Summary
Mrs. Bennet tells her husband that a wealthy young man named Mr. Bingley has rented Netherfield Park nearby. She wants Mr. Bennet to visit him so their five daughters can meet the eligible bachelor.
Original Text
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”
Simplified English
Everyone knows that a rich single man must want a wife.
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” his wife said one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is finally rented?”
Vocabulary Notes
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| universally acknowledged | accepted by everyone |
| in possession of | having, owning |
| in want of | in need of, lacking |
| let (past: let) | rented out (British English) |
Analysis
The famous opening line is one of literature’s best-known examples of verbal irony: Austen states a “universal truth” that is actually just Mrs. Bennet’s self-serving opinion. The novel will repeatedly show that a woman’s practical need for financial security (through marriage) conflicts with ideals of love and personal choice.
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