Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
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eNotes: Table of Contents
1. Pride and Prejudice: Introduction
2. Pride and Prejudice: Overview
3. Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen Biography
4. Pride and Prejudice: Summary
5. Pride and Prejudice: Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume One, Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume One, Chapters 2-3 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume One, Chapters 4-8 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume One, Chapters 9-12 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume One, Chapters 13-18 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume One, Chapters 19-23 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 1-3 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 4-8 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 9-12 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 13-19 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 1-5 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 6-10 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 11-15 Summary and Analysis
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 16-19 Summary and Analysis
6. Pride and Prejudice: Quizzes
♦ Volume One, Chapter 1 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume One, Chapters 2-3 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume One, Chapters 4-8 Questions and Answers
Pride and Prejudice
1
♦ Volume One, Chapters 9-12 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume One, Chapters 13-18 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume One, Chapters 19-23 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 1-3 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 4-8 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 9-12 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Two, Chapters 13-19 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 1-5 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 6-10 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 11-15 Questions and Answers
♦ Volume Three, Chapters 16-19 Questions and Answers
7. Pride and Prejudice: Essential Passages
♦ Essential Passages by Character: Elizabeth Bennet
♦ Essential Passages by Theme: First Impressions
8. Pride and Prejudice: Characters
9. Pride and Prejudice: Themes
10. Pride and Prejudice: Style
11. Pride and Prejudice: Historical Context
12. Pride and Prejudice: Critical Overview
13. Pride and Prejudice: Character Analysis
14. Pride and Prejudice: Essays and Criticism
♦ Major Themes in Pride and Prejudice
♦ Good Matches in Pride and Prejudice
♦ Humor in Pride and Prejudice
♦ Pride and Prejudice: Historical Background and Treatment of Men and Women
♦ The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice
♦ The 'Social History' of Pride and Prejudice
15. Pride and Prejudice: Suggested Essay Topics
16. Pride and Prejudice: Sample Essay Outlines
17. Pride and Prejudice: Compare and Contrast
18. Pride and Prejudice: Topics for Further Study
19. Pride and Prejudice: Media Adaptations
20. Pride and Prejudice: What Do I Read Next?
21. Pride and Prejudice: Bibliography and Further Reading
22. Pride and Prejudice: Pictures
23. Copyright
Pride and Prejudice: Introduction
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice had a long and varied life before it finally saw publication on January 28,
1813. Austen began the book, originally titled First Impressions, in 1796. Her father submitted it to a London
publisher the following year, but the manuscript was rejected. Austen continued to work on the book, and
scholars report that the story remained a favorite with the close circle of friends, relations, and acquaintances
she took into her confidence. She probably continued working on First Impressions after her family relocated
to Bath in 1801 and did not stop revising and rewriting until after the deaths of both her father and a close
friend in 1805. After this point Austen seems to have given up writing for almost five years. She had resumed
work on the book by 1811, scholars report, and the final product appeared anonymously in London bookstalls
early in 1813.
eNotes: Table of Contents
2
The critical history of Pride and Prejudice was just as varied as the evolution of the novel itself. At the time
the novel was published in the early nineteenth century, most respected critical opinion was strongly biased
against novels and novelists. Although only three contemporary reviews of Pride and Prejudice are known to
exist, they are all remarkably complimentary. Anonymous articles in the British Critic and the Critical Review
praised the author's characterization and her portrayal of domestic life. Additional early commentary exists in
the diaries and letters of such prominent contemporary readers as Mary Russell Mitford and Henry Crabb
Robinson, both of whom admired the work's characters, realism, and freedom from the trappings of Gothic
fiction. After this period, however, criticism of Pride and Prejudice, and of Austen's works as a whole, largely
disappeared. With the exception of two posthumous appreciations of Austen's work as a whole by Sir Walter
Scott and Archbishop Richard Whateley, very little Austen criticism appeared until 1870.
In 1870, James Edward Austen-Leigh, son of Jane Austen's brother James, published A Memoir of Jane
Austen by Her Nephew. This biography was the first major study of Austen as a person and as an artist, and it
marked the beginning of a new era in Austen criticism. Although most critics no longer accept its conclusion
that Austen was an "amateur genius" whose works were largely unconscious productions of her fertile
imagination, it nonetheless performed a valuable service by bringing Austen and her works back into critical
attention, Modem critical opinion of Austen began with the publication in 1939 of Mary Lascelles's Jane
Austen and Her Art, which escaped from the Victorian portrait of Austen put forth by Austen-Leigh.
