Book Anatomy · Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice: Setting and world
13 lenses on setting and world for Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 I7 I8 I9 I10 I11 I12 I13
I1. Places named and how often each appears. Count
Longbourn is the place named most, 88 times.
| Place | Mentions | Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Longbourn | 88 | 40 |
| Netherfield | 73 | 31 |
| Meryton | 57 | 30 |
| London | 56 | 32 |
| Pemberley | 53 | 23 |
| Rosings | 49 | 20 |
| Hertfordshire | 41 | 27 |
| Hunsford | 25 | 17 |
| Brighton | 24 | 7 |
| Derbyshire | 24 | 15 |
| Kent | 14 | 10 |
| Lambton | 10 | 6 |
I2. Setting by chapter, as a map. Both
The place named most in each chapter. A rough setting map. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Chapter | Place named most |
|---|---|
| 1 | Netherfield |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Netherfield |
| 4 | Netherfield |
| 5 | Meryton |
| 6 | Meryton |
| 7 | Meryton |
| 8 | Pemberley |
| 9 | Netherfield |
| 10 | Netherfield |
| 11 | Netherfield |
| 12 | Netherfield |
| 13 | Longbourn |
| 14 | Rosings |
Chapters 1 to 12: Meryton and Netherfield. Chapters 13 to 26: Longbourn and Meryton with visits to Netherfield. Chapters 27 to 37: London, Hunsford, and Rosings. Chapters 38 to 42: Longbourn and London. Chapters 43 to 52: Derbyshire and Longbourn. Chapters 53 to 61: Longbourn and Pemberley.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 13, Ch 27, Ch 38, Ch 43, Ch 53
I3. Setting shown in blocks or woven into action? AI
Setting is woven into action and dialogue. Rooms are described as characters move through them. Social gatherings reveal setting through interaction. Little block description; Pemberley emerges through Elizabeth's tour and the housekeeper's commentary.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 7, Ch 8, Ch 29, Ch 43, Ch 44
It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills (Ch 43, para 3)
I4. Weather and light used for mood. Both
Weather and light words: 0.21 per 1,000 words.
Weather and light words, chapter by chapter
Weather and light are used sparingly. Elizabeth's muddy walk to Netherfield in chapter 7 reflects her determination. Outdoor walks in Kent allow private conversation. No heavy symbolic use of weather; mood comes from character and dialogue rather than atmosphere.
Chapters: Ch 7, Ch 33, Ch 42, Ch 43
Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had: and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. (Ch 7, para 37)
The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner. (Ch 7, para 41)
I5. The social world: class, money, rules. AI
Class and money are central. The entail of Longbourn drives plot. Bingley's ten thousand a year makes him eligible; Wickham's lack of fortune makes him unsuitable. Darcy's rank and wealth create obstacles. Marriage is economic necessity for women without fortune.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 13, Ch 19, Ch 22, Ch 26, Ch 49
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. (Ch 1, para 1)
It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases. (Ch 13, para 7)
The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart; and by a manœuvre of Mrs. Bennet had to wait for their carriage a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone (Ch 18, para 78)
I6. Rules of the world (magic, science) and when each is shown. AI
No magic or science. The world operates by social rules: entails, inheritance, propriety, marriage law. Rules are shown through their violation: Lydia's elopement breaks the rules of respectability. Lady Catherine's authority rests on rank and custom.
Chapters: Ch 13, Ch 19, Ch 22, Ch 34, Ch 46, Ch 56
It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases. (Ch 13, para 7)
Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them (Ch 19, para 12)
I am not to be intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable. Your Ladyship wants Mr. Darcy to marry your daughter; but would my giving you the wished-for promise make their marriage at all more probable? (Ch 56, para 63)
I7. Lore: dripped in or dumped? AI
Lore is dripped in through dialogue and action. The entail is explained in chapter 13 through Mr. Bennet's letter. Wickham's history emerges in chapter 16 through his own account, then is corrected by Darcy's letter. No exposition dump; information arrives as characters learn it.
Chapters: Ch 13, Ch 16, Ch 35, Ch 40
It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases. (Ch 13, para 7)
I have been connected with his family, in a particular manner, from my infancy (Ch 16, para 13)
His behaviour to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father (Ch 16, para 24)
I8. Real history used, and how. AI
No explicit real history. The militia and officers are period detail but not tied to specific historical events. The Napoleonic Wars are background context for the militia's presence. The novel is set in the Regency era but treats it as timeless social world.
Chapters: Ch 15, Ch 21, Ch 41, Ch 50
I9. Journeys: distance and time taken. Both
Journeys are significant. Elizabeth walks three miles to Netherfield in chapter 7. Travel to London and Hunsford takes chapters 27 to 28. The Derbyshire tour spans chapters 42 to 45. Distances are noted: Pemberley is near Lambton. Travel time is realistic for the period.
Chapters: Ch 7, Ch 27, Ch 42, Ch 43, Ch 46
Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had: and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. (Ch 7, para 37)
The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner. (Ch 7, para 41)
To Pemberley, therefore, they were to go. (Ch 42, para 18)
I10. Objects that matter, where they appear. Both
letter is the object named most.
| Object | Mentions | Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| letter | 116 | 32 |
| carriage | 44 | 25 |
| ball | 36 | 14 |
| estate | 20 | 13 |
| assembly | 9 | 5 |
| militia | 6 | 6 |
| pianoforte | 5 | 4 |
| ring | 5 | 4 |
Letters are crucial: Darcy's letter in chapter 35 changes everything. Bingley's sisters' letter in chapter 21 crushes Jane's hopes. The express in chapter 46 brings news of Lydia's elopement. Pemberley itself becomes an object that reveals Darcy's true character.
Chapters: Ch 21, Ch 24, Ch 35, Ch 46, Ch 52, Ch 58
I hope, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, “that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party. (Ch 13, para 1)
Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments, or renewal of those offers, which were last night so disgusting to you. (Ch 35, para 4)
An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham! (Ch 46, para 3)
I11. Density of period detail. AI
Period detail is moderate. Dress, dances, visiting customs, and social gatherings are mentioned but not heavily described. The novel focuses on dialogue and psychology rather than material detail. Regency manners and speech patterns are consistent but not laboured.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 8, Ch 18, Ch 29, Ch 31
I12. Setting as an enemy. AI
Setting is not an enemy. Locations enable plot: Netherfield brings Bingley and Darcy; Rosings allows private encounters; Pemberley reveals Darcy's worth. Settings are neutral stages for social interaction and character revelation rather than obstacles.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 30, Ch 43
I13. Indoors against outdoors. Both
Indoor words outnumber outdoor words 421 to 91. (rough estimate from word lists)
Indoor share %, chapter by chapter
Indoors and outdoors are balanced. Balls and dinners happen indoors; walks in parks and gardens outdoors. Outdoor walks allow private conversation away from social scrutiny. Indoors, characters perform for society. Both spaces are important to plot and character development.
Chapters: Ch 3, Ch 7, Ch 18, Ch 31, Ch 33, Ch 43
Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had: and as she was no horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. (Ch 7, para 37)
The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner. (Ch 7, para 41)
She felt all the perverseness of the mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought; and, to prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him, at first, that it was a favourite haunt of hers. (Ch 33, para 1)
Ask Pride and Prejudice a question about its craft (free beta)
Answers cite chapter and paragraph, and every quote is checked against the text. (3 free questions a day).
Weekly email: coming soon
One short email a week on new AI tools for authors. Sign up opens soon.