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Pride and Prejudice:
After the Wedding
DIRECTOR VICE DIRECTOR MODERATOR
Sarah Flinn Sydney Ofiara Julia GouldUTMUN 2022
Prride and Prejudice
Contents
Equity Disclaimers 2
Model United Nations at U of T Code of Conduct 3
Letter From the Director 5
History6
Jane Austen 6
Time Period 6
Introduction to the Committee 10
Setting the Scene 10
Characters11
Elizabeth Darcy 11
Fitzwilliam Darcy 11
Jane Bingley 11
Charles Bingley 11
Mr. Bennet 11
Mrs. Bennet 11
George Wickham 12
Lydia Wickham 12
Mr. Collins 12
Charlotte Collins 12
Caroline Bingley 12
Georgina Darcy 12
Mary Bennet 12
Catherine “Kitty” Bennet 12
Lady Catherine De Bourgh 13
Advice for Research and Preparation 13
Expected Readings 13
Bibliography14
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Equity Disclaimers
Throughout this committee, delegates will be engaging in complex debates and discussions
covering a wide array of topics. As UTMUN seeks to provide an enriching educational experience
that facilitates understanding of the real-world implications of issues, our committees’ contents
may involve sensitive or controversial subject matter strictly for academic purposes. We ask for
delegates to be respectful, professional, tactful, and diplomatic when engaging with all committee
content, representing their assigned country’s or character’s position, communicating with staff
and other delegates, and responding to opposing viewpoints.
This Background Guide presents topics that may be distressing to some Delegates,
including but not limited to: Romantic relationships, the result of sexual encounters,
domestic violence, social expectations of women in the 1800s, including sexist
norms and beliefs, minors being placed on the marriage market or married, arranged
and/or forced marriages, alcohol abuse. This committee hopes to avoid topics such
as race/racial violence present in the 1800s.
UTMUN recognizes the sensitivity associated with many of our topics, and we encourage you
to be aware of and set healthy boundaries that work for you. This may include: refraining from
reading certain parts or all of the background guide, preparing yourself before reading this
background guide, doing some self-care or seeking support after reading the background guide,
or anything that can help make you feel more comfortable. We ask that all Delegates remain
considerate of the boundaries that other Delegates set.
As delegates, UTMUN expects that all discussions will remain productive and respectful of one
another. If you have any equity concerns or need any assistance in setting boundaries or navigating
sensitive subject matter, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or our Equity Director, Jess
Prentice, at equity@utmun.org. We want you to feel safe and comfortable at UTMUN!
If you wish to switch committees seeing the content warnings for this committee, please:
a) Contact your Faculty Advisor/Head Delegate with your request if you are a part of a group
delegation
b) Email our Director of Academics, Karrie Chou, with a brief explanation of why you would like
to switch committees if you are NOT a part of a group delegation.
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Model United Nations at U of T Code of Conduct
The below code of conduct applies to the behaviour of all attendees of UTMUN for the entire
duration of the conference, while engaging in any conference-related activities, including but
not limited to committee sessions, conference socials, committee breaks, and the opening and
closing ceremonies.
