Jane Austen, "Pride and Prejudice" (book): reviews, content, quotes

The works of Jane Austen have long occupied a well-deserved place in the world classical literature. The novel "Pride and Prejudice", published in 1813, is one of the most famous works of the writer and is on the list of books compulsory for study in all educational institutions of England and the USA. And despite the fact that this novel is not included in our school program, Jane Austen is worth reading. After all prejudices, and sometimes frankly stupid prejudices, still have a place in society. In addition, the work, saturated with subtle English humor, literally immerses the reader in an era where aristocrats, conversing in a refined language, turned them into verbal dueling. This is confirmed by the famous quotations from the book "Pride and Prejudice", which largely convey its meaning: "A person can be proud without being vain. Pride, rather, is associated with our own opinion of ourselves, vanity is with the opinion of other people that we would like them to be about us "or" Both mountains and people are capable of destruction, true, people - because of their arrogance and Stupidity. "

Jane Austen (16.12.1775-18.07.1817)

The "First Lady" of English classical literature was born in the small town of Stephenton, Hampshire. Her family was not rich, but despite this, Jane received a decent education for a girl of the time. Her literary talent began to manifest itself from a young age. The first novel by Jane Austen "Three Sisters" was published when the writer was only 17 years old. All her life she devoted to writer's work and her relatives, since a girl from an impoverished noble family could not count on a marriage for love. Having lost hope of linking her life with beloved Thomas Lefroy, she decided to give up marriage in principle. From now on, creativity was the only bond of Jane, although she received offers of the hand and heart. During the short life of the writer, nine novels appeared from her pen, among which are two of the most famous works of Austin: "Pride and Prejudice" and "Feeling and Sensibility."

About the novelist and heroine of the novel

Like the heroine of her novel, Jane Austen was born into a large family that belonged to an old but impoverished noble family. Love for the literature of Jane and her sister Cassandra was instilled by the father - George Austin, who, as a parish priest, read books not only spiritually. He was a highly educated man, therefore he made sure that his daughters received an equally decent education. Sisters read a lot and often discussed what they read with their father. The scene of such conversations about literature, Jane Austen transferred to the novel "Pride and Prejudice." The author of the book, like the heroine of her work, adored her sister and shared with her all the hidden things. Both girls were not only well educated, but also had a fine sense of humor, so they could support the conversation in the most refined society.

Secular prejudices

For girls from low-income and not very noble families, a relaxed, salon conversation at any time could turn into a mockery that an educated person could recognize even in the most courteous and pretentious speech. Therefore, in order to parry in the framework of decency in a verbal duel, it was necessary to have also an acute mind. All these qualities were given to the main heroine of the novel Austin "Pride and Prejudice" - Elizabeth Bennett. The writer from personal experience knew how girls from poor families in the world automatically hung the label "an empty-headed huntress for a fortune." Rich snobs, often not very intelligent, had a very high opinion of themselves and considered it possible to interfere unceremoniously into the lives of those who, because of their financial situation, had to endure it. Jane Austen did not intend to put up with this state of affairs; therefore, in her novel Pride and Prejudice, her bold and sharp-tongued heroine, with her usual humor, politely puts the snobs in place.

The history of writing the novel

The first version of the novel, Jane Austen, was sent to publishers in 1796. That sophistication with which the twenty-year-old writer ridiculed the high society, plunged the publishers into shock. For that time it was unacceptable liberty, moreover, and manifested by the woman, so the publication was denied. Only 15 years later, the novelist Jane Austen, already known for her novel "Feeling and Sensibility," finished writing and finally published "Pride and Prejudice." The book reviews and in 1813 received contradictory, because it's not for nothing that modern feminist writers consider Austin to be the harbinger of literature of this kind. Reading today the courteous verbal quarrels between the heroine and the representatives of the high world, it's hard to imagine that such speeches could be considered free-thinking, but for the time when the woman was given the role of the second plan, the work "Pride and prejudice" was considered very bold.

