Questions About Pride and Prejudice

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Answered Questions (116)

How do I understand the language in Pride and Prejudice? I'm 13 and we haven't studied it in school but I would like to read it for fun but I can't understand even the first page! Can someone please help me out!

Thomas Do you have a phone, Kindle, tablet, or anything that can read eBooks? I would recommend reading Pride and Prejudice as an eBook, because most eReader…moreDo you have a phone, Kindle, tablet, or anything that can read eBooks? I would recommend reading Pride and Prejudice as an eBook, because most eReaders/eReader apps come with an inbuilt dictionary. I think that being able to look up words and phrases immediately helped me to enjoy Pride and Prejudice and understand it well, unlike most of my classmates, who ended up hating it because they were frustrated with the writing. I'm 14 years old and I read it this year so age shouldn't be a problem.

As weird as this method sounds, it really worked and for me, has made reading classics fun rather than a chore. Pride and Prejudice is (legally) free to download as an eBook, so why not give it a try?

Whatever you choose to do, I hope that you enjoy Pride and Prejudice; it's such a great book :)(less)

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Can anyone please recommend other satires or comedies of manner? I enjoy Austen's sense of humor immensely. I equally enjoyed Oscar Wilde's in "The Importance of Being Earnest"

Ale Try "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell ;)…moreTry "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell ;)(less)

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Is this book really that hard to read? I want to give this book a shot but the review below said it's really hard to read since this book classifies as a classic ones. And English is my second language. Can anyone help me to get through this?

Sarah Hi there! First of all, I want to say that I really admire your resolve to read this book. Here you are, a non-native speaker, attempting to read this…moreHi there! First of all, I want to say that I really admire your resolve to read this book. Here you are, a non-native speaker, attempting to read this book that many native speakers would balk at. You have guts, and I respect that.

I'm going to really try to give the fullest answer I can to help you through this book, so forgive me if this gets lengthy.

First thing's first: Pride and Prejudice is not that hard. But it is challenging. I don't want you to get so discouraged by what others say that you don't even attempt the book. Go for it. The best thing to do is try. And if you decide this book isn't for you, then that's completely fine! I'll list some alternative novels which are easier to read at the end of this answer. But if you do decide to power through Pride and Prejudice you're going to need some help, and there's no shame in that. So here's a list of things that I strongly recommend you do.

1. Download the Merriam-Webster dictionary app on your cell phone and keep it next to you while you read. Jane Austen used a higher level of vocabulary than we use today. A dictionary provides easy access to definitions which you might not understand.

2. Buy an annotated (meaning it has notes) edition of Pride and Prejudice. I have the Barnes and Nobles annotated edition myself. Annotations will really help you understand the time period and social circumstances of the Edwardian Age. B&N offers an introduction (which is basically a summary of the plot; don't read it if you mind spoilers), endnotes (which give you the politics of the age and definitions of words that modern readers may not understand), and footnotes (which are similar to endnotes).

3. Use summary sites as you read, like Sparknotes (http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pride/) and Litcharts (http://www.litcharts.com/lit/pride-an...). These sites summarize chapters individually and offer awesome analyses which can really help you if you don't understand what's going on. It's really helpful to use these sites as a guide. Even I use them! I usually prefer Litcharts over Sparknotes.

4. If you can, get a native English speaker to read it with you, or just answer your questions. You don't really need to do this part, but it would be moderately beneficial.

5. There may be times when you feel like you don't understand what is going on. That's okay. Just take a deep breath, read the part over once or twice, then move on. That's it, don't dwell on it. Use your resources: the dictionary, summary sites, etc.

Remember, you got this. It's okay if you think it's really hard. And it's perfectly fine to set the book down for a while. But I recommend at least trying to read a few chapters first before you decide.

And as promised, here are some easier classic literature alternatives: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emma Orczy, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, and Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, if you feel like taking on an easier Austen novel.

Good luck and happy reading!(less)

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In eighth grade I read Wuthering Heights. I loathed it. I never touched a classic again. Until I saw the movie "Pride and Prejudice" and became obsessed with Austen. I love this novel; everything from her language to her authentic characters. It's so fresh and different from the Bronte sisters works. I want to read more of this! Please tell me which Austen book I should read next and/or other classics similiar to it?

Joanna Cordova All of Austen's books should be and more importantly deserve to be read!! They are my go to re-read time and time again. Of her remaining collection I…moreAll of Austen's books should be and more importantly deserve to be read!! They are my go to re-read time and time again. Of her remaining collection I am recommending in my order of preference: Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, Emma & Northanger Abbey. Another favorite of mine is Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Uberville's. Read the Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I love her style and have only read one other book (Mandala) of hers (she wrote 40+ books) but I liked them both very much. Don't give up on Charlotte Bronte because of Emily! If you read only one other you must read Jane Eyre! I read all the Bronte sisters books & Charlotte is the most accomplished. Good luck!(less)

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I love her writing and enjoy her sense of humor. Can you please suggest where can I buy her all books at low prices?