Welcome to Our Book Club Guide for Pride & Prejudice. Our Book Club Guide will help you explore the text in it's historical context of rural Regency England & in it's wider historical background. We shall also explore the novel's continual appeal & relevance to us, the 21st century reader.

Included Topics

• Marriage

• The Romantic novel

• Love

• Reputation

• Class

• Rights of women

• Personal transformation

• Process of seduction

• Art & music

• Fashion

• Food & drink

• Politics

Most importantly, we shall help you explore the text in a very personal, enjoyable & informed way.

Chapter One

In which we

• are introduced to the main theme of the novel Marriage

• meet Mr. & Mrs. Bennet

• & hear some important news!

The Main Theme of the Novel - Marriage

The narrator informs us immediately that:

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

Discuss

• What were the reasons for marriage in Regency England?

• Do these reasons still apply today?

• Keep notes of your discussion for future reference.

The importance of marriage.

The pursuit of finding & securing a socially advantageous marriage is of utmost importance in "Pride & Prejudice" as it was in Austen's contemporary 19th Century Regency England. The options for the women in the novel are severely limited as they were in historical regency England. The narrator tells us:

"that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

Discuss

• Do you think this is true?

• Is it really the wealthy man who "must be in want" of a good marriage?

Maybe, it is the women who are "in want" or absolute need of a husband, not vice versa. The social & economic situation of a lower class gentry woman, depended almost entirely on marrying " a single man of good fortune". The "man of good fortune" only needed to marry to gain a legitimate heir. The opening lines of the novel can be seen as a mirror image, an upside down version of Regency reality.

Discuss

• What do you think about this quote?

• Your personal thoughts, feelings & opinions are important.

• Make notes for future reference.

Mr. & Mrs. Bennet Meet our first Regency married couple - Mr. & Mrs. Bennet.

• Read aloud the dialogue between them.

• Do it a few times.

• Have some fun!!!

Which words best describe Mr Bennet ?

• Sarcastic

• Playful

• Dismissive

• Uncaring

• Bored

• Tired

• Teasing

• Funny

• Unkind

Which words best describe Mrs. Bennet ?

• Frustrated

• Whinny

• Hysterical

• Shallow

• Snobbish

• Ridiculous

• Worried

• Gossipy

• Foolish

Discuss

What do you think about the dynamics of Mr & Mrs Bennet's marriage?

Thanks for joining us.

Have a fabulous week. See you next time!

Brigid

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to book a lesson with us!

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