My Thoughts

When I first started reading PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, I was so worried I wouldn’t like it. I’ve read other classics before and while I could see their literary value, I didn’t enjoy them as much as other books I’ve read. There was a real danger of not liking it, especially since I had very little prior knowledge of the story. Fortunately, once I got into it and once the language was less of a stumbling block for me, I really enjoyed the story.

I loved the characters, even the ones I hated. I was quite surprised that Lady de Bourgh had nothing to do with Mr. Wickham’s misfortunes. I was expecting her to play a more pivotal role in the novel. Yes, she’s one of the reasons Mr. Darcy began to realize that Elizabeth had changed her mind about him, but she still really wasn’t all that pivotal. I really hated Mr. Collins at first because he’s so annoying. Once I found out how much of an ingrate Mr. Wickham was, my hatred for Mr. Wickham grew, which tempered my hatred for Mr. Collins. Lydia and Mrs. Bennet annoyed me to no end and I’m kind of glad they got what was coming to them, even though I think it’s sad. While I thought Jane and Mr. Bingley were cute, I didn’t really care about them all that much. They were just a means to an end.

I absolutely loved the depth of character in Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. I loved watching them change, both of them becoming less proud and less prejudiced. I loved seeing their love for each other grow. I especially loved the chapter near the end in which Mr. Darcy finds out that Elizabeth has changed her mind about him. I wish that would’ve gone on a little longer. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, more particularly with the last chapter, because it didn’t just focus on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. It was nice to read about the rest of the family and what happened to them in the long run, but all I wanted was more of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy together and happy. My disappointment in the last chapter isn’t enough to make me not like the book.