Pride and Prejudice

About the story

The Bennet family has five daughters and no son, so when wealthy Mr. Bingley moves in nearby, Mrs. Bennet is determined that one of her girls should marry him. Lively, clever Elizabeth takes an instant dislike to Bingley's proud friend, Mr. Darcy — and then has to discover how much of her judgment was right.

Before reading

• What is a "first impression"? Have you ever changed your mind about someone after getting to know them?
• The story is set in England about 200 years ago. What do you think life was like for young women then?

Discussion questions

1. Why does Elizabeth dislike Darcy at the start? Was she fair?
2. Which character changes the most during the story? How can you tell from the pictures?
3. How do Elizabeth and her sister Jane handle their feelings differently?
4. Mr. Wickham seems charming at first. What makes people trust him?
5. Darcy's letter changes everything. Why is a letter such a powerful way to tell this part of the story?
6. The title names two faults: pride and prejudice. Which characters show each one?

Words to know

• Prejudice — an opinion formed before you know the facts.
• Estate — a large country house and its land.
• Entail — a rule that passes property to a male relative.
• Civility — politeness.
• Proposal — an offer of marriage.

Activities

• Compare a scene. Find the ball where Elizabeth and Darcy first meet in the original novel. What does the graphic novel show in pictures that Austen describes in words?
• Write the letter. Imagine Elizabeth writes back to Darcy after reading his letter. What does she say?