Pride and Prejudice summary

Chapters 1–23

Volume one: Netherfield and first impressions

A single man of large fortune (chapters 1–2). The novel opens with its famous line, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”, and with Mrs Bennet’s news that Netherfield Park is let at last, to a Mr Bingley with four or five thousand a year. The Bennets have five unmarried daughters and an estate that will pass to a male cousin, so the stakes are clear from the start.

The Meryton assembly (chapter 3). Bingley is charming and dances twice with Jane. His friend Darcy, who has ten thousand a year, refuses to dance with anyone outside his party and is overheard calling Elizabeth “tolerable: but not handsome enough to tempt me”. The neighbourhood decides he is the proudest man in the world.

Netherfield (chapters 6–12). Darcy begins, against his will, to admire Elizabeth’s “fine eyes”. Jane is invited to dine at Netherfield, sent on horseback by her mother in the hope of rain, falls ill and has to stay. Elizabeth walks three muddy miles to nurse her, and spends several days sparring with Darcy while Bingley’s sister Caroline, who wants Darcy for herself, grows jealous.

Mr Collins and Mr Wickham (chapters 13–17). Mr Collins, the pompous clergyman who will inherit Longbourn, arrives meaning to marry one of the daughters. At Meryton the sisters meet Mr Wickham, a handsome new militia officer, who tells Elizabeth that Darcy refused him a living in the church that Darcy’s father intended for him. She believes every word.

The Netherfield ball (chapter 18). Elizabeth dances with Darcy and challenges him about Wickham; her family embarrass themselves in every possible way; and Darcy watches Jane and concludes she does not love his friend.

Two proposals (chapters 19–23). Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth and refuses to take no for an answer until her father backs her. The Bingley party leaves for London, and Caroline writes that they will not return. Within three days of Elizabeth’s refusal, her sensible friend Charlotte Lucas accepts Mr Collins, for the security of a home.

Chapters 43–61

Volume three: Pemberley, Lydia and the second proposal

Pemberley (chapters 43–45). Told the family is away, Elizabeth tours Pemberley. The housekeeper praises Darcy as the best master that ever lived. Then he appears, gracious to the Gardiners and eager for Elizabeth to meet his sister. Elizabeth’s feelings change completely.

Lydia elopes (chapters 46–50). Letters from Jane bring disaster: Lydia has run off from Brighton with Wickham, who has no intention of marrying her. Elizabeth tells Darcy, who leaves at once, and she assumes she will never see him again. Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner search London. Suddenly the couple are found and Wickham agrees to marry Lydia on surprisingly modest terms.

The secret (chapters 51–52). Lydia, back home and proud of her ring, lets slip that Darcy was at her wedding. Mrs Gardiner’s letter reveals the rest: Darcy found them, paid Wickham’s debts, bought his commission and arranged everything, asking that no one should know.

Jane and Bingley (chapters 53–55). Bingley returns to Netherfield with Darcy, calls at Longbourn and finally proposes to Jane, who is accepted with joy.

Lady Catherine (chapters 56–57). Hearing a rumour that Elizabeth will marry Darcy, Lady Catherine descends on Longbourn and demands she promise never to accept him. Elizabeth refuses to promise anything: “He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal.”

The second proposal (chapters 58–60). Lady Catherine’s report gives Darcy hope. Walking with Elizabeth, he says, “You are too generous to trifle with me,” and she accepts him. Her stunned family, who think she dislikes him, have to be persuaded; her father gives his consent once he hears what Darcy did for Lydia.

Where and when is Pride and Prejudice set?

Austen first drafted the novel in 1796–97 as First Impressions and revised it before publication in 1813, so it belongs to the late Georgian and Regency years: the militia in Meryton and Brighton are there because Britain was at war with France. Its world is the country gentry of southern and midland England, moving between four main places.

Every place is described in our guide to Pemberley, Longbourn and Netherfield.

Why is Pride and Prejudice hard to read, and how to enjoy it

Most first-time readers find the opening chapters slow, for three reasons. The sentences are long and balanced, in the style of the 1790s. Austen often slips into a character’s thoughts without saying so, so a line that sounds like the narrator may be Mrs Bennet’s opinion, and much of the comedy is irony. And the plot depends on things she never explains: entails, incomes, who may dance with whom and why an elopement is ruin.

• Read the first three chapters twice. After the assembly, the pace and the jokes become easier to hear.
• Keep a who’s who to hand: our Pride and Prejudice characters guide, or the Bennet sisters in order.
• Read the dialogue aloud. Mrs Bennet, Mr Collins and Lady Catherine are written to be heard.
• Remember the money. Every proposal is also a financial decision, and that is the point.