BOOK REPORT by Saniyyah Maulidya (1930911024)

Book Report by Saniyyah Maulidya (1930911024)

Book Information:

1. Title of Book (Novel): Pride and Prejudice

2. Author: Jane Austen

3. Genre: Classic & Romance

4. Publisher: Gramedia Pustaka Utama 

5. Copy right year: 2017

6. Number of Page : 588

Part I

1.1 Introduction: 

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” It’s one of quote in chapter 1 on Pride and Prejudice book. Pride and Prejudice is a classic romantic novel written by Jane Austen. This book first published on 1813 January 28th with 61 chapter on it. Pride and Prejudice has translated into several languages, including into Indonesia that had published on 2014 by Qanita publisher and was translated by Berliani Mantili Nugrahani. Moreover, Pride and Prejudice got great attention so that many adaptations of it. There are some movie and TV series which adapted from Pride and Prejudice book such as Pride and Prejudice which released on 1980, 1995, and 2005. Pride and Prejudice has consistently appeared near the top of lists of "most-loved books" among literary scholars and the reading public. It has become one of the most popular novels in English literature.

1.2 Summary of Book

The complicated relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy began at the party when he came to  Loungbourn as a guest with Mr. Bingley a handsome gentleman who’s come from wealthy family in Nertherfield. The Bennet decided to meet Mr. Bingley because Mrs. Bennet believed that if one of her daughters married to Mr. Bingley it would advance the economic circumstance of their household. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy got a lot of attention by his fine, tall, handsome features, dashing aura of a man. His noble aura was even more natural. Unfortunately, he declined being introduced to any other lady, including Elizabeth. He spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. Elizabeth felt upset but she didn’t show her feeling. Mr. Darcy was the proudest, most disagreeable man and she hoped that he would never come there again. However, their journey didn’t stop until right there. Elizabeth should be back to met with Mr. Darcy in some event that made numerous complicated problems came one by one to them as they suddenly have same feeling each other. So, how they could fixed the problem? Meanwhile, both of them hindered by their social status.

1.3 Characters

Main Characters:

a. Elizabeth Bennet, a headstrong intelligent woman. She is the second daughter in the Bennet family. She’s often called Lizzy by her family. Elizabeth is pretty, brave, witty, and outspoken. That’s why she was not afraid to speak up and proud because of her ability to judge other people. Elizabeth likes reading books. On chapter 15 she meet with Mr. Wickham, a charming officer who give her good impression because of his chivalry and she was admire Mr. Wickham.

b. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Mr. Darcy), a rich landowner from Pemberley. He is the eldest child and only son of the late George Darcy and the late Lady Anne Darcy. Mr. Darcy is also the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and the first cousin of Anne de Bourgh. He is an arrogant man mixed good appearance look. His stiff and cold personality makes people disinclined to get closer with him. In the end of the story, revealed that Mr. Darcy is very royal and kind to people. 

c. George Wickham (Mr. Wickham), a militant officer. He was the godson of the late Mr. Darcy, father of Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy. Wickham is a very charming man, an excellent conversationalist, and warmhearted person. He spent his childhood with Mr. Darcy, but they separated not well when they had grow up become a mature man. 

Other Characters:

a. The Bennet Family are consist Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Jane Bennet, Elizabeth Bennet, Mary Bennet, Catherine Bennet, and Lydia Bennet.

b. The Bingley Family are consist Mr. Charlie Bingley, Miss Caroline Bingley, and Mrs. Louisa Hurst.

c. Mr. William Collins, he is cousin of the Bennet daughters.

d. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she is Mr. Darcy’s aunt.

e. Miss Charlotte Lucas, she is wife of Mr. Collins, the Bennet neighbors, and Elizabeth’s close friend.

f. Miss Georgiana Darcy, she is Mr. Darcy's little sister and nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

1.4 Settings

Pride and Prejudice is set in England at some point in the very late 1700’s-early 1800’s, during the Napoleonic Wars (1797-1815). However, here are some places that often mention on the novel.

- Longbourn: The Bennet family estate near the town of Meryton. On chapter 13 mentioned that Longbourn will be inherited to Mr. Collins when Mr. Bennet dies. 

