Story Structure Analysis

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Plot:

Five sisters strive to find themselves and to find husbands. There is some confusion and hardships along the way.

Themes: (obviously) pride, prejudice, family, community, money and love.

Setting: A small country town and other villages in England during early 19th Century.

Characters: Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Catherine, and Mary Bennett. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, Caroline Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Charlotte Lucas, Mr. Collins, Mr. Wickham, Georgiana Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, Lady Catherine DeBourgh, Ann DeBourgh.

Initiating Event: The action really begins and all the characters are beginning to take shape at the first assembly. Bingley dances with Jane twice. Darcy does not dance with Lizzy at all. Instead Darcy insults Lizzy and she overhears it.

Internal Response: Speculation arises about Jane and Mr. Bingley being in love, especially on the part of Mrs. Bennett, the eager mother. Lizzy has decided that she does not like Darcy at all and will have a hard time overcoming that. Darcy becomes intrigued by Lizzy. These feelings all intensify because of several other events in the story.

Attempt: Darcy attempts to separate Bingley and Jane. Meanwhile he is struggling with his feelings for Lizzy. He eventually proposes to Lizzy. This shocks Lizzy who still dislikes Darcy because of stories she has heard and because of his role in separating Bingley and Jane. Darcy writes a letter to Lizzy to defend himself to all her accusations.

Outcome: Though Darcy failed in his proposal he did succeed with his letter. Lizzy flatly refused him at Hunsford; however, after reading the letter she saw how she had misunderstood some things. She also was forced to overlook her early prejudices against Mr. Darcy.

Resolution: After Lizzy turned Darcy down he told Bingley of his actions against Jane Bennett. He also strived to show Lizzy a more personable and gentlemanlike person. He behavior and his letter forced Lizzy to realize that she did love Mr. Darcy. Both couples are given a second chance. They all live happily ever after.

Reaction: The class separation and the money involved in the marriages are major part of the reaction. Lizzy's mother is thrilled that her daughters married rich men. Darcy's aunt believes that they are polluting the bloodline.