Pride and Prejudice: Overview
Background
Austen’s fiction reveals little awareness of the political and economic turmoil that pervaded Europe during
her lifetime. Wars, such as the Napoleonic Wars, did not affect her middle-class upbringing. The lower classes
were recruited, and the upper class purchased commissions and became gentleman officers who enjoyed
social prestige.
During Austen’s life, the countryside was fragmented into semi-isolated agricultural villages and provincial
settlements. London, the only metropolis, was the center of commerce and the arts. Austen had exposure to all
three of these areas, and her insights into this society are often reflected in her novels. She was born during the
beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Great social unrest was spawned from miserable conditions in
factories, and widespread unemployment resulted. The middle classes adopted a laissez-faire attitude. They
soon developed methods to mobilize and discipline labor for factory employment. Parliamentary acts
established the institutional basis for efficient city, government, and municipal services. Urban police,
compulsory education, and government inspection of factories, schools, and poorhouses evolved.
English life was increasingly regulated by central rather than local authority. The working classes, with
improved educational opportunities, were raised to a new level of respectability.
During the time that Napoleon was transforming Europe, Jane Austen composed a novel in which the most
important events are the fact that a man changes his manners and a young lady changes her mind. Soldiers do
appear, but in a secondary role, as fixations of young frivolous women. In one case this even presents an
elopement.
List of Characters
Elizabeth Bennet—The proud and witty heroine of the story.
Fitzwilliam Darcy—The rich and arrogant man who is enamored with Elizabeth and eventually has her fall in
love with him.
Pride and Prejudice: Introduction
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Mr. Bennet—The dry and somewhat negligent father of Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.
Mrs. Bennet—The muddle-headed and unrealistic mother of Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.
Jane Bennet—The eldest of the Bennet daughters, she is mild-mannered and restrained.
Mary Bennet—The frivolous and pompous third daughter.
Lydia Bennet—The youngest daughter, spoiled by her mother, flighty (an “airhead”).
Catherine (Kitty) Bennet—The man-crazy daughter. She is similar to Lydia, but sullen and moody.
George Wickham—The handsome, unprincipled officer who has a grudge against Darcy.
Charles Bingley—Darcy’s close friend, the suitor who falls in love with Jane.
Caroline Bingley—Charles’ cold and indulgent sister. She is enamored with Mr. Darcy.
Colonel Fitzwilliam—Darcy’s mild-mannered cousin. He is attracted to Elizabeth, but she rejects him.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh—Darcy’s pretentious, saucy aunt.
Miss de Bourgh—Lady Catherine’s unsavory daughter.
Mr. Collins—Mr. Bennet’s cousin. He will inherit Longbourn after Bennet’s death as Bennet has no son.
Georgiana Darcy—Darcy’s timid but well-meaning sister.
Sir William and Lady Lucas—The Bennets’ neighbors. Parents of Charlotte.
Charlotte Lucas—Elizabeth’s accommodating and intelligent friend. She marries Mr. Collins for money, much
to Elizabeth’s dismay.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurst—Bingley’s conceited sister and his lazy brother-in-law.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner—Mrs. Bennet’s well-educated and intelligent brother and her sister-in-law.
Mrs. Annesley—Georgiana’s elderly governess.
Mrs. Reynolds—Darcy’s housekeeper at Pemberley who speaks highly of him.
Miss Jenkinson—Tutor of Miss de Bourgh.
Mrs. Forster—The wife of an army colonel and a friend of Lydia’s who invites her to Brighton.
Mrs. Hill—The Bennets’ housekeeper.
Summary of the Novel
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are intent on having their five daughters marry above their middle-class station. A rich,
single man, Charles Bingley rents an estate, Netherfield, nearby. Mrs. Bennet pushes her husband to
immediately introduce himself and form an acquaintance. He obliges reluctantly. At a ball, all the Bennets are
Pride and Prejudice: Overview
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introduced to the Bingley party. Everyone likes the courteous Mr. Bingley, but his close friend, Fitzwilliam
Darcy, is thought to be too arrogant and filled with unconcealed pride and vanity. He won’t dance with
anyone outside of his own group or deign to speak with them. He states, within Elizabeth Bennet’s hearing,
that “she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.”
Mr. Bingley’s affection for Jane develops quickly, to the concern of his sisters and Mr. Darcy. They can’t
tolerate her lower status, and are embarrassed by her family’s manners and actions. Mr. Darcy, in spite of his
better wisdom, becomes infatuated with Elizabeth. He is drawn to her uncensored wit and fine eyes. Miss
Bingley’s jealous criticisms of her do nothing to lessen his admiration. Miss Bingley has made plans to entrap
him for herself, but they seem blocked.
