Pride and Prejudice

Introduction and Notes by Dr Ian Littlewood, University of Sussex. Pride and Prejudice, which opens with one of the most famous sentences in English Literature, is an ironic novel of manners. In it the garrulous and empty-headed Mrs Bennet has only one aim - that of finding a good match for each of her five daughters.

In this she is mocked by her cynical and indolent husband. With its wit, its social precision and, above all, its irresistible heroine, Pride and Prejudice has proved one of the most enduringly popular novels in the English language.

Wordsworth Classics
9781853260001
Jane Austen

WHY WOULD YOU REED PRIDE AND PREJUDICE?
Among the most enduring love stories, Pride and Prejudice continues to speak to readers since its publication. The story is witty, humorous and surprisingly modern in feeling, built around the clash between Mr. Darcy, a reserved, self-assured man and Elizabeth Bennet, the quick-witted heroine, unafraid to challenge him. It shows how marriage can be a loving equal partnership, rather than a solely economical must for women, a bold idea for her time. Pride and Prejudice continues to resonate through its rich portrayal of love, both platonic, as seen in the love between the Bennet family, as well as romantic. It teaches about pride and personal growth, showing how understanding ourselves often becomes inseparable from understanding others. A natural choice for readers drawn to character-driven love stories and keen observations of human behaviour.