Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Setting, Summary, Characters and Themes

Hello, and welcome to this detailed explanation of the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. This video will guide you through the story, the characters, summary and the important themes.

About the Author of “Pride and Prejudice”.

Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen. Jane Austen was an English writer who lived from 1775 to 1817. She is famous for writing novels that explore the lives of the British upper class in the 18th and 19th centuries. Her books often focus on themes like love, marriage, money, and social class.

Austen’s writing style is clear and witty. She often used humor to criticize the social rules of her time. Pride and Prejudice is one of her most famous novels, and it was first published in 1813.

Setting of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.

The novel is set in the early 19th century in England. Most of the events take place in the countryside, in small villages and large estates. The time and place are important because they shape the behavior and attitudes of the characters.

In this time period, social class and wealth were very important. People were often judged by how much money they had, who their family was, and how they behaved in society. Marriage was also a big part of life, especially for women. A woman’s future depended a lot on whom she married.

Main Characters of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.

Let’s talk about the main characters in the story.

Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth is the main character of the novel. She is often called Lizzy. She is the second oldest of the five Bennet sisters. Elizabeth is smart, independent, and has a strong sense of humor. She doesn’t just follow what society expects of her. Instead, she thinks for herself and values her own happiness.

Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. Mr Darcy is a wealthy and handsome man. He comes from a very high social class. At first, he seems proud and unfriendly. But as the story goes on, we learn that he is also kind, responsible, and deeply in love with Elizabeth.

Mr Bennet. Mr Bennet is Elizabeth’s father. He is a gentleman with a small income. Mr Bennet is clever and enjoys making fun of people’s foolishness. However, he is not very responsible, especially when it comes to his family.

Mrs Bennet. Mrs Bennet is Elizabeth’s mother. She is very concerned with getting her daughters married. Mrs Bennet often acts in a silly and embarrassing way, but she genuinely cares about her daughters’ futures.

Jane Bennet. Jane is Elizabeth’s older sister. She is very beautiful and kind-hearted. Jane always thinks the best of people and tries to see the good in every situation.

Mr Charles Bingley. Mr Bingley is Mr Darcy’s best friend. He is wealthy, friendly, and well-liked by everyone. He falls in love with Jane Bennet.

Mr William Collins. Mr Collins is a distant cousin of the Bennets. He is a clergyman and will inherit the Bennet family estate because Mr Bennet has no sons. Mr Collins is awkward and tries to impress people with his connections to wealthy people.

George Wickham. Mr Wickham is a charming and handsome soldier. At first, he seems friendly and honest, but he has a dark side that is revealed later in the story.

Themes of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.

Now that we’ve gone through the plot, let’s talk about the major themes of the novel.

Love and Marriage. The novel shows different types of love and marriage. Some characters marry for money, like Mr Collins and Charlotte, while others marry for love, like Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. Austen shows that true love is based on mutual respect and understanding.

Pride. Pride is a major theme in the novel. Mr Darcy’s pride makes him look down on others, and Elizabeth’s pride makes her judge Mr Darcy too quickly. Both characters learn to overcome their pride by the end of the story.

Prejudice. Prejudice means judging someone without really knowing them. Elizabeth is prejudiced against Mr Darcy because of what she hears from Mr Wickham. Mr Darcy is prejudiced against Elizabeth’s lower social status. The novel shows the dangers of prejudice and how it can be overcome.

Social Class. Social class is very important in the world of Pride and Prejudice. Characters are often judged by their wealth and family background. However, the novel also shows that character and kindness are more important than social class.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is a novel about love, pride, and the importance of looking beyond first impressions. Through the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, we learn that true love requires understanding. Thank you for watching and subscribe for more.

00:00 - Introduction
00:11 - About the Author of “Pride and Prejudice”
00:50 - Setting of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
01:29 - Main Characters of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
03:46 - Summary of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
08:06 - Themes of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
09:25 - Conclusion