Okay, let's settle this once and for all. You type "when was Pride and Prejudice written" into Google, and you get a date. Probably 1813. But is that the whole story? Not even close. It's like asking when a cake was baked but ignoring all the time spent mixing the batter, finding the perfect oven temperature, and maybe even tweaking the recipe a few times. The journey of Pride and Prejudice from Austen's mind to your bookshelf is way more interesting than just a single publication year.
The Short Answer (But We're Going Deeper)
Right, let's get the quick fact out of the way. Pride and Prejudice was originally published on January 28, 1813. There, that's the date most websites will give you. But honestly, stopping there feels like missing the best bits. That publication date is just the finish line. The real story starts much, much earlier.
Digging into the Manuscript's Roots: First Impressions & False Starts
Jane Austen wasn't some overnight success. She started young. We know she began drafting the story we now adore way back in October 1796. Back then, she called it "First Impressions". Imagine that! Feeling a bit different, right? She finished this initial draft incredibly quickly, by August 1797. That's less than a year – pretty impressive, even if you type fast on a laptop, let alone with a quill pen!
Her dad, George Austen, thought it was brilliant (dads, eh?). He actually tried to get it published straight away. He sent a letter to a London publisher called Thomas Cadell in November 1797, basically saying, "Hey, check out my daughter's book!" Cadell, clearly not spotting a future classic, sent it back marked 'Declined by Return of Post'. Ouch. That rejection must have stung.
So, "First Impressions" just sat there. For ages. Over fifteen years, gathering dust while Jane lived her life, moved houses, and probably sighed about silly neighbours – perfect material for future novels, I reckon.
The Big Rewrite: From First Impressions to Pride and Prejudice
Sometime around 1811, Austen decided to revisit that old manuscript. Why then? Well, her novel "Sense and Sensibility" had just been published in 1811 (anonymously, of course, just "By a Lady"), and it was doing okay. Suddenly, that rejected manuscript might have looked less like a failure and more like untapped potential. Publishers were maybe paying a *bit* more attention.
This wasn't just a quick polish. Think major renovation. She didn't just change the title to the iconic Pride and Prejudice; she scrubbed and reworked the whole thing. We're talking:
- Structure: Tightening up the plot, making the pacing sharper.
- Characters: Deepening Elizabeth and Darcy, refining the Bennet family dynamics (Mr. Collins probably got an extra layer of ridiculousness).
- Tone: Honing that legendary Austen wit and social commentary. That biting irony didn't write itself!
- The Title: Goodbye "First Impressions" (a bit generic, honestly), hello the perfectly balanced, thematic punch of Pride and Prejudice. Inspired by a line in Fanny Burney's novel Cecilia, apparently. Finding the right title is harder than it looks!
This rewrite took serious effort. We're looking at roughly late 1811 through 1812 for this major overhaul. So, when we ask "when was Pride and Prejudice written?", we have to remember this crucial period of revision. The book published in 1813 was a significantly evolved beast from the 1797 draft.
The Moment It Hit the Shelves: Publication in 1813
Finally, the big day arrived. On January 28, 1813, Pride and Prejudice was unleashed upon the world. Published by Thomas Egerton of the Military Library, Whitehall, London. This was still the era of anonymous female authors, so the title page simply read: "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: A Novel. In Three Volumes. By the Author of 'Sense and Sensibility.'"
Austen herself got the first copy. She wrote to her sister Cassandra, excitedly calling it her "own darling child." She also admitted being worried people might find it "too light & bright & sparkling" – which, of course, is exactly why we love it centuries later! The first edition ran to about 1500 copies. It sold well, priced at 18 shillings (a decent chunk of change back then!). Reviews were generally positive, though some sniffy critics found it lacking grandeur. Shows what they knew.
