. Her universal plots and characters are as relevant now as they were in the 19th century. There have been several adaptations of Austen's work. Thanks to the Pride and Prejudice movie quotes, it remains a highlight from her adaptations, still connecting with audiences over 20 years after its release.

Pride & Prejudice: The 17 Best Movie & TV Adaptations

"lizzy for every day, my pearl for sundays, and...goddess divine... but only on very special occasions.", elizabeth bennet to mr. darcy.

"You may only call me "Mrs. Darcy"... when you are completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy."

By the end of Pride & Prejudice , Elizabeth Bennet had gotten past her pride and Mr. Darcy had shed his prejudice, and they finally found love with each other. Throughout most of the movie, Mr. Darcy couldn't communicate well with Elizabeth, feeling flustered, confused, and embarrassed, often in equal measure. However, in the end, they found their way into each other's arms and both were completely in love .

Elizabeth says he should only call her Mrs. Darcy when he is " incandescently happy ."

This final scene saw them sitting outdoors, the house in the far background. He looked into her eyes and called her " my dear ," which Elizabeth didn't like. As she explained, that is what her father called her mother when he was angry. When Mr. Darcy asked what he should call her, she gave him this fun list of names. When Elizabeth says he should only call her Mrs. Darcy when he is " incandescently happy ," he calls her that exact name - five times in a row - before kissing her to end the movie.

"You See, He And I Are So Similar."

Elizabeth to mr. bennet.

"He's Been A Fool About So Many Things, About Jane, And Others... But Then, So Have I."

When Mr. Darcy asks Mr Bennet for Elizabeth's hand in marriage, Elizabeth comes in next to talk to her dad. He knows that Elizabeth has been unhappy with Mr. Darcy's actions throughout the movie. He wants to make sure from her that this is really something she wants since he believes she " hates " Mr. Darcy. That is when Elizabeth breaks down and says she doesn't hate Mr. Darcy at all; she loves him. When Mr. Bennet seems confused, Elizabeth explains that Mr. Darcy did some foolish things, but she did as well.

Both of them were prideful and both showed a sense of prejudice in their actions. It was when Elizabeth realized that they were both to blame that she realized that she loved him and he loved her back. This is when she finally decided she wanted marriage. This was something that Elizabeth had to learn about herself, and she explained it perfectly to her father, as she realized she was as foolish as Mr. Darcy, and the only way to find happiness was to admit their shortcomings.

"I Cannot Believe That Anyone Can Deserve You..."

Mr. bennet to elizabeth.

"But It Apppears I Am Overruled. So, I Heartily Give My Consent."

Donald Sutherland is masterful in Pride & Prejudice as Mr. Bennet. While Elizabeth's mother is a handful and often overwhelmed, Mr. Bennet remains composed, cares for his family, and mostly, loves his Lizzie with all his heart and soul. When Mrs. Bennet tries to force Elizabeth into a marriage without love, Mr. Bennet disapproves. However, when Elizabeth finally finds love, he is overwhelmed with emotion . This comes after Mr. Darcy asks for Elizabeth's hand in marriage.

When she tells her father she loves Mr. Darcy completely, tears come to Mr. Bennet's eyes.

Mr. Bennet does not know how to react. He believes Darcy to be a cruel man for much of the movie, only to learn of his true heart by the end. When Mr. Darcy asks for Elizabeth's hand in marriage, Mr. Bennet wants to ensure it is what she wants. When she tells her father she loves Mr. Darcy completely, tears come to Mr. Bennet's eyes as he delivers this line to show his happiness with his daughter finally finding love. Mrs. Bennet wants to push all her daughters into marriage, but Mr. Bennet wants more for Elizabeth.

"Oh, 'Quite Well' Is Not 'Very Well.' I'm Satisfied."

Elizabeth to georgiana darcy.

