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The Pride and Prejudice- 100 Facts

Characters & Relationships

  1. The novel was written by Jane Austen.
  2. It was published in 1813.
  3. The story is set mainly in Hertfordshire, Derbyshire, and Kent.
  4. Mr. Bennet is the father of five daughters.
  5. Mrs. Bennet is obsessed with marrying off her daughters.
  6. The Bennet daughters are: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.
  7. Jane Bennet is the eldest daughter.
  8. Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter and the heroine.
  9. Mary Bennet is studious and plain.
  10. Kitty Bennet is silly and easily influenced by Lydia.
  11. Lydia Bennet is the youngest and most reckless.
  12. Mr. Bingley is a wealthy, kind gentleman.
  13. Mr. Darcy is Bingley’s proud friend.
  14. Caroline Bingley is Bingley’s snobbish sister.
  15. Mrs. Hurst is Bingley’s married sister.
  16. Mr. Hurst is Caroline’s brother-in-law.
  17. Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeth’s sensible friend.
  18. Sir William Lucas is Charlotte’s father.
  19. Lady Lucas is Charlotte’s mother.
  20. Mr. Collins is the Bennets’ pompous cousin.
  21. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Mr. Collins’s patroness.
  22. Anne de Bourgh is Lady Catherine’s sickly daughter.
  23. Colonel Fitzwilliam is Darcy’s cousin.
  24. George Wickham is a militia officer and Darcy’s enemy.
  25. Mrs. Phillips is Mrs. Bennet’s sister.
  26. Mr. Gardiner is Mrs. Bennet’s sensible brother.
  27. Mrs. Gardiner is wise and kind.
  28. Georgiana Darcy is Darcy’s shy younger sister.
  29. The Bennet estate is Longbourn.
  30. Mr. Darcy’s estate is Pemberley.
  31. Lady Catherine lives at Rosings Park.
  32. Mr. Bingley rents Netherfield Park.

Plot Points

  1. The famous opening line: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
  2. Mr. Bingley rents Netherfield, causing excitement in the Bennet family.
  3. The Meryton assembly is the first ball.
  4. Bingley dances with Jane twice.
  5. Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth at the ball.
  6. Elizabeth overhears Darcy calling her “not handsome enough to tempt me.”
  7. Jane visits Netherfield and falls ill.
  8. Elizabeth walks to Netherfield to care for Jane, impressing Bingley but annoying Caroline.
  9. Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth.
  10. Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins.
  11. Mr. Collins marries Charlotte Lucas.
  12. Wickham tells Elizabeth that Darcy wronged him.
  13. Elizabeth believes Wickham’s story.
  14. Darcy begins to admire Elizabeth.
  15. Elizabeth visits Charlotte at Hunsford.
  16. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth the first time at Rosings.
  17. Elizabeth rejects Darcy harshly.
  18. Darcy writes a letter to explain his actions.
  19. The letter explains Wickham’s deceit and Darcy’s interference with Bingley and Jane.
  20. Elizabeth starts to reconsider her judgment of Darcy.
  21. Elizabeth tours Derbyshire with the Gardiners.
  22. Elizabeth visits Pemberley.
  23. Elizabeth meets Georgiana Darcy at Pemberley.
  24. Darcy is very kind to Elizabeth’s relatives at Pemberley.
  25. Elizabeth learns of Lydia’s elopement with Wickham.
  26. Elizabeth returns home in distress.
  27. Darcy secretly helps arrange Lydia and Wickham’s marriage.
  28. Mrs. Bennet is delighted by Lydia’s marriage.
  29. Lady Catherine visits Elizabeth to prevent her engagement with Darcy.
  30. Elizabeth refuses Lady Catherine’s demand.
  31. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth again.
  32. Elizabeth accepts Darcy’s second proposal.
  33. Jane and Bingley become engaged.
  34. The novel ends with Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage.

Themes & Ideas

  1. Pride is mainly linked with Darcy.
  2. Prejudice is mainly linked with Elizabeth.
  3. Social class and marriage are central themes.
  4. Wealth and inheritance play major roles.
  5. Women’s future depends on marriage.
  6. The novel criticizes mercenary marriages.
  7. It values marriages based on love and respect.
  8. Reputation is crucial in society.
  9. Lydia’s elopement threatens the Bennet family’s reputation.
  10. Jane Austen uses irony throughout the novel.
  11. Elizabeth is known for her wit and intelligence.
  12. Darcy is admired for integrity after his pride softens.
  13. The title “Pride and Prejudice” reflects both main flaws.
  14. The novel blends romance with social satire.

Settings & Background

  1. Longbourn is in Hertfordshire.
  2. Netherfield is also in Hertfordshire.
  3. Meryton is the nearby town where the militia stays.
  4. Rosings Park is in Kent.
  5. Hunsford Parsonage is near Rosings.
  6. Pemberley is in Derbyshire.
  7. The journey to Derbyshire is a turning point in Elizabeth’s feelings.
  8. Balls and assemblies are key social events.
  9. Letters are a common form of communication in the novel.
  10. Inheritance laws favored male heirs (entailment).
  11. Longbourn is entailed to Mr. Collins.
  12. Pemberley symbolizes Darcy’s true character.
  13. Netherfield symbolizes social mobility.
  14. Rosings symbolizes aristocratic pride.

Minor Details & Trivia

  1. Jane Austen originally titled the novel First Impressions.
  2. The book was published anonymously (“By a Lady”).
  3. Mr. Bennet favors Elizabeth the most among his daughters.
  4. Mrs. Bennet favors Lydia.
  5. Kitty improves her character after Lydia’s marriage.
  6. Elizabeth becomes mistress of Pemberley after marriage.