Published in the early 19th century, Pride and Prejudice has persisted in the cultural imagination for over 200 years, with the now-archetypal Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy revered as one of the greatest love stories of all time. Yet the novel does not present itself as belonging to what we would term the “romance” genre today; rather, the love story unfolds within Austen’s characteristic searing-yet-sincere examination of wealth, class and gender dynamics in the upper social strata of Regency England.

Opening with a comedic interplay between the absurd Mrs. Bennet and the aloof Mr. Bennet, who continually amuses himself at his wife’s expense, the novel does not introduce us to our famous lovers until three chapters in—where one overheard, prideful comment plants the seed of prejudice that incites the next 300 pages of stirring desire and self-deception, humiliation and humility, and, eventually, after several swings and misses, marital bliss.

We join our lovers on their journey from misunderstandings to matrimony, their transformations from “not handsome enough to tempt me” to “how ardently I admire and love you;” from “I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine,” to “for herself she was humbled; but she was proud of him.”

Austen began the novel under the title of First Impressions in the 1790s and eventually published it, anonymously, by selling the copyright for a lump sum in 1813—only four years before her illness and early death. While Austen saw modest success as a writer within her lifetime, the intervening centuries have since elevated her name among the literary greats, with Pride and Prejudice resonating with generations of readers as a tale, ultimately, of the journey from self-deception towards self-knowledge—and how we can find, if we’re lucky, both love and a bit of levity along the way.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, the Oxford World Classics Edition.

• This edition of Pride and Prejudice, edited by James Kinsley with an introduction from Christina Lupton, includes updated notes, chronology, and a bibliography.

Pride and Prejudice (2005), directed by Joe Wright.

• The 2005 film Pride and Prejudiceis one of many, many adaptations. On a scale of more to less faithfulness to the book, Joe Wright’s version largely adheres but makes some key deviations, both as necessitated by the condensed medium and as chosen for increased drama. How are these scenes different from the books? How are they similar? Do these deviations alter our understanding of the characters or Austen’s themes? We’ll examine elements that are common to both books and movies as media (setting, dialogue) as well as elements that are unique to the medium of film (musical score, casting, visual effects).