Pride and Prejudice: Study Guide

Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen that was first published in 1813.

Summary

Read our full plot summary and analysis of Pride and Prejudice, chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, and more.

Summary & Analysis
Chapters 1–4
Chapters 5–8
Chapters 9–12
Chapters 13–17
Chapters 18–23
Chapters 24-26
Chapters 27–34
Chapters 35–42
Chapters 43–45
Chapters 46–49
Chapters 50–55
Chapters 56–61

Full Book
Full Book Summary
Full Book Analysis
Key Facts

Characters

Read a complete list of characters from Pride and Prejudice, and in-depth analyses of Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and more.

Character List
Elizabeth Bennet
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley
Mr. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet
Lydia Bennet
Charlotte Lucas

Literary Devices

Here's where you'll find analysis of the literary devices in Pride and Prejudice, from the major themes to motifs, symbols, and more.

Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Metaphors and Similes

Questions & Answers

Explore our selection of frequently asked questions about Pride and Prejudice and find the answers you need.

Why does Charlotte Lucas marry Mr. Collins?
Why is Lizzy Mr. Bennet’s favorite daughter?
Why does Darcy dislike Wickham?
Why does Lizzy form a negative first impression of Darcy?
Why does Lizzy reject Darcy’s first proposal to her?
What is the significance of the novel’s opening line?
According to Mr. Darcy, what qualities make a woman “accomplished”?
What role do letters play in the novel?
What is revealed about the characters after Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins’s proposal?
How is the novel a critique of the social norms of its time?
How are Mr. and Mrs. Bennet different?
What is entailment, and what role does it play in the novel?
Who is Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and how does she influence the plot?
Why does Wickham lie to Elizabeth?
What role does prejudice play in the novel?

Quotes

Find the quotes you need to support your essay, or refresh your memory of Pride and Prejudice by reading these key quotes.

Important Quotes Explained

By Theme
Family
Integrity
Gender
First Impressions

By Section
Chapters 1–4
Chapters 5–8
Chapters 9–12
Chapters 13–17
Chapters 18–23
Chapters 24–26
Chapters 27–34
Chapters 35–42
Chapters 43–45
Chapters 46–49
Chapters 50–55
Chapters 56–61

By Symbol
Pemberley

By Setting
Meryton
Longbourn
Rosings
Pemberley

Quizzes

Test your knowledge of Pride and Prejudice with quizzes about every section, major characters, themes, symbols, and more.

Book
Full Book Quiz
Chapters 1-4
Chapters 5-8
Chapters 9-12
Chapters 13-17
Chapters 18-23
Chapters 24-26
Chapters 27-34
Chapters 35-42
Chapters 43-45
Chapters 46-49
Chapters 50-55
Chapters 56-61

Analysis of Major Characters
Character List
Context
Plot Overview
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols

Essays

Get ready to ace your Pride and Prejudice paper with our suggested essay topics, helpful essays about historical and literary context, a sample A+ student essay, and more.