SHORT ANSWERS - PRIDE AND PREJUDICE BY JANE AUSTEN

SHORT ANSWERS

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE BY JANE AUSTEN

QUESTION NO. 9

Answer the following questions.

(i) Write the names of four novels of Jane Austen.

Ans. Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1818, Posthumous) and Persuasion (1818, posthumous) are the novels of Jane Austen.

(ii) What was the original title for the novel 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Ans.The manuscript of the novel was first titled "First Impressions". However, in 11791, the manuscript was rejected by a publisher. Austen spent time refining it before it was published as "Pride and Prejudice" in 1813.

(iii) Write the first line of the novel 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Ans. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of wife.

(vi) Why is Elizabeth so anxious to distrust Mr. Darcy at the start of the novel?

Ans. The first impression of Mr. Darcy is a sign of arrogance and pride. Due to pride and sense of superiority, he does not accept the hand of Elizabeth for dancing, and says to his friend about her "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me". This creates a negative impression in her mind. Thus she is so anxious to distrust Mr. Darcy.

(v) Why does Elizabeth refuse to marry Collins?

Ans. Elizabeth refuses to marry Collins because she does not love him. Elizabeth believes in only marrying for love and no other reason. She is not fond of his personality. Moreover, he is an idiot.

(vi) How Elizabeth was ignorant of Wickham's character?

Ans. Everyone in Meryton is fooled, and Elizabeth even thinks about Wickham in a marriageable kind of way. Wickham entertains Elizabeth with stories about the despicable Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham charms the entire town of Meryton. After Mr. Darcy leaves the neighbourhood, he spreads his sob story about Darcy's cruelty far and wide. Thus Elizabeth was ignorant of Wickham's character. 

(vii) Why was Elizabeth upset at her meeting with Darcy at Pemberley House?

Ans. Elizabeth was upset at her meeting with Darcy at Pemberley House because she began to love him. She was surprised to hear about the good nature of Darcy by Mrs. Reynolds whom she considered unbearably arrogant. Darcy's sudden arrival at Pemberley's House and his meeting with her in the garden made her really upset. 

(viii) Why is Darcy intrigued and attracted by Elizabeth?

Ans. Darcy is intrigued by refreshing disregard for his title. Elizabeth is one of those rare women, the only one around him, whose self respect matches his pride. At the same time, he is attracted by Elizabeth's eyes, wit and intelligence.

(xi) Why does Darcy's proposal make Elizabeth angry?

Ans. Elizabeth already hates Darcy because she thinks he is responsible for breaking up Jane and Bingley, he has hurt Mr. Wickham, and has been rude to Lizzy. Now Darcy tells her outright in the proposal that he does not want to be in love with her, because of their class differences, but he can't help it. Thus Darcy's first proposal make Elizabeth angry.

(x) How do Elizabeth Bennet's ideas on marriage differ from her society's?

Ans. Elizabeth wants to marry someone she actually loves and respects, and not just for a good name or money. Her society's belief is that young ladies should make good matches for their families' sake, to keep up a good reputation and be wealthy.

(xi) Write a note on Georgiana.

Ans. Georgiana is Darcy's younger sister. She is immensely pretty and just as shy. She has great skill at playing the pianoforte. She has great reverence and affection for her brother and gets along well with Elizabeth from their first meeting. Bingley's sisters had hoped that Mr. Bingley would marry Georgiana, thus uniting the fortunes of the two families.

(xii) In which ways is Elizabeth different from the rest of the Bennet family?

Ans. Elizabeth is judgmental and that she speaks out what she wants and what she knows. She is the only character who changes significantly over the course of the story. On the other hand, other Bennets are stuck in their ways.

(xiii) How has Meryton community been described in 'Pride and Prejudice'?

Ans. Meryton is a little village where a militia regiment is quartered for a time, and where the Meryton Ball takes place. This Ball is an event that shows community life in Meryton. The people in Meryton are middle-class and every woman is in search of a man to ensure social stability. People's opinions change really quickly and are general.

(xiv) How did Wickham agree to marry Lydia?

Ans. Wickham married Lydia for money. If Wickham did not marry Lydia, the reputations of both Lydia and the entire family would have been ruined. Wickham agreed to marry Lydia because Mr. Dacry agreed to pay off all his debts and pay him thousands pounds.

(xv) Why does Lydia risk by eloping with Wickham?

Ans. Lydia is all about money and social stature. Wickham is a pompous jerk but Lydia feels he is her best chance at improving her fortunes both monetarily and socially.

Notes Prepared By: Prof. Shahbaz Asghar