Pride and Prejudice

Story

Elizabeth Bennett is one of five sisters, and their mother is desperate to marry them off and marry them well. Set in Regency England, Elizabeth is initially unimpressed by cold Mr. Darcy, but as their paths continue to cross, she starts to see another, more appealing side to him.

Why we chose it

Pride and Prejudice is perhaps the most famous of Jane Austen’s six published novels. Often studied in schools, particularly at GCSE, mainly readers encounter it first in their teens.

Where it came from

Austen (1775-1817) wrote about what she knew: the world of the landed gentry and the marriage market. She never married, turning down many offers. The world Austen wrote about was similar to her own, with balls and dances, country gentlemen and women who could be free from their family only by marrying into another.

Where it went next

Whilst the novel was critically praised, Austen published it anonymously, never personally receiving the success and fame the novel would gain. She died just four years after its publication. Since, it has become one of the most popular English novels, with over 20 million copies sold, and in 2003 in it came second in a poll for ‘UK’s Best Loved Book’.

There have been many film and television adaptations. Andrew Davies’ 1995 TV adaptation, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, and Joe Wright’s 2005 film adaptation with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen, are both popular and the most recent adaptations of Austen’s work.

Associated stories

Austen’s other novels are Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion. All have been adapted for film, television and stage. Over the years Pride and Prejudice has inspired and influenced many books, films and TV, including a Bollywood version Bride and Prejudice (2004)).