1. Harrassment and bullying in any form will not be tolerated, the nature of which includes, but
is not limited to, discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, ethnicity, colour, religion,
sex, age, mental and physical disabilities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, and gender expression,
a. Harassment and bullying include, but are not limited to, insulting and/or degrading
language or remarks; threats and intimidation; and intentional (direct or indirect)
discrimination and/or marginalization of a group and/or individual;
i. The above prohibition on harassment, bullying, and inappropriate behaviour
extends to any and all behaviour as well as written and verbal communication
during the conference, including notes, conversation both during and outside
committees, and general demeanour at all conference events;
ii. UTMUN reserves the right to determine what constitutes bullying and/or
inappropriate behaviour toward any individual and/or group;
b. Attendees must not engage in any behaviour that constitutes physical violence or the
threat of violence against any groups and/or individuals, including sexual violence and
harrassment, such as, but not limited to,
i. Unwelcome suggestive or indecent comments about one’s appearance;
ii. Nonconsensual sexual contact and/or behaviour between any individuals and/
or groups of individuals;
iii. Sexual contact or behaviour between delegates and staff members is
strictly forbidden;
2. UTMUN expects all attendees to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner
at all times during the conference. Specific expectations, include, but are not limited to,
a. Attendees must, if able, contribute to the general provision of an inclusive conference
and refrain from acting in a manner that restricts other attendees’ capacity to learn and
thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment;
b. Attendees must adhere to the dress code, which is Western business attire;
i. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis depending on the attendees’
ability to adhere to the previous sub-clause;
ii. Attendees are encouraged to contact Director of Equity, Jess Prentice, with
questions or concerns about the dress code or conference accessibility;
c. Attendees must refrain from the use of cultural appropriation to represent their character
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and/or country, including the use of cultural dress, false accent, and any behaviour that
perpetuates a national or personal stereotype;
d. Delegates must not use music, audio recordings, graphics, or any other media at any
time unless approved and requested to be shared by the Dais and/or the Director of
Equity, Jess Prentice;
e. Attendees must abide by instructions and/or orders given by conference staff members;
i. Attendees are exempt from this above sub-clause only if the instructions and/or
orders given are unreasonable or inappropriate;
3. Delegates, staff, and all other conference participants are expected to abide by Ontario and
Canadian laws and Toronto by-laws, as well as rules and regulations specific to the University
of Toronto. This includes, but is not limited to,
a. Attendees, regardless of their age, are strictly prohibited from being under the
influence and/or engaging in the consumption of illicit substances, such as alcohol or
illicit substances for the duration of the conference;
b. Attendees are prohibited from smoking (cigarettes or e-cigarettes, including vapes) on
University of Toronto property;
c. Attendees must refrain from engaging in vandalism and the intentional and/or reckless
destruction of any public or private property, including conference spaces, venues,
furniture, resources, equipment, and university buildings;
i. Neither UTMUN nor any representatives of UTMUN is responsible for damage
inflicted by attendees to property on or off University of Toronto campus;
ii. Individuals will be held responsible for any damages.
4. The Secretariat reserves the right to discipline delegates and/or attendees for not adhering
to/violating any of the above stipulations. Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to,
a. Suspension from committee, in its entirety or for a specific period of time;
b. Removal from the conference and/or conference venue(s);
c. Disqualification from awards;
d. Disqualification from participation in future conference-related events.
5. If online, additional rules apply to delegate and staff conduct, including but not limited to
Zoom background usage. Delegates must use either conference-provided Zoom backgrounds,
the blurred background, solid colours, or no background.
6. UTMUN reserves the right to the final interpretation of this document.
For further clarification on University of Toronto Model United Nations’ policies regarding equity,
questions, concerns, or for any equity violations that attendees would like to raise, please contact
equity@utmun.org, or fill out this anonymous form.
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Letter From the Director
Dear Delegates,
It is an honour to be your director for this upcoming UTMUN 2022 conference. The dias
and I are so excited to meet you all and we have put a lot of effort into this committee for you to
enjoy. This will be my third conference helping to run a UTMUN committee and my first directing
a specialized committee with crisis elements. However, 4 years ago I was sitting in your seats
for UTMUN 2019 when I was a delegate for SPECPOL. Now, directing my second committee, I
could not be more excited for this committee.
Austen has always been an impactful writer, a pioneer for women, and arguably set the
standard for romantic fiction for the past two centuries. The goal for this committee is for you to
navigate the complex relationships, excel in rank, and avoid the perils of scandal as you create
your own story ultimately carrying on where Austen left off. I know personally that myself and the
rest of your amazing dias are looking forward to seeing not only what you can take from Austen’s
version of your character, but how you will create, adapt, and evolve your characters to fit the
ever changing crises we plan on throwing at you. Sydney Ofiara; your amazing Vice Director is
in her fourth year (but second at UofT!), and Julia Gould, who is in her second year, will be your
Moderator. It is my hope that you all thrive in creating drama and work together to solve social
problems. We are looking for delegates that can participate impactfully, understand how to climb
the social ladder and make advantageous matches, while also remaining true to your characters’
foundational beliefs. Scandal is sure to strike every character and we hope you are ready to pick
your allies, possibly break those allies, and somehow survive in the cut throat social scene of the
early 1800’s. But most importantly, we hope you have fun with the drama. The more the better!