Provincial life

In the small town of Meriton, where she lives with her parents and four sisters, the main character of the work, Elizabeth Bennet, usually had a quiet and measured life. However, from time to time the society was shaken up, it happened when officers were quartered in the city. Endless balls and receptions gave ladies the opportunity to shine with their beauty, and mamenkas of girls to be given out - it is advantageous to attach their daughters. Before the quartering season was still far off, and Mrs. Bennet could only dream of that happy day when all five of her daughters would be married.

Acquaintance with the Bennet family

The situation of the family was complicated by the fact that according to the law on the majorat, their Long Born manor after Mr. Bennet's death had to go to his cousin, since the Bennett male heir did not have a male heir. But it seems, apart from the miserable Mrs. Bennet, no one understood the tragedy of the situation. Her two older daughters, Elizabeth and Jane, did not make any effort to implement the mother's dream. They were more like their father - Mr. Bennett, also liked to read and, with a sharp mind and sense of humor, chuckled together over the endless conversations of the mother and frivolous younger sisters about the gentlemen and marriage. Jane Austen describes Mrs. Bennet as follows: "She was a woman ignorant and not smart enough. To give out daughters to marry was her main goal, and the only entertainments were visits and news. " Similar quotes from the book "Pride and Prejudice" make it clear with what subtle humor the work is written.

Sensational event

The news that a Mr. Bingley came to the Netherfield-estate, a young, wealthy, and most importantly, a bachelor aristocrat, shocked the whole city. Mrs. Bennet, encouraged by the opportunity to successfully marry one of the daughters, persuades her husband to bring Mr. Bingley a friendly visit. According to the etiquette, Bingley answers the same, but it turns out that he came to Netherfield Park not alone, but in the company of sisters and two gentlemen, one of whom - Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy - is extremely rich, noble and bachelor.

Love and Prejudice

The Bennett family and Mr. Bingley with the company periodically meet at balls and receptions. Between Bingley and Jane, feelings emerge, they are both open and simple in communication, which can not be said of the arrogant Mr. Darcy, who, incidentally, was interested in Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley's sisters do not like this at all, and in a veiled form they try in every way to humiliate Elizabeth and Jane. After a vivid demonstration of ignorance and the complete absence of the manners of the mother and younger sisters of Bennett, Mr. Darcy, no longer hiding his contempt for provincial society, is behaving in a particularly cold way. To Bingley's attempt to draw his attention to the virtues of Elizabeth Darcy answers that a girl from such a circle is uninteresting to him. This hears Elizabeth and strengthens in his negative opinion about Darcy.

Then follows a series of events and circumstances, because of which Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth will have to meet and talk more than once. Unlike the simple and touching relationship between Bingley and Jane, Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennett initially feel dislike for each other. Then a strange and contradictory feeling flares up between them, with which everyone fights in his own way. Young people are increasingly feeling the attraction, but pride and prejudice interfere. The content of the book and the elegant style of Jane Austen, of course, can not be briefly conveyed. It should only be noted that the main characters will have to go the hard way to their happiness. They have to overcome not only the circumstances, but also their own prejudices. How they can cope with this, the book will best tell.

"Pride and Prejudice" (book): reviews

The opinions of readers in the majority agree that the work is certainly worthy of attention. His story is simple in life, there are no spectacular battle scenes in it, but in this simplicity there is a zest. Serious battles take place not in the fields, but in the hearts of the main characters. As the plot develops, the reader in many scenes recognizes himself or her friends, becomes a witness of how the main characters manage to transform themselves and defeat their own pride and prejudice.

The book reviews are different. Women like that the portraits of heroes are masterfully described in it, and this, as a rule, attracts readers. For men, the story seems boring, but the subtle humor of the work does not disappoint. Summing up the general opinion, we can say: the novel is worth it to give him his time.

In conclusion, I would like to wish pleasant reading to everyone who is not familiar with Jane Austen's work "Pride and Prejudice". The book, which has been consistently contradictory since 1813, is still waiting for its reader.