Tomes of Miscellany: Pride and Prejudice

Tomes of Miscellany

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This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Publisher: Bantam Books
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1981

The settling of a young gentleman at Netherfield sets off a chain of events that wreaks havoc on the lives of Miss Elizabeth Bennet and those around her. The young man, Bingley, and her elder sister, Jane, seem in the way of falling in love, something that disturbs those of his party. Her mother's machinations forcibly bring her to the attention--unwanted on both sides--of Bingley's friend, Darcy. She has reason enough to dislike the man, including affronts to a young man she esteems as well as to herself. She does nothing to encourage Darcy's interest--wants it not at all, in fact--for she finds him proud and arrogant. As a result she is surprised when he proposes to her. She spurns him, and places crime after crime at his feet, daring him to deny that he's wronged her and others. But has she been too hasty? Has her own prejudice against him blind her from perceiving the truth?

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books; certainly it is the one I enjoy the most of Jane Austen's works. I'm not really certain why...though maybe it's because it was the first one I read. Perhaps it's the plot itself that interests me: I know I enjoyed following the struggles that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy went through trying to deal with their feelings and the problems they were causing. It's certainly not the title, though: I can see where the "pride" part comes in, but--despite having read the book for a class--the "prejudice" part continues to elude me. Oh, but the alliteration in the title is certainly intriguing. Pride and Prejudice has an ear-catching ring to it, doesn't it? Really, though, I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about it. I probably like it for the same reason someone else does, so why go on?

I do, however, know that I liked the characters themselves. Elizabeth was probably my favorite, but there were certain things about most of the others that also made them endearing. Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth's rather limited mother (I can think of worse things to call her) can be thoroughly detestable at times, but her personality gives Elizabeth's greater worth by comparison. Mr. Bennet's sometimes confusing turns of phrase are similarly necessary to show the difference between himself and his wife, and between himself and Elizabeth in turn. Then, Lydia seems the embodiment of all maidenly evils. Mr. Collins is nearly as detestable as Mrs. Bennet, but even they pale in comparison to Miss Bingley. Mr. Darcy, of course, is above reproach...by me, anyway: Miss Eliza Bennet would certainly have other things to say on that account.

If there's any one book from the classic literary canon you should read, it is definitely Pride and Prejudice. It teaches a valuable lesson in, er, not judging a book by its cover...or something like that. Then again, you should also read A Christmas Carol, Persuasion, Dracula, and, oh, a host of other things. But definitely read Pride and Prejudice.

Rating: Thumbs up! Don't be so proud and prejudiced against the literary canon. Give it a chance!

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