Hey. You. Yeah, you. Do you think "Pride and Prejudice" is just some old, sappy romance novel? Well, you're wrong. It's the greatest old, sappy romance novel ever written—with so much more than a cookie-cutter romance. If the idea of trying to understand the language of the early nineteenth century seems daunting or if you just can't see yourself swooning over the aloof Mr. Darcy, here are 7 reasons why you should open your mind (and your heart) to the possibility of loving "Pride and Prejudice."
7. Next to Shakespeare, P&P features the greatest zingers in all of classic literature.
From Mr. Bennet’s dry sense of humor to Mr. Darcy’s cold comments about Lizzie’s appearance upon first meeting her, Austen wrote some seriously good insults that are so fun to read today. Lizzie, of course, has the best diss of all time though:
6. Meet the Bennets, the original sitcom family.
Though this novel was written over two hundred years ago, the Bennet family could have a 90s sitcom centered around their clashing personalities and strong bond. You have the witty Mr. Bennet, the melodramatic Mrs. Bennet, the angelic Jane, the lively Elizabeth, the quasi-goth Mary, the envious Kitty, and the flirtatious Lydia. Their imperfections are what makes them lovable and indistinguishable from families of today.
5. Themes of equality.
From feminism to social class deconstruction, Austen was writing about some seriously revolutionary ideas for her day. Reading "Pride and Prejudice" allows you to look back at how far we’ve come while also admiring the boldness of Elizabeth’s actions in the context of the Georgian Era. Her famous line said in the middle of a confrontation with the elitist Lady Catherine de Bourgh says it all: “He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal.” (56. 51)
4. The sisterly affection between Jane and Elizabeth.
Jane Austen’s main characters are often sisters with strong friendships, likely based on her close relationship with her older sister Cassandra. The “sisterly affection” between Jane and Elizabeth is one of the most heartfelt aspects of the novel. While Jane only sees the good in people, Elizabeth allows herself to be too prejudiced against them. And while Jane is shy and modest, Elizabeth has no problem waltzing up to someone and giving them a piece of her mind. They balance each other out, and neither are surprised when men of great power fall in love with them. Move over, Anna and Elsa!
3. The plethora of stellar film adaptations.
If you want a near perfect movie version of the novel, you can check out the 1995 adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, directed by Simon Langton. Broken into six parts, this adaptation is almost word for word exactly the same, the favorite of book purists. Even the popular "Bridget Jones's Diary" is based on "Pride and Prejudice" (Mr. Darcy, anyone?). And finally, there’s the cinematic masterpiece that is the 2005 adaptation starring Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFayden, directed by Joe Wright. Not only is the acting exceptional and the visuals stunningly gorgeous, the score is beautiful and makes for the perfect studying music. Watching all of these adaptations will allow you to fall in love with the story again—but only after you’ve read the book first!
2. Elizabeth Bennet.
Lizzie is one of the most memorable, likable, strongest female characters in all of literature, period. Her rejection of social expectations, inner strength, wit, charm, and fierce loving nature make the novel incredibly fun to read. And while her sarcastic comments are legendary, what sets her apart from other characters is her capacity for self-reflection. After realizing she’s made poor judgments of character, she utters the introspective words: “Till this moment I never knew myself.” (36.19) She’s a timeless role model, and you’ll absolutely want to be her best friend by the time you finish the novel.
1. Okay yeah, the romance. Obviously.
The love between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy shows you of the kind of love you deserve: the kind that makes you a better person. One of the most important lessons to learn from "Pride and Prejudice" is that the best match for you is not always the easiest one. It’s the one who challenges your views and helps you to grow as a person, learning and changing from you in turn.
No matter what, "Pride and Prejudice" will "expand your mind by extensive reading" and open your eyes to new values, ideas and viewpoints. There's a reason the novel is still relevant centuries after it was written, so go discover it for yourself today.
