There are two major conflicts in the novel which develop the plot. The
first plot centers around Mrs. Bennet's
desperate attempts to find suitable
husbands for her marriageable daughters.
The Protagonist is Mrs. Bennet, whose business of life' is to get her
daughters married. To this end, she is assiduously devoted throughout
the novel. She presses her husband to develop an acquaintance with Mr.
Bingley (a promising catch); she encourages the sick Jane to prolong her
stay at Netherfield; she is anxious that Elizabeth should consent to Mr.
Collins' proposal and is crestfallen when she does not; she promotes the
flippancy of Lydia and Kitty and their red-coat chasing.
Mrs. Bennet's antagonist is the problem she encounters in getting her
daughters married, especially the eldest two. Bingley's abrupt departure
from Netherfield interrupts her plans. This and Elizabeth's denial to
marry the odious Mr. Collins seems to thwart her matrimonial scheme of
things. Lydia's elopement and the consequent stigma also strikes at the
heart of her scheme; ironically, she does not comprehend its fatality.
The climax of this plot is the engagement of Elizabeth to Darcy. Lydia
has already eloped with Wickham, and Jane has accepted Bingley's proposal.
All three of her eldest daughters are to be married.
The outcome of the conflict is a happy one. Mrs. Bennet's match-making
problems are solved, for her eligible daughters are either engaged or
married at the point of climax.
The second plot revolves around Darcy trying to win Elizabeth's love.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, a handsome and proud aristocrat, falls in love with
Elizabeth. He is attracted by her fine eyes, elegant figure, buoyancy
of spirit, quick wit, and intelligence.
Darcy's antagonist is the various obstacles' he has to overcome in order
to win the love of Elizabeth, including her vulgar and indiscreet mother,
Wickham's false accounts of him, and Elizabeth's own prejudice against
him. Elizabeth finds him exceedingly proud and at first strongly dislikes
him.
A high point in the rising action is Lydia's elopement, for it threatens
to thwart the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth; but, on the contrary,
it gives Darcy an opportunity to prove his love for Elizabeth by using
his influence to get Wickham to marry Lydia. In turn, Elizabeth realizes
the true worth of Darcy. When Darcy proposes to her a second time, he
has lost his pride and she has given up her prejudice. The climax occurs
when she eagerly accepts his proposal.
This plot ends in comedy for Darcy accomplishes his goal, winning the
love of Elizabeth and her hand in marriage.
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on A Long Way Gone".
TheBestNotes.com.
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