Analysis Questions – Volume 3
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Describe the change in manner and emotion in both
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy since his proposal at Rosings.
What has caused these changes?
How does chapter 44 offer hope for a happy ending?
How does Elizabeth find herself at Pemberly? What
does she think of it? Any regrets at not having
accepted Darcy’s proposal? In what way does the
housekeeper add to her changing point of view?
How does she feel when Darcy appears? How does he
treat her? Her Aunt and uncle? What is their
impression of him? Is his pride changing? Are her
prejudices changing? Explain.
Explain the significance of Darcy’s introducing his
sister to Elizabeth.
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What distinction is Austen making between
rank and breeding in this chapter? What is the
difference between the superficial aspects of
class and the quality of character?
Why is Lydia’s elopement such a disgrace for
the family?
What is ironic in Elizabeth’s epiphany about
her love for Mr. Darcy?
How do the Bennet families’ reactions to
Lydia’s elopement conform or not conform to
their established characters?
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How does Mr. Bennet’s character change in the course of this
and the previous chapters?
What comment is Austen making about societal conscience and
opinion in this chapter?
How does Austen hint at causes for Lydia’s immoral behavior
through Mrs. Bennet’s behavior?
In addition to eloping with Lydia, how else has Wickham
disgraced himself in Meryton and Brighton? How does this
reflect on the Bennets?
In Meryton where Wickham was once welcomed, what do people
now say? Is this Human Nature? Explain.
Describe Mr. Collins letter about Lydia to Mr. Bennet. Is this
what you would expect? Why/Not? What is ironic about the
letter, considering that it comes from a clergyman?
Describe Mrs. Bennet’s reaction when Lydia is found and will be
married. How does this contrast with the reaction of the rest of
the family?
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How does Austen seek to educate the reader (and in
turn her own society) in a moral lesson?
What role does Darcy play in effecting the wedding
and paying the gambling debts? How does Elizabeth
find out about the details? What does she think?
Describe the way Lydia and Wickham act when they
come to Longbourn after they are married. How does
Wickham treat Elizabeth? How does she respond? Is
this characteristic? What is the future of the
Wickhams in terms of living situation and emotional
involvement with each other? How do you know?
What does Jane’s behavior at the mention of Mr.
Bingley’s name suggest about her feelings toward
him?
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How does Austen foreshadow the impending happy ending
How is Lady Catherine’s visit and intended interference ironic?
How is Austen preparing the reader for a second marriage
proposal from Mr. Darcy?
Bingley comes back to Netherfield, bringing Darcy with him.
When her proposes to Jane, what analysis does Mr. Bennet make
of their personalities and future happiness.
Mr. Bennet gets another of Mr. Collins infamous letters. In what
way does it relate to Elizabeth? What does Mr. Bennet think of
this?
Analyze Mr. Bennet’s famous quotation: “For what do we live,
but to make sport of our neighbors, and laugh at them in turn?”
Is this what the novel is about? Why do you think so? Or not
think so?
Analyze Darcy’s second proposal and Elizabeth acceptance?
Does Austen disappoint you here? Does she lead you up to a
point and then back away? Would you like to read what Elizabeth
said? Is the novel too controlled? Discuss.
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To what do Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth attribute their
manners and behaviors in the first proposal?
Describe Jane’s and the Bennet’s Reactions to Elizabeth’s
engagement. What advice does her father give her? What
insight does he throw on his own marriage? What is his
reaction when she learns that it was Darcy that financed
Wickham and Lydia?
How do Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s separate reactions to
Elizabeth’s marriage both conform to their character.
What is ironic in Elizabeth and Jane’s refusal throughout
the novel to treat marriage as merely a business
transaction?
Which characters change the most throughout the novel?
Which are static? Why does Austen chose to have so many
static characters? What comment is she making?
Describe the futures of the characters in the novel.