Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen, 1813
480 pp.
Penguin Random House
ISBN-13: 9780141439518
Summary
This rich social commentary—Pride and Prejudice—is sometimes considered to be Jane Austen's finest novel. It is certainly among her more famous ones.
Austen sets her entertaining study of manners and misconceptions against the backdrop of a class-conscious society in 18th-century England.
Spirited, intelligent Elizabeth Bennet is alternately enchanted and affronted by Mr. Darcy. She is quick to suspend her usual, more rational judgment when it comes to him.
She also is quick to believe the worst gossip about this haughty, opinionated man, who soon manages to alienate Elizabeth and her family.
But is the condescending air that Mr. Darcy wars an indication of his real character? Or has Elizabeth's pride gotten in the way of her chance for true romance? (From Norton Critical Editions .)