Blog on Plot

A plot is the skeleton of a novel that connects the events and characters together throughout the novel. A plot consists of an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. In Pride and Prejudice, the exposition consists of the introduction of the Bennet family and the recent arrival of Mr. Bingley at town. In the exposition, the novel introduces the characters' interests and personalities and behavior towards others. After the exposition comes the rising action, which begins upon the first major interaction between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, who Elizabeth portrays as a conceited, ill-mannered man. The rising action includes a clash between characters' interests and opinions where conflict slowly develops. The novel reaches its climax when Elizabeth reads Mr. Darcy's letter about his attitude towards and perspective of Mr. Wickham and other recent issues; at this point, the protagonist Elizabeth Bennet realizes her false depiction of and prejudice against Mr. Darcy. As the falling action occurs, the characters take steps towards solving their conflicts and the plot begins to finish revealing the intertwinement of the events, the characters, and their ideas. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth gradually fall in love, and the risk of Lydia's damaging the family reputation through elopement without marriage has been avoided. At the denouement, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged, along with Jane and Mr. Bingley, as the conflicts are resolved.