Author Jane Austen
Type of work Novel
Genre Comedy of manners
Language English
Time and place written England, between 1796 and
Date of first publication 1813
Publisher Thomas Egerton of London
Narrator Third-person omniscient
Climax Mr. Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth (Volume 3, Chapter 16)
Protagonist Elizabeth Bennet
Antagonist Snobbish class-consciousness (epitomized by Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Miss Bingley)
Setting (time) Some point during the Napoleonic Wars (1797–1815)
Setting (place) Longbourn, in rural England
Point of view The novel is primarily told from Elizabeth Bennet’s point of view.
Falling action The two chapters of the novel after Darcy’s proposal
Tense Past tense
Foreshadowing The only notable example of foreshadowing occurs when Elizabeth visits Pemberley, Darcy’s estate, in Volume 3, Chapter 1. Her appreciation of the estate foreshadows her eventual realization of her love for its owner.
Tone Comic—or, in Jane Austen’s own words, “light and bright, and sparkling”
Themes Love; Reputation; Class
Motifs Courtship; Journeys
Symbols The novel is light on symbolism, except on the visit to Pemberley, which is described as being “neither formal, nor falsely adorned,” and is clearly meant to symbolize the character of Mr. Darcy.
