Pride and Prejudice

I get asked, quite frequently, "Why are you reading that book again?" That book, friends, is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Published in 1813, it is one of today's classics. I thank my friend Leeanna for introducing me to this book in 10th grade. It was the start of a love affair. ;)

But seriously, I want to explain why I love this book so much. (Some of you don't want to know, or don't care. That's cool. Just don't read it.) Let me explain. I would estimate that I've read this book probably close to fifty times over the past four years. I have two paperback copies, one beautiful hardback copy, and two different versions of the movie. I think it's safe to say that it's my favorite. Other than the Bible, and the truth of Jesus coming to save us from ourselves, I consider this story the greatest love story of all time. Why?

First, let's talk about the language and the diction of this book. There is something in Austen's writing that cannot be found in today's work. People in the 1800's spoke differently, wrote differently, thought differently than we do. (It's rather sad that we've lost the words and phrasing of that time, if you ask me.) There's just such a beautiful flow to the words in P&P. They roll off the tongue, they just convey beauty, and a timeless passion for writing.

Secondly, there's the universal emotions in this book. Every emotion in this book is expressed in such a way that it can be understood by its' readers. Love, hatred, jealousy, betrayal, that horrible feeling of being heartbroken, and that amazing feeling of falling in love for the first time: they're all there. And those feelings are so real, that the reader can't help but feel them along with Elizabeth, Jane, Darcy, and Bingley.

Last, but not least, the plot and the character development. I love the idea of falling for someone you really hated, because you gave them a chance. I love that, in the novel, people turn out to be wildly different than your expectations. I love that Elizabeth and Darcy changed for each other. I love that they could both see their flaws (after the other revealed it) and changed for the benefit of the other. If that's not true love, I don't know what is.

There is just something about this story that makes me believe in love when I feel lonely. It makes me hope that I'll find love someday when I feel forgotten. It makes me remember why I became an English major on days when I just don't want to write that paper. If anyone reads this, some of you may just think I'm a weird girl with a strange obsession for Victorian literature. (That's actually not that far from the truth.) But this blog is for all the times I've been asked by people: Why are you reading that again?, How can you like a book written 200 years ago?, and the statement that breaks my heart the most: It's really not that good of a book. So, there you have it. My reason for loving the heck out of a 200 year old book.

"I love [it]. And true love lasts a lifetime." - Love Actually