Jane Austen (Life & Writing)
Where was Jane Austen born?
Steventon, Hampshire (in the south of England).
What is the name of the Bennet family home?
Longbourn.
Who are the two oldest Bennet sisters?
Jane and Elizabeth.
What is the “life mission” of Mrs Bennet in the story?
To get her daughters married.
Who plays Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 film?
Keira Knightley.
How many children were in the Austen family, and what number child was Jane?
Eight children; Jane was the seventh.
What is the name of the estate that gets rented and excites Mrs Bennet at the start?
Netherfield Park.
Who is Jane’s main admirer among the new neighbours?
Mr Bingley
According to the introduction, what is the major social pressure on young women in the story’s world?
They must “marry well,” because they have no money/property of their own and depend on fathers/husbands.
Who plays Mr Darcy in the 2005 film?
Matthew Macfadyen.
What was Jane Austen’s father’s name and job?
George Austen; a minister (clergyman) of Steventon Church.
Who is the “rich young man” connected to Netherfield?
Mr Bingley.
Who is the Bennets’ cousin who will inherit the estate if Mr Bennet has no son?
Mr Collins.
What is the message about marrying only for money (as stated in the introduction)?
It is not enough to marry for money alone; it leads to unhappiness.
In the 2005 film, what is the famous “first meeting” social event where Darcy insults Elizabeth within her hearing?
The local assembly/public ball (the Meryton assembly).
What was Pride and Prejudice originally titled before Austen rewrote it?
First Impressions
At the public ball, what detail makes everyone stare at Mr Darcy almost immediately?
The report that his income is “ten thousand pounds a year.”
Who is the wealthy, powerful lady connected to Mr Collins (and highly respected by him)?
Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
The title highlights two moral problems. In simple terms, what do “pride” and “prejudice” refer to in the story?
Pride = thinking too highly of yourself/status; prejudice = judging people too quickly/unfairly (often from first impressions).
In the 2005 film, where does Darcy first propose to Elizabeth (the dramatic rain scene)?
At a small temple/folly (a pavilion-like spot) outdoors.
Put these four novels in order of publication (as in the notes): Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma.
Sense and Sensibility → Pride and Prejudice → Mansfield Park → Emma.
In the early chapters, why do Kitty and Lydia keep going to Meryton so often?
To look for officers (the regiment’s arrival becomes their main excitement).
Who does Mr Wickham say was his godfather, and what did he claim was promised to him?
Mr Darcy’s father was his godfather; Wickham claims he was promised a church “living” (a position) but it was given to someone else.
In the introduction, how does Austen usually show her moral viewpoint in the novels?
Through characters’ behaviour and the careful, humorous description of their lives (not by stating beliefs directly).
In the 2005 film, what is the key visual symbol of Elizabeth’s changing view of Darcy when she visits his estate?
Pemberley (the grand estate) and its art/house tour that reshapes her “first impressions.