As a student, you may have read a lot of English prose and poetry. One such delightful non-detailed book is the evergreen Pride and Prejudice.

The main protagonists of the novel are Darcy, Bingley, Elizabeth, and Jane. The principal characters are finely chalked out. From pride to humbleness, and from prejudice to unbiased thinking, the trials and tribulations faced by the central characters of the novel plus the Bennett family drama are superbly interpreted. The book was written two centuries ago and depicts the 18th century England lifestyle of its citizens.

Pride and Prejudice Story Outline

The novel unravels a humorous story of 18th-century English people and their love lives. The Bennett family and Mr. Darcy are the central characters around whom the story revolves.

The exciting news about a wealthy gentleman called Charles Bingley and the information that he has rented the Netherfield Park manor causes a thrilling commotion in the Bennett household. As the Bennetts have 5 beautiful unmarried daughters Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Kitty and Lydia, the mother Mrs. Bennett is quite desperate to get them married.

When Mr. Bingley begins to like the eldest daughter Jane, his friend, Mr. Darcy is displeased and also behaves in a very haughty manner with the second eldest daughter Miss Elizabeth. The Bennett family feels that he is very arrogant and offensive. But slowly Mr. Darcy finds himself changing and getting increasingly affectionate towards Elizabeth.

There are quite a few twists and turns in the plot with Mr. Collins coming into the picture. He is a clergyman who will inherit the Bennett property, which is only passed down or entailed to the male heirs. Collins is very much enthralled by the Bennett daughters.

As they say, no story is complete without a villain, and here the villain was Mr. Wickham, a young soldier who gains the pity and affection of Bennett girls. He uses this to the best of his advantage and elopes with one of the girls.

Let us turn our attention to the wondrous and important quotes in Pride and Prejudice novel that have been enacted in innumerable plays worldwide.

1) ‘A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.’ this love quote is uttered by Mr. Darcy to Miss Bingley when he confessed of his affectionate feelings towards Miss Elizabeth Bennett.

2) ‘There are few people whom I really love and still fewer of whom I think well’. These words were said to her sister Jane by Miss Elizabeth Bennett confessing her deep love for her sister.

Pride and Prejudice I Love You Quote

‘I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love I love I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.’

The heart-melting declaration of love by Darcy to his lady love Elizabeth is one of the many quotes that won the hearts of the readers worldwide. To Elizabeth’s eyes, it seemed surreal though she anticipated it. But the fact that the seemingly cold and egoistic Darcy could state his feelings with so much sincerity and romance was very surprising.

Among the various love quotes in Pride and Prejudice, there is one more popular mushy dialogue in Pride and Prejudice where Darcy says to Elizabeth ‘You must allow me to tell how ardently I admire and love you’. This is taken from the 34th chapter of Jane Austen’s truly romantic novel Pride and Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice Filming Locations

There are 15 to 16 exotic English locations related to the novel and also filming sequences. You can visit places such as Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and the Lacock Abbey wherein Mr. Darcy’s student time has been shot in the Pride and Prejudice BBC miniseries (1995). The St. Mary Church with its old village, was shown as Mr. Collin’s residence in the newer 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Likewise many places in England are connected with the novel in some way or the other.

Pride and Prejudice Old Movie

The 1940s film adaptation of the high acclaimed Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice that was directed by noted film person Robert Leonard and the leading roles were given to Laurence Oliver and Greer Garson. The screenplay was generated by Jane Murfin and Huxley.

The film was a critical success and highly praised by reporter Bosley Crowther of New York Times. He also felt that the two main protagonists were very suitable for playing the central character of Darcy and Elizabeth.

From the 1940s decade to the 21st-century era, everyone seems to have been taken in by the love-hate mega drama novel Pride and Prejudice. Pride and Prejudice BBC Colin Firth mini-series was produced in the year1995, then again reproduced as a film in 2003 by director Andrew Black. The year 2005 also included the new film version of Pride and Prejudice directed by Joe Wright. And lately, in the year 2016, the novel was reproduced as an action comedy horror with new twists and a slightly different storyline that included dreaded Zombies.

Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth Dress

The novel emphasizes on the fact that Elizabeth always wore decent and comfortable clothes. She walked 3 miles to reach Bingley’s leased estate rather than wanting a carriage. In one scene, she dirties her dresses and there is a scene wherein she is ridiculed for her dirty petticoat and it became quite popular. She is taunted as a lady having no style or taste in dressing. Her simple gown and petticoat are laughed at by the ladies in the Bingley estate. Miss Bingley feels that she is wild and lowly. The book hints at the mentality of the people who think that wealth is reflected in dressing tastes and mirrors the social class of the person.

Regency Era Pride and Prejudice

The women in the novel were dressed in the fashion of the Regency era, they wore cotton, silk, and light clothes that were flattering and comfortable. Different occasions meant adhering to difference dress codes. For example, to attend a ball, guests wore their finest clothes to impress the suitors.

