The Bennet family is in a bit of a jam. With five daughters and no sons, their property is entailed away from their line, and all the women will be largely penniless when their father dies. And so the best way to ensure the most comfortable livelihood for all is for at least one of the five girls to marry "well", which has their mother's sharp eye ever seeking a single man in possession of a good fortune.

The situation deepens when we take a look at the ladies in question. For the Bennet sisters aren't wholly on board with marrying anyone flung at them. And when the solicitous Mr. Bingley moves in to an elaborate estate nearby, bringing with him some illustrious company, the entire Bennet household is flung on its end.

The result is Austen's signature novel, where many subtle shades of pride do battle with multitudinous layers of prejudice.