Pride and Prejudice in English

Jane Austen

originalC2British English · Regency · 1813genreClassicsvibeRomanticLoveClassaudioUK

Mrs Bennet wants her five daughters married, and a rich young man has just moved in nearby. Elizabeth, the second daughter, takes an instant dislike to his proud friend.

The book is built around conversation: visits, dinners, balls, walks and letters, nearly all seen through Elizabeth's eyes. A calm third-person narrator describes events but often adds an ironic comment, so you learn to read what is said and what is meant. It was first published in three volumes, and the story moves from the Bennets' village to other houses and counties as Elizabeth's view of people changes. The language is formal Regency English with long, balanced sentences and polite forms of address. Several letters are quoted in full, and they are important to the plot.

What kind of book“Pride and Prejudice” is

Versions of “Pride and Prejudice” in English: B1

Same book, adapted to a level you can read without stopping

levelA1–A2B1–B2C1–C2pagesaudiobook

Vocabulary by level

A1 64%
A2 17%
B1 8%
B2 6%
not in dictionary 3%

A sample from “Pride and Prejudice” in English

One passage, the way each version writes it.

Tap any word — we will show the translation

C1.1211 words

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”

Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.

“But it is,” she answered, “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”

Mr. Bennet made no answer.

“Do you not want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife impatiently.

“You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”

This was invitation enough.

“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield has been taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England. He came down on Monday in a chaise and four (a light closed carriage pulled by four horses) to see the place, and he was so delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately. He is to take possession before Michaelmas (a church feast on 29 September), and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.”

“What is his name?”

“Bingley.”

“Is he married or single?”

“Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!”

B1.8210 words

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” his wife said to him one day. “Have you heard the news? Someone has rented Netherfield Park at last.”

Mr. Bennet answered that he had not.

“But it is true,” she said. “Mrs. Long was just here, and she told me all about it.”

Mr. Bennet did not answer.

“Do you not want to know who has taken it?” his wife cried impatiently.

“You want to tell me, and I do not mind listening.”

This was enough for Mrs. Bennet.

“Well, my dear, you must know what Mrs. Long says. A rich young man from the north of England has taken Netherfield. He came down on Monday in a chaise and four (a light closed carriage pulled by four horses) to see the place. He liked it very much, and he agreed with Mr. Morris at once. He will move in before Michaelmas (a church feast on 29 September, a usual date for renting houses). Also, some of his servants will be in the house late next week.”

“What is his name?”

“Bingley.”

“Is he married or single?”

“Oh! Single, my dear, of course! A single man with a large fortune; four or five thousand a year (yearly income). What a fine thing for our girls!”

The same passage at different levelsContinue in the reader

The original language of “Pride and Prejudice” and what it gives you

How hard the language is C2

The measured numbers look friendly: 81% of the words are in the A1-A2 bands, only 5% are beyond the 5,000 most frequent words, and the average sentence is 19.9 words. Yet our measurement puts the original at C2. The difficulty is in how the words are used: long, balanced sentences, irony, formal address and old meanings of common words. Dialogue makes up a large part of the text, which helps, but you must listen to what the speakers imply.

What this means in practice: The vocabulary is simple but the manners and the irony take time to read; a good book for learners who want to practise careful reading.

What to be ready for

Regency formality. Characters say Madam, Miss Bennet, Mr Darcy and her Ladyship, and money is counted in pounds a year.

Long sentences. Many sentences are long and balanced, with several clauses joined by commas and semicolons.

Ironic narrator. The narrator often says one thing and means another, especially about marriage and money.

Letters in full. Several letters are quoted whole and have a formal, written style different from the dialogue.

Light slang. Lydia uses slangy, careless speech ('Lord!', 'La!', 'Kitty and me') and Mrs Bennet's grammar is loose; both are only light departures from standard English.

