Pride and Prejudice, with Songs from Regency England recap

Elizabeth Bennet initially dislikes the wealthy Fitzwilliam Darcy for his pride, while he gradually falls in love with her. She trusts the charming officer George Wickham and resents Darcy for separating Jane Bennet from Charles Bingley. Darcy's first proposal is rejected, but his explanatory letter reveals Wickham's misconduct and forces Elizabeth to reconsider her judgments. Meeting Darcy again at Pemberley, she sees his generosity and altered manner. When Lydia Bennet elopes with Wickham, Darcy secretly arranges their marriage and protects the family from disgrace. Bingley returns and becomes engaged to Jane. Lady Catherine's attempt to prevent Elizabeth from marrying Darcy instead gives him reason to hope; he proposes again and is accepted. Elizabeth and Darcy marry with mutual understanding, while Jane and Bingley also begin a happy life together.

Mrs Bennet is delighted when the wealthy bachelor Charles Bingley rents Netherfield Park, seeing a possible husband for one of her five daughters. At the Meryton assembly, Bingley is sociable and clearly admires the beautiful eldest daughter, Jane. His friend Fitzwilliam Darcy is richer but refuses most introductions and is overheard dismissing Elizabeth Bennet as an unsuitable dance partner. Elizabeth treats the insult as an amusing story, while the neighborhood decides Darcy is proud. Jane and Bingley continue to enjoy one another's company. Elizabeth's friend Charlotte Lucas advises that Jane should show her feelings more plainly. Darcy, meanwhile, begins noticing Elizabeth's intelligence and expression despite his first judgment, though she remains disposed to dislike him.

Jane falls ill while visiting Netherfield, and Elizabeth walks there to nurse her, earning Bingley's respect and the scorn of his sisters. Darcy's attraction to Elizabeth grows during the visit, but their guarded conversations reinforce her view of his pride. Mr Collins, the pompous cousin who will inherit Longbourn, arrives and soon decides to marry one of the Bennet daughters. In Meryton, Elizabeth meets the charming militia officer George Wickham, who says Darcy denied him the church career intended for him by Darcy's father. The story confirms Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy. At the Netherfield ball, Darcy asks Elizabeth to dance, but their exchange is strained. Collins embarrasses the family with his behavior, Mrs Bennet openly anticipates Jane's marriage, and Bingley's sisters observe the Bennets with increasing disapproval.

Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth, promising security and assuming her refusal is merely conventional. She rejects him firmly despite her mother's anger. He quickly transfers his attention to Charlotte Lucas, who accepts him because the marriage offers her a stable home. Elizabeth is shocked by her friend's practical choice. The Netherfield party leaves for London, and Caroline Bingley indicates that they do not expect to return; Jane is hurt but continues to believe Bingley's sisters mean well. Visiting London with the Gardiners gives Jane no encouragement from Caroline. Wickham's attention shifts toward a young woman who has inherited money, weakening Elizabeth's romantic interest without fully shaking her trust in his story. Elizabeth later travels with Sir William and Maria Lucas to visit Charlotte at the Collinses' parsonage in Hunsford, near Lady Catherine de Bourgh's estate.

At Hunsford, Elizabeth meets the commanding Lady Catherine and repeatedly encounters Darcy, who is visiting Rosings with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam unknowingly reveals that Darcy recently saved a friend from an imprudent marriage, and Elizabeth realizes the friend was Bingley and the woman Jane. Darcy then proposes to Elizabeth, declaring strong love while emphasizing her inferior connections. She rejects him and accuses him of ruining Jane's happiness and mistreating Wickham. The next day Darcy gives her a letter. He explains that Jane seemed indifferent and that the Bennets' public behavior strengthened his objections; he also reveals that Wickham exchanged his intended living for money, squandered it, and later tried to elope with Darcy's fifteen-year-old sister for her fortune. Comparing the account with what she has observed, Elizabeth recognizes that vanity and prejudice made her trust Wickham and misjudge both men.

Elizabeth returns home with a changed understanding of Darcy but tells Jane only part of what she has learned. Lydia is invited to Brighton with the militia despite Elizabeth's warning that her recklessness may damage the family. Later Elizabeth tours Derbyshire with the Gardiners and visits Pemberley after being assured its owner is absent. Darcy unexpectedly appears and treats Elizabeth and her relatives with striking courtesy. His housekeeper describes him as a generous master, and Elizabeth begins to see him apart from local gossip. She meets his shy sister Georgiana, while Darcy makes clear that he values the Gardiners despite their trade connections. Their renewed acquaintance is interrupted by letters from Jane: Lydia has run away from Brighton with Wickham, apparently without marrying him. Elizabeth tells Darcy and leaves for home, convinced the scandal has ended any possibility between them.

The Bennets wait in distress while Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner search for Lydia and Wickham. Mr Gardiner eventually reports that the couple have been found and will marry if Mr Bennet agrees to modest financial terms. Mr Bennet believes his brother-in-law must have paid far more and regrets his own failure to restrain Lydia. The newly married pair visit Longbourn; Lydia is heedlessly proud of her status, while Wickham remains charming and unembarrassed. Lydia accidentally mentions that Darcy attended the wedding. Elizabeth asks Mrs Gardiner for an explanation and learns that Darcy found the pair, paid Wickham's debts, purchased his commission, and arranged the marriage. He acted partly from responsibility for having concealed Wickham's character and insisted on keeping his role quiet. Elizabeth now understands the depth of his generosity and wonders what feelings motivated it.

Bingley returns to Netherfield with Darcy and soon proposes to Jane, who accepts. Lady Catherine then confronts Elizabeth after hearing a rumor that she may marry Darcy. She demands a promise that Elizabeth will refuse him, arguing that he is intended for her daughter; Elizabeth rejects both the claim and the demand. Lady Catherine reports this defiance to Darcy, who takes it as evidence that Elizabeth may no longer be opposed to him. Darcy and Elizabeth speak openly during a walk. He proposes again, and she accepts, thanking him for secretly rescuing Lydia. They acknowledge how her readiness to believe Wickham and his arrogant first proposal kept them apart, and how each has changed. Jane is astonished but happy for Elizabeth. Mr Bennet gives consent once satisfied that she loves and respects Darcy, while Mrs Bennet celebrates both wealthy marriages. Elizabeth settles with Darcy at Pemberley, near Jane and Bingley, and maintains close ties with Georgiana and the Gardiners.

After Lady Catherine tries to make Elizabeth promise never to marry Darcy, Darcy learns that Elizabeth refused and gains hope that her feelings have changed. On a walk, he renews his proposal, and Elizabeth accepts. They acknowledge the mistakes that separated them: she trusted her first impressions and Wickham's account too readily, while his pride and manner gave her good reason to think badly of him. Jane and Bingley are also engaged. Mr Bennet consents after making sure Elizabeth truly respects Darcy, and Mrs Bennet is delighted by the wealth of both matches. Elizabeth marries Darcy and settles at Pemberley; Jane and Bingley later live nearby. Georgiana grows close to Elizabeth, the Gardiners remain welcome friends, and even Lady Catherine eventually resumes contact. Lydia and Wickham remain financially careless and frequently seek help, while Kitty improves through time with her better-settled elder sisters.