Writing a position paper for this committee may be different from other committees you
have written before. We ask that not only you introduce your character, but also your goals
within the first ball (read setting the scene for some background knowledge on this) AND that
your position paper is written in the format of a diary entry or a letter to a dear friend. The
language, of course, must be time appropriate, and please have fun with it! If you’re phenomenal
at photoshop and wish to add details with that please go ahead! There is a hard limit of 2 pages,
meaning that we will only be looking at the first two pages even if there are a thousand. If you cite
anything other than the book itself, such as movies or independent journals that analyzed the
text, CITE THEM! It is not required to do further independent research beyond what we provide
you within the recommended section. If you have questions, concerns, or anything you would
like to discuss my email is open, and please submit your position papers to it!
I cannot wait to spill plenty of tea.
Sarah Flinn (she/her)
Director; Pride and Prejudice
prideandprejudice@utmun.org
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History
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was born in 1775, the seventh of eight children, with only one older sister. Her
family was close knit and Austen was educated at a boarding school. Her father was a Reverend,
but retired in 1800, sending the family to live in Bath before his death in 1805. Her writing began
seriously in 1787 and in 1799, Austen finished her first draft of what would become Pride and
Prejudice1. In the tradition of realism, Austen filled her novels with ordinary people, places, and
events. Her works have common names, set in England, and describe ordinary life, featuring
probable plot points. The adventure that Austen describes would be not a distant reality from
the readers of the time, such as preparing for dances and picnics2. Her family suffered financial
difficulties, especially after the death of her father, and Austen’s brothers became responsible for
providing for Jane, her mother and her sister. Over the course of her life, Austen published Sense
& Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, which was an instant success, Mansfield Park to mixed reviews
and the popular Emma3. While Austen’s books did garner reasonable financial success, it was
insufficient to support the family. Austen never married or found a love like she described in her
books, though marriage was realistically the best route for women to financial security and social
respect4. In 1816, Austen’s health began to fail, and she passed away in 1817. Because her work
was anonymously published, after Austen’s death, her brother penned an introduction to tie the
author to her books5. Her writing has outlived her life and continues to be a source of inspiration
for readers and Hollywood adaptations.
Time Period
Pride and Prejudice is set in 1797 and provides an accurate record of English society,
reflecting realities of Regency England life. The Georgian era (1714-1830), a subperiod of the
Regency era saw England in almost constant warfare and was influenced by the Industrial
revolution, and the Enlightenment. In the time between 1779, when Austen began writing Pride &
Prejudice, and 1813, when it was published, there was the French revolution, Napoleon rose to
power, Britain abolished slavery, and England joined with Ireland to form Great Britain6.
It was a time of great change, but also social stratification by wealth. Social rank was
incredibly important and determined who could socially mix with whom7. In this time, marrying,
even marriages with controlling husbands, offered women more independence and control than
being a daughter did. Austen shows an acquisitive society that worries about where wealth is
going and coming from all while judging itself on the basis of both its inherited code and morality
1 “Jane Austen Biography,” Jane Austen, 2021, https://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.php.
2 Kathryn Sutherland, “Jane Austen: Social Realism and the Novel,” British Library, May 15, 2014, https://
www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/jane-austens-social-realism-and-the-novel.
3 “Jane Austen Biography,” Jane Austen, 2021.
4 Kathryn Sutherland, “Jane Austen: Social Realism and the Novel,”
5 “Jane Austen Biography,”
6 “Historical Context of Pride and Prejudice,” Chicago Public Library, October 31, 2005, https://www.
chipublib.org/historical-context-of-pride-and-prejudice/.
7 Historical Context of Pride and Prejudice,” Chicago Public Library,
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of improvement8. During the period, England was becoming increasingly industrialised, which
meant that England needed more capable people to lead than the aristocracy could produce9.
Moreover, this industrialization shifted power away from being exclusively held by the aristocracy
to the nascent middle class, composed of merchants and professionals.
An additional key element of this time period was the role of gossip. It played a central
role in communication upper-middle class and aristocratic life; everyone was watching each
other and news of any indiscretions spread quickly10. There was a strict, though unwritten, set
of social codes based on hierarchies that determined what was acceptable to do. Conversely,
it also regulated what would be considered improper or ‘ill-bred.’ Notably, there were gendered
regulations about what a woman could not honourably do, such as calling at a man’s lodgings,
engaging in finance, wearing a certain type of shawl in public, or forcing herself upon a man’s
notice. Monetarily there were issues of honour such as paying debts in a timely fashion and who
could loan money to others11. Ultimately the time period was characterised by strict rules about
adhering to social hierarchies amidst a tumultuous era in European history.
