book report by Aditi Mahadware

Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular novels authored by English writer Jane Austen, published on January 28, 1814, by Thomas Egerton. This well-humoured novel is a satire directed on matrimony and gentry in the early 19th Georgian Society of rural England.
The story follows Elizabeth Bennet and her love life parallel with Mrs. Bennet desperately trying to enter all of our five daughters into matrimony with wealthy men. In the Regency Era where women were dependent on matrimony for social status and economic stability and when society was prejudiced towards gentry, Austen mocks such behaviour through a few of her ingenious characters such as Elizabeth’s uncle Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet.
With the apt use of Red Herring to advance the plot, Elizabeth’s epiphany in the middle of the book, and heavy with foreshadowing, Austen was also found ingeniously exploring pride in her characters, some for wealth, some for beauty, and Elizabeth for her wit and judgement of character. A few references were made to the Napoleonic War during the time, one of them being Wickham’s role as an officer in the militia, as Britain was in war with France.
For a genre of romance, the theme of matrimony was involved along with that of love, deceit, friendship, first impression, and family. Austen didn’t disappoint as she impressed us with her unique heroine showcasing her wit, playfulness, outspoken nature, and care for her loved ones.
The slow yet funny exposition of the novel will develop into a beautifully intricate plot weaving the colourful attributes of each character into it; when you are done with the book, you’d want to pick it up again!