Pride And Prejudice By Jane Austen - Read Online

I got this link (http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/) from Guruji. Another link for this book: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1342?msg=welcome_stranger

Certain pieces / chapters in this book move me.

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/22/ (Mrs. Bennet's ranting about her nerves)

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/34/ (Eliza turns down Darcy's proposal)

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/35/. (Darcy's letter to Eliza)

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/36/. (Eliza's reactions to Darcy's letter. The following para is one of the best "How despicably have I acted!'' she cried. -- ``I, who have prided myself on my discernment! -- I, who have valued myself on my abilities! who have often disdained the generous candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity, in useless or blameable distrust. -- How humiliating is this discovery! -- Yet, how just a humiliation! -- Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. -- Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself.").

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/43/ (Love Awakening)

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/52/ (Darcy, the man)

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/56/ (Contest of wills between two strong women)

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/59/ (Eliza with parents. Beginning of the end)

While I love this novel, I fail to understand why Jane Austen had created the characters / roles of the three younger daughters (Mary, Catherine AND Lydia). One would have been sufficient. What did the author achieve by creating three silly daughters? The Bennet family with Jane, Eliza and one younger daughter would have made the story crisper. 

When I discussed this point with a friend of mine, she said 3 silly vs 2 smart ones was more representative of the times. Ahem. 

I also look at the lives of young women and men in those times. The women are looking to get well settled, to find a man with a good income. They don't seem to know any useful skill (how much do painting and drawing and dancing help?). And the males are all men with an inheritance. Some of 20,000 pounds and some of 100,000. Seems like a ridiculous way for men and women to be brought up and live. But then that is not an issue against Jane Austen. More to do with the time and place.

Additional Reading: 

http://www.online-literature.com/austen/sensibility/ or https://www.free-ebooks.net/ebook/Sense-and-Sensibility or https://ia801401.us.archive.org/28/items/senseandsensibi05austgoog/senseandsensibi05austgoog.pdf (Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen)

http://www.online-literature.com/pg-wodehouse/ (PG Wodehouse Books)

Enjoy it.