How to read it and not quit

Watch for old meanings of common words: civil means polite, sensible means reasonable, tolerable means just acceptable, and condescension can be a polite, not unkind, word.
When a sentence is long, find the subject and the main verb first, then add the clauses that are hanging off them.
Learn the forms of address: the eldest daughter is Miss Bennet, the others are Miss Elizabeth, Miss Lydia and so on.
When the narrator sounds positive about someone, ask whether it is irony: Austen often says the opposite of what she means.

Contents of “Pride and Prejudice” · 61 chapters

Ipage 1
IIpage 4
IIIpage 6
IVpage 12
Vpage 16
VIpage 20

All 61 chapters

VIIpage 27
VIIIpage 35
IXpage 41
Xpage 47
XIpage 55
XIIpage 60
XIIIpage 63
XIVpage 68
XVpage 72
XVIpage 79
XVIIpage 91
XVIIIpage 95
XVIII (continued)page 104
XIXpage 112
XXpage 119
XXIpage 124
XXIIpage 132
XXIIIpage 137
XXIVpage 143
XXVpage 150
XXVIpage 155
XXVIIpage 162
XXVIIIpage 167
XXIXpage 172
XXXpage 181
XXXIpage 185
XXXIIpage 190
XXXIIIpage 195
XXXIVpage 201
XXXVpage 209
XXXVIpage 219
XXXVIIpage 226
XXXVIIIpage 231
XXXIXpage 234
XLpage 240
XLIpage 246
XLIIpage 254
XLIIIpage 260
XLIII (continued)page 275
XLIVpage 278
XLVpage 285
XLVIpage 292
XLVIIpage 302
XLVIIIpage 316
XLIXpage 323
Lpage 331
LIpage 338
LIIpage 345
LIIIpage 356
LIVpage 366
LVpage 372
LVIpage 380
LVIIpage 389
LVIIIpage 395
LIXpage 403
LXpage 412
LXIpage 417

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The story of “Pride and Prejudice”

1797
Primer borrador, luego rechazado
Austen completó una versión temprana titulada 'First Impressions'; su padre la ofreció a un librero de Londres, quien la rechazó a vuelta de correo.
Austen family letters and Austen-Leigh's 'A Memoir of Jane Austen'
1813
Publicada anónimamente
La novela apareció en tres volúmenes, acreditada solo a 'la Autora de Sentido y sensibilidad'; Austen vendió los derechos de autor por 110 libras en lugar de aceptar regalías.
Publication records; Austen's letters
1813
Aclamación temprana
La primera edición se agotó en meses, y Austen informó que el círculo del Príncipe Regente la admiraba; se le instó a dedicarle una obra futura.
Austen's correspondence
1940
Primera gran película de Hollywood
La adaptación de MGM con Greer Garson y Laurence Olivier llevó la novela a una audiencia masiva de cine y fijó una imagen popular de Darcy.
1995
Serie de la BBC y darcymánia
La adaptación en seis partes de la BBC con Colin Firth como Darcy se convirtió en una versión televisiva definitoria e hizo de la escena de la 'camisa mojada' una referencia cultural duradera.
2003
Segundo en el Big Read de la BBC
En la búsqueda nacional de la BBC de la novela más querida del país, 'Orgullo y prejuicio' quedó en segundo lugar, detrás de 'El Señor de los Anillos'.
BBC Big Read, 2003

In culture “Pride and Prejudice”

