One Book, One Chicago Fall 2005 - “It is a truth universally
acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune,
must be in want of a wife.” This first line has become one of
the most famous in English literature. In addition to setting
the narrative in motion, how does this line alert us to the tone
of the novel, and our role, as readers, in appreciating it? What
does the line imply about women? - The book had the original,
working title First Impressions. Why is Pride and Prejudice a
better title? In what ways are Darcy and Elizabeth guilty of
both pride and prejudice and how does this drive the action of
the story? - Marriage, as something to be aspired to, is
portrayed quite differently in the novel than existing
marriages. What married couples do we see in the novel? How
would you characterize these relationships? - How are
Elizabeth’s wit and intelligence and independence first made
clear in the novel? In what ways, during the course of the
novel, is she the victim of her own intellect and