Pride and Prejudice

First published in 1813 by Thomas Egerton, Pride and Prejudice was originally drafted by Austen during a particularly creative period before 1800. The essential plot concerns the marriage plans of Elizabeth Bennett and how they are shaped by her initial prejudice against the proud and reserved Mr Darcy. Through a well-accounted narrative of social scenes and prim courting practices, Elizabeth comes to see that Mr Darcy is not the uptight, austere man she first-perceived, but it takes Mr Darcy to overcome his natural reserve before the plot can be resolved satisfactorily. Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice provide the substance of the title and create a little more subtlety than the original name for the novel – First Impressions. Austen’s draft was likely revised in stages over the years between its original drafting and its subsequent publication and the final version is rich in detail and dramatic dialogue.