Primary sourceBook1813
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen · 1813
Jane Austen's most famous novel, a sharp, witty story examining marriage, class and manners in Georgian England.
Austen's own most celebrated novel, showcasing her wit and critique of marriage and class in Georgian society.
About this source
What it is
Pride and Prejudice is a novel written by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. This text is available through Wikisource as a digital transcription of the published work.
Why it matters
The novel is one of the most celebrated works of English literature and remains Austen's best-known book. Its opening line about marriage and fortune signals the novel's focus on social expectation, courtship and class. The book reveals Austen's sharp wit and critical eye toward the pressures placed on women to marry well in her society.
Look closer
- What does the famous opening sentence suggest about the novel's attitude toward marriage?
- How does Austen use dialogue, like the exchange between Mr and Mrs Bennet, to reveal character?
- What does the novel's focus on marriage tell us about women's choices in Austen's time?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jane Austen on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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