Pride and Prejudice discussion Questions
Interpretation
1. What are the main conflicts in the story, and how are they resolved?
2. In what way is the setting important to the story?
3. From what point(s) of view is the story written?
4. Where is the climax of the story? Justify your answer.
5. Which events in the novel are "turning points"--events which affect the course of the plot?
6. Is there any humor in the story? If so, where. If not, why not?
Critical
7. Compare and contrast the Bennet sisters.
8. Compare and contrast Darcy, Wickham, and Bingley.
9. Compare and contrast Lady De Bourgh, Mrs. Bennet, and Mrs. Gardiner.
10. Is the story of Pride and Prejudice believable? Why or why not?
11. Do any of the characters change in the course of the novel? If so, who and how?
12. Are the characters in Pride and Prejudice stereotypes? Explain your answer.
13. Compare and contrast the marriages in the novel: Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Lydia and Wickham, Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins, Jane and Bingley, and Elizabeth and Darcy.
14. Explain Caroline Bingley's role in the novel.
15. Compare and contrast Miss De Bourgh and Miss Darcy.
16. Explain the role of pride in the novel.
17. Explain the role of prejudice in the novel.
18. Describe Elizabeth's relationship with Jane.
19. Why did Elizabeth refuse Mr. Collins's marriage proposal?
20. Why did Elizabeth refuse Darcy's proposal, and then why did she later accept it?
21. In what ways is Jane set apart from the other characters in the book?
22. What effect did Lydia's elopement with Wickham have on Lydia, Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, and Darcy?
23. What is irony, and how does Jane Austen use it in this novel?
Critical/Personal Response
24. According to Jane Austen, what characteristics are most important for a person to have?
25. According to Jane Austen, what makes a successful marriage/relationship?
26. Suppose Elizabeth had accepted Mr. Collins's proposal? How would that have changed the story and its themes?
27. Characterize Jane Austen's style of writing. How does it contribute to the value of the novel?
Personal Response
28. Would you have liked to have been a part of life in Pride and Prejudice? Why or why not?
29. If you could be any of the characters in the book for a short time, which one would you choose? Why?
30. Did you enjoy reading Pride and Prejudice? Why or why not?
31. What is pride? Is it good or bad?
32. What is prejudice? How many different kinds of prejudice can you think of? (List them.) Are all prejudices bad?
1. What are the main conflicts in the story, and how are they resolved?
2. In what way is the setting important to the story?
3. From what point(s) of view is the story written?
4. Where is the climax of the story? Justify your answer.
5. Which events in the novel are "turning points"--events which affect the course of the plot?
6. Is there any humor in the story? If so, where. If not, why not?
Critical
7. Compare and contrast the Bennet sisters.
8. Compare and contrast Darcy, Wickham, and Bingley.
9. Compare and contrast Lady De Bourgh, Mrs. Bennet, and Mrs. Gardiner.
10. Is the story of Pride and Prejudice believable? Why or why not?
11. Do any of the characters change in the course of the novel? If so, who and how?
12. Are the characters in Pride and Prejudice stereotypes? Explain your answer.
13. Compare and contrast the marriages in the novel: Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Lydia and Wickham, Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins, Jane and Bingley, and Elizabeth and Darcy.
14. Explain Caroline Bingley's role in the novel.
15. Compare and contrast Miss De Bourgh and Miss Darcy.
16. Explain the role of pride in the novel.
17. Explain the role of prejudice in the novel.
18. Describe Elizabeth's relationship with Jane.
19. Why did Elizabeth refuse Mr. Collins's marriage proposal?
20. Why did Elizabeth refuse Darcy's proposal, and then why did she later accept it?
21. In what ways is Jane set apart from the other characters in the book?
22. What effect did Lydia's elopement with Wickham have on Lydia, Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, and Darcy?
23. What is irony, and how does Jane Austen use it in this novel?
Critical/Personal Response
24. According to Jane Austen, what characteristics are most important for a person to have?
25. According to Jane Austen, what makes a successful marriage/relationship?
26. Suppose Elizabeth had accepted Mr. Collins's proposal? How would that have changed the story and its themes?
27. Characterize Jane Austen's style of writing. How does it contribute to the value of the novel?
Personal Response
28. Would you have liked to have been a part of life in Pride and Prejudice? Why or why not?
29. If you could be any of the characters in the book for a short time, which one would you choose? Why?
30. Did you enjoy reading Pride and Prejudice? Why or why not?
31. What is pride? Is it good or bad?
32. What is prejudice? How many different kinds of prejudice can you think of? (List them.) Are all prejudices bad?