In the Georgian period, there were inheritance rules favouring men over women, in
particular eldest sons. “If the owner of a family estate—the family house and lands and income
generated by the land—died intestate, the rule of primogeniture applied: the eldest son inherited
the family estate.”12 The laws of inheritance further limited women’s economic freedom for they
often excluded settlement of property on women. This is exemplified in Pride and Prejudice
through the discussion of Mr. Bennet’s estate and the operation of these laws of inheritance.13
“The settlement of the family property prevents Mr. Bennet from providing for his wife and
daughters after his death. If a son had been born to the Bennets, the son, rather than Mr. Collins,
would have been entitled to the family property on Mr. Bennet’s death.”14
As a direct result of the inheritance rules, women were reliant on their fathers or eldest
brothers to support them until marriage. Men who were not the oldest son could get a profession,
which upper-class and aristocratic women were unable to do. Women would marry to avoid
poverty and to gain an honourable safety net because “on marriage, a husband became legally
responsible for the support of the wife.”15 Marriage acted as an important step for women to
secure their financial futures. Marriage was seen as an important social ritual: for women, it acted
as an opportunity to improve their family’s social status, and for men, it allowed him to produce
8 Julia Brown. “The ‘Social History’ of Pride and Prejudice.” EXPLORING Novels, 2003.
9 “Social Evolution in Pride and Prejudice,” MSS Research, 2008, http://www.mssresearch.org/?q=Social_
Evolution_in_Pride_Prejudice.
10 “Social Evolution in Pride and Prejudice,” MSS Research, 2008.
11 Jennifer Kloester, “Chapter 8: Rules and Etiquette of Regency Society,” in Georgette Heyer’s Regency
World (Oakhill, 2008), https://austenised.blogspot.com/2011/05/rules-and-etiquette-of-regency-society.
html.
12 Martha Bailey, “The Marriage Law of Jane Austen’s World,” Jane Austen Society of North America,
2015, https://jasna.org/publications-2/persuasions-online/vol36no1/bailey/.
13 Barbara Swords, “‘Woman’s Place’ in Jane Austen’s England,” Jane Austen Society of North America,
1988, https://jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number10/swords.htm.
14 Martha Bailey, “The Marriage Law of Jane Austen’s World”.
15 Martha Bailey, “The Marriage Law”.
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an heir and gave him a wife to manage his household.16
Marriage was an important social custom of linking families and was facilitated by women
through the search for a husband. The search for an appropriate husband often took place in
what has been termed since the sixteenth century as the “marriage market,” which is not a
literal marketplace, but the social engagements and institutions that upper-middle class and
aristocratic women participated in with the goal of marriage.17 “Women, often in their roles as
mothers, were important actors in the marriage market,” as seen in the example of Mrs. Bennett’s
martial arrangements of her daughters. While the goal of falling in love with a man was seen
as appropriate, the most important for a woman was finding a husband “who combined the
qualities of rank, money, and fine character.”18 “In the eighteenth century, the personal character
of a possible husband began to dominate the discourse of aristocratic women and romantic
overtones tinged their discussions.”19
There were strict social rules in society that meant that women and men were unable
to interact very much, meaning that dances were crucial in determining romantic potential.20
Dancing acted as a traditional part of society but it was also the “ultimate occasion for a heady
kind of courtship.”21 These balls lasted six or more hours, ending when the dawn approached,
but there was a set of codified behaviour that needed to be followed. These included rules such
as if a woman turned down one request for a dance she was required to turn down all others, one
could only engage in two dances with a partner, and a man could only ask a woman to dance
if she had already been formally introduced to him.22 Dress code was strictly enforced: women
had to wear elaborate gowns and jewellery, and men had to wear suits and hats.23 Dances were
complicated and required lessons, with dancing being seen as a female accomplishment.24 “The
Waltz, Minuet, Quadrille and Boulanger were also some of the popular dance forms that were
practised by people during the Georgian Era.”25
While marriage was the goal of women in the regency era, marriages were not always
happy. “For most women, marriage was the only real choice in order to have economic security
and a respectable fulfilling life; her place as a woman was determined by her status as a wife,
legally and economically subservient to her husband.”26 In entering into a marriage, a woman lost
her legal rights as an individual, but gained greater protection overall. A husband became entitled
16 “Georgian Era Gender Roles,” Victorian Era, 2020, http://victorian-era.org/georgian-era-facts/georgian-
era-gender-roles.html.
