ELIZABETH BENNET - PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - POPULAR CHARACTERS FROM BOOKS - #BLOGCHATTERA2ZCHALLENGE2022

 

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“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

In 1813, Jane Austen wrote a classic titled ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and introduced Elizabet Bennet to the world. In a family of five daughters, Lizzie, as she was known, was the second daughter, living with her parents and her sisters at Longbourne Estate, Meryton, Hertfordshire, England.

All the daughters were distinct from one another, and it was their mother, Mrs. Bennet’s sole ambition to see all of them married off to wealthy and suitable men. Mr. Bennet was a landowner, but his daughters could not inherit his estate which could only go to a male heir.

Elizabeth was her father’s favourite because she was intelligent “with a lively playful disposition which delighted in anything ridiculous”. Besides, she had “something more of quickness than her sisters”.

Jane Austen’s caustic wit often reveals itself in her descriptions of Mrs. Bennet and her youngest daughters, the silly Lydia and Kitty. One of the most humorous scenes in the book is when the obsequious and pompous Mr. Collins who is slated to inherit Longbourne proposes to Elizabeth, who turns him down politely, even as the readers chuckle.

                                                               pemberly.com

The proud Mr. Darcy is the perfect foil for the irrepressible Elizabeth. At their first meeting, he does not deign to even look at her, but slowly he notices her “fine eyes” and in due course of time, falls completely in love with him. His pride fuels Elizabeth’s prejudice, and it takes time for her to look beyond his obvious faults to his chivalry and good heart. Only once she reciprocates his love does he accept his proposal. Class, wealth, upbringing and social status all have a role to play in this novel, as in Austen’s other novels as well. However, the characters of Darcy and Elizabeth have created a niche for themselves, making ‘Pride and Prejudice’ the most popular work of Jane Austen.

                                                     commons.wikimedia.org

 There have been almost seventeen versions of movies and television series based on Pride and Prejudice. The first one came out in 1940 with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. The two most popular ones in modern times are the Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFayden adaptation, and of course, the BBC version with Jennifer Ehle and the iconic Colin Firth. Bride and Prejudice was another adaptation which brought in the colour and festivity of India in the Aishwarya Rai-Martin Henderson movie.

 
Various adaptations of 'Pride and Prejudice'

 I am participating in the #Blogchatter A to Z Challenge! Happy Reading and Writing! :)



Comments

  1. I'm the minority in literature and reading circles who has not yet read this classic.

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    1. Manali, it is a wonderful read. You will enjoy it.

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  2. I too am going to explore P&P in a post for P! At one point, my friend and I were so obsessed, we saw all kinds of movies, shows and adaptations :D

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    Replies
    1. P&P is a book one can get obsessed over, no doubt! Would love to read your take on it! :>)

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  3. I am a Women's Fiction author and it is very difficult to get reviews and visibility. Getting book reviews from bloggers is more and more difficult these days. usbookreviews.com helped me get initial reviews and visibility.

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    Replies
    1. That's wonderful! All the best with your reviews!

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  4. Lizzie Bennet was one fiesty heroine who made me fall in love with her. I was in seventh grade when I first read P&P and now have a ritual of reading it atleast once a year. In February ,mde hubby dearest buy an extremely expensive copy, just because it was very "handsome". As for me, Colin Firth is the best Mr.Darcy!

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    Replies
    1. You and I think alike as far as Lizzie goes, Harshita! She is a favourite maybe because she is so unapologetic. And yes, Colin Firth tops the list!

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  5. This is my all time favorite book and I love the movie.

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