Pride and Prejudice - Summary

Elizabeth is one of five daughters.  Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth’s father, does not like their mother, and does not encourage her matchmaking, even though when Mr. Bennet dies, his wife and daughters will lose their home. The eldest, Jane, should be the first to marry, and so when a wealthy man moves to town, their busy-body mother tries to marry Jane to this man, Bingley.  Bingley brings his sisters, his brother in law, and his best friend, Mr. Darcy with him.  Mr. Darcy appears quite pompous and rude.  Jane begins a normal, stable relationship with Mr. Bingley.  A group of soldiers are stationed in town, and the two youngest, Lydia and Kitty, flirt with the soldiers shamelessly.  Mary, the middle child, shows off even though she isn’t very talented.  Elizabeth is courted by Mr. Wickham, a young soldier, who tells her of awful things Mr. Darcy did to him.  Her cousin, Mr. Collins, is set to inherit the Bennet estate.  He proposes to Lizzy, but she says no.  Although her mother is upset, Mr. Bennet supports Lizzy’s decision.  The relationship with Mr. Wickham ends, and Mr. Bingley’s party returns to their city home.  Mr. Bingley ends his relationship with Jane.  Elizabeth goes to visit her friend Catherine, who married Mr. Collins, and sees Mr. Darcy during this trip.  He proposes to her, and proclaims his love, but because of Wickham, she rejects him too.  He then leaves her a letter explaining his side of Wickham’s story.  Elizabeth realizes how wrong she was and is embarrassed, but also that he told Bingley to leave Jane.  She returns home, and then goes on vacation with her aunt and uncle.  During this trip, they visit Pemberley, Darcy’s estate, and see him.  He and Elizabeth renew their affections, but the visit is cut short by Lydia who eloped with Wickham.  Mr. Darcy helps find Lydia and fixed the situation, but doesn’t tell Elizabeth. When she next sees Bingley and Darcy, Bingley proposes to Jane and Darcy proposes to Elizabeth.  And they all live happily ever after.  Except Lydia, who is poor, and trapped in a nasty marriage.