17 Kimberly Schutte, “The Marriage Market,” in Women, Rank and Marriage in the British
Aristocracy (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014), pp. 1485-2000, https://link.springer.com/
chapter/10.1057/9781137327802_6.
18 Kimberly Schutte, “The Marriage Market,”
19 Kimberly Schutte, “The Marriage Market,”
20 “Georgian Era Dancing,” Victorian Era, 2020, http://victorian-era.org/georgian-era-facts/georgian-era-
dancing.html.
21 John Mullan, “The Ball in the Novels of Jane Austen,” British Library, May 15, 2014, https://www.bl.uk/
romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-ball-in-the-novels-of-jane-austen.
22 John Mullan, “The Ball in the Novels of Jane Austen,”
23 “Georgian Era Dancing,” Victorian Era,
24 John Mullan, “The Ball in the Novels of Jane Austen,”
25 “Georgian Era Dancing,” Victorian Era.
26 Barbara Swords, “‘Woman’s Place’ in Jane Austen’s England,”
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to his wife’s property and income.27 “The couples’ affection for each other was secondary and
happiness in marriage depended upon luck. Once married, women were fated to live a passive
life at home. It was their task to raise the children, manage the household and submit to their
husbands.28 “Marriage was not always a happy enterprise for women and some of them had to
bear the cruelty of their husbands.”29 However, divorce was rare because “parties had a duty to
live together as man and wife unless a matrimonial offence were proven and that they should not
be permitted to separate simply because they no longer wished to be together.”30 Thus, once
a woman committed to a man in matrimony, she was stuck in the marriage, regardless of how
loveless it was.
“In a marriage, bearing children was a major responsibility of women. As a result, extreme
pressure was put on them to bear healthy children, especially boys.”31 It was essential that
women had sons in order to create heirs. Women often died during childbirth and her husband
would remarry and pass the household responsibilities to another woman, especially in loveless
marriages. By the nineteenth century, “marriage was coming to be regarded as a lifetime,
intimate, happy companionship based upon love, esteem, and compatibility, and both woman
and man were to have voice in choosing the spouse.”32 However, women were still subservient to
husbands in every way, especially economically. Additionally, women went into marriage without
much sexual knowledge or experience, because pre-marital sex would mean women lost their
reputation and created the risk of pregnancy outside of marriage for women.
English society was divided by class, but men always held the dominant position within
their respective social classes.33 Men and women held different gendered roles in society: “as
men were the breadwinners in most upper classes, the rights to property were also held by them
exclusively. All the monetary decisions in the families were also made by men, often without any
consultation from their wives.”34 Women in the upper and middle classes lived under the authority
of their father until marriage and then the authority shifted to the husband. Women required skills
and accomplishments to be desirable: needlework, sewing, painting, singing, dancing, reading
and writing.35 While women were expected to be accomplished, “girls of the middle and upper
classes had intellectual abilities that were not only different from but also greatly inferior to those
of boys and men. It was believed that women were incapable of serious study, that the study
of philosophy, science, mathematics and classical languages would overtax the limited female
intellect.”36
27 Martha Bailey, “The Marriage Law of Jane Austen’s World”.
28 Elisabeth Heck (2012), https://www.grin.com/document/284036.
29 “Georgian Era Gender Roles,” Victorian Era
30 Martha Bailey, “The Marriage Law of Jane Austen’s World”.
31 “Georgian Era Gender Roles,” Victorian Era
32 Barbara Swords, “‘Woman’s Place’ in Jane Austen’s England,”
33 “Georgian Era Gender Roles,” Victorian Era
34 “Georgian Era Gender Roles,” Victorian Era
35 “Georgian Era Gender Roles,” Victorian Era
36 Barbara Swords, “‘Woman’s Place’ in Jane Austen’s England,”
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Introduction to the Committee
Setting the Scene
Dearest reader,
This author finds herself in complete awe of the Bennett sisters’ rise to riches, so much
so that she has penned a poem for the impending nuptials:
‘Twas the night before the wedding, when all through Pemberley manor,
Gossip was stirring, creating quite the clamour.
