Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice tells the story of the Bennets, a middle class family living the 1800’s who are desperately trying to get their five daughters married off to rich suitors before the death of their father. In 19th century England, a father’s estate could only be inherited by his closest male relative and so the Bennet sisters must each find a man who can care for them before the death of Mr. Bennet, otherwise they will be doomed to a life a poverty. The story focuses on Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet, the second eldest of the Bennet girls. Unlike her sisters Elizabeth is not preoccupied with marrying rich and believes that only the deepest love will persuade her into matrimony. Due to Elizabeth’s remarkably clear head she is not blinded when Mr. Bingley, a wealthy bachelor, hosts a ball to which the Bennet girls are invited. While Elizabeth’s eldest sister, Jane, manages to catch the eye of Mr. Bingley, Bingley’s best friend, Mr. Darcy, rudely rejects Elizabeth saying, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me ” (Pride and Prejudice, Austen, chapter 3 paragraph 12). This infuriates Elizabeth and she decides to completely disregard Darcy due to his overwhelming pride. In social events that follow Mr. Darcy begins fall for Elizabeth and becomes fascinated by her charm and intelligence. From trekking through the mud to care for her sick sister to her witty remarks to the snobby upper class women, it is clear that Elizabeth Bennet is not like any other girl Darcy has met. Meanwhile back at the Bennets estate tensions rise as the race to find a husband continues. Elizabeth’s life changes as she sees her friends and family getting married for (in her opinion) the wrong reasons. But nothing alters Elizabeth’s life more then when her boy-crazy younger sister, Lydia, elopes with a scheming soldier and risks disgracing the entire family. Throughout the craziness going on in her personal life Elizabeth can’t get her mind off Mr. Darcy. After bumping into him on many different occasions she begins to see him in a different light. Could it be that the two disregarded each other too quickly for reasons of pride and prejudice? Jane Austen’s classic novel shows us that there is a very fine line between utter loathing and true love.