Cameron Walker

Period 6

8/12/14

 

Pride and Prejudice Notes

 

Characters:

 

Elizabeth- she is the smartest of the daughters, and the second eldest. She is very smart and at often times is too smart for her own good. She is well-spoken but she is often quick to judge, which causes her to make rash decisions.

 

Darcy- he is Elizabeth’s significant other, and is the son of a wealthy family. He is very prideful, and tends to look at other people as inferior to him because of his social status. He is also quick to judge like Elizabeth and she has the effect to make him more humble and caring.

 

Mr. Bennet- he is the father of the five Bennet daughters Elizabeth, Lydia, Mary, Kitty, and Jane. As the book goes on, he slowly becomes more and more detached, from his family. He and Elizabeth are the closest because of similar qualities.

 

Jane- she is Elizabeth’s beautiful sister and she has a gentle spirit. She is madly in love with Charles and is the oldest Bennet sister.

 

Charles- he meets Jane in a courtship, and they fall madly in love. He isn’t concerned with social status even with his large amount of wealth.

 

Themes:

 

Class- This book is filled with class. Many of the people are from a higher class, and they take great pride in it. Social status is a huge part of the book, and where you rake among your peers.

 

Love- love is also an important part of the book, as we find many of the main characters in love. Mr. Bennet is somewhat in love, even though he doesn’t show it. Elizabeth is madly in love, and so is Jane.

 

Vocabulary:

 

Circumspect- watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent

 

Discernible- capable of being discerned; distinguishable

 

Alacrity- cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness

 

Impertinence- unmannerly intrusion or resumption; insolence

 

Summary:

The Bennet family has five daughters in which all five are unmarried. Jane, Elizabeth, Marry, Kitty, and Lydia are the daughters and Mrs. Bennet wants them to get married. The Bennet’s go to a dance and Mr. Bingley is there, and he dances with Jane for most of the time. However, Darcy begins to have feelings for Elizabeth, and Jane and Mr. Bingley become closer. On her way to see Charles, Jane gets caught in the rain and gets sick. When the girls get home they see Mr. Collins, the heir to Mr. Bennet's fortune, and he proposes to Elizabeth, but is turned down. Later on, Mr. Collins gets married to a poor girl named Charlotte who is Elizabeth's best friend. Soon Darcy, proposes to Elizabeth but she refuses because he is too arrogant, and she distanced Jane away from Bingley. Darcy then sends a letter to Elizabeth, apologizing and telling the truth. In June, Elizabeth takes a trip to North to Darcy’s estate. Darcy makes a surprise visit, and doesn’t mention the proposal. All of the sudden, Elizabeth has to race home, because she has news that Lydia has run off and got married. While their gone, Darcy pays for Wickham for the Bennet’s which pleases Elizabeth. Darcy makes a visit to the Bennet’s planning to marry her. Bingley decided to ask for Jane’s hand in marriage as she gladly accepts and the family celebrates. Then Catherine de Bourgh visits Elizabeth and tells her not to marry Darcy. When Darcy proposes, she refuses again, but doesn’t make any promises against her own happiness. The two later go outside and work things out and decide to get married. The Bennet’s are pleased with three of their daughters getting married.