"Pride and Prejudice"

Comments:

Pride and Prejudice is particularly strong in its objective story range of choice vs.
delay. It is also strong in its objective story problem (temptation) and solution
(conscience). Of all the objective characters, only "Mrs. Gardiner" fits into an
archetypal pattern--as the guardian. As a side note, Jane Austen is considered one
of the first "Regency" romance authors.

Author: Jane Austen

Analysis by: Katy E. Monahan Huntley

Genre: Romance

Period: Early nineteenth century

Setting: Rural England; London

Source Material:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Penguin, 1813.

Drabble, Margaret. Introduction. Pride and Prejudice. By Jane Austen. New
York: Penguin, 1989.
Johnson, Claudia. Jane Austen: Women, Politics, and the Novel. Chicago: U
of Chicago Press, 1988.
Moore, Catherine. Pride and Prejudice. Masterplots. Ed. F. N. Magill.
Englewood: Salem, 1976.
Peterson, Eric. Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Ed. G. Carey. Lincoln: Cliffs
Notes, 1982.
Pride and Prejudice. Barrons' Booknotes June 1996. American
Online.Weinsheimer, Joel.
Chance and the Hierarchy of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen
(Modern Critical Views). Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea, 1986.

Brief Synopsis:

Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen's "delicate but telling satire of the English country
gentle folk of her day--and indeed of her neighborhood--[it] remains a delightful
commentary upon the little foibles of human nature" (Moore 5307).

Objective Character Mini-Synopsis:

The Bennet family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters--Jane,
Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. They are all concerned with marrying to secure
their romantic and economic future. Elizabeth is particularly concerned with a
marriage in which she can retain her own identity. Close family friends are Colonel
and Mrs. Lucas, who have the same concerns for their offspring. Charlotte Lucas is
Elizabeth's best friend. She is pragmatic in matters of the heart, concerning herself
with financial security rather than passionate love. As a practicality, she accepts a
marriage proposal from the Bennet's cousin--although he had proposed and had
been rejected by Elizabeth only a few days before. George Wickham is a spendthrift
and scoundrel; he is concerned with marrying for money. Although a suitor for
Elizabeth, he casts her aside for a young woman of wealth. He dallies with Lydia,
and is forced by Mr. Darcy to marry the girl. Mr. Bingley is wealthy, amiable, and in
love with Jane, who reciprocates his feelings. Mr. Darcy isn't convinced of Jane's
sincerity, and interferes with their courtship. Against his will, he is attracted to
Elizabeth. Miss Caroline Bingley is in love with Mr. Darcy's financial and social
status, and makes every attempt to dissuade him from pursuing Elizabeth and to
turn his attention toward herself. Lady Catherine is Collins' patroness and Darcy's
aunt. She wants Collins to find himself a suitable wife (he does) and Darcy to marry
her insipid daughter (he doesn't). Her rancorous statement against the impertinent
Elizabeth to Darcy backfires, as she inadvertently lets Darcy know Elizabeth cares
for him, which encourages him to again propose marriage, which she accepts.

THE OBJECTIVE CHARACTERS:

Name: Elizabeth Bennet

Gender: Female
Description:
Intelligent and spirited with exceptionally "fine eyes" (Austen 25). "Elizabeth's
celebrated liveliness is vigorously physical as well, verging sometimes on unladylike
athleticism. . . .she also runs, jumps, springs, and rambles" (Johnson 1988).
Role: 2nd of five daughters; her father's favorite
Characteristics:
Motivation: Consider;
Methodology: Certainty; Proaction; Nonacceptance;
Evaluation: Proven;
Purpose: Knowledge; Actuality;
Name: Mr. Darcy
Gender: Male
Description:
Tall, dark, and handsome--with an income over 10,000 pounds per year
Role: Proud and wealthy aristocrat
Characteristics:
Motivation: Reconsider;
Methodology: Induction;
Evaluation: Non-Accurate; Process;
Purpose: Chaos; Change; Perception;
Name: Caroline Bingley
Gender: Female
Description:
Cold and selfish; she wants Mr. Darcy for a husband
Role: Mr. Bingley's sister
Characteristics:
Motivation: Disbelief; Oppose;
Evaluation: Determination; Test;
Name: Charlotte Lucas
Gender: Female
Description:
Sensible and intelligent
Role: Elizabeth's best friend
Characteristics:
Motivation: Logic; Control;
Methodology: Probability;
Evaluation: Theory;
Purpose: Thought; Ability; Aware;
Name: Lady Catherine
Gender: Female
Description:
High and mighty
Role: Collins' patroness & Darcy's aunt
Characteristics:
Methodology: Potentiality; Possibility;
Name: Lydia Bennet
Gender: Female
Description:
Giddy
Role: Sister
Characteristics:
Purpose: Desire;
Name: Mr. Bennet
Gender: Male
Description:
Ironic and somewhat irresponsible
Role: Father
Characteristics:
Motivation: Avoidance;
Evaluation: Cause;
Name: Mr. Bingley
Gender: Male
Description:
Amiable and well-off
Role: Jane's Suitor, Darcy's friend
Characteristics:
Methodology: Inaction;
Name: Mr. Collins
Gender: Male
Description:
Priggish and obsequious
Role: Mr. Bennet's cousin
Characteristics:
Evaluation: Effect;
Name: Mrs. Bennet
Gender: Female
Description:
Foolish and unrestrained
Role: Wife
Characteristics:
Motivation: Pursuit; Feeling; Uncontrolled;
Methodology: Reaction; Protection;
Evaluation: Hunch;
Purpose: Self Aware;
Name: Mrs. Gardiner
Gender: Female
Description:
Beloved and wise aunt of the Bennet girls
Role: Bennet girls' aunt
Characteristics:
Motivation: Conscience; Help;
Methodology: Reduction; Evaluation;
Evaluation: Expectation; Ending;
Purpose: Equity; Projection;
Name: Wickham
Gender: Male
Description:
Charismatic and unprincipled
Role: Scoundrel
Characteristics:
Motivation: Temptation; Hinder;
Methodology: Production; Reevaluation;
Evaluation: Unending;
Purpose: Inequity; Speculation;

AUDIENCE AND STORY DYNAMICS APPRECIATIONS:

· Nature as it relates to Actual Dilemma:

Elizabeth creates a true dilemma for herself by falling to the temptation of holding
onto her first impressions. She must change to remain honest with herself and find
the love she is seeking.

· Essence as it relates to Negative Feel:

The focus of the story is avoiding the consequences of spinsterhood, with its certain
destitution.

· Tendency as it relates to Unwilling:

Elizabeth is an unwilling participant in the search for a husband for the sole purpose
of ensuring her future security. Moore remarks:

Flaunting her contempt for money, Elizabeth indignantly spurns as mere strategy to
get a rich husband or any husband Charlotte's advice: . . . .She loftily argues . . .
"that young people who are truly in love are unconcerned about each other's
financial standing" (5311).

· Reach as it relates to Female:

Women will empathize with Elizabeth as she attempts to maintain her ideals and
individuality in a society that considers marriage a business proposition. Women are
expected to marry for financial security and social position, love notwithstanding.

