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Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

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Discussion Topic

Pride and Prejudice Setting and Context

Summary:

Pride and Prejudice is set during the Regency period in several English countryside estates, including Longbourn, Meryton, Netherfield Park, Pemberley, and Rosings Park. The novel primarily takes place in Hertfordshire, where the Bennet family lives at Longbourn. Austen's descriptions are minimal, focusing more on character and plot, except for Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's grand estate, which is detailed to highlight themes of class distinction. The setting underscores the social dynamics and conflicts of the story.

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Which quotes in Pride and Prejudice describe the setting?

Austen, unlike her contemporaries of the Romantic movement, actually prefers not spend a great deal of time describing either setting or characters. As far as descriptions go, she only says what is absolutely necessary for the story line and then allows the story to speak for itself.

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know that overall the novel is set in thetown of Hertfordshire in which the Bennets, the Lucases, and Mr. Bingley reside. We also know that the novel is specifically set in the village of Longbourn of the town Hertfordshire in which the Bennets' Longbourn estate presides. We learn the name of the town in the third chapter when, after Mr. Bingley is invited to dine at Longbourn for the first time, he must cancel to go to London. Mrs. Bennet cannot "imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire" (Ch. 3). We later learn the name of their village and estate when, after the ball in Meryton, Austen describes them as returning in "good spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they are the principal inhabitants" (Ch. 3).

The one setting that is described for us in some detail is Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's estate. We know that the park consists of beautiful woods leading to the estate. We also know that the road leads into a valley in the park and on the opposite side of the valley stands Pemberley. The road then winds around the valley towards Pemberley. We also know that a natural stream runs in front of Pemberley. Austen also takes time to describe the outside of the building, something she never usually does:

It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by  a ridge of high woody hills. (Vol.3, Ch. 43)

However, describing the setting of Pemberley is important to Austen because she uses the book to say quite a lot about class distinctions and barriers. Austen is pointing out that class distinctions are a ridiculous part of society and intentionally has a gentlewoman with working class relations become the mistress of Pemberley, which is owned by a gentleman with noble relations, thereby breaking down at least one class barrier.

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What is the specific setting of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen?

Set during the Regency period, Pride and Prejudice's main setting revolves around several estates in the English country side:  Longbourne, Meryton, Netherfield Park, Pemberly, and Rosings Park.

Longbourne: 

This is the estate of the honorable Mr. Bennet, and where much of the action takes place.  One of the conflicts in the novel centers around the fact that the Longbourne estate is entailed away to Mr. Collins, if there is no son to inherit the estate after Mr. Bennet's death.  Since the Bennet family has five daughters, the family is very aware of the fact that at least one of the daughters will need to marry very well in order to support her mother and sisters.

Meryton:

The small village by the Longbourne estates and Netherfield Park. Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters enjoy walking from their father's land to the shops in Meryton, particularly when the soldiers are stationed there.

Netherfield Park:

Elizabeth and Jane are forced to spend some time at Netherfield Park, the estate being leased by Mr. Bingley, after Jane's mother forces her to travel to tea in the rain.  Netherfield Park is a much larger and more fashionable estate than Longbourne. 

Pemberly:

This grand estate located in Derbyshire belongs to Mr. Darcy and is set on very large grounds.  Elizabeth visited the estate with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, but had not planned on meeting Mr. Darcy there.  Their unexpected meeting gives their reluctant relationship a second chance.

Kent and Rosings Park:

Elizabeth spends a short time in Kent with her odious cousin Mr. Collins, who considers himself to have the remarkable luck of having Lady Catherine as his patroness.  Lady Catherine invites Elizabeth to her sizable estate, Rosings Park.

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