Pride and Prejudice key quotes. IGCSE Edexcel English literature.

Narrator starting quote

'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife'.

Description of Mr. Bennet by narrator

'...so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve and caprice.'

Description of Mr. Collins by Mr. Bennet

'his cousin was as absurd as he had hoped.'

Mr. Bennet wishing he left money for his children

'had very often wished that... he had laid by an annual sum.'

Mr. Bennet remarking about his marriage

'let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life'.

Mrs. Bennet's role in life

'The business of her life was to get her daughters marriage.'

Mrs. Bennet pointing out the unfairness of Longbourn estate being taken away by Mr. Collins to Mr. Bennet.

'... I am sure if I had been you I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it.'

Mrs. Bennet's ultimate dream

'...a house in town! Everything that is charming! Three daughters married!'.

Narrator's description of Mrs. Bennet

'a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.'

Narrator's description of Mr. Collins

'Mr. Collins was not a sensible man'.

Lady C remark about learning piano

'If I had ever learned, I should have been a great proficient.'

Lady C remarking about the marriage of Eliz and Darcy

'...are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?'

Description of Mary by narrator

'Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.'

Description of Eliz by Miss. Bingley

'a mixture of pride and impertinence,'

Elizabeth talking to Bingley

'I understand you perfectly.'

Elizabeth's embarrassment about her mother

'Elizabeth trembled lest her mother should expose herself again.'

Elizabeth about Darcy initially

'Everybody is disgusted with his pride'

Narrators description of Eliz after finding out the truth about Wickham

'She had been blind, partial, prejudice, absurd.'

Darcy's initial remark about Eliz at Meryton assembly

'She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.'

Initial view on Darcy

'His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world.'

Darcy's housekeeper's view on Darcy

'best landlord...best master...that ever lived.'

Description of Bingley by narrator

'easy, unaffected manners.' 'biddable.'

Eliz initially trusting Wickham

'there was truth in his looks'

Initial view of Wickham

'He was universally liked.'

Later Eliz view on talking with Wickham

'Impropriety of such a communication with a stranger.'

Charlotte Lucas on love

'I am not a romantic... ask only a comfortable home.'

Charlotte Lucas's desire in life

'...pure and disinterested desire of an establishment.'

Charlotte Lucas on happiness in marriage

'Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.'

Description of Jane by Eliz

'You are too good.'

Mr Darcy feeling secure when first proposing to Eliz

'He spoke of apprehension and anxiety but his countenance expressed real security'

Mr Darcy remarking on Eliz eyes

'Fine eyes'

Mr Darcy revealing that he is rather shy

'I have not the talent of ...conversing easily.'

Description of Lydia by narrator

'High animal spirits...'

Eliz ashamed about Charlotte marrying Collins

'A friend disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem.'

Description of Miss Bingely by narrator

'proud and conceited,'