· Resolve as it relates to Change:

Elizabeth firmly believes Mr. Darcy is the last man in the world she would ever marry.
Her change of heart is illustrated when he proposes for the second time:

"If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections
and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject
forever." Elizabeth . . . gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone
so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive
with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. (Austen 305)

· Approach as it relates to Do-er:

Elizabeth's tendency to solve a problem is to handle it through activity. For example,

after learning that Jane has taken ill at the neighbor estate of Netherfield Park,
Elizabeth is not content to stay at home until she is assured of her recovery. Instead,
she braves a rainstorm and lengthy journey on foot to personally tend to her sister's
health.

· Direction as it relates to Stop:

Elizabeth must discard her prejudice of Mr. Darcy.

· Mental Sex as it relates to Female:

An example of Elizabeth using a female problem solving technique is illustrated

when she cannot fathom why Mr. Darcy would interfere with the romance between
Mr. Bingley and her sister, Jane. She looks at the issue holistically, reviewing all the
possible objections he could have against her sister and her family, as well as taking
into account the possibility that Mr. Darcy may wish to have his friend marry Darcy's
younger sister, Georgiana. Elizabeth also determines that the fine points Jane has to
offer Mr. Bingley more than make up for any deficiency Mr. Darcy may have
perceived. Elizabeth is left to conclude Mr. Darcy's objections to the match "had
been partly governed by this worst kind of pride, and partly by the wish of retaining
Mr. Bingley for his sister" (Austen 159).

· Outcome as it relates to Success:

All the principal characters' future security and happiness are assured.

· Judgment as it relates to Good:

Elizabeth has overcome her prejudice of Mr. Darcy and looks forward to a happy
marriage.

· Work as it relates to Decision:

Mr. Darcy's decision not to ask Elizabeth to dance at their first meeting is why she
and her family and friends take an instant dislike to the man; Elizabeth's refusal of
Mr. Collins' proposal gives leave for her best friend, Charlotte, to encourage his
attentions; Elizabeth's decision not to reveal Wickham's true nature leads to her
youngest sister committing folly; and so forth.

· Limit as it relates to Optionlock:

The objective characters move within a limited society, in which there are only so
many possible marital connections one can make. As people are paired off, choices
of a spouse are narrowed. In the case of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, the story is forced
to a climax when Elizabeth gathers all the information necessary to exonerate his
character and realizes there is no other man for her but him, and he learns she
cares for him, making it possible for him to propose for a second time without fear of
rejection.
 THE OBJECTIVE STORY THROUGHLINE:

· Throughline Synopsis:

Barrons' Booknotes synopsis:

In the neighborhood of the Bennet family's estate of Longbourn, Mr. Bingley,
an attractive young bachelor with a good income, has moved into the nearby
manor. He falls in love with the oldest of the five Bennet daughters, Jane.
But his friend, wealthy and aristocratic Mr. Darcy, disapproves of Bingley's
choice. Darcy considers the Bennet family to be socially inferior, and he
plots with Bingley's sisters to separate the lovers. Meanwhile, though, Darcy
is finding it hard to resist his own increasing attraction to Jane's next
younger sister, the vivacious Elizabeth.
Because Mr. Bennet has no son, his estate will be inherited by his nearest
male relative, Mr. Collins. This pompous clergyman comes to Longbourn
seeking a wife. He proposes to Elizabeth, who rejects him--even though
marrying him would be the one way to keep Longbourn in the family. But he
wins her best friend, Charlotte Lucas, a plain young woman who marries
Collins to escape from spinsterhood into a safe, if loveless, marriage.
The story continues with an interweaving of plot and subplots. During her
travels with the Gardiners, Elizabeth receives bad news from Longbourn:
The youngest Bennet girl, giddy sixteen-year-old Lydia, has run away with
Wickham. Such a scandal must disgrace the whole family, and Elizabeth
decides that now, just as her feelings toward Darcy have begun to change,
any hope of his renewing his proposal is lost forever.
But not so. Darcy feels partially responsible for Lydia's elopement; he feels
he should have warned the Bennets that Wickham once tried the same thing
with Darcy's own sister. Besides, he is very much in love with Elizabeth. For
her sake he searches out the fugitive couple, makes sure that they are
legally married, pays Wickham's debts, and buys him a commission in the
army. All this he does secretly. But, though sworn to secrecy, Lydia reveals
Darcy's part in her rescue--and Elizabeth realizes at last how wrong she's
been about him all along.
Bingley, with Darcy's encouragement, proposes to Jane and is accepted.
Soon Darcy makes his proposal again to Elizabeth. By now she has
abandoned her prejudice and he has subdued his pride, and so they are
married and all ends happily.

· Backstory:

In her critical evaluation of Pride and Prejudice, Catherine E. Moore gives an insight
to how things have come to the state they are in as the objective story begins:
The original title, First Impressions, focuses upon the initial errors of judgment from
which the story develops, whereas the title Pride and Prejudice . . . indicates the
central conflict involving the kinds of pride and prejudice which bar the marriages of
Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy and Jane Bennet and Bingley, but bring about the
marriages of Charlotte Lucas and Collins and Lydia Bennet and Wickham. . . .
individual conflicts are defined and resolved within a rigidly delimiting social context,
in which human relationships are determined by wealth and rank (5310).
· Domain as it relates to Universe:

The objective story explores the particular social customs and manners of
England's upper class in the early nineteenth century. An example of a social
custom is voiced by Lady Catherine: "Young women should always be
properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life" (Austen
179). The situation the Bennet family finds themselves in is, with five
daughters and no male heir their estate is entailed to their priggish cousin
Collins. To secure their future, it is necessary for the Bennet girls to marry
well.

· Concern as it relates to The Future:

