Just re-read Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time and I loooove it so much!

I’ve never really sat down to think about what my favorite book of all time is, but I think that (right after the Bible of course) Pride and Prejudice really takes the cake.

The way Jane Austen is able to protray such varied characters with their own goals and ambitions, all perfectly logical and consistent from their own point of view and thus not forcing any awkward plot lines is just spectacular. When Lydia runs off with Wickham, you really feel “that is just like something Lydia would do, silly child”.

Her humor and wit is amazing and having spoken to friends about the book it seems that much of her sarcasm is lost on people.

The opening line, one of the best in literature; “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”, is clearly a jab at female expectations of men. Why on earth should Mrs. Bennet assume that Mr. Bingley automatically wanted a wife and didn’t want the bachelor lifestyle? *Because he was single and had money.* Throughout the story, why was it that Jane never said: “Perhaps he doesn’t want me because he wants to remain single?” *Because he was single and had money*. There was always someone else that he must have wanted instead, whether Ms. Georgiana or someone else, because: it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, ***must*** be in want of a wife.

I also think that Elizabeth is the most amazing character ever created. I think her growth throughout the book perfectly mirrors that of Darcy and how she evolves from this young and headstrong woman into a more mature and reasonable character, just like Darcy evolves from a young and headstrong man into a more mature and reasonable character, both in their own ways; he by being challenged by her, her by being aided by him. A match made in heaven.

I also think it shows its timelessness by evoking some of the same discussions we might have today. One of my favorite scenes from the book is rather early on, when Jane is sick and staying with Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth goes to visit them and ends up in a discussion with Mr. Darcy and Ms. Bingley about “an accomplished woman”. Mr. Darcy and Ms. Bingley lists the requirements for an accomplished woman, including a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages. Furthermore *a certain something in her air and manner of walking*… (what a fantastic sentence. Austen’s vocabulary is just… wow! I love her!).

Anyways, Elizabeth opposes this “accomplished woman” as pure fiction, impossible to find: “I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe united.” I actually remember hearing my mother say something like: “See! Men have too high expectations of women \[yada yada yada\].” In other words, Austen was speaking straight to my mothers heart.

Well, Ms. Bingley actually comments the following after Elizabeth leaves the room: “Elizabeth Bennet is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds.” Something you can definitely hear today as well!

This is the greatness of Jane Austen: she is able to have two character speak their minds with such ease and recognizability that it feels like you’re in 2024.

by Starkheiser