Though comparatively poor compared to some of the suitors to materialize in the novel, the first chapter of the book tells us that they are “principal residents” of Longbourn village, presumably named for the dominant manor house. We know they have a number of servants, but Mr. Bennet’s comment that he’d like to have the horses at the farm more often than Mrs. Bennet’s demands allow indicates that they have at least limited stock.
The Bennets are fundamentally in an unstable position because the estate is entailed away along the male line to a William Collins, meaning that Mrs. Bennet and the girls will have extremely limited financial supports and no home when Mr. Bennet dies. This creates the dramatic tension behind the piece and Mrs. Bennet is keen to marry off the daughters to wealthy men who will be able to look after her and any remaining daughters after Mr. Bennet’s demise.
Members of the Bennet Family featured in the novel are:
- Mr. Bennet
- Mrs. Bennet
- Miss Jane Bennet
- Miss Elizabeth Bennet
- Miss Mary Bennet
- Miss Catherine Bennet
- Miss Lydia Bennet
The Bennets live at Longbourn House in Hertforshire.
