Pride and Prejudice: Plot Summary and Analysis
Pride and Prejudice
Plot Summary
The Bennet family resides in the English countryside. Mrs. Bennet is determined to find wealthy husbands for her five daughters, as the family estate is entailed to a male heir, Mr. Collins.
The arrival of the wealthy and single Mr. Bingley causes a stir. He takes an interest in the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane. Meanwhile, his aloof friend, Mr. Darcy, makes a poor first impression with his prideful behavior, especially on Elizabeth Bennet.
Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, but she rejects him. He then marries Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s friend. Elizabeth becomes intrigued by the charming Mr. Wickham, who claims Darcy wronged him.
Darcy surprisingly proposes to Elizabeth, expressing his love despite her lower social standing. However, she angrily refuses, citing his arrogance and interference in Jane and Bingley’s relationship, as well as his alleged mistreatment of Wickham.
Later, Darcy writes a letter to Elizabeth, explaining his actions. He reveals Wickham’s true character as a gambler and a libertine who attempted to elope with Darcy’s younger sister. Elizabeth realizes her prejudice and begins to regret her hasty judgment.
While visiting her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth tours Darcy’s impressive estate, Pemberley, and encounters him unexpectedly. His changed demeanor and kind treatment of her relatives begin to shift her opinion of him.
Disaster strikes when Elizabeth’s youngest sister, Lydia, elopes with Wickham. Darcy secretly intervenes, paying Wickham’s debts and ensuring the marriage to protect the Bennet family’s reputation.
Elizabeth learns of Darcy’s involvement and realizes the depth of his character and generosity. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy’s aunt, attempts to intimidate Elizabeth into rejecting Darcy, but this only strengthens Elizabeth’s resolve.
Darcy proposes again, and this time, Elizabeth accepts. The novel concludes with the marriages of Jane to Bingley and Elizabeth to Darcy.