Key Dates in the Life of Pride and Prejudice
Let's break down the timeline visually. This table shows the journey – it's not just one date!
| Period | Event | Significance | Known Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1796 - Aug 1797 | Initial Draft Written | Creation of "First Impressions" | Completed rapidly; offered for publication Nov 1797 |
| Nov 1797 | Rejection by Cadell | Manuscript shelved | Declined swiftly without review |
| Late 1811 - Late 1812 | Major Revision & Rewrite | "First Impressions" becomes Pride and Prejudice | Significant edits to plot, characters, tone; title change inspired by Cecilia |
| Sometime in 1812 | Sold to Egerton | Secured publication | Austen sold the copyright for £110 (a flat fee, no royalties - oops!) |
| Jan 28, 1813 | First Edition Published | Pride and Prejudice enters the world | 3 volumes; anonymous ("By the Author of Sense and Sensibility"); ~1500 copies @ 18s |
| 1813 | Second Edition | Quick reprint due to demand | Later in 1813; minor corrections |
| 1817 | Third Edition Published | Posthumous release | After Austen's death (July 1817) |
So, What Year Was Pride and Prejudice REALLY Written? It's Complicated!
See the problem with just saying "1813"? If you ask "when was Pride and Prejudice written?", the answer depends on what you mean:
- Initial Conception & Draft: 1796-1797 (as "First Impressions")
- Major Rewrite & Finalization: 1811-1812 (shaping it into the Pride and Prejudice we know)
- Publication Date: January 28, 1813 (the official birth date)
Honestly, all these dates matter. The 1796-97 period shows the spark of genius. The 1811-12 rewrite period is where Austen, older and sharper, perfected her craft. And 1813 is when the world finally got to read it. To truly understand the book's origins, you need this whole picture. Just grabbing the 1813 date feels… incomplete. It ignores the years of incubation and the incredible transformation the story underwent.
Why Does the Writing Timeline Matter Anyway?
Knowing *when* Austen was working on Pride and Prejudice isn't just trivia for history buffs. It deeply influences how we read the book:
- The Georgian vs. Regency Divide: Austen started drafting under King George III (Georgian era). She published it during the Regency of George, Prince of Wales (Regency era). While the social satire is timeless, the specific context shifts subtly. The earlier draft might have had even sharper edges reflecting the late 18th century.
- Authorial Evolution: The young woman who wrote "First Impressions" in her early 20s was vastly different from the experienced author who revised it in her late 30s. That maturity shows in the depth of characterisation and the nuanced social criticism in the final Pride and Prejudice. The rewrite wasn't just editing; it was a distillation of years of observation and refined skill.
- Historical Context: The world changed dramatically between 1797 and 1813. Think the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars (raging while she revised!), massive social upheaval. While these events aren't explicitly mentioned in the novel (Austen famously avoids the battlefield), the underlying anxieties about stability, money, and social mobility absolutely permeate the lives of the Bennets and their circle. The long wait for publication mirrors a turbulent time.
It changes your perspective, doesn't it? Seeing it as a product of two distinct periods rather than just one.
Fun Facts & Things You Might Not Know
- The Original Manuscript is Lost: Sadly, we don't have the original "First Impressions" or even Austen's final handwritten draft of Pride and Prejudice. What we have are the printed editions published in her lifetime. Makes you wonder what gems were edited out!
- £110 Wasn't Great: Austen sold the *copyright* outright to Egerton for £110. Sounds okay? Well, given the book's immediate and lasting success, it was a terrible deal. She never earned another penny from it, even as it went into multiple editions. She later learned to negotiate better for her following novels. A cautionary tale for authors!
- Identified After Death: It wasn't until after Austen died in 1817 that her brother Henry revealed her authorship publicly in a preface to the combined editions of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. So during her lifetime, only close family and friends knew the author of that sparkling novel was Jane Austen.
- Mr. Collins' Inspiration?: Some scholars think the ridiculous Mr. Collins might have been inspired by a real clergyman Austen encountered. Makes you look at awkward dinner parties differently!
FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions About When Pride and Prejudice Was Written
Okay, seriously, when was Pride and Prejudice written?