There was a scene in the movie where Elizabeth sees Mr. Darcy hugging a young woman. She rushes out in a panic, believing that this is Mr. Darcy's romantic partner and that she mistook his affection for her, but it's his younger sister. When Elizabeth realizes the error, she returns and meets Georgiana. She says her brother says Elizabeth plays the piano "so well." This comment refers to a previous scene in the movie when Lady Catherine forces Elizabeth to play.

Elizabeth dismisses the compliment and Mr. Darcy explains he said "very well" and not "so well." It was fun wordplay that showed their awkwardness in their relationship and the fact it refers back to a previous awkward moment for Elizabeth, making light of it as a new beginning for the two. Pride & Prejudice is as much a comedy of errors as a romantic epic. Many things happen that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth take the wrong way, and it causes their relationship to have several peaks and valleys.

10 Reasons Why 2005's Pride & Prejudice Is Perfect, According To Reddit

"you have insulted me in every possible way, and can now have nothing further to say.", elizabeth to lady catherine de bourg.

When Elizabeth met Lady Catherine de Bourg, it was not a pleasant experience. Lady Catherine spoke down about Elizabeth's family, insulted her mother, and demanded that Elizabeth play piano to entertain the dinner crowd. She was a rude and insufferable woman. Lady Catherine spoke down to Elizabeth and the young woman never knew how to respond, fearful of defending herself against the overbearing woman. This led to a moment later in the movie when Lady Catherine shows up at Elizabeth's home.

It was the moment that Elizabeth finally stopped letting people push her around.

She demands that Elizabeth not see Mr. Darcy again and never enter into an engagement with him in the future. This time, Elizabeth finally stands up for herself. She refuses to make any such promise, delivers this quote to Lady Catherine, and then orders her to leave her home. The look on Lady Catherine's face was priceless, and it was the moment that Elizabeth finally stopped letting people push her around and became a true Jane Austen hero . It perfectly counters her earlier encounter with the woman.

"What A Superbly Featured Room And What Excellent Boiled Potatoes! Many Years Since I've Had Such An Exemplary Vegetable."

Mr. collins.

Mr. Bennet has no male heirs and only has his daughters. This means there is no one to inherit his land, as none of the women are allowed to do so by law. As a result, Mr. Collins will inherit the home and land when Mr. Bennet dies. So, the idea of getting all the daughters married and settled in new families is very important to Mrs. Bennet. However, none of the girls have any desire or eyes for Mr. Collins - although he has strong feelings for Elizabeth Bennet.

Mr. Collins is quite dull, doesn't add much to the conversation, and isn't the best suitor for any of the Bennet daughters, although Mrs. Bennet believes one of her daughters should marry him, as that would ensure the home remains in the family by marriage. However, he does little to win the family over - and shows as much during this lunch scene. In this hilariously awkward line, Mr. Collins is overly excited about the state of the boiled potatoes at the dinner the Bennets have prepared for him.

"I Do Not Have The Talent Of Conversing Easily With People I Have Never Met Before."

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have completely different personalities, as Elizabeth can easily talk to new people and make friends fairly quickly, while Mr. Darcy has none of those skills. He can build relationships over time, but Mr. Darcy's not very comfortable meeting new people . He shows up at the movie's start for a giant party and is uncomfortable and stiff throughout the event, barely speaking to anyone. This includes Elizabeth, who tries to strike up a conversation.

Later in the movie, Mr. Darcy explains his attitude at the party. Mr. Darcy is self-aware enough that he's able to tell Elizabeth he's uncomfortable in a room full of people he doesn't know. This never changes throughout the movie, but Mr. Darcy shows that he is more than willing to speak to people once he has gotten to know them better. The quote is even better because Elizabeth mocks him and says he should " practice " more, which is a line Lady Catherine delivered to her earlier in the movie.

"No, I Prefer To Be Unsociable And Taciturn. Makes It All So Much More Enjoyable, Don't You Think?"

Elizabeth bennet.