The table was set in the dining hall with care,
In hopes that the reverend soon would be there;
The Bennet’s were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of future wealth danced in their heads;
Mrs. Bennet did think ‘oh yes, we are saved’,
While Elizabeth prayed her family would be well behaved.
Jane and Bingley’s announcement garnered some chatter,
But it was Elizabeth and Darcy who settled the matter.
A joint wedding was called, to the joy of us all;
One simply wonders what Kitty might do at the ball.
Mr. Bennet hoped that all would be well,
Though in recent months, Lydia looked to be under a spell.
The wizard who cast it? Mr. Wickham of course,
His love for her though, is of dubious force.
Pemberley always had a bed Charlotte could occupy.
It did trouble her however to see Mr. Collin’s wandering eye.
Georgiana greeted Mary as she arrived at the estate,
As all hoped that Mary’s pianoforte passion would abate.
Of Catherine De Bourgh and Caroline Bingley, there has been no spotting
This reader wonders what they might be plotting.
But two new couples to be wed, just think of the sight,
Happy wedding to all, and to all, a good night!
As wedding guests descend unto Pemberley, the families gather and prepare for the joint
wedding of the season. Gathering everybody under one roof is certainly enough to stir up some
gossip, especially as different social classes mix. While they may act like a happy united group,
remember that the fiercest fights can be between family members. There already is plenty of
flutter about Mr. Darcy settling for a maiden of lower birth...
As far as family support, rumour has it that Lady Catherine De Bourgh plans on trying
to object to the wedding and do everything in her power to prevent consummation in order for
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a quick annulment. This author wonders if Lady Catherine would stoop so low, surely a lady of
her rank would never. However, when it comes to matters of the heart and of family, one never
knows.
As far as the future Mrs. Bingley, it is safe to say that Jane is a nervous wreck over being
reunited with the woman who kept her and her betrothed apart: Miss Caroline Bingley. It is also
not unknown that Miss Bingley was hoping to become the next Mrs. Darcy.
One can only wait with bated breath to see the upcoming wedding festivities. But
remember, dear reader: I am always watching and I will uncover all of your scandalous actions!
Characters
Elizabeth Darcy
The second eldest Bennet daughter betrothed to Mr. Fitzwillian Darcy. Enjoys long walks,
reading, and dancing, even if one’s partner is barely tolerable. She is preparing for her wedding
the following day, loves to laugh and tease her friends and family.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Engaged to Ms. Elizabeth Bennet, believes he knows few accomplished women, a proud
man yet sensitive. His younger sister Georgina has been begging to become an Aunt. He is the
wealthy owner of Pemberley.
Jane Bingley
Jane is the eldest of the Bennet sisters and is helping Elizabeth plan their double wedding.
Her fiance, Charles Bingley, has been doting on her, but recently she has not seen much of him.
She kindly sees the best in everyone and tries to remain positive.
Charles Bingley
He is nervous to marry, yet fully invested, you could say his boyish ways could possibly
be interfering with his adoration for Jane. He is very wealthy with money earned by his father in
trade, and is a pleasant and fun person.
Mr. Bennet
Just happy his daughters appear to have found happiness, though he honestly cannot
put up with Mrs. Bennet and her nerves much longer. He hopes to read in his study and stay as
far away from town as possible. While he is an aristocrat with land, his daughter will not have a
large fortune after his death, so he is pleased that they have financial security.
Mrs. Bennet
Three of her four daughters are married! Two married very advantageously, which Mrs.
Bennet takes full credit for! She cannot wait to brag to all of the wedding guests about her
successes as a mother, and probably have a few too many glasses of punch… While she has
been mostly successful so far, Mary and Kitty remain unmarried and it would be too embarrassing
for Mrs. Bennet to have produced a spinster.
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George Wickham
Tolerates Lydia in their new marriage, but honestly, the payday wasn’t worth coming
home to her overbearing, immature, childish antics. Not invited to the wedding, but plans on
showing up with Lydia anyways. The Darcy’s and the Bingley’s are now part of the extended
Bennet family and with all of this new wealth, it seems unfair to not share.
Lydia Wickham
Absolutely in love with her Wickham! She honestly cannot understand why Darcy, such
a prideful and spiteful man, could hate her handsome husband. She is bringing him along
regardless of his lack of invitation. Lydia fails to recognize how she was saved from disgrace
through the marriage and still lacks proper respect for social status, money or rules, which could
get her in trouble.
