Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, centers around a woman who struggles to come to grips with how her own pride prejudiced her. When Charles Bingley, a rich single man, moves to the neighborhood, residents are thrilled. Especially thrilled is Mrs. Bennet, who hopes to marry one of her five daughters to him. When the Bennet daughters meet him at a local ball, they are impressed by his outgoing personality and friendly disposition. They are less impressed, however, by Bingley's friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, a landowning aristocrat who is too proud to speak to any of the locals.
Bingley and the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, soon form an attachment. Any serious relationship between the two is opposed by Bingley's sisters who do not approve of Jane as a wife for Bingley. Darcy also opposes the relationship and believes that Jane is indifferent to Bingley. Meanwhile, Darcy finds himself attracted to Elizabeth despite his objections to her family. As Darcy grows more interested in Elizabeth, Elizabeth continues to despise him and is instead attracted to George Wickham, a handsome and personable militia officer. Wickham lies to Elizabeth and the locals to gain their favor. Wickham's tale makes Darcy appear not only proud but cruel, and Elizabeth accepts Wickham's account without question, disliking Darcy even more because of it.
In the midst of Jane and Elizabeth's developing relationships, the Bennet family is visited by Mr. Bennet's cousin, Mr. Collins. He plans to propose to Elizabeth, but is stunned and offended when she refuses him. He quickly turns his attention to Elizabeth's friend, Charlotte Lucas, who wants to marry for security rather than love. The two are soon engaged and married. At the same time, Jane is dismayed to find out that Bingley and his friends have unexpectedly left for London. Miss Bingley writes to Jane that they do not intend to return. Although Jane resigns herself to a life without Bingley, Elizabeth is angry for her sister and suspects that Darcy is trying to keep Bingley from Jane.