Pride and Prejudice

A classic romance novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as they navigate love, family, and societal expectations in 19th-century England. Their journey from animosity to devotion has captivated readers for centuries.Reading NotesLanguage & Style•Austen’s language reflects early 19th-century British English. Sentences may be long and ironic in tone.•Dialogue often carries hidden meaning; characters rarely say exactly what they feel.Social Context•Marriage was primarily an economic and social necessity, especially for women.•Class and income determined social mobility and respectability.•Entailment laws prevented women from inheriting property, driving much of the novel’s tension.Key Concepts•Pride: Excessive self-regard or rigid judgment, especially regarding class and status.•Prejudice: Forming opinions without full knowledge or reflection.•Reputation: A fragile social currency, particularly for women.