The objective characters are concerned with their marriage prospects. This concern
is illustrated by the Lucas family, after Mr. Collins asks for Charlotte's hand:
Mr. Collins' present circumstances [as heir to the Bennet estate] made it a most
eligible match for their daughter . . . his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly
fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate with more interest than the matter had
ever excited before how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live . . . .The
younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might
otherwise have done; and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of
Charlotte's dying an old maid. (Austen 105-106)
· Range as it relates to Choice :
Elizabeth is certain Wickham would have chosen her for a wife if she were wealthy;
Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins' patroness, commands him to marry a particular type of
woman: "Choose properly, choose a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let
her be an active, useful sort of person . . ." (Austen 92); Once Collins introduces
himself into the Bennet household, Jane becomes his "settled choice" (Austen 61),
however, a hint from Mrs. Bennet that Jane may soon be engaged to another man
determines Elizabeth as an alternative. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth discuss the
financial and social position that allows Darcy the freedom of choice in his business
dealings:
"He arranges business just as he pleases." "And if not able to please himself in the
arrangement, he has at least great pleasure in the power of choice. I do not know
anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing what he likes than Mr. Darcy."
(Austen 155)
· Counterpoint as it relates to Delay :
Although Jane is stricken ill during her visit with the Bingley sisters, Mrs. Bennet
encourages her to put off returning home from Netherfield Park, in hopes she will
spend more time in courtship with Mr. Bingley; Miss Bingley is annoyed that Jane's
and Elizabeth's journey home is deferred: "[she] was then sorry that she had
proposed the delay, for her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her
affection for the other" (Austen 52); It is the Bennet family's concern that Wickham
and Lydia must be found without delay, before the young girl's reputation is ruined
forever; and so forth.
· Thematic Conflict as it relates to Choice vs. Delay:
An example of the thematic conflict as it relates to choice vs. delay is illustrated in a
conversation between Jane and her sister as she expresses concern over the
possibility Mr. Bingley's sisters and friends may be against their match. Elizabeth
advises that she must decide what is more important, other people's opinions or her
love for Mr. Bingley. Jane determines the latter, but points out "'. . . if he returns no
more this winter, my choice will never be required. A thousand things may arise in six
months!" (Austen 104)
· Problem as it relates to Temptation:
The Bennet girls' aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, entreats Elizabeth to guard against an
attachment to Wickham, to which her niece replies:
". . . how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow creatures if I am
tempted, or how am I even to know that it would be wisdom to resist?" (Austen 125);
Elizabeth explains to Mr. Darcy the family crisis her youngest sister, Lydia, has put
them in:
My youngest sister has left all her friends--has eloped--has thrown herself into the
power of--Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him too
well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt
him to--she is lost forever. (Austen 230); Mr. Collins is concerned with "how little
there is to tempt any one to our humble abode" (Austen 181) as he wishes Elizabeth
farewell; Mr. Bennet embraces marriage with the pretty yet featherbrained Mrs.
Bennet, and soon realizes they have little in common: "Her father, captivated by
youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humour which youth and beauty
generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind
had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her" (Austen 198);
In the belief he will have a male heir, Mr. Bennet indulges in spending money without
a care for the future; and so forth.
· Solution as it relates to Conscience:
After a sensible conversation with her aunt, Elizabeth assures her she will guard
against involving Wickham in "an affection" (Austen 124); Mr. Darcy coerces
Wickham into marring Lydia thereby saving her and the Bennet family's good name;
Elizabeth assures Mr. Collins that she had "spent six weeks with great enjoyment;
and the pleasure of being with Charlotte, and the kind attentions she had received,
must make her feel the obliged" (Austen 181); Mr. Bennet reconciles himself to the
fact he has married a foolish woman and uses as much forbearance as he possibly
can with her silliness; Mr. Bennet's conscience is pricked when he thinks his brother-
in-law has paid for Lydia's imprudence. His conscience is cleared, however, when he
learns from Elizabeth that Darcy was responsible for paying off Lydia's and
Wickham's debts:
"And so, Darcy did everything; made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow's
debts, and got him his commission! So much the better. It will save me a world of
trouble and economy. Had it been your uncle's doing, I must and would have paid
him; but these violent young lovers carry everything their own way. I shall offer to
pay him tomorrow; he will rant and storm about his love for you and there will be an
end of the matter." (Austen 315)
· Focus as it relates to Feeling:
An example of how attention is focused on feeling in the objective story is depicted
by Mrs. Bennet, a foolish woman who uses only her emotions to assess how things
are going, and in doing so almost ruins her daughters' chances for a promising
future: "She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain
temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous" (Austen 7).
Caroline Bingley's emotional assessment of her chances with Mr. Darcy render her
quite desperate; Lydia does not stop to consider that her sister may feel left out
when she is not included in the invitation to Brighton: "Wholly inattentive to her
sister's feelings, Lydia flew about the house in restless ecstasy . . . laughing and
talking with more violence that ever, whilst luckless Kitty continued in the parlour
repining at her fate in terms as unreasonable as her accent was peevish" (Austen
193); Jane and Elizabeth implore their father to receive his errant daughter Lydia
and her new husband: "for the sake of their sister's feelings and consequence"
(Austen 261); and so forth
· Direction as it relates to Logic:
Charlotte is sensible to the fact that she is not an attractive girl and her prospects for
a husband are limited. When Elizabeth refuses Collins' proposal, Charlotte makes
the most of the opportunity and sets about in a logical manner to secure Collins for
herself; Caroline Bingley attempts to win Mr. Darcy for herself by disparaging
Elizabeth and her family at every turn, and encouraging her brother to ask for
Georgiana Darcy's hand reasoning "from the notion that when there has been one
intermarriage, she may have less trouble in achieving a second; in which there is
certainly some ingenuity. . ." (Austen 103); Kitty uses her own line of (weak)
reasoning as she rails against her exclusion of the Brighton invitation: "I cannot see
why Mrs. Forster should not ask me as well as Lydia . . . though I am not her
particular friend. I have just as much right to be asked as she has, and more too, for
I am two years older" (Austen 193); Jane and Elizabeth convince their father to
receive the Wickhams after the sisters had: "urged him so earnestly, yet so rationally
and so mildly . . . that he was prevailed on to think as they thought, and act as they
wished (Austen 261); and so forth.
· Stipulation as it relates to The Present:
The current state of each Bennet daughters' courtship (or lack thereof) is how
progress toward the goal of marrying for financial security is measured in the
objective story.
· Catalyst as it relates to Openness:
Bingley is tolerant of the two youngest Bennet girls' entreaties for a ball. The
festivities serve to put the objective characters in close proximity with each other,
moving all their relationships (for better or worse) forward; Lydia's receptiveness to
Wickham's plan to run off without the benefit of marriage accelerates the objective
story forward; Darcy willingly reevaluates Elizabeth's family relations when he meets
the Gardiners. He collaborates with them to return honor to the Bennet family which
increases the pace toward the climax of the story; and so forth.
· Inhibitor as it relates to Denial:
Mr. Bingley, under the impression Jane Bennet does not care for him, denies his own
feelings of love for her thereby halting the progress of their relationship; Miss Bingley
and Mr. Darcy, unwilling to let go of their plan to keep Bingley away from Jane, do
not let on that she is in London and available to be called upon; Darcy's denial of his
part in bringing Lydia and Wickham together in marriage impedes any progress
between him and the Bennet family; and so forth.
· Goal as it relates to The Future:
A future assured with marital success for the Bennet daughters, in particular Jane,
Elizabeth, and Lydia, is the goal of common concern for the primary characters.
· Consequence as it relates to The Subconscious:
In a practical sense, the consequence of the Bennet daughters not marrying well will
result in a struggle for survival, as upon their father's demise they will be destitute.
Emotionally, if the young ladies live their future out as spinsters, their hearts will be
broken. Mrs. Bennet constantly reminds the reader of the consequences of failing to
achieve the goal, as underscored by Evans in Drabble's introduction of the novel:
If Mrs. Bennet is slightly crazy, then perhaps she is so because she perceives, more
clearly than her husband, the possible fate of her daughters if they do not marry . . .
Given that she has five daughters, it is little wonder that at times Mrs. Bennet is less
than rational. (xi)
· Cost as it relates to Becoming:
For the sake of the Bennet family, Mr. Darcy overcomes his dislike of Wickham and
forces the scoundrel to marry Lydia. The price Mr. Darcy pays (literally and
figuratively) to aid the Bennet family is steep, for once the detested Wickham
marries Lydia, he becomes a brother-in-law to Elizabeth and (after their marriage)
Mr. Darcy.
· Dividend as it relates to Obtaining:
While attempting to make good marriages that will secure their future, certain
dividends are achieved, particularly in the form of invitations. Jane is invited to stay
in London to ease her broken heart; Lydia obtains an invitation from a colonel's wife
to summer at Brighton beach, making herself available to the unattached members
of the militia regiment; Elizabeth is invited to stay at Charlotte's and Mr. Collins'
home, as well as to travel with the Gardiners; and so forth.
· Requirements as it relates to The Present:
The present state of affairs requires the Bennet daughters to marry well:
Mr. Bennet's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year,
which unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed in default of heirs male, on a
distant relation; and their mother's fortune, although ample for her situation in life,
could but ill supply the deficiency of his. (Austen 25)
· Prerequisites as it relates to The Conscious:
The circumstances that cause an entailment on the Bennet estate are such that Mr.
Bennet's father must consider only males worthy of an inheritance.
· Preconditions as it relates to Conceiving:
To keep the Longbourn estate in the care of males, Mr. Bennet's father comes up
with the idea to entail his son's estate to Mr. Collins if he does not produce any male
heirs.
· Forewarnings as it relates to Learning:
The Bennet family learns that Wickham has no intention of marrying Lydia; he will
bed her thus ruining her reputation forever and eliminating any chance of her
acquiring a decent husband; Jane learns Mr. Bingley has no intention of returning to
Netherfield, drastically reducing opportunities for their romance to flourish; When
Mrs. Bennet learns Elizabeth has turned down Mr. Collins' offer of marriage she
cries:
But I tell you what, Miss Lizzy, if you take it into your head to go on refusing every
offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all--and I am sure I do
not know who is to maintain you when your father is dead. I shall not be able to keep
you--and so I warn you. (Austen 98)

