[Pride and Prejudice] - What is going on?

Pride and Prejudice - the Ball Scene

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

I found this sentence quite puzzling for an opening sentence of a novel. I had to pause a few times while reading this short phrase, trying to understand what the author was trying to imply. After a few more attempts of re-reading I gave up on trying to comprehend and moved on.

However, by the time I finished Chapter 6 my question regarding the primary sentence was answered. Personally I had the feeling that the quote represents Mrs. Bennet's state of mind who seeks "a single man of large fortune (p.1)." It was also funny how an arrival of a wealthy stranger could shake up a family.

There were so many characters introuduced in the course of 20 pages that trying to remember everyone was virtually impossible. Therefore I found it hard to judge or describe even the main characters. For instance, I realized that most peers in our class described Ms. Bennet as an impetuous person, who is "quite disconcerted (p.6)" after revealing the fact that Mr. Bingley was "unable to accept the honour of their invitation (p.6)." She also "attacked him [Mr. Bennet] in various ways - with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises (g.5)." Yet, I do not think, well I'd rather say so far I do not think she is impulsive nor impetuous, because most moms in the world obsess over their children's future husband/wife. Her strong desire to get her 5 daughters married to a wealthy and stable man seems reasonable.

Not only Ms. Bennet, but Mr. Darcy is also underestimated. I found his "arrogant pride (p.13)" to be actually normal for a person who lives in the 1800's. Social status was the most significant factor in terms of assossiating with complete strangers, so his resisting behaviour among people of lower class is reasonable.

But for now, I think it's too early to judge any of the characters in the book.