"They returned, therefore, in good spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived..."

- Meryton: The town near with Longbourn. The place when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth first meet.

"She danced four dances with him at Meryton...."

- Netherfield: Mr. Bingley estate where he live with his two sisters and his brother in law, Miss Caroline Bingley, Mrs. Louisa Hurst, and Mr. Hurst.

"Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune...."

- Pemberley: Mr. Darcy estate where he live with his mother and sister.

"Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrive at the Pemberley estate and are impressed...."

- Rosings Park: Lady Catherine’s elite estate.

"The group is invited to dine at Lady Catherine de Bourgh's residence, Rosings, soon after they arrive...."

1.5 Plot

a. Mrs. Bennet told her husband that that Netherfield Park had bought by a young wealthy man from North England, his name is Mr. Bingley. She believed that if one of her daughters married to Mr. Bingley, it would advance the economic circumstance of their household.

b. On the night of the Meryton, the Bennet ladies finally met Mr. Bingley, his sisters (Caroline and Mrs. Hurst), and Mr. Darcy, his friend from London.

c.  In the other side, Mr. Darcy felt attracted to Elizabeth Bennet.

d. Elizabeth had bad first impression to Mr. Darcy because he was proudest and arrogant man. Moreover, after he had separated her sister and Mr. Bingley and heard rumor about his past. Then, Mr. Darcy decided to write a letter for Elizabeth to explain the truth story. This part is climax because Elizabeth started to accept Mr. Darcy.

"For the truth of everything here related, I can appeal more particularly to the testimony of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who, from our near relationship and constant intimacy..."

e. As time goes by, Darcy personality, suddenly he turn out became warm person. After Elizabeth heard all the explanation, Mr. Darcy confessed his feeling to Elizabeth and he wanted marry to Elizabeth, but their relationship got rejected by Lady Catherine, Mr. Darcy’s aunt.

1.6 Themes

a. Prejudice: Prejudice in Pride and Prejudice refers to the tendency of the characters to judge one another based on presumptions. The theme is displayed mostly through the character of Elizabeth, who is quick to judge others upon meeting them. These judgements turn into prejudice, even though they are often incorrect.

b. Social Class/Stratification Class: We can see the social stratification or the difference class between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy family belongs to the upper class. It can be seen from their estate, snobbish life style. They stay at the large estate and they have company. Another character belonging to upper class are Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine. They are live in luxurious estate. Meanwhile, there are the Bennet family from middle class. They live in Longbourn, a small town in England. Particularly, when Mrs. Bennet has ambition to make her daughters married with someone who come from wealthy family.

Part II

2.1 Evaluation/Analysis

Pride and Prejudice is not only tell about romance, but this novel give us information about marriage life on 19th century where marriage was seen as social contract, other without need for love. For example, when Lady Catherine had planned her daughter to marry Mr. Darcy since they were born. In addition, most a commoner still can't marry with a royal/noble family on 19th century era. Most of them who were born as royal/noble family only marrying persons considered to be royalty, sometimes with penalties for royals who married far below their rank, deemed morganatic marriage.

In this story, Lady Catherine made the marriage plan for her daughter and Mr. Darcy because she wanted keep her reputation and dignity as noble family. 

Mrs. Bennet and Lydia are characters that make me upset because they were both are stubborn, selfish, and foolish. Although, they are not the main character, their personalities can make the reader feel upset and get carried away by situation at the same time. This point can be the strength for this book.

The weakness of Pride and Prejudice are contained too many characters, it makes a little bit confusing, so I should re-read previous chapter clearly to understand the storyline. Last, I find many convoluted dialogue nor unfamiliar words in every chapter, it makes me could not easily to remember and understand.

2.2 Conclusion

This novel is interesting, especially for classic book lovers. Pride and Prejudice has moral lesson that we should being educated person with good attitude no matter what economic class we are and don’t easily judge people without knowing their whole story.

I recommended you should read this book and watch Pride and Prejudice movie. You’ll see beautiful scenery of some places that have mentioned on novel such as Netherfield, Pemberley, Rosings Park, etc. We can also learn British accent by watching that movie.