This is another Pride & Prejudice quote that proves how different Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are, especially regarding their personality. Mr. Darcy has more of a bruting personality and doesn't mind being alone, while Elizabeth is more friendly and enjoys talking to people. The two often don't see eye to eye and, for most of the movie, they seem upset with each other because of their inherent differences, but of course, they truly fall in love by the end of the story.

Many times in the movie, Mr. Darcy comes across as unlikable and rude . However, that isn't his true personality once someone gets to know him. Mr. Darcy is often awkward, and he shows that he doesn't know how to react when talking with a woman as outspoken and stubborn as Elizabeth Bennet. However, by the end, Elizabeth understands Mr. Darcy's eccentricities, and when she says this line, it is done as a sarcastic joke to the man she has fallen in love with .

"Your Selfish Disdain For The Feelings Of Others Made Me Realize You Were The Last Man In The World I Could Ever Be Prevailed Upon To Marry."

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet go through an odd courtship through most of the story, as Elizabeth truly thinks Mr. Darcy hates her and everything he does is meant to hurt her. This specific Pride & Prejudice quote has a strong basis in two big things that happened earlier in the movie. At the big party, Jane dances with others and doesn't pay Mr. Bingley much attention. Mr. Darcy believes she is not as interested as Mr. Bingley is and convinces his friend that she might not be the best for him, breaking up their relationship .

Elizabeth thinks Mr. Darcy did this out of his hatred for her and her family. Later in the movie, George Wickham lies to Elizabeth about how Mr. Darcy wronged him, even though George broke Mr. Darcy's sister's heart. When Mr. Darcy first confesses his feelings to Elizabeth, she shoots him down and delivers this scathing quote . Mr. Darcy explains why he interfered with Jane and Mr. Bingley's relationship, but Elizabeth does not care. These actions, even the untrue ones, cause Elizabeth to hate Mr. Darcy more than ever.

"We Are All Fools In Love."

Charlotte lucas.

The Bennet family's friend Charlotte says this dream-like line at the ball where the Bennet sisters attempt to find acceptable suitors. Pride and Prejudice , like most of Austen's work, has a great balance between romance, comedy, and drama, and this is one of the most romantic lines in this adaptation , which isn't a quote from Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth Bennet. The line is instead from a character who wants to be romantic but understands she has to marry for status and comfort.

Charlotte is getting older, and she knows her time is nearing a close. While she sees her friend Elizabeth as someone who is in no hurry, Charlotte is a much more hapless romantic throughout the movie . She wants love and sees those around her finding it while she keeps dreaming. This sadly leads Charlotte to quickly accept Mr. Collins's marriage proposal. While Elizabeth doesn't understand this way of thinking at all, it does a good job of showing how different she is even from her friends.

"You Could Not Make Me Happy And I'm Convinced I'm The Last Person In This World Who Could Make You Happy."

Mr. Collins proposes marriage to Elizabeth, and he doesn't even give her a chance to reply. And when she turns him down, he makes it seem as though she's doing it to appear modest, as girls are supposed to do. But Elizabeth puts the nail in the coffin with these lines. They may be harsh, but they are true. Elizabeth refuses to let things happen to her. And she refuses to marry someone whom she doesn't respect in the least. What she says is true, and while hurtful, it is what is best for both people.

This was even worse when the door opened after her rejection and all her sisters began to laugh at Mr. Collins. It was humiliating for him and ensured that no Bennet child would ever marry this man. Mrs. Bennet knew that this could doom them since he would inherit their home, and he quickly left and rebounded. Mr. Collins married Charlotte, but this was a moment where Elizabeth showed she was headstrong and refused to accept anything less than true love from her suitors.

"Your Mother Will Never See You Again If You Do Not Marry Mr. Collins, And I Will Never See You Again If You Do."

Mrs. bennet.

Mr. Collins will inherit the Bennet family's home and estate after Mr. Bennet's passing because he had no sons. In such a situation, Mrs. Bennet is especially anxious to ensure all her daughters are married and well-settled. Mr. Collins shows interest in Jane, but Mrs. Bennet knows that she could potentially marry Mr. Bingley, the better suitor. She then pushes Mr. Collins to Elizabeth, thinking that the marriage between Elizabeth and Mr. Collins is in the best interest of the entire family.

