Pride and Prejudice
English book report
Jane Austen, Pride and prejudice. Penguin English Library, 2012
FEE BROEKHUIZEN- 4H2 1
, Summary of the plot
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good for-
tune, must be in want of a wife.” (Page 3). The announcement that a rich, youthful and
respectable man named Charles Bingley has leased the property Netherfield Park causes a
tremendous commotion in the neighboring town of Longbourn. Particularly in the Bennet fam-
ily, which consists of two parents and five unmarried girls. Mrs. Bennet considers Bingley's to
be a great chance for one of her daughters to get a wealthy man and pressures her husband to
introduce himself to Bingley. “The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its so-
lace was visiting and news.” (Page 5) In a conversation between Mr. And Mrs. Bennet, he
claims he has no enthusiasm for doing so, however, he later privately meets with Mr. Bingley.
When he tells this to Mrs. Bennet and his daughters that he met with him and they are very
thrilled and ask relentlessly questions. “The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how
soon he would return Mr. Bennet’s visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.”
(Page 8)
A couple of days later, Mr. Bingley visits them, however, he doesn't meet Mr. Bennet's
daughters. Afterward, the Bennets invite him to have dinner but he is summoned to London.
Shortly after he returns to Netherfield Park with his brother-by-law, two sisters, and a friend
named Darcy. The Bennet daughters and their mom go to a ball in a close town named Mery-
ton. Mr. Bingley and his visitors are also present at this ball and while Mr. Bingley comes
across as a delightful man, Mr. Darcy is described as a very negative man. “The gentleman
pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than
Mr Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his man-
ners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud,
to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire
could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being un-
worthy to be compared with his friend.” (Page 10)
The oldest daughter, named Jane, dances twice with Bingley. The second oldest daugh-
ter named Elizabeth overhears the friend of Bingley, Mr. Darcy, while he calls her not attractive
enough to dance with and poor and Elizabeth immediately dislikes Darcy. Later that night,
when the family returned home, Mrs. Bennet excitedly tells her husband about how Mr. Bingley
danced twice with Jane. Jane and Elizabeth talk upstairs after and Jane speaks very admirable
about Bingley and his sisters, while Elizabeth is very skeptical and acts unimpressed by the
higher class. You find out that Bingley is from a very wealthy and respectable family and inher-
ited around 100.000 pounds. Bingley comes across well-liked, decent and social while Darcy is
described as clever but bitter and rude.
The next day the Bennets' neighbors, Sir William Lucas, his wife, and their daughter
Charlotte visit, and the two families talk about the night before. They all agree that although
Bingley danced with Charlotte first, he thought Jane was the prettiest of the attending ladies.
The conversation shifts to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth state she will never dance with him. Every-
body agrees that Darcy, despite his family and fortune, is too proud and arrogant. “‘That is
very true.’ replied Elizabeth ,’and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.’”
(Page 20)
Soon after, the Bingley's sisters visit the Bennets and try to get to know Elizabeth and
Jane. Bingley keeps on focusing on Jane, and Elizabeth states; “‘Jane should therefore make
the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of
him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chuses.’” (Page 22).
Darcey becomes attracted to Elizabeth and starts listening to her discussions at parties
which Elizabeth is very surprised by. “Occupied in observing Mr Bingley’s attentions to her sis-
FEE BROEKHUIZEN- 4H2 2
English book report
Jane Austen, Pride and prejudice. Penguin English Library, 2012
FEE BROEKHUIZEN- 4H2 1
, Summary of the plot
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good for-
tune, must be in want of a wife.” (Page 3). The announcement that a rich, youthful and
respectable man named Charles Bingley has leased the property Netherfield Park causes a
tremendous commotion in the neighboring town of Longbourn. Particularly in the Bennet fam-
ily, which consists of two parents and five unmarried girls. Mrs. Bennet considers Bingley's to
be a great chance for one of her daughters to get a wealthy man and pressures her husband to
introduce himself to Bingley. “The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its so-
lace was visiting and news.” (Page 5) In a conversation between Mr. And Mrs. Bennet, he
claims he has no enthusiasm for doing so, however, he later privately meets with Mr. Bingley.
When he tells this to Mrs. Bennet and his daughters that he met with him and they are very
thrilled and ask relentlessly questions. “The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how
soon he would return Mr. Bennet’s visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.”
(Page 8)
A couple of days later, Mr. Bingley visits them, however, he doesn't meet Mr. Bennet's
daughters. Afterward, the Bennets invite him to have dinner but he is summoned to London.
Shortly after he returns to Netherfield Park with his brother-by-law, two sisters, and a friend
named Darcy. The Bennet daughters and their mom go to a ball in a close town named Mery-
ton. Mr. Bingley and his visitors are also present at this ball and while Mr. Bingley comes
across as a delightful man, Mr. Darcy is described as a very negative man. “The gentleman
pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than
Mr Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his man-
ners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud,
to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire
could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being un-
worthy to be compared with his friend.” (Page 10)
The oldest daughter, named Jane, dances twice with Bingley. The second oldest daugh-
ter named Elizabeth overhears the friend of Bingley, Mr. Darcy, while he calls her not attractive
enough to dance with and poor and Elizabeth immediately dislikes Darcy. Later that night,
when the family returned home, Mrs. Bennet excitedly tells her husband about how Mr. Bingley
danced twice with Jane. Jane and Elizabeth talk upstairs after and Jane speaks very admirable
about Bingley and his sisters, while Elizabeth is very skeptical and acts unimpressed by the
higher class. You find out that Bingley is from a very wealthy and respectable family and inher-
ited around 100.000 pounds. Bingley comes across well-liked, decent and social while Darcy is
described as clever but bitter and rude.
The next day the Bennets' neighbors, Sir William Lucas, his wife, and their daughter
Charlotte visit, and the two families talk about the night before. They all agree that although
Bingley danced with Charlotte first, he thought Jane was the prettiest of the attending ladies.
The conversation shifts to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth state she will never dance with him. Every-
body agrees that Darcy, despite his family and fortune, is too proud and arrogant. “‘That is
very true.’ replied Elizabeth ,’and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.’”
(Page 20)
Soon after, the Bingley's sisters visit the Bennets and try to get to know Elizabeth and
Jane. Bingley keeps on focusing on Jane, and Elizabeth states; “‘Jane should therefore make
the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of
him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chuses.’” (Page 22).
Darcey becomes attracted to Elizabeth and starts listening to her discussions at parties
which Elizabeth is very surprised by. “Occupied in observing Mr Bingley’s attentions to her sis-
FEE BROEKHUIZEN- 4H2 2
