"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." So opens this famous novel which has become Jane Austen's best-loved and best-known work. It was in this book that all Jane Austen's talents combined to create not only the most wonderful love story, but dialogue that sparkles with wit and irony, an ingenious and compelling plot and some of the most unforgettable characters ever created.
Although not published until 1813, the bulk of Pride and Prejudice was actually written between October 1796 and August 1797. The original title was First Impressions and Jane Austen's father offered it to a publisher, Cadell, in November 1797, who promptly turned it down. It was then revised and eventually taken on and published in January 1813 by Thomas Egerton for an advance of £150. The very modest print run of 1, 500 soon ran out and a second edition was published in November of the same year. A third edition was published by John Murray in 1817.
Pride and Prejudice deals with the theme of the Bennet sisters' search for a 'suitable match'. A 'good' marriage symbolised for Jane Austen a form of social resolution and fulfilment. Those women who find partners of similar outlook or social standing, who have sufficient funds and a caring open demeanour, seem destined for the 'happy ending'. But this is far too simple an analysis of Jane Austen's view, and is to overlook the various processes which her characters must go through before this happy denouement can be achieved. There are two stumbling blocks for Darcy and Elizabeth: his Pride and her Prejudice. Elizabeth's socially inferior family first blind Darcy to Elizabeth's beauty and in turn Elizabeth's hasty condemnation of Darcy for his maltreatment of Wickam and his haughty manner, blind her to his honourable behaviour in saving the family from ruin, in recompense for his failure to alert them to Wickham's true nature. When these two characters begin to 'see' one another clearly, and certain key actions are revealed, then, and only then, is the path to their union cleared of obstacles.
Indeed, another theme is that of the consequences of wilful concealment and deception. Darcy does not reveal Wickham's seduction of his sister as he is anxious to protect his family's respectability, and in turn Elizabeth and Jane keep Wickham's behaviour secret with disastrous consequences. Lydia remains a victim of self-deception to the very end and is consequently condemned to a feckless and indigent life with Wickham. It was also Jane's reluctance to show her true feelings for Bingley which persuaded Darcy that her affection was not serious and thus emboldened him to dissuade Bingley from the match.
Although the marriage of Elizabeth's friend Miss Lucas to the egregious Mr Collins causes shocked incomprehension, the fact that Charlotte goes into the marriage with her eyes open, seems to suggest that the outcome will be happy and indeed, when Elizabeth reluctantly visits her friend, she finds that she has found a certain contentment.
Jane Austen was concerned that Pride and Prejudice was too 'light', and indeed it wasn't until her next book, Mansfield Park, that she explored more fully the issues of class and social mobility However, in spite of its humour and lightness of touch, we are aware of the moral implications contained in the text; we are simultaneously delighted, entertained and informed. This is fiction in its most perfect form.