Mr. Collins
The priest has some education and upon Mr. Bennet’s death, will inherit his estate, but
until then he works under the close eye of his esteemed patroness Lady Catherine De Bourgh.
He is married to Charlotte, though she had not been his first choice for a wife, but they are very
excited to be attending such a grand wedding.
Charlotte Collins
Long-time friend and neighbour of the Bennet’s, Charlotte was quite shocked by the
news of her closest friend marrying Mr. Darcy. She feels the need to talk to Lizzie about this, and
so help her, she may just throw her husband out the door if he continues to interrupt her.
Caroline Bingley
Caroline Bingley had planned on marrying Mr. Darcy, a hope that will not dissipate until
they are officially married. Elizabeth may die in childbirth too (Caroline has her fingers crossed),
but until Mr. Darcy is properly available, she will have to find some other man to marry.
Georgina Darcy
The shy younger sister of Mr. Darcy is described as an absolute sweetheart by everyone
she knows (except George Wickham). Her older brother acts as a fatherly figure in her life and is
protective over her.
Mary Bennet
Regarded as the “plain” and unmarriable Bennet sister. She is constantly subjected to
comparisons to the far more favourable Bennet sisters, and neglected by her parents.
Catherine “Kitty” Bennet
The second youngest daughter of the Bennet’s lacks all of her elder sister Elizabeth’s
headstrong intuition. She has lived constantly in Lydia’s shadow, but now must learn how to
behave without her younger sister’s wild influence.
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Prride and Prejudice
Lady Catherine De Bourgh
Lady Catherine is rude, condescending, and loves her position within the old aristocracy.
She intends to safeguard her family’s position in society, which surely would be ruined if she
is forced to be associated with the Bennet’s. She wants to see one of the Bennet’s slip up in
society, and if they need a push, she would certainly oblige.
Advice for Research and Preparation
Expected Readings
Delegates are required to be familiar with the novel Pride and Prejudice, or at a minimum
required to watch the miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice released in 1995. The 2005
movie version does not include enough information for delegates to base their entire conference
on. The novel is available online through Project Gutenberg, with both free text and audiobook
versions. If you need help accessing the miniseries, please reach out and we can attempt to aid
you in finding a copy.
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Prride and Prejudice
Bibliography
Brown, Julia. “The ‘Social History’ of Pride and Prejudice.” EXPLORING Novels, 2003.
Bailey, Martha. “The Marriage Law of Jane Austen’s World.” Jane Austen Society of
North America. Accessed 2015.
https://jasna.org/publications-2/persuasions-online/vol36no1/bailey/.
Heck, Elisabeth. “Prejudices in Regency and Victorian England,” 2012.
https://www.grin.com/document/284036.
“Historical Context of Pride and Prejudice.” Chicago Public Library, October 31, 2005.
https://www.chipublib.org/historical-context-of-pride-and-prejudice/.
“Georgian Era Gender Roles.” Victorian Era, 2020.
http://victorian-era.org/georgian-era-facts/georgian-era-gender-roles.html.
“Jane Austen Biography.” Jane Austen, 2021.
https://www.janeausten.org/jane-austen-biography.php.
Kloester, Jennifer. “Chapter 8: Rules and Etiquette of Regency Society.” Essay. In
Georgette Heyer’s Regency World. Oakhill, 2008. https://austenised.blogspot.
com/2011/05/rules-and-etiquette-of-regency-society.html.
Mullan, John. “The Ball in the Novels of Jane Austen.” British Library, May
15, 2014. https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/
the-ball-in-the-novels-of-jane-austen.
Schutte, Kimberly. “The Marriage Market.” Essay. In Women, Rank and Marriage in the
British Aristocracy, 1485–2000. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137327802_6.
Sutherland, Kathryn. “Jane Austen: Social Realism and the Novel.” British Library,
May 15, 2014. https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/
jane-austens-social-realism-and-the-novel.
Swords, Barbara. “‘Woman’s Place’ in Jane Austen’s England.” Jane Austen Society of
North America, 1988. https://jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number10/swords.htm.
“Social Evolution in Pride and Prejudice.” MSS Research, 2008.
http://www.mssresearch.org/?q=Social_Evolution_in_Pride_Prejudice.
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