12 adaptations and mentions, 1894–2013

1894
Art Ilustraciones de Hugh Thomson
La célebre edición ilustrada de Thomson fijó una imagen visual de Elizabeth, Darcy y la familia Bennet que los ilustradores posteriores respondieron.
1936
Stage Adaptación de Helen Jerome en Broadway
La versión teatral de Jerome fue un éxito de larga duración en Broadway y demostró que la novela podía funcionar como teatro popular.
1940
Film Orgullo y prejuicio (MGM)
La primera versión de Hollywood con gran presupuesto, con Greer Garson y Laurence Olivier, reformuló la historia para el público de la era de los estudios.
1959
Music First Impressions (musical)
Un musical de Broadway basado en la novela, con música y letras de George Weiss, Robert Goldman y Glenn Paxton, cerró tras una corta temporada.
1980
Series Orgullo y prejuicio (BBC)
Una serie de cinco partes de la BBC recordada por su fidelidad al diálogo de la novela y su ritmo largo y pausado.
1995
Series Orgullo y prejuicio (BBC)
La serie en seis partes de Andrew Davies estableció la plantilla para la adaptación moderna de época e hizo icónico al Darcy de Colin Firth.
2001
Film El diario de Bridget Jones
La novela de Helen Fielding y su película reelaboraron la trama como comedia romántica moderna, con Mark Darcy como descendiente directo del héroe de Austen.
2005
Film Orgullo y prejuicio
La película de Joe Wright con Keira Knightley y Matthew Macfadyen trajo una lectura más joven y lírica a una nueva generación.
2009
In the language Orgullo y prejuicio y zombis
La novela de mash-up de Seth Grahame-Smith convirtió el propio título en una fórmula de broma, generando todo un género de remezclas de clásicos con monstruos.
2013
Game Orgullo y prejuicio (novela visual)
Una adaptación como novela visual permitía a los jugadores dirigir las elecciones de Elizabeth, parte del auge más amplio de ficción interactiva inspirada en Austen.
In the language 'Orgullo y prejuicio' como fórmula
El título se convirtió en una frase general para los errores mutuos de juicio que mantienen separadas a dos personas, usada mucho más allá de la novela.
In the language El señor Darcy
El nombre se convirtió en sinónimo del héroe romántico distante y orgulloso que en secreto está entregado.

Questions and answers about “Pride and Prejudice” in English

Is Pride and Prejudice a true story?

No. It is invented, though it describes the real social world Austen knew, where women of her class had very few ways to earn money. That is why marriage is so important in the book.

Why is Pride and Prejudice so famous?

It combines a strong love story with sharp comedy about manners, and the main characters are easy to love and argue about. It also opens with one of the best-known first lines in English fiction.

Is the first line meant seriously?

No, it is ironic. The sentence says it is a universal truth that a rich man must want a wife, but the story shows that it is really the women and their mothers who are looking.

Why does the Bennet family need their daughters to marry?

Their father's estate is entailed, which means it passes to a male relative, Mr Collins, when he dies. The daughters would have very little money, so a good marriage is also their security.

Is Elizabeth Bennet really right about Mr Darcy?

Not completely, and that is the point. Elizabeth is clever but she judges people quickly, and the story shows both her and Darcy being wrong about each other.

Which film or series is closest to the book?

The 1995 BBC series with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is the one most people call the most faithful, mainly because it has time to include most scenes. The 2005 film with Keira Knightley is shorter and changes more.

Is Bridget Jones's Diary based on Pride and Prejudice?

Yes. Helen Fielding's novel of 1996 borrows the plot and gives its hero the name Mark Darcy. Reading Austen first helps you see the jokes.

Why did Austen not put her name on the book?

At the time, many women authors published anonymously. Austen's title page said only that it was by the author of Sense and Sensibility.

What makes Pride and Prejudice hard going?

The long sentences, formal manners and irony slow people down more than the vocabulary does. The first chapters are mostly talk about a possible marriage, so action only gradually begins.

Do I need to know the Regency period to enjoy it?

No. A short explanation of entails, titles and the idea of a young lady's income is enough, and the story explains the rest through the conversations.

In brief about “Pride and Prejudice”

17 fields of imprint data and measured text characteristics. All of it checkable.

Original title: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
First published: 1813
Original language: English
Genre: Classics · Romance
Mood: Romantic
Themes: Love · Class · Family · Identity
Setting: Rural Hertfordshire, with Kent, Derbyshire and London · Regency England, the early 1800s
Distinct words: 6,186

Words per sentence: 20 words
Level of the original: C2
Versions: C2, C1.1, B1.8
Length of the original: 64 ch. · 121,953 words
Reading time: ~11 h 20 min
Source text: Standard Ebooks
Rights: CC0 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication)
Download: EPUB