"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possesion of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." This is the opening sentence of Pride & Prejudice, and it sets the scene for the rest of the story. It begins when a certain Mr. Bingley(single and in possesion of a good fortune)  purchases a house in the country, in a place called Netherfield. Nearby in Longbourn, the Bennets reside with their five daughters. The family has a great dilemma, which is that Mr. Bennet's fortune passes entirely to the closest male relative when he dies, and he is no longer young. This would leave each of the five Bennet sisters with little to no fortune. Therefore. when the news of Mr. Bingley's arrival at Netherfield reaches the ear of Mrs. Bennet, she immediately resolves to have him marry one of her daughters and thus provide the entire family with a sound future. The Bennets first meet Mr. Bingley at the assemblies. Among the gentlemen's party is his good friend Mr. Darcy. While Bingley is enchanted by Jane, the eldest Bennet, and her likewise, Mr. Darcy denies his friend's suggestion of courting Elizabeth, Jane's younger sister. Lizzy overhears some of the cruel words Darcy uses to describe her. Darcy's reputation as a proud and cold man has already sparked dislike in most of the people present, and in conjuction with the aforementioned comments has caused Lizzy to loathe him.