THE SUBJECTIVE STORY THROUGHLINE:

· Throughline Synopsis:
Barrons' Booknotes synopsis:
Elizabeth is prejudiced against Darcy because he seems so proud and conceited.
She also suspects that he has interfered between Jane and Bingley. She is even
more put off when she hears that Darcy has treated a young man, George Wickham,
cruelly and unjustly. Wickham tells her that Darcy has denied him the inheritance
that his godfather, Darcy's father, left him. Wickham courts Elizabeth, and his good
looks, charming manners, and story of injustice at Darcy's hands win her sympathy
and deepens her prejudice against Darcy.
Elizabeth visits Charlotte, now Mrs. Collins. Darcy visits his aunt, Lady Catherine,
who is Mr. Collins's patron. Darcy and Elizabeth meet constantly, and at last he
proposes to her, saying with more honesty than tact that he does this against his
better judgment. She angrily rejects him, accusing him of destroying Jane's
happiness and Wickham's legitimate prospects. Later, in an earnest letter, he tells
her the truth on both counts: he did interfere between Jane and Bingley, but he did
not treat Wickham unjustly. In fact, he says, Wickham is a thoroughly bad character.
Elizabeth believes Darcy for once, and her prejudice against him begins to weaken.
Elizabeth travels with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners. They come to Darcy's
magnificent estate in his absence and are shown through the house. His
housekeeper praises him for his goodness and generosity, painting a very different
picture of him from the one Elizabeth has had. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Darcy
himself arrives. Elizabeth is mortified to be found there, but he is full of courtesy to
the Gardiners and very attentive to Elizabeth.
Once Elizabeth is aware of the part Darcy has played in Lydia and Wickham's
marriage, she realizes how wrong she has been about him. Soon Darcy makes his
proposal again to Elizabeth. By now she has abandoned her prejudice and he has
subdued his pride, and so they are married and all ends happily.
· Backstory:
In her critical evaluation of Pride and Prejudice, Catherine E. Moore gives an insight
to how things have come to the state they are in as the subjective story begins:
She [Elizabeth] is like her father in her scorn of society's conventional judgments, but
she champions the concept of individual merit independent of money and rank. She
is, indeed, prejudiced against the prejudices of society. From this premise she
attacks Darcy's pride, assuming that it derives from the causes that Charlotte Lucas
identifies: " . . . with family, fortune, every thing in his favor . . . .he has a right to be
proud."
. . . Significantly, it is Darcy who warns her against prejudicial conclusions, reminding
her that her experience is quite limited. . . . it is only when she begins to move into
Darcy's world that she can judge with true discrimination both the individual merit
and the dictates of society which she has rejected. Fundamentally honest, she
revises her conclusions as new experiences warrant. . . (5311)
· Domain as it relates to Mind:
Because of his wealth and social standing, Mr. Darcy is predisposed to disdain
Elizabeth and her family; though in his same legal class, they are certainly not as
well-to-do. His aristocratic position has created an arrogance that is immediately felt
by Elizabeth at their first meeting when he refuses to ask her to dance. Elizabeth is
insulted by his snub, and this first bad impression provides the impetus for her fixed
attitude against him: "'. . . I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified
mine'" (Austen 19).
· Concern as it relates to The Subconscious:
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy each present a subconscious challenge to the other to
explore their basic drives and desires. As Margaret Drabble comments:
We have little doubt, from their first meeting, that they will finally be brought together,
for the convention of violent antipathy that turns to love is almost as strong as the
convention of love at first sight. . . (vii)
· Range as it relates to Dream :
Mr. Darcy aspires to become Elizabeth's husband, even though she has flatly
rejected his marriage proposal; Elizabeth desires to marry Darcy, but fears he would
never ask for her hand again after her rejection of him: ". . . never had she so
honestly felt that she could have loved him as now, when all love must be in vain"
(Austen 230).
· Counterpoint as it relates to Hope :
Mr. Darcy is confident his desire to marry Elizabeth will be reciprocated:
He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite
of all his endeavors, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his
hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. (Austen 162)
· Thematic Conflict as it relates to Dream vs. Hope:
Dream is given much more play in the subjective story than hope. Although not of
the same social status, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy move in the same social milieu,
creating a reasonable hope that the two might come together. However, their hostile
beginning quashes all hope, and a happy relationship for the two is an unlikely
event.
· Problem as it relates to Uncontrolled:
Mr. Darcy's careless response to Mr. Bingley's suggestion that he ask Elizabeth to
dance is the beginning of his and Elizabeth's volatile relationship; Darcy is further
heedless in what he says in his marriage proposal to Elizabeth, creating an (almost)
irrevocable breach between them.
· Solution as it relates to Control:
Once Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy conduct themselves and their relationship with open
minds and hearts, they accept each other and embrace their future happiness as a
married couple.
· Focus as it relates to Feeling:
Elizabeth's feeling run high on the subject of Mr. Darcy--she despises him. Darcy,
despite himself, is quite attracted to the young lady. This point is illustrated when
Darcy first proposes to Elizabeth:
"My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I
admire and love you." Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared,
coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement,
and the avowal of all that he felt and had long felt for her immediately followed. He
spoke well, but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed, and he
was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. (Austen 160)
· Direction as it relates to Logic:
Elizabeth reasons her first impression of Darcy and the infamous stories she hears
about him draw a true picture of his character; Darcy reasons he should not fall in
love with a young lady that is socially beneath him.
· Stipulation as it relates to The Conscious:
As time passes, the gap between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy narrows as, in spite of her
family, Mr. Darcy contemplates marriage to Elizabeth and she considers new
information on Darcy that puts him in a favorable light.
· Catalyst as it relates to Closure:
Darcy's letter to Elizabeth answers the accusations she has made against him
compelling her to see him in a new light; Mrs. Gardiner's explanation of how Darcy
resolved the scandal of Lydia and Wickham furthers the relationship between Darcy
and Elizabeth.
· Inhibitor as it relates to Preconception:
Mr. Darcy's initial closed minded attitude toward marriage to a woman whose station
in life is beneath his own, impedes the relationship between Elizabeth and himself.
When, in spite of himself, Mr. Darcy falls in love and first proposes to Elizabeth, she
makes clear that the prejudices she holds against him halt any happy future
relationship they might have:
"From the very beginning, from the first moment, I may almost say, of my
acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your
arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such
as to form that groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built
so immovable dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were
the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry." (Austen 164)