Elizabeth is strongly against it. Luckily, her father takes her side in the situation, being thoroughly unimpressed with Mr. Collins, and gives her the validation she needs to go against her mother. Mrs. Collins sees a hopeless situation and believes Elizabeth will never get married . She also knows that could leave Elizabeth without anything once Mr. Bennet dies. However, Mr. Bennet has no intention of dying anytime soon, and he only wants what is best for Elizabeth, and that is not Mr. Collins.

"Can You Die Of Happiness?"

Jane bennet.

Jane and Mr. Bingley are of the same temperament. They are both quiet, modest, and shy. They are very much in love with each other, but think the other not to be as interested in them as they are which leads to them being away from each other for a while. At one point, Elizabeth tells Mr. Darcy that Jane is shy and barely shares her feelings with anyone, not even with her own sister. When Mr. Darcy understands this, he sets out to make things right.

Mr. Bingley returns, and after an awkward moment at the start, he does propose and Jane accepts; both are ecstatic. Jane never reveals her emotions as clearly as Elizabeth does. It is only after the engagement that she makes it very clear to Elizabeth how happy she is now . It's a very sweet moment to see such an excited Jane, who usually suppresses her emotions. When she says she will " die of happiness ," it shows that she has found true love and Elizabeth begins to see a future for herself as well.

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"only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why i will end up an old maid.".

This is one of those moments when Elizabeth clarifies her position on marriage and love . She doesn't denounce it but she makes it very clear that she will only marry for love. She realizes that this determination would most probably lead to her ending up as an old maid because she knows there is a huge possibility she wouldn't fall in love so deeply with anyone around her. It is part of the "pride" in the story's title, as Elizabeth is very prideful, keeping her from finding true happiness.

This causes her to look down on those around her, although she never realizes she does this - even when it is purposefully to Mr. Collins or in anger to Mr. Darcy. While Mr. Darcy shows his signs of prejudice, by judging others, Elizabeth also judges people, but only because she has so much pride and expects no less from those around her, no matter how hard it might be for them. However, she does find love by the end when she realizes her faults, and this quote shows part of that journey of discovery.

"When You Have Five Daughters, Lizzie, Tell Me What Else Will Occupy Your Thoughts."

Elizabeth mocks Mrs. Bennet for her undying interest in matters of marriage. When Lydia runs away, Mrs. Bennet goes to bed because she can't handle the news. But when she finds out that Lydia has been wed, Mrs. Bennet is immediately excited once again that her 15-year-old daughter has managed to get herself married. She thinks it is something congratulatory, and she is quickly back on her feet and ready to get moving on pushing her other daughters into marriage.

When she rushes down to meet Lydia and her new husband, Elizabeth mocks her for doing so but Mrs. Bennet is unapologetic. She has five daughters who will not inherit anything after their father's death. So, of course, it is the only thing she is worried about. It seems Mrs. Bennet will marry her daughter to anyone no matter if there is love or not, but she has strong worries as a mother about their futures. She is doing it out of love as a mother, something Elizabeth never fully understands.

"First, I Must Tell You I've Been The Most Unmitigated And Comprehensive Ass."

Mr. bingley.

Jane and Mr. Bingley don't get engaged as everyone expects after their initial connection. Mr. Bingley goes away, leaving Jane quite upset and confused about the situation. Elizabeth later finds out that Mr. Darcy is responsible for this, as he does not believe Jane is interested because of her aloofness. This made him agree that he might not be the right match, and the Bennet family might be pushing Jane into it simply because he is a wealthy man from a well-to-do family

Later, when Mr. Darcy learns from Elizabeth that Jane is shy and remains interested in Mr. Bingley, he brings him back to Jane, Mr. Bingley starts his proposal by apologizing to Jane for being as stupid as he was. Leading up to this, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy practice what Mr. Bingley should say. When he starts with this line demeaning himself, it helps loosen the mood with Jane and makes the rest of the proposal much easier to get through for him. It is a very funny and sweet moment.

