Ashley+Y+Pride+and+Prejudice

__Jane Austen__ Jane Austen led a very quiet and simple life. She was born on December 16, 1775 in a small Hampshire village called Steventon. she said her family consisted of "great novel-readers". Her books; __Pride and Prejudice__, __Sense and Sensibility__, __Mansfield Park__, and __Emma__ were originally anonymous.She also wrote other books called; __Northanger Abbey__, and __Persuasion__. She never gave herself enough credit for how great her writing actually was and still is today. Her writing was always done secretly in the family sitting room.

Jane never married and in her time marriage was one of the only ways of moving out of the parents's house. Other options included living with an employer as a ladie's companion or a governess, which were slightly degrading although quite respectable. Marriage was viewed as one of the only 'routes to financial security". Jane never had a serious relationship but had a short courtship with Thomas Lefroy, who wasn't exactly "financially secure", so he never proposed.

Jane Austen died on July 18, 1817 at the age of 41. The cause of her death is unknown, but it seemed like she was a victim of Addison's disease. Cassandra Austen was Jane's only sister as well as her best friend. They shared everything with each other through many letters. Cassandra was engaged at one time, but also never married. In Jane's will, she left almost everything to her younger sister.

In memory of JANE AUSTEN, youngest daughter of the late [|Revd. GEORGE AUSTEN], formerly Rector of [|Steventon] in [|this County]. She departed this Life on the 18th July 1817, aged 41, after a long illness supported with the patience and the hopes of a Christian. The benevolence of her heart, the sweetness of her temper, and the extraordinary endowments of her mind obtained the regard of all who knew her, and the warmest love of her intimate connections. Their grief is in proportion to their affection they know their loss to be irreparable, but in the deepest affliction they are consoled by a firm though humble hope that her charity, devotion, faith and purity have rendered her soul acceptable in the sight of her //REDEEMER//.

http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janeinfo.html

__Plot__ Mr. and Mrs. Bennet want their girls to meet Mr. Bingley, a well-off, handsome man, in hopes of one of them finding a companion. Mr. Bennet favors Lizzy and wants to put in good word for her, Mrs. Bennet disagrees in favoritism, but she does remind me of Lady Capulet, in __Romeo and Juliet__, because it seems as if all she wants is to marry her daughter off, without care as to what her feelings may be. Mr. binglet falls in love with Jane.

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet is one of the main characters of the story, as well as her "beau" Mr. Darcy. They meet at a ball thrown by some friends, the Gardiners. They both have strong opinions on the other and have no intent on changing their thoughts. Lizzy thinks Mr. Darcy is quite outspoken and proud (in modern day, it would be what some people refer to as a snob), and doesn't know how to behave like a gentleman. He degrades women, while his friend Mr. Bingley compliments them. Later on, he confesses that he was spoiled as a child. He thinks she is too opinionated and prejudiced for a woman and he doesn't think she is very pretty, although he stares at her with much admiration. Lizzy tells him she wouldn't be so offended of his pride, if he hadn't hurt hers. As the story develops, they grow yet stronger in opinions and slowly develop a slight fondness in each other.

Some other important characters in the story are Lizzy's sisters. Lydia is the youngest and she ends up eloping with Mr. Whickam, a friend of Mr. Darcy's, whom no one wanted her to be with at first, but now that her family has met him, they appreciate his kindheartedness. Although, in the beginning of their relationship, Lizzy thought her sister was "falling easy prey" to him, which in my opinion means she thought her sister was a hussy. Jane, the oldest on the other hand is engaged to be married to a respectable man named Mr. Bingley, but for a while he is what i would say "missing in action". He goes off to visit another town and doesn't speak to her for a while, but eventually returns, and they re-engage.

Still later on in the story, Mr. Darcy asks for Lizzy's hand in marriage and she quite impolitely declines, saying, "you could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept". He eventually asks again, and they part their differences to show they have found true love.

__Reccomendation?__ I would only recommend this book to anyone who read __Great Expectations__, and enjoyed it. It was very long and wordy, although the plot was very interesting. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been more easily understood and shorter. The early English language was very hard to understand, just like that of __Great Expectations__. I would give this book only 3.5 stars out of 5.

__Outstanding__ This book is outstanding because it is a college bound book, written in old English that is relevant to the time it was written. It shows good representation of the women and men of that time. Women were not employed, and relied on the income of their husbands. It shows the way parents in that time wanted the best for their children, especially daughters and wanted to make sure they would be well-off in life.