Elizabeth Bennet's THROUGHLINE:

· Role:
2nd of five daughters; her father's favorite
· Description:
Intelligent and spirited with exceptionally "fine eyes" (Austen 25). "Elizabeth's
celebrated liveliness is vigorously physical as well, verging sometimes on unladylike
athleticism. . . .she also runs, jumps, springs, and rambles" (Johnson 1988).
· Throughline Synopsis:
As stated by Moore:
Elizabeth begins by rejecting the values and restraints of society, as represented by
such people as her mother, the Lucases, Miss Bingley, and Lady Catherine,
upholding instead the claims of the individual, represented only by her whimsical
father. By the end of the novel, the heart of her conflict appears in the contrast
between her father and Darcy. Loving her father, she has tried to overlook his lack of
decorum in conjugal matters. The implicit comparison between Mr. Bennet's and
Darcy's approach to matrimony points up their different methods of dealing with
society's restraints. . . .Her marriage to Darcy is in a sense a triumph of the individual
over society; but, paradoxically, Elizabeth achieves her most genuine conquest of
pride and prejudice only after she has accepted the full social value of her judgment
that "to be the mistress of Pemberley [Darcy's estate] might be something!" . . .
without evading Elizabeth's capitulation to society, it [the novel] affirms the vitality,
the independent life which is possible at least to an Elizabeth Bennet. (5311-5313)
· Backstory:
In her critical evaluation of Pride and Prejudice, Catherine E. Moore gives an insight
to how things have come to the state they are in as the main character story begins:
As the central character, Elizabeth, her father's favorite child and her mother's least
favorite, must come to terms with the conflicting values implicit in her parents'
antithetical characters. She is like her father in her scorn of society's conventional
judgments, but she champions the concept of individual merit independent of money
and rank. (5311)
· Domain as it relates to Physics:
Elizabeth dashes headlong into any problem she feels requires her attention--which
arise, for the most part, out of her sisters' and friends' love lives. Static is created in
the Bennet household as Elizabeth endeavors to find the perfect match for herself in
marriage. Her flirtation with Wickham causes concern for her aunt; Charlotte
reproves her friend's shortsightedness in disregarding Mr. Darcy and encouraging
Wickham; her decision to refuse Collins' proposal of marriage divides her parents
and particularly incenses her mother:
"I have done with you from this very day. . . .I should never speak to you again, and
you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful
children." (Austen 98)
· Concern as it relates to Obtaining:
Elizabeth is concerned with attaining the kind of marriage that will allow her to retain
her individuality.
· Range as it relates to Morality :
Elizabeth puts far more energy into doing what is best for others rather than what is
best for herself. She is deeply involved in helping Jane and Mr. Bingley unite; she
halts her vacation to be at her family's side when she hears of Lydia's misconduct
and the pain it is causing her family, when Wickham discards Elizabeth for a woman
of financial means, she supports his desertion understanding he must look out for
himself:
The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most remarkable charm of
the young lady, to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable; but Elizabeth . . .
did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence. . . .she was ready to allow it a
wise and desirable measure for both, and could very sincerely wish him happy.
(Austen 129)
· Counterpoint as it relates to Self Interest :
In all her altruistic endeavors, Elizabeth is not without a touch of narcissism as
evidenced in a conversation with Jane: ". . . that is the one great difference between
us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never" (Austen 14).
· Thematic Conflict as it relates to Morality vs. Self Interest:
As one result of Elizabeth's personal growth, she considers the conflict between
morality and self interest in observing her father as a role model for a husband and
parent:
Elizabeth . . . had never been blind to the impropriety of her father's behaviour as a
husband. She had always seen it with pain; but respecting his abilities, and grateful
for his affectionate treatment of herself, she endeavored to forget what she could not
overlook, and to banish from her thoughts that continual breach of conjugal
obligation and decorum which . . .was so reprehensible. But she had never felt so
strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of so unsuitable a
marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising from so ill-judged a
direction of talents . . . which rightly used might at least have preserved the
respectability of his daughters, even if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife.
(Austen 198)
· Problem as it relates to Temptation:
Elizabeth indulges in her first impressions, especially because she is so often right.
As an example, she is so taken by the pleasant countenance of Mr. Wickham, that
she believes everything he says (especially against Mr. Darcy) to be true.
· Solution as it relates to Conscience:
Once Elizabeth realizes she is somewhat mistaken in her understanding of people
based on first impressions, she is able to forbear indulging in prejudice, as
Weinsheimer points out in his essay: "Wickham's knavery teaches Elizabeth to 'draw
no limits in the future to the impudence of an impudent man.'" (24)
· Focus as it relates to Disbelief:
As an example of how Elizabeth's attention is focused on disbelief, she refuses to
accept Miss Bingley's, Mr. Bingley's, and Mr. Darcy's unanimous opinion that
Wickham is a shady character.
· Direction as it relates to Faith:
An example of how Elizabeth's faith in herself intensifies in reaction to unsolicited
and unwelcome opinions is illustrated when she refuses to accept Lady Catherine's
admonishment to give up Darcy:
"I am only resolved to act in that manner which will, in my own opinion, constitute my
happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected to me"
(Austen 298).
· Stipulation as it relates to Learning:
As Elizabeth experiences more of the outside world, she is able to gain more
knowledge of herself: A significant learning experience is described in Act 3:
"How humiliating is this discovery . . . had I been in love, I could not have been more
wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference
of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our
acquaintance I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away,
where either were concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself." (Austen 176)
· Unique Ability as it relates to Approach:
Elizabeth defies putting on the demure manners imposed upon young ladies of her
day. Instead she uses her wit and intelligence to say and do what she thinks. This
approach attracts her to the right man that will make her happy in marriage.
· Critical Flaw as it relates to Obligation:
Elizabeth's endeavor to help herself and her sisters attain the goal of a future
secured by celebrated and happy marriages is severely undermined by her tacit
agreement not to reveal Wickham's true nature to her family and community. This
pledge opens Lydia up to the temptation of running off with the bounder (which she
does) and results in Elizabeth's imagined loss of influence over Darcy:
"When I consider . . . that I might have prevented it!--I who knew what he was. Had I
but explained some part of it only--some part of what I learned to my own family!
Had his character been known, this could not have happened". . . .Darcy made no
answer. . .Elizabeth soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her power was
sinking; everything must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an
assurance of the deepest disgrace. (Austen 230)

Mr. Darcy's THROUGHLINE:

· Role:
Proud and wealthy aristocrat
· Description:
Tall, dark, and handsome--with an income over 10,000 pounds per year
· Throughline Synopsis:
Barrons' Booknotes:
Darcy's character gradually unfolds in the course of the story. He takes Elizabeth's
criticism of him to heart--makes an effort to curb his pride and judge people
according to what they really are, not merely by their rank in society. He
demonstrates this change by his politeness and then his growing friendship with
Elizabeth's aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, even though Mr. Gardiner is "in trade."
The gradual revelation and development of Darcy's character--from pride to
generosity and gentleness--is one of the strengths of the novel.
· Backstory:
Mr. Darcy's ancient family name, magnificent estate, and sizable fortune all
contribute to his pride. But there's another side to his character. He is a generous
master to his servants and tenants and a loving brother to his young sister
Georgiana (Barrons' Booknotes). He grew up with Wickham, the son of Mr. Darcy's
father's steward and a great favorite of the late Mr. Darcy. Although he tried to do
right by his father's wishes for Wickham, the steward's son proved to be a wastrel.
Mr. Darcy is the best friend of Mr. Bingley. As Bingley is apt to be too pleasant and
easily falls in love, Mr. Darcy feels it is his responsibility to guard over his friend's
heart. Mr. Darcy places tremendous importance on being a gentleman.
· Domain as it relates to Psychology:
Mr. Darcy makes an impact on those around him by the way he thinks and what is
thought about him. He explains himself to Elizabeth and the others in a conversation
at Netherfield Park:
"But it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose
a strong understanding to ridicule. . . .vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride-where
there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation. . . .I
have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not
vouch for. It is . . . a too little yielding--certainly too little for the convenience of the
world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others as soon as I ought, nor their
offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move
them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost is
lost for ever." (Austen 50-51)
Elizabeth remarks on his disagreeable nature to Wickham:
"'He is not at all liked in Hertfordshire. Everybody is disgusted with his pride. You will
not find him more favourably spoken of by any one'" (Austen 67).
· Concern as it relates to Becoming:
For Elizabeth's sake, Mr. Darcy is concerned with transforming his proud nature to
one that is kind and considerate, and capable of making her happy.
· Range as it relates to Responsibility :
Darcy takes his responsibilities seriously: "Darcy's pride is real, but is regulated by
responsibility" (Moore 5312).
· Counterpoint as it relates to Commitment :
Once Darcy makes a commitment, he sticks with it regardless of his personal
feelings. An example of this is how he treats Wickham after marrying into the Bennet
family: "Though Darcy could never receive him at Pemberley, yet, for Elizabeth's
sake he assisted him farther in his profession" (Austen 323).
· Thematic Conflict as it relates to Responsibility vs. Commitment:
Mr. Darcy is an extremely responsible individual. That he prides himself on this trait
is off-putting to those who do not know him well. It is when he evidences his
commitment that he garners admiration and respect.
· Problem as it relates to Hinder:
Based on his assumption that Jane's feelings for Mr. Bingley are superficial and
insincere, Mr. Darcy obstructs the relationship between the two by convincing his
friend to quit Netherfield Park; Wickham's reports that Darcy has impeded all his
efforts to make something of himself strengthens the already negative impression
Hertfordshire has of the proud aristocrat.
· Solution as it relates to Help:
Mr. Darcy makes amends to Jane and Mr. Bingley by admitting to his friend the part
he played in undermining their relationship:
"I made a confession to him, which I believe I ought to have made long ago. I told
him of all that had occurred to make my former interference in his affairs absurd and
impertinent . . . I told him, moreover, that I believed myself mistaken in supposing . . .
that your sister was indifferent to him; and as I could easily perceive that his
attachment to her was unabated, I felt no doubt of their happiness together." (Austen
309)
Mr. Darcy assists in the saving of Lydia Bennet's, and therefore the Bennet family's,
reputation by ensuring that Wickham marries the girl; and so forth.
· Focus as it relates to Feeling:
The sentiments Mr. Darcy expresses in his marriage proposal to Elizabeth puts her
into a tailspin of emotions.
· Direction as it relates to Logic:
In answer to Elizabeth's accusations against his character, Mr. Darcy writes a letter
that provides a reasonable account of all his actions, thus forcing her to realize she
had severely misjudged him.
· Stipulation as it relates to Conceiving:
As, over time, the original ideas Mr. Darcy entertains on social position change, he is
able to transform his proud nature.
· Unique Ability as it relates to Rationalization:
Mr. Darcy fabricates many excuses to see Elizabeth, but maddeningly does not
repeat his declaration of love. This circumstance compels her to thank him for his
part in saving her sister's reputation, which also serves as an apology for her past
prejudice of him:
Now was the moment for her resolution to be executed, and while her courage was
high, she immediately said, "I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled
kindness . . . I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel
it" (Austen 304).
· Critical Flaw as it relates to Attitude:
The first impression people receive from Mr. Darcy's proud demeanor is a negative
one, so much so that certain acquaintances are unwilling to reevaluate this
impression and make an effort to understand the man.

ACT PROGRESSIONS:

The Objective Throughline Act Order:

