Pride and Prejudice introduces Mrs. Bennet, who looks forward to the arrival of the rich, young man, Mr. Bingley, who will hopefully marry one of her five daughters. During the ball, Mr. Bingley shows great affection to Jane Bennet, whereas Mr. Darcy now holds the reputation of a wealthy yet selfish and prideful gentleman. As Jane and Bingley's relationship rises upwards, Caroline Bingley shows extreme hatred and jealousy towards the Bennets. Later, Mr. Darcy finds himself falling for Elizabeth Bennet, although she despises him for various reasons: he prevented her sister, Jane, and Mr. Bingley from seeing each other, breaking their relationship; George Wickham, Mr. Darcy's former friend, had said that he stole Wickham's inherited money from his father's master, late Mr. Darcy. However, it is soon discovered from his apological letter that Mr. Darcy had only tried separating Bingley and Jane as he thought it unsuitable for his friend to get attached to the Bennet family with its lack of wealth. George Wickham is also found to be lying and spent all his inheritance partying. Meanwhile, Mr. Collins becomes engaged to Elizabeth's best friend, Charlotte; Jane and Mr. Bingley happily reunite and marry; Wickham ends up married to Lydia Bennet, an unalert and naive girl; whereas Elizabeth accepts Mr. Darcy's proposal.
The people who live in a certain society, community, or neighborhood and their particular behaviors and actions could show and emphasize the personality of other people. The opinions of the neighbors in the novel greatly reflect the attitudes and behaviors that the Bennet family holds. In Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Long, the Lucas family, and Mrs. Philips emphasize the opinions and personalities that the Bennet family holds, especially Mrs. Bennet. After Mrs. Bennet talks about how hopeful she is for Mr. Bingley, the new guest, to meet and marry one of her daughters, Mrs. Long is mentioned to have several nieces of her own. This reflects Mrs. Bennet’s competitive yet childish personality, as she purposefully refers to the fact that if they don’t act soon, Bingley might get ‘stolen’ by other handsome ladies, and cause a tantrum. The Lucas family’s opinions and behaviors after realizing Charlotte would inherit Longbourn because of her husband show Mrs. Bennet’s ignorant self: she makes shallow and sarcastic comments about Mr. Collins and Charlotte’s engagement, and purposefully emphasizes her own disapproval. The opinions of Charlotte on marriage, that marriage doesn’t depend on love but money and status, also contrasts Elizabeth’s thoughts on it. In addition, Mrs. Phillips often walks her nieces, Kitty and Lydia, to meet the officers and provides them with local gossip. Kitty and Lydia, in this case, reflect their own immaturity and lack of life experience. The actions and opinions of neighbors and townspeople can show one’s true intentions, behaviors, and more.
The residents or citizens of a particular social group or town can show the community’s overall behavior and what type of society it really is. The neighbors who live beside the Bennets reflect how prejudiced and gossipful their neighborhood can be. In the novel, many neighbors come to inform the Bennets about unmeaningful and childish gossip about everything happening in their community. Mrs. Long, although only mentioned indirectly through conversations, is shown to be the one always into gossip and knows everything around the neighborhood, even though she and her family just moved in. She informs Mrs. Bennet about the rich gentleman, Mr. Bingley’s arrival. Mrs. Phillips is also a big source of gossip, who often shares local gossip with Kitty and Lydia on walks. Moreover, Lady Lucas had once informed Lady Catherine about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s relationship, which wasn’t true. Lady Lucas interpreted that they would also get married because Darcy’s friend, Mr. Bingley proposed to Elizabeth’s sister, Jane, so the two might have a secret relationship. In addition, the news about Bingley and Jane’s engagement was spread by Mrs. Bennet in pride. This reflects not only how gossipful the neighborhood is but also how people could so easily jump to conclusions, emphasizing the immature and prejudiced society. Through the many gossip and conclusive statements that are carried from person to person, the Bennets’ neighborhood can be seen as a callow, prejudiced, and prideful society.
Minor characters in a story and their actions can greatly impact the novel’s overall progress and its events. Although many specific neighbors of the Bennets are minor characters, the gossip and news they spread could lead to big events and changes ahead in the story. In Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Long, Lady Lucas, and Mrs. Phillips’ gossip affects the future and marriage of the Bennet sisters. Mrs. Long’s news of the arrival of Mr. Bingley caused the Bennet parents to meet and introduce him to their daughters. This introduction led to the engagement and marriage of Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Phillip, on the other hand, hosted a card party, where Elizabeth and George Wickham were introduced. Later, after knowing about Wickham’s true intentions, Elizabeth develops a new affection towards Mr. Darcy, which then also leads to their marriage. In addition, Lady Lucas’ gossip about Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship, although false, was spread to Lady Catherine’s ears, who then furiously confronted Elizabeth about it. Lady Catherine wanted Mr. Darcy to marry her daughter in order to maintain social status and became an obstacle for Elizabeth and Darcy. The actions and gossip that the many neighbors of the Bennets spread have affected and impacted the future of the Bennet sisters and their marriages.
In Pride and Prejudice, many different marriages centering different social classes and characters are introduced, such as the engagements between Jane and Bingley, Elizabeth and Darcy, Lydia and Wickham, and Charlotte and Collins. Within the novel, the neighbors who live in the Bennet family’s neighborhood are shown to play important roles. Their actions and opinions reflect the personality and behavior of other characters. For example, when Mrs. Bennet mentions that Mrs. Long has two nieces of her own after talking about how she hopes Mr. Bingley will marry one of her daughters, her competitive yet childish side is revealed. In addition, the neighbors also emphasize and show what the society is really like. Mrs. Long, Lady Lucas, and Mrs. Phillips’ gossip and conclusive opinions not only reflect how prejudiced and prideful the society is but also impact later events in the story. Their wide-spreading news and gossip lead to Jane and Bingley’s marriage, Elizabeth and Darcy’s engagement, and makes Lady Catherine a future obstacle.
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