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"dancing. even if one's partner is barely tolerable.".

When Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Caroline Bingley first appear at the party, it piques everyone's interest. Jane sets her sights on Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth notices Mr. Darcy. She asks him if he dances, and he curtly responds that he doesn't, if he can help it. It is not so much a rejection as a matter-of-fact statement. However, later, Elizabeth and Charlotte are sitting under some bleachers and hear Mr. Darcy refer to Elizabeth as "barely tolerable " when Mr. Bingley asks if he is interested in her.

Later at the party, there is a conversation where Elizabeth says the power of poetry dives away love. This interests Mr. Darcy, who says he thought poetry was the " food of love ." When Elizabeth says poetry could kill love dead, he asks, " So what do you recommend, to encourage affection? " She replies dancing, before throwing his own words back in his face . It was a nice comeback and Mr. Darcy knew exactly what had just happened, giving Elizabeth an early victory in their war of words.

"Not All Of Us Can Afford To Be Romantic."

After Elizabeth turns down Mr. Collins, he proposes to Elizabeth's friend Charlotte. She is 27, and plain-looking, according to the people around her. She has no other prospects, so she very quickly accepts this proposal . Elizabeth is shocked that Charlotte is marrying someone she doesn't love and that she's marrying just for economic reasons and personal convenience. Charlotte tells Elizabeth never to judge her for her actions and leaves her friend, offended at the entire response.

Elizabeth lives in a very different world from Charlotte, and Charlotte very rightly points out that not everyone has the luxury of being romantic and waiting for their true love to appear before them. Charlotte comes to her friend with good news, and when Elizabeth mocks her future husband and insults her for the engagement, Charlotte is rightfully hurt. This is another case of Elizabeth showing her pride and projecting her insecurities on others, not realizing her words are insulting and cause pain.

"I Love You, Most Ardently."

Mr. Darcy declares his love for Elizabeth for the first time in one of the most iconic moments in the movie. They are both drenched in the rain and Mr. Darcy gives a long monologue about how, despite his rational reasoning, he cannot help but be in love with Elizabeth. It's a very difficult and insulting monologue, mainly because, by being honest, Mr. Darcy doesn't realize how harsh and offensive his words sound. He is oblivious to the fact that he is saying he loves her while insulting her at the same time.

Mr. Darcy is awkward and doesn't know how to express his feelings so he chooses brutal honesty . However, Elizabeth knows what he did to Jane and Mr. Bingsley, and she thinks he purposefully hurt George Wickham (which was a lie), so she hears his honesty as insults and rejects him instantly. However, the one thing he makes evident is that he loves her so very much. This is one of the most popular Pride & Prejudice quotes, even though the best part of the line went unheard by Elizabeth.

"You Have Bewitched Me, Body And Soul."

The Pride and Prejudice movie quote that is probably most heard in the context of this movie is when Mr. Darcy declares his love to Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy is a changed man. This time around, his declaration of love is more beautiful and not offensive at all. He no longer insults her, or her family. He made things right with the Bennet family and did more for them than they could have hoped. He earned Elizabeth's love. Now, he has a chance to offer his hand in marriage again, and this time without pride or prejudice.

He realizes he was insulting with his brutal honesty the previous time and completely understands what he did wrong. He also knows Elizabeth has grown and changed as well, and both of them finally understand who they are meant to be. With the fog lifting, and the lovers united, this is one of the most romantic and iconic quotes from Pride and Prejudice . It shows that all two people need to do is admit to their own faults and they can find the happiness they deserve in the end.

Pride & Prejudice

Director Joe Wright

Release Date November 23, 2005

Cast Brenda Blethyn, Keira Knightley, Rosamund Pike, Matthew Macfadyen

Runtime 2h 9m