Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice recap

Elizabeth Bennet dislikes the wealthy Mr Darcy after his cold behavior and becomes increasingly prejudiced against him through the charming officer George Wickham. Darcy, meanwhile, falls in love with Elizabeth despite his objections to her family. His first proposal fails because he speaks arrogantly and Elizabeth blames him for separating Jane Bennet from Charles Bingley and for mistreating Wickham. Darcy's explanatory letter forces her to reconsider both men. Their warmer meeting at Pemberley is interrupted when Lydia Bennet runs away with Wickham, threatening the whole family. Darcy secretly finds the pair and pays the costs that make their marriage possible. Once Elizabeth learns what he did, her respect becomes love. Bingley returns and marries Jane. After Elizabeth withstands Lady Catherine's attempt to prevent a match, Darcy proposes again and she accepts. Elizabeth and Darcy marry with a clearer understanding of themselves and each other.

Mr Bingley rents Netherfield Park, exciting Mrs Bennet because she hopes he will marry one of her five daughters. At a local assembly Bingley is friendly and devotes himself to Jane, while his richer friend Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth and appears proud. Elizabeth treats the insult lightly but forms a strong dislike of him. Jane is invited to Netherfield, becomes ill after riding there in the rain, and stays with Bingley's sisters. Elizabeth walks to nurse her, giving Darcy an opportunity to observe her intelligence and confidence. His interest grows, though Caroline Bingley mocks Elizabeth and her family. Jane and Elizabeth return to Longbourn with the attraction between Jane and Bingley promising well.

The Bennet household receives Mr Collins, the cousin who will inherit Longbourn. Determined to marry a Bennet daughter, he transfers his attention from Jane to Elizabeth. The sisters also meet the handsome officer George Wickham. Wickham tells Elizabeth that Darcy denied him the church career intended for him by Darcy's father, confirming her bad opinion of Darcy. At the Netherfield ball, Elizabeth endures an awkward dance with Darcy, embarrassing behavior from her family, and Mr Collins's attentions. Jane and Bingley still appear deeply attached, but social differences and the conduct of Jane's relatives trouble Darcy and Bingley's sisters.

Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth and cannot initially believe her refusal. Mrs Bennet is furious, but Mr Bennet supports his daughter. Collins soon proposes to Charlotte Lucas, who accepts because the marriage offers security; Elizabeth is dismayed by her friend's choice. Bingley and his party abruptly leave Netherfield for London, and Caroline writes as if he will not return. Jane tries to hide her pain. Elizabeth suspects Bingley's friends have deliberately separated the couple. During a London visit Jane receives little warmth from Caroline, strengthening that suspicion. Elizabeth later accepts Charlotte's invitation to visit her new home beside Rosings Park, where Mr Collins serves Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

At Hunsford, Elizabeth meets the overbearing Lady Catherine and again encounters Darcy, who is visiting Rosings. His frequent calls puzzle her. Colonel Fitzwilliam lets slip that Darcy recently saved a friend from an unsuitable marriage, and Elizabeth realizes that he helped separate Bingley from Jane. Darcy unexpectedly proposes, declaring love while emphasizing the inferiority of Elizabeth's connections. Angry at his manner, his interference with Jane, and Wickham's story, she refuses him. The next day Darcy gives her a letter. He explains that Jane seemed indifferent and that Wickham squandered his inheritance, then attempted to elope with Darcy's young sister for her fortune. Elizabeth recognizes weaknesses in her own judgment and begins to reassess both Darcy and herself.

Elizabeth returns home and tells Jane enough of Darcy's letter to correct their view of Wickham. She later travels with the Gardiners to Derbyshire. Believing Darcy absent, they tour Pemberley, where his housekeeper describes him as a generous master and brother. Darcy arrives unexpectedly but behaves with striking courtesy, introduces Elizabeth to Georgiana, and welcomes the Gardiners. Elizabeth's feelings soften as she sees him in his own surroundings. The visit ends when Jane's letters report that Lydia has run away with Wickham. Since the pair are unmarried and missing, scandal threatens every Bennet sister. Darcy hears the news, and Elizabeth leaves convinced that the disgrace has destroyed any possibility between them.

Mr Bennet and the Gardiners search for Lydia and Wickham. Mr Gardiner eventually reports that the couple have been found and will marry if Wickham's debts and financial demands are settled. The Bennets assume Mr Gardiner has paid heavily to save them. Lydia returns as a heedless bride and accidentally reveals that Darcy attended her wedding. Mrs Gardiner then tells Elizabeth the truth: Darcy located the fugitives, paid Wickham's debts, purchased his commission, and arranged the marriage, insisting on secrecy. Elizabeth understands that he acted largely for her sake. News that Bingley and Darcy have returned to Netherfield raises new hope, though neither gentleman immediately explains his intentions.

Bingley renews his courtship of Jane and proposes; she accepts. Lady Catherine arrives at Longbourn to demand that Elizabeth deny rumors of an engagement to Darcy. Elizabeth refuses to surrender her freedom or promise never to marry him. Her defiance gives Darcy reason to hope, and during a walk he again declares his love. Elizabeth now acknowledges her own love and accepts him. They discuss the misunderstandings, pride, and prejudice that kept them apart, and Darcy explains that Elizabeth's rejection changed his conduct. Mr Bennet gives consent after Elizabeth convinces him of her respect for Darcy. Elizabeth and Darcy marry and make Pemberley their home; Jane and Bingley marry as well, while the Gardiners remain valued members of their family circle.

Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth after hearing a rumor that she may marry Darcy, but Elizabeth refuses to promise that she will reject him. Darcy learns of this resistance and gains hope that Elizabeth's feelings have changed. When he and Bingley return to the neighborhood, Bingley proposes to Jane and is accepted. Darcy then tells Elizabeth that his love remains unchanged; she admits that her judgment of him has altered and accepts his proposal. Elizabeth explains herself to the astonished Mr Bennet and persuades him that she truly respects Darcy. Elizabeth and Darcy marry and live at Pemberley, while Jane and Bingley also marry and settle nearby. Lydia and Wickham remain financially careless and frequently seek help. Georgiana grows close to Elizabeth, the Gardiners are warmly welcomed at Pemberley, and even Lady Catherine eventually resumes contact despite her anger at the match.