Summary and Analysis of Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a classic novel that has been passed done for many generations now. This novel is about a family with too many daughter than they know what to do with and their struggle to get them married in a society where social status and manners means everything.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." This quote is essentially the catchphrase of this book. The drive behind all actions in this novel is justified and explained with this quote, that men need a good wife, and that women need a good husband.
 The main character is Elizabeth Bennett, a rarely independent young woman in this society. The Bennett family is excited when they hear that a very wealthy man, Mr. Bingley is coming to town. The family immediatley makes plans to meet Mr. Bingley as soon as possible. It is not however, until the ball that any of the Bennett girls make a real impression on Mr. Bingley, and Jane, the oldest ends up making a huge impression on Mr. Bingley, essentially winning him over. Jane is invited to many more events and she ends up spending a lot of time with Mr. Bingley especially when she visits him and grows ill and must stay with them for a while. Elizabeth makes her first radical appearance here by running all the way to Mr. Bingley's manor a very unfeminine action, and completley different in this time period. Elizabeth, as different as she is, however attracts many suitors. First of which being Mr. Collins, the next in line to inherit all of the Bennett's property once Mr. Bennett passes. She however, shocks everyone by turning down his proposal of marriage. Everyone is even more shocked when Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth's best friend, and she accepts. Next comes Mr. Darcy, although they don't seem to get along at first. Mr. Darcy, although rich is known as being a snob, and a haughty man with no manners and therefore, although Mr. Darcy shows great interest in Elizabeth she continues to despise him.
“Which do you mean?” and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men." This quote is the best explanation of the kind of character that is Mr. Darcy, a proud man who does not bother with who he deems unworthy. 
 She despises him even more when she meets her next suitor, Mr. Wickham and hears a bunch of what ends up being lies about how Mr. Darcy is a vilian. Mr. Darcy, however ends up being a good man to the core, being a great family man, and a truly caring man that even takes care of the Wickham situation when he runs away with another Bennett girl by paying off Wickham. Over a long complicated battle of wits, Elizabeth and Darcy fall in love and eventually agree to marry. In addition, Jane, who almost misses her opportunity to marry Mr. Bingley does eventually end up marrying as well.
The message behind this novel is a thoroughly debated topic. Jane Austen seems to play on both sides of the topic of feminism. Although Elizabeth is a strong independent character, she ends up very rich and happy in the end which leads us to believe that this novel is a strong statement for feminism, that you can be strong and indepenedent and still end up happy. However, in addition, Jane, who is the exact stereotypical weak, dependent woman of that time ends up very happy, wealthy and in love as well, which goes against her other statement stated above. I personally think that Jane Austen is advocating for feminism, while trying to not be too radical in her time period. I personally think that Elizabeth, being the main character teaches us that women should be strong, and indepenedent because they can still end up happy that way and in the case of this novel, become the most successful.