Pride and Prejudice was published on January 28, 1813. However, its journey began with the draft "First Impressions" written in 1796-1797, which was extensively revised into Pride and Prejudice during 1811-1812.
So it took Jane Austen over 15 years to write Pride and Prejudice?
Not exactly writing continuously for 15 years! She drafted it quickly in 1796-97. It was rejected and sat untouched for over a decade. She then heavily revised it over about a year (1811-1812) before its 1813 publication. The active writing periods were concentrated at the start and near the end of that timeframe.
What was Pride and Prejudice originally called?
Jane Austen's initial title for the novel was "First Impressions." She changed it to Pride and Prejudice during her major revisions in 1811-1812. Many agree the final title is far superior and captures the core themes perfectly.
How old was Jane Austen when she wrote Pride and Prejudice?
She was quite young when she started! Jane Austen began writing "First Impressions" in October 1796 at age 20 (almost 21). She completed that draft by August 1797, still age 21. When she undertook the major revision that transformed it into Pride and Prejudice, she was around 36 years old (late 1811 - late 1812). She was 37 when it was published in January 1813.
Was Pride and Prejudice written before or after Sense and Sensibility?
This gets tricky because of the long delays! "First Impressions" (the early version of P&P) was drafted *before* the version of "Sense and Sensibility" that was published. Austen wrote an early form of "Sense and Sensibility" (then called "Elinor and Marianne") in the mid-to-late 1790s too, around the same time as "First Impressions." However, "Sense and Sensibility" was published first in 1811. Pride and Prejudice, though drafted earlier, was revised and published after, in 1813.
How long did it take Jane Austen to write Pride and Prejudice?
Focusing on the active writing periods:
- First Draft ("First Impressions"): Approximately 10 months (Oct 1796 - Aug 1797).
- Major Revision (to become Pride and Prejudice): Approximately 1 year (Late 1811 - Late 1812).
Why did it take so long to get Pride and Prejudice published?
The initial rejection in 1797 was a major setback. Publishing opportunities for unknown female authors were scarce and risky for publishers. It wasn't until Austen had success with "Sense and Sensibility" (published in 1811) that a publisher (Egerton) was willing to take on another novel by "the Author of Sense and Sensibility."
Was Pride and Prejudice written during the Regency era?
The final version of the novel, Pride and Prejudice, was written (revised) and published during the Regency era (1811-1812 and 1813). The Regency officially lasted from 1811 (when George III was deemed unfit) to 1820 (when he died and the Prince Regent became George IV). However, the *original* draft ("First Impressions") was written during the very end of the Georgian period (George III's reign).
The Publication's Aftermath and Legacy
Let's be real, Austen had no clue she was writing one of the most beloved novels in the English language. The first edition sold out reasonably fast, leading to a second printing later in 1813. A third edition came out after her death in 1817. But its true explosion happened later in the 19th century and then, massively, in the 20th and 21st centuries through countless adaptations.
Thinking about that £110 copyright deal still makes me wince, though. Imagine if she'd gotten royalties! But the book's immortality is priceless.
Wrapping It Up: More Than Just 1813
So, when was Pride and Prejudice written? Hopefully, you now see why the simple answer "1813" is just the tip of the iceberg. The true creation spans:
- The Spark (1796-1797): A young Jane Austen writes "First Impressions" with incredible speed.
- The Rejection & Wait (1797-1811): A setback and a long hiatus.
- The Masterful Revision (1811-1812): Austen transforms her early work into the sharp, witty, enduring Pride and Prejudice.
- The Birth (January 28, 1813): The novel enters the world, anonymously.
Understanding this journey – the initial burst of creativity, the sting of rejection, the patient refinement years later – makes appreciating Pride and Prejudice even richer. It wasn't just written; it was lived, rethought, and perfected. Next time someone asks you "when was Pride and Prejudice written?", you can tell them the whole fascinating story. It's a tale of persistence as much as genius. And frankly, knowing she tweaked it for over a decade makes me feel better about my own unfinished drafts!
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