· Objective Story Signpost #1 as it relates to The Present:
It is established that after Mr. Bennet's death, his estate will be passed on to a
distant male relative, leaving his daughters destitute if they do not marry. Other
young ladies in the neighborhood are in want of a "good catch" in particular,
Elizabeth's best friend Charlotte Lucas. It is with great excitement then, when the
rich and unattached Mr. Bingley moves into the tiny community because, "It is a truth
universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be
in want of a wife" (Austen 5).
· Objective Story Journey #1 from The Present to Progress:
The mutual attraction that develops between Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley indicates
he soon may ask for her hand in marriage. The progress of their relationship,
however, is halted when Mr. Bingley and his party move on to London.
· Objective Story Signpost #2 as it relates to Progress:
The way the Bennet daughters' and Charlotte Lucas' romances are proceeding is
explored in Act 2.
· Objective Story Journey #2 from Progress to The Past:
Charlotte discusses how a romance should proceed, using Jane and Mr. Bingley as
an example:
". . .though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours
together; and as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible
that every moment should be employed in conversing together. 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
chooses." (Austen 20); The minor advancement toward achieving the goal of a
future secured through the Bennet daughters' marrying well is put firmly in the past
with Elizabeth's refusal of Collins' proposal, and the Bingley party's evacuation from
Netherfield Park.
· Objective Story Signpost #3 as it relates to The Past:
Mr. Collins is not content to leave Elizabeth's rejection of his marriage proposal in
the past. When she visits the curate and Charlotte, he takes every opportunity to
show her what he believes she is missing; Mrs. Gardiner wants to tour Pemberley,
the Darcy estate she knew in her youth with Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth; Elizabeth
pores over the lot of Jane's letters to see if there is "any revival of past occurrences"
(Austen 159).
· Objective Story Journey #3 from The Past to The Future:
Jane's and Mr. Bingley's past is revived as they once more come into contact with
each other, leaving no doubt as to their future together:
His behavior to her sister was such during dinnertime, as showed an admiration of
her, which . . . persuaded Elizabeth that if left wholly to himself, Jane's happiness,
and his own, would speedily be secured (Austen 283).
· Objective Story Signpost #4 as it relates to The Future:
The future is settled for the Bennet girls. Jane and Mr. Bingley are married as are
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy and Lydia and Mr. Wickham. Kitty's social graces improve
with her many visits to her two elder sister's homes, making her more eligible for a
decent marriage. Mary is also obliged into society as her mother's companion,
making it possible for her to meet potential suitors.
The Subjective Throughline Act Order:
· Subjective Story Signpost #1 as it relates to Memory:
Elizabeth commits to memory how, at their first meeting, Mr. Darcy snubbed her.
Their subsequent interactions are filled with misunderstandings based upon this
recollection.
· Subjective Story Journey #1 from Memory to The Preconscious:
The impact of Elizabeth's and Darcy's first encounter differs. Elizabeth commits to
memory the disparaging comments he makes and his refusal to dance with her.
When her mother advises her not to dance with him in the future, Elizabeth replies,
"'I believe, Ma'am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him'" (Austen 18).
Darcy revises his first impression of Elizabeth and sets about acquainting himself
with her. When he asks her to dance, she is so surprised she unthinkingly accepts.
· Subjective Story Signpost #2 as it relates to The Preconscious:
While at the ball, Elizabeth reflexively accepts Mr. Darcy's invitation to dance with
her:
When those dances were over she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and was in
conversation with her when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy, who
took her so much by surprise in his application for her hand that, without knowing
what she did, she accepted him. He walked away again immediately, and she was
left to fret over her own want of presence of mind. . . (Austen 78).
· Subjective Story Journey #2 from The Preconscious to The Subconscious:
As Elizabeth's and Darcy's relationship develops, they are able to relax more around
each other and take each other's measure. For Darcy, this means falling in love.
Elizabeth still resents him and holds onto her desire for his comeuppance.
· Subjective Story Signpost #3 as it relates to The Subconscious:
During her visit with Charlotte and Collins, Darcy often seeks out Elizabeth
prompting Mrs. Collins to exclaim: "'My dear Eliza he must be in love with you, or he
would never have called on us in this familiar way'" (Austen 153). Elizabeth attributes
his strange behavior to having nothing better to do (Peterson 28) and thus is quite
surprised when he proposes marriage.
· Subjective Story Journey #3 from The Subconscious to The Conscious:
Although Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy love each other, there are still obstacles to take
into consideration before resolving their problem.
· Subjective Story Signpost #4 as it relates to The Conscious:
Elizabeth contemplates how she might have been mistress of Pemberley if she
hadn't rejected Darcy; after her confrontation with Lady Catherine, Elizabeth is
sensible to the fact Darcy may take into consideration his aunt's vehement feelings
against marriage to one that is beneath him in social position:
If he had been wavering before as to what he should do, which had often seemed
likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a relation might settle every doubt. . .
(Austen 300)
The Main Character Throughline Act Order:
· Main Character Signpost #1 as it relates to Understanding:
Elizabeth believes herself to have a great understanding of character.
· Main Character Journey #1 from Understanding to Doing:
As Elizabeth becomes more personally involved in the courtship process, her ability
to fully comprehend the words and actions of those around her lessens. Peterson
notes the approval Elizabeth bestows upon Wickham's action of voluntarily
absenting himself from the ball, without realizing he had said earlier he would not
avoid Darcy on any occasion, shows her prejudice has prevented her from reaching
some very obvious conclusions (22).
· Main Character Signpost #2 as it relates to Doing:
In Act 2, Elizabeth engages in matters of the heart. She counsels Jane and Charlotte
on romance; she endeavors to convince Mr. Collins that she does not wish to
become his wife; she surprises herself into dancing with Darcy at the ball; she flirts
with Wickham; and so forth.
· Main Character Journey #2 from Doing to Obtaining:
Elizabeth's travels and participation in various societal entertainments makes it
possible for her to glean pertinent information regarding Wickham, Darcy, and even
her family.
· Main Character Signpost #3 as it relates to Obtaining:
Without too much regret, Elizabeth loses Wickham to another young lady of greater
financial means:
"His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over, he was the admirer of
someone else. Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all . . . .Her heart had been
but slightly touched . . . " (Austen 129).
· Main Character Journey #3 from Obtaining to Learning:
After possessing all the facts concerning Wickham and Darcy, and attaining a clear
picture of her family, Elizabeth has gathered the necessary information to review her
own pride and prejudices.
· Main Character Signpost #4 as it relates to Learning:
Elizabeth learns what the Pemberley estate is like:
Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done
more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste
(Austen 203).
The Obstacle Character Throughline Act Order:
· Obstacle Character Signpost #1 as it relates to Conceptualizing:
Mr. Darcy cannot imagine dancing with any of the young ladies at the ball that are
new to his acquaintance, giving rise to his reputation as a proud, cold man; to
conform to his idea of what an accomplished young lady is, the woman must:
". . . have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, all the modern
languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain
something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and
expressions . . . and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the
improvement of her mind by extensive reading." (Austen 35)
· Obstacle Character Journey #1 from Conceptualizing to Being:
Mr. Darcy's refusal to ask any of the young ladies to dance at the ball determines to
the Hertfordshire society what kind of man he is. His reputation to be proud and cold
exacerbates with subsequent interactions with the locals, Mrs. Bennet in particular.
· Obstacle Character Signpost #2 as it relates to Being:
Wickham begins his account of Darcy's malicious and inhumane treatment of him by
bitterly remarking:
"The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and
imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen" (Austen 67).
· Obstacle Character Journey #2 from Being to Becoming:
Mr. Darcy assiduously works on overcoming his role as a proud aristocrat to a most
amiable gentleman.
· Obstacle Character Signpost #3 as it relates to Becoming:
Mr. Darcy must give up his pride in order to propose marriage to a young lady that is
not of his same social standing; after Miss Bennet's rejection of his marriage
proposal, he writes a letter explaining his past actions, which begins his
transformation from an arrogant aristocrat to a true gentleman.
· Obstacle Character Journey #3 from Becoming to Conceiving:
As Mr. Darcy becomes a true gentleman, he conceives of how he can help the
Bennet family and win Elizabeth's heart.
· Obstacle Character Signpost #4 as it relates to Conceiving:
The woman who had raised Darcy from the time he was four, gives her account of
Darcy's nature, providing Elizabeth and the Gardiners with a much different notion of
him than they had surmised from their own original impressions and others' reports:
"The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs. Reynolds was of no trifling
nature. . . .Every idea that had been brought forward by the housekeeper was
favorable to his character" (Austen 208).

