Austen’s most famous novel introduces us to the Bennets, a family of daughters all in need of a husband. Mrs Bennet uses all her energy trying to engineer good matches for them while Mr Bennet subtly undermines her. The girls (aside from Mary, who gets very little page time) are excited at the prospect of balls and the soldiers who are staying nearby. When Mr Bingley rents a local estate there are high hopes that one of the Bennets will catch his eye, but with his unfriendly companion Mr Darcy by his side there may be unexpected complications. Will Mrs Bennet succeed in securing good matchers for all five girls, and will they marry the men they want or be stuck with a man merely for his position?
Austen builds the world humorously, focusing in on the relatively small lives of her characters. Ignoring the world of politics and war that was raging around them, she allows us to be sucked into the world of the Bennets, where an invitation to a ball is much sought after, not receiving a letter from your beloved is a tragedy, and the wealth of your family has a huge impact on your prospects. Coming in to this book I had expected it to be mainly about Elizabeth and Mr Darcy so was surprised to discover that although they do get a little more time than others, it is really about the whole family. There are many love stories, and I actually found theirs one of the least convincing. Darcy is rude and unfriendly to begin with, and although we do see from quite an early stage that he is developing feelings for Elizabeth, against his better judgment, there is little affection from her for the majority of the book. Indeed, most of the characters think poorly of him throughout, and although she does learn information that begins to move her to a more sympathetic attitude, knowing that someone isn’t entirely a terrible person isn’t the same as falling in love. Toward the end of the novel when news of their relationship is revealed to her family she is questioned on her affection for him, it coming as a great surprise. Her quip that she saw Pemberley, and that was enough, doesn’t seem all that far from reality. Her thoughts when she first sees the gardens there are that she wouldn’t mind being mistress of such a place. Her anxiety in getting approval from her father feels genuine and well drawn but otherwise her feelings aren’t well developed. Perhaps because it’s such a famous story, even if you know none of the details you know that theirs is the central love story, it shifts how you approach it, but without that foreknowledge I think I would have been quite surprised by her sudden desire to marry Darcy. Coming to the book with the perception that is it a love story and with the modern idea of romance colours your expectations. Elizabeth slowly grows in affection for Darcy as she comes to know his true character and in doing so realises that he could make a suitable life partner, and one whose wealth will keep her comfortable.
Jane’s love story feels more heartfelt. We see her pining for Bingley, and suffering from his absence. You hope that things will work out for her. Lydia’s elopement is one of the more exciting sections of the novel with the family galvanising to get her back safely. We see the suffering of those left behind waiting for news, and the concern for what sad outcomes might result. Austen’s final say on each of the marriages also adds a sense of reality to it all, this isn’t a happily ever after book, marriages work but the first flushes of affection don’t remain the same. These girls are very young, teens and early 20s, and have no experience of romantic relationships before they’re married.
The characters are largely quite memorable. There is humour and flaws in them all. Mrs Bennet from the off is depicted as being overly concerned with marrying her daughters off, with her husband being somewhat exasperated and bored by the whole thing. Much as she may go too far, it is completely understandable that she would want her daughters to be in a financially secure position when their father dies. This was not a time when women were generally able to support themselves, especially those who had grown up in genteel surroundings. Readers will laugh in slight horror at her willingness to send Jane off deliberately into the rain, without a carriage, so that she will be forced to stay with Bingley. Her mother is little concerned that she falls ill as a result, and once assured that it is not a serious ailment her priority is to keep her at Bingley’s for as long as possible, against the wishes of both Jane and Elizabeth, who has gone to tend to her. Darcy comments later in the novel in a moment of unguarded honesty, that her mother’s behaviour is off-putting to potential suitors. Mr Bennet manages to be a likeable character despite his not always being kind to his wife, a fact that is remarked upon later in the novel. He doesn’t do anything outrageous and he is interested in his daughters making decisions based on what they want, rather than what is deemed a good match. Nonetheless, he should probably be more concerned with ensuring their wellbeing when he is no longer around. We are constantly told what a good-hearted woman Jane is, and although she doesn’t do anything wrong I’m not sure that we are shown her demonstrating this all that much. Elizabeth is strong-willed and opinionated, but also kind and concerned for the wellbeing of her sisters. She feels quite modern.
I have read some Jane Austen previously and admit I was never much of a fan, but am glad to have given her another go. Pride and Prejudice is an enjoyable read which made me chuckle multiple times throughout. Although written over two hundred years ago, and set in family life and society that is different to that most modern readers will relate to, the characters and their hopes, dreams and flaws, all feel very relatable and timeless. The writing is easy to get in to and although the story is quite gentle there is plenty to keep your interest.
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