High-quality muslin or silken gowns were worn by the Bennett sisters that were designed with low necklines, puffed sleeves and column-like skirts with lovely embroidery. Under the main dresses, they wore petticoats and silky stockings.

Elizabeth’s sober dress style and nature-loving character, both are misunderstood by everyone. She is constantly under scrutiny for her apparel. Mr. Collins also suggests that Elizabeth should dress as she does in her simple way as her rank or status in the society is quite apparent. He lets her know indirectly that she does not have exquisite or elaborate dresses. The class difference between the elite class of society and the other classes have been minutely and painstakingly documented. And yet, much to the delight of the common class, in the end, true love is a clear winner.

Lacock Village Pride and Prejudice

In the 1995 film, the producers felt that the Cheshire market town had become very modern to take the audience back to the 1813 scenario. So, as a background choice, they chose Lacock village. It was picturesque and ancient-looking and one of the Lacock apartments perfectly fit the bill as the Bennett family residence.

The Author Jane Austen

In her very short life spanning 41 years, Jane Austen born in 1775, was a gifted writer. She began her writing in her teen years penning short stories, poems and numerous comic stories for her family’s amusement. Her stories and poems were later bound into 3 notebooks and referred to as Austen’s Juvenalia.

Like many well-known authors, Austen passed away at a young age before she received outstanding recognition from public and critics. There have been over 200 literary adaptations of her wonderful and meaningful novels and several film versions of her most popular select novels like Pride and Prejudice.

Most Popular Pride and Prejudice Quote

‘In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you’. This timeless and classic line from Mr. Darcy silenced and shocked Elizabeth. And it is also one of the best quotes in the evergreen novel.

Where was Pride and Prejudice filmed?

The imposing Pemberley Estate that belonged to the charming and romantic hero Darcy, has been pictured in the films by many impressive stately buildings and properties in and around England. And the most popular among them is the famed Chatsworth House that is located in Derbyshire. It was the chosen estate in the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice Filmed at Chatsworth

Chatsworth was filmed as Pemberley in one of the films. The Pemberley house was chosen to be a largish stone structure standing high on the ground with a background of woods and hills. Even a natural stream in front of the building proved to be a lucky coincidence. Chatsworth has been originally mentioned in the book as one of the places or houses Elizabeth visits before coming to Pemberley.

Pride and Prejudice Marriage Quotes

Many marriage related quotes in the book are praiseworthy and deserve some mention. Some of them are:

1) The beautiful and thoughtful quote on marriage; ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’ This meaningful line is also the first sentence in the novel.

2) ‘Pride…is a very common failing, I believe…Mary Bennett’s intense lines give the reader a glimpse of the conceited world in the novel. Mary defines pride and vanity in her speech and also concludes that it is a common attribute.

3) Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance, this quote by Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte Lucas hints that her marriage to Mr. Collins is a simple arrangement of convenience for both the parties. Collins needs a suitable and young wife, while Charlotte looks at financial security.

Pride and Prejudice TV Series

The six episodes 1995 British TV drama adapted from the 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice was an instant hit. Starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as central characters Darcy and Elizabeth, the serial was a classic BBC production also aided and funded by the A&E American Network. The episodes were aired from 24th September 1995 to 29th October 1995. The serial had great mass appeal and also was a critical success.

It was lauded with numerous awards. Colin Firth rose to instant stardom due to his romantic role in the series as Mr Darcy. According to television experts, Firth’s wet shirt scene in one of the episodes was said to be one of the most haunting and irresistible moments in the history of British Television series.

Pride and Prejudice Netherfield

Netherfield Park is the sizeable and stately estate or mansion that is leased to Mr. Bingley in the novel Pride and Prejudice. It is an imposing country building with wondrous interiors and furnishings, indicating the high social ranking of the Bingley family.

Mr. Bennett Pride and Prejudice Quotes

The sarcastic nature of Mr. Bennett with his dry humour and quick wit has given the readers some room to reflect and think about the situation wherever Mr. Bennett executes his unapologetic views in a twisted manner.

Some of his quotes were very much appreciated by the readers and critics.

1) Mr. Bennett – “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.”

This ironic line is his witty answer to Mrs. Bennett accusation regarding Mr. Bennett’s casual or non-caring attitude whenever she insists that he convince Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins.

2) Mr. Bennett – “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.”

This explosive dialogue reflects Mr. Bennett’s disgust for Mr. Collins and it is his way of warning Elizabeth that Collins is not a reliable character with whom she should never think of spending the rest of her life.

3) Mr. Bennett – “I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has more to give.

In this remark, he gives a piece of advice to his nephew Mr. Collins to be in the good books of Mr. Darcy. He also conveys the good news that Elizabeth is going to wed Mr. Darcy.

Where did pride and prejudice take place?

The novel is based in England. The number of estates and houses mentioned in the novel Pride and Prejudice includes many English places such as Netherfield Park; the leased estate and Bingley residence, Longbourn; the largish Bennett residence estate, Lucas residence lodge, Pemberley; Mr. Darcy estate, and Rosings; Lady Catherine’s sprawling estate.