“A mind lively and at ease, can do with seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer”
-Jane Austen
By: Andrea, Ryan, Chris, Sheridan, Victoria, Ria

• How have you seen pride in today’s society? How have you seen prejudice in today’s society? How does it affect society? Have you ever been a victim of these themes? If so, how? How did you deal with it and how can it be changed?

• (1775-1817)
• Born in England on
December 16 th 1775 to
Reverend George Austen and Cassandra Austen o months after the American revolution began in April
• Known for her 6 published novels which have become the model for romantic stories since the early 1800s o Most Famous: Sense and
Sensibility and Pride and
Prejudice
• Died at age 41, a few years longer than the life expectancy

• Began formal education at a boarding school in
Southampton where she learned foreign languages, music, and dancing
• After boarding school, her education consisted of reading from the family’s personal library and what her brothers and father could teach her

• Not very influenced by the romanticism of her time
• 1795 Began her first novel “Elinor and
Marianne” which she later revised to become Sense and Sensibility
• 1796 Writes a second novel “First Impressions” which later became Pride and Prejudice (published in 1813)

• Strict rules of marriage and courtship o
Frowned upon to marry someone in a lower class
 (Darcy’s prejudice toward
Elizabeth)
 Those were born into the higher o classes regarded themselves as more established and important than people who had only recently become wealthy.
Daughters had to choose among a group of suitors during balls, parties, and family visits
Austen wished to change attitudes o towards marriage and courtship
• Females= inferior o
Distinct social roles marked out along gender lines,
 Women were denied equality of opportunity in areas such as education, business and action.
 Girls were praised for being submissive, modest, pure and domesticated
 (Elizabeth and sisters knew how to dance, play instruments, and talk about books )

o o o
Similar social/economic status
Did not follow certain rules that were seen as “vulgar” by higher classes
 Ex: Austen was educated and Elizabeth was independent and spoke her mind
Both wished for love in marriage

• The book starts out introducing the Bennet family with the mother,
Mrs. Bennet, the father, Mr. Bennet, and their five unmarried daughters; Jane, Elizabeth, Kitty, Lydia and Mary.
• Charles Bingley, a rich single man, moves to the Netherfield estate.
He meets the Bennet daughters at a local ball and they are impressed by his outgoing personality and friendliness. The Bennet family becomes obsessed with the idea of him marrying one of the daughters.
• Bingley’s best friend is Mr. Darcy, a very wealthy landowner who is too proud to speak to any of the locals. He refuses to dance with
Elizabeth Bennet at the ball.
• Bingley begins to fall in love with the oldest sister, Jane.
• Jane pays a visit to the Bingley mansion. On her journey to the house she is caught in a downpour and becomes sick, forcing her to stay at
Netherfield for several days.

• In order to tend to Jane, Elizabeth hikes through muddy fields and arrives at the estate.Bingley's sisters and Miss
Darcy are very rude to Elizabeth due to her "vulgar" appearance and Miss Bingley's jealousy towards Elizabeth for attracting Mr.Darcy's attention
• Bingley's sisters do not approve because of the lower family status, while Darcy is still falling in love with
Elizabeth regardless of her social status.
• The Bennet family is visited by Mr. Bennet's cousin,
Mr.Collins who will inherit Mr. Bennet's estate. He tells
Mrs.Bennet that Lady Catherine has instructed him to marry and that he plans to choose a wife from the
Bennet Daughters.
• Shortly after Mr. Collin’s arrival, he proposes to
Elizabeth. She turns him down, wounding his pride.

• Meanwhile, the Bennet girls have become friendly with militia officers stationed in a nearby town.
• Among them is Wickham, a handsome young soldier who is friendly toward Elizabeth and tells her how Darcy cruelly cheated him out of an inheritance, causing Elizabeth to hate him even more.
• Unexpectedly, Jane receives a letter from Miss Bingley informing her that they have left town and do not plan to return.
This causes Jane and Mrs.Bennet great distress, especially because Mrs. Bennet is eager for her daughters to marry

• Mr. Collins turns his attention toward Elizabeth’s best friend Charlotte Lucas. Mr.Collins proposes and soon marries Charlotte, causing Mrs. Bennet further distress
• Darcy continues to love Elizabeth and Elizabeth realizes she has similar feelings for him. She discovers Darcy’s intentional orchestrating of the marriage which saved the reputation and marriage ability of the other daughters.
• Bingley returns to Netherfield and soon asks Jane to marry him. Jane accepts and Mrs. Bingley is pleased.

• Mrs. Bingley hears a rumor from Lady Catherine stating that Elizabeth and Darcy are married and she lectures
Elizabeth on her decision. Elizabeth denies this rumor and her mother demands that she doesn’t accept any proposal from him. She refuses to listen causing Lady
Catherine to tell Darcy about Elizabeth’s impertinence and to yell at him about future engagement between the two of them. Elizabeth’s response to the rumor and her mother only fuels Darcy and he becomes more confident in marrying Elizabeth.
• Darcy proposes to Elizabeth again and she happily accepts.

Please read the following quotes & answer the questions below. You may work in a group
“ It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
1.When reading this quote what comes to mind?
2. Thinking back to this time period do you think is quote was accurate for this time period?

This is a quote said by Mr.Darcy about Elizabeth:
“She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”
1. What theme is represented in the following quote?
2. Put yourself in Elizabeth's shoes and describe how you would react if you heard Darcy said this about you?

"Can such abominable pride as his have ever done him any good?"
"Yes; It has often led him to be liberal and generous, -- to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the poor. Family pride, and filial pride, for he is very proud of what his father was, have done this... He has also brotherly pride, which with some brotherly affection, makes him a very kind and careful guardian of his sister.''
>>> Do you agree with Mr.Wickham in believing pride can be a positive quality? Have you ever disliked someone for being too proud or been disliked for being too proud?

• Note 3 instances where the motifs of pride and prejudice are evident
• Note 2 customs or beliefs in the film that are characteristic of the Romantic era
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