Pride and Prejudice
Chapter 1
1. Which central themes and narrative characteristics of the novel are introduced in the famous
opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice?
The themes of the wealth, beauty, and a marriage setting are seen, because every man of wealth finds
the best looking wife and this was a common thing.
2. Why does Mrs. Bennet state that it is impossible for her and her daughters to visit Mr. Bingley
if Mr. Bennet does not visit him first?
Mrs. Bennet feels that Mr. Bingley would like Mr. Bennet and that if Mr. Bennet went and made a good
impression, then it would get a foot in the door for their daughters to get a chance to be a married woman. It
was also because women were not allowed to go out and have the first say in the conversational.
3. Why does Mr. Bennet prefer Elizabeth over his other daughters?
Mr. Bennet prefers his daughter Elizabeth, because he believes that she is the smartest and that she would have
the best impact on the young, handsome man. He believes that if Mr. Bingley meets Elizabeth first, then he
would be more inclined to only dance with her and not look at anyone else.
4. To what extent does the statement that it was the "business of [Mrs. Bennets] life" to "get her
daughters married" serve as a commentary on hereditary practices among Englands
landowners?
1 STUDY GUIDE
, Pride and Prejudice STUDENT'S COPY
Back in this day and age the parents wouldn’t let the daughters have their own choices. They have a
small choice, but they cannot just go and make their own decisions, they’re father had to almost give
his daughter away to her new husband.
1 STUDY GUIDE
, Pride and Prejudice STUDENT'S COPY
Chapter 2
1. How is Austen able to portray Mrs. Bennet as a foolish and uneducated woman when she
describes Mrs. Bennet's assessment of her relationship with Mrs. Long?
Austen is able to portray Mrs. Bennet as foolish and uneducated, by the way Austen describes her relationship
with Mrs. Long. Mrs. Bennet acts as though Mr. Bingley’s bachelorship is a game. She believes that her friend,
Mrs. Long will force her daughters on Mr. Bingley and not give her daughters a chance which shows her childish
attitude.
She also says that she doesn’t have an opinion of her, but she only lists her negative qualities which shows her
own insecurity and jealousy.
2. How do Mr. Bennet's comments on his wife's nerves provide a clue to his overall opinion
of his wife?
He dismisses her and realizes that she isn’t very intelligent, and isn’t completely happy with her but he
puts up with her.
2 STUDY GUIDE
, Chapter 3
1. What hopes does Mrs. Bennet immediately connect with Mr. Bingley's move to Netherfield?
Mrs. Bennet hopes that Mr. Bingley will marry one of her daughters.
2. Which characteristics cause Mr. Darcy to make a favorable first impression at the ball? What
does this early assessment of his character reveal about the people in Meryton?
Mr. Darcy is very wealthy and this shows that the people of Meryton have a high standard of living.
3. What behaviors does Mr. Darcy eventually display at the ball that cause people to change
their initially positive opinion of him and deem him a proud and disagreeable man?
Mr. Darcy shows arrogance and a self-centered attitude which causes people to dislike him.
4. What causes Elizabeth to form a negative opinion of Mr. Darcy?
Mr. Darcy doesn’t think Elizabeth is fit to dance and she realizes this and doesn’t like his arrogance.
5. Why does Mr. Bennet express his wish that Mr. Bingley "had sprained his ancle in the first
dance"? What does the Bennets' exchange reveal about their characters and their relationship?
Mr. Bennet doesn’t want Mr. Bingley to dance with multiple woman, he wants him to marry one
of his daughters. This reveals that they are stubborn because they only want their daughters dancing
with the new man and it shows that they have an unstable relationship