Miscellaneous Other Storytelling Items:

· All Concerns:
In the objective story, everyone is concerned with who they will marry and how it will
affect their future. Elizabeth is particularly concerned that she maintains her own
identity, even in marriage. Mr. Darcy is concerned with transforming from the proud
man Elizabeth dislikes, into a good husband and equal partner. As Margaret Drabble
comments:
We have little doubt, from their first meeting, that they will finally be brought together,
for the convention of violent antipathy that turns to love is almost as strong as the
convention of love at first sight. . . (Drabble vii)
· Master Plot Synopsis:
Margaret Drabble summarizes the plot thusly:
It is . . . a domestic novel of manners and marriage set in and near a small country
town somewhere around the turn of the century. The interest rises principally from
following the relationships of two couples, that of the amiable Jane Bennet with the
pleasant Mr. Bingley, and that of the witty Elizabeth Bennet with proud and wealthy
Mr. Darcy. Many obstacles (provided principally by the vulgarity of several members
of the Bennet family) delay the final happy ending, and entertainment is provided by
a fine cast of minor characters . . . .But the principal plot is matrimony and the
principal mode is comic. (vi-vii)
· Master Theme Synopsis:
Weinsheimer comments on Austen's use of choice as a theme in Pride and
Prejudice:
Chance is given significance in Jane Austen's novels by her insistence on the value
of its opposite--rational and deliberate choice. . . .In general decision and action are
determined by a variously composed mixture of choice and chance, and only as a
given character increases his knowledge of self and others does choice begin to
predominate. (13)
· Subjective Character Synopsis:
Fitzwilliam Darcy--Darcy is the leading male character in the novel, a tall, handsome
man of twenty-eight, who first scorns and then falls in love with Elizabeth, much
against his will. Unlike his friend Bingley, who is delighted with the friendly country
society, Darcy's first impression is that there is no one attractive enough to dance
with or even talk to. Even Elizabeth seems to him merely "tolerable" when he first
sees her. After falling in love with Elizabeth, he is so steadfast that even though she
has rejected him, he finds and rescues her sister from disgrace. He does this in
secret, not expecting even to be thanked for it. He is too honorable to win Elizabeth's
hand by this unselfish action alone. He does not want her gratitude; he wants her
love.
Elizabeth Bennet--The leading female character in the novel is just under twenty-
one. She is not as beautiful as her older sister but pretty enough, with fine eyes and
a light, graceful figure. Mr. Darcy is attracted by her looks, but he especially likes
what he calls her "lively mind"--she herself calls it her "impertinence." She is quick to
make fun of people's absurdities and hypocrisies, but she's also deeply serious
about some things--particularly about people's power to make each other happy or
unhappy. This seriousness is the main source of her prejudice against Darcy, and
also--when she learns more about him--the source of her love for him. Unlike Jane,
she is quick to express her feelings; she is fiery in expressing her anger at Darcy for
what she believes he has done to make Jane unhappy and to ruin Wickham's
prospects.
· Master Character Synopsis:
Barrons' Booknotes:
Mr. Bennet--Elizabeth's father is a witty, scholarly country gentleman whose
comments and opinions contribute much to the comedy of the novel. But he is also a
disappointed man, who long ago gave up all hope of finding happiness in his
marriage--and who treats his foolish wife and younger daughters as objects of
amusement. He loves his two older girls, Jane and Elizabeth (Elizabeth is his
favorite). But his unwillingness to control his wife's silly talk and his youngest
daughter Lydia's flirtatious behavior comes close to destroying both Jane's and
Elizabeth's hopes of making happy marriages. Another of his disappointments is that
his estate is entailed--meaning that it can only pass on to a male heir--and he has no
son. Like most human beings, he would like to avoid unpleasantness, particularly the
unpleasantness of having to save money and provide for the future. In his early
years, always expecting the birth of a boy, he saw no need to save any of his income
in order to provide for his daughters' future. By the time the fifth Bennet baby turned
out to be still another girl, it seemed to him too late to do anything about the
situation. Elizabeth loves her father dearly, but even she can't pretend that he
doesn't have these serious faults as a husband and father.
Mrs. Bennet--An extremely foolish woman whose "business of her life was to get her
daughters married; its solace was visiting and news" (Austen 7).
Jane Bennet--Elizabeth's older sister is in her early twenties. She is the family
beauty, and she is also the sweetest-natured of the family. She can't see any body's
faults and is never cross or angry. Her calmness and even temper turn out to be a
disadvantage to her, however, when she doesn't seem to return Bingley's affection
and he is easily discouraged from proposing to her. Although Jane hides her feelings
from most people, Elizabeth knows that she really loves Bingley and suffers at losing
him.
Elizabeth Bennet--See subjective characters
Mary Bennet--Mary is the middle sister, a plain, bookish girl given to showing off her
musical accomplishments, much to Elizabeth's embarrassment.
Kitty Bennet--Although older than Lydia, she follows her example. As Drabble states:
"Kitty . . . echoes Lydia, she imitates Lydia, she is fretful because she cannot follow
Lydia; her very lack of character is character, and she adds considerably to the
interplay of family dynamics" (ix)
Lydia Bennet--The youngest daughter is a feather-brained sixteen-year-old
interested only in bonnets, balls, and flirting with the officers stationed in town. She is
not beautiful, but her youth and high spirits make her attractive--she is probably
much like what Mrs. Bennet was at that age. Like her mother, she has little common
sense, no judgment of right and wrong, and no understanding of the suffering her
thoughtless behavior causes her family, particularly her older sisters. Both she and
Mrs. Bennet take pride in the fact that Lydia is the first of the girls to be married, with
no thought at all of the circumstances of the marriage, the character of her husband,
and the poor prospects for their future happiness.
Mr. Darcy--See subjective characters
Mr. Bingley--A wealthy an amiable young man, with a sizable fortune.
Miss Caroline Bingley--Bingley's catty sister; she has cast her eyes in Mr. Darcy's
direction.
Mr. Collins--Mr. Bennet's cousin and heir to the Longbourn estate is one of Jane
Austen's great comic creations. He is an example of how she expressed her
criticisms of society through humor. Mr. Collins is pompous, pretentious, and
obviously hypocritical in his moral judgments; and he takes every opportunity to
flatter and win the approval of his social superiors.
George Wickham--The most attractive man Elizabeth has ever met. However,
Wickham is the only real villain in the novel. He is a gambler and fortune hunter,
forever in debt and forever seeking to marry a girl with money.
Charlotte Lucas--Elizabeth's best friend is intelligent but plain. Like Elizabeth and
Jane, she has no fortune of her own; unlike them, she has little chance of attracting
a husband of her own choosing. Charlotte shocks Elizabeth by accepting a proposal
of marriage from the ridiculous Mr. Collins. Marriage to this foolish, pompous man
cannot promise companionship--let alone love--but it does promise security, and that
is enough for Charlotte. In her opinion, happiness in marriage is all a matter of
chance. In the character of Charlotte, Jane Austen gives us a picture of the reality
that the ordinary young woman of her class had to face. While Jane with her beauty
and Elizabeth with her wit and charm might win a good man's love, a plain, sensible
girl like Charlotte could only try to achieve security and perhaps some comfort in a
home of her own.
The Gardiners--Elizabeth's uncle and aunt, are Jane Austen's answer to the snobs
she makes fun of in the novel. Mr. Gardiner is "in trade" and the Gardiner home is in
an unfashionable part of London. But the Gardiner's are as well bred as the born
gentry and have better manners than some titled folk--for example Darcy's own aunt,
Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Edward Gardiner is Mrs. Bennet's brother, but he is
nothing like her. He is a sensible, dignified, and responsible gentleman. His wife is
fashionable in a quiet way, and a loving adviser to Elizabeth and Jane.
Lady Catherine--Darcy's aunt and Mr. Collins's patron, is another of Austen's comic
creations. She is a bossy woman who considers it her duty to look into people's
affairs and tell them how to manage their lives.