Caroline Bingley invites Jane to Netherfield. While she is en route, in the rain, Jane catches a severe cold. She
is forced to stay at the estate and be treated by a local apothecary. Mrs. Bennet is delighted, because this puts
Jane in proximity with Mr. Bingley and his wealth. Jane becomes more ill, and her sister Elizabeth goes to
Netherfield to nurse her. The concern for her sister and strength of character appeal to Mr. Darcy, but he is
afraid of his infatuation with someone who is economically inferior. The Bennet sisters’ departure after six
days relieves nearly everyone.
Mr. Bennet’s estate, Longbourn, is entailed (by law bequeathed) to Mr. Collins, a clergyman and cousin. This
is because he has no son; thus, his property will go after his death to Collins as the nearest male relative. Mr.
Bennet receives an inane letter from Collins, apologizing for the entail, and hinting at the possibility of
marriage with one of the Bennet daughters. He arranges for a fortnight stay at Longbourn, where his officious
stupidity delights Mr. Bennet’s keen satiric sense, repels Elizabeth, and endears him to the vacuous Mrs.
Bennet.
Mr. Bennet can’t wait for him to depart and soon tires of his praise of his patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
He sends his cousin on an errand to Meryton with his daughters. There, they meet George Wickham, a
handsome and personable military officer. Elizabeth is intrigued when Wickham and Darcy, who obviously
know each other, meet on the street and both seem uncomfortable. At a ball, soon after, Wickham tells his life
story to Elizabeth. He states that Darcy disobeyed his own father’s will out of resentment. (Wickham was a
ward of Darcy’s father and had been promised revenue for a clergyman’s position.) Wickham’s story makes
Darcy look cruel and self-indulgent. Elizabeth buys this account, because she has pre-determined, negative
views of Mr. Darcy’s arrogance and pride.
Elizabeth becomes infatuated with the charming Wickham, as do her younger sisters. She resents his absence
from the ball thrown by Mr. Bingley at Netherfield. She attributes his lack of attendance to a dispute between
Wickham and Darcy, because Wickham has persuaded her of Darcy’s bad character. She annoys Darcy by
bringing up the subject, and is puzzled by his persistence in approaching her, as she does not know of his
attraction. Elizabeth is mortified by her family’s behavior that evening. Mrs. Bennet loudly proclaims the
merits of a match between Jane and Mr. Bingley. Mary, her sister, bores everyone with her mediocre piano
playing. Mr. Collins, her cousin, gracelessly proposes marriage, and she is further embarrassed. He wants a
marriage of convenience, and she wants no part of it. She tries to convince him that her refusal is earnest. The
support of her father makes Collins see the truth.
The Bingley party leaves Netherfield for London, and Caroline Bingley writes to Jane to inform her that they
won’t return until winter. She hints in her letter that Mr. Bingley intends to court Georgiana Darcy. This is a
match that has been determined for years between the families.
Elizabeth rightly discerns that Bingley’s sisters and friend are trying to keep him from the Bennets. Her
family is not prominent enough for their aspirations.
Pride and Prejudice: Overview
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Mr. Collins, rejected by Elizabeth, is consoled by Charlotte Lucas, her best friend. To Elizabeth’s great
surprise and astonishment, Charlotte plots to marry Mr. Collins, “from the pure and disinterested desire of an
establishment.” She had always considered herself plain and almost an old maid, so she snaps at a chance to
be a respectable lady of society. He proposes, they marry, and they leave for their residence near Rosings.
Elizabeth later accepts Charlotte’s invitation to visit her in her new establishment. Elizabeth is gratified that
Charlotte has taken charge, choosing not to react to her husband’s stupidity or her patron’s insolent behavior.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a tyrannical despot. She tells everybody what to do, and is not to be contradicted.
She plans to unite the family estates by marrying her daughter to Mr. Darcy, who is due to arrive at Easter.
Darcy continues to court Elizabeth. He seeks her companionship, but says little. One night, he declares his
love and proposes. He is discourteous, and stresses his family’s superiority. Elizabeth is as angry as she is
astonished. His seeming pride is unbearable to her, and she adamantly refuses his declaration and derides him.
She accuses him of breaking up Jane and Bingley, and ruining young Mr. Wickham’s reputation. Darcy
acknowledges both charges without seeming remorse or explanation, and leaves her with a cold, indifferent
attitude.
The next morning, Darcy finds Elizabeth on one of her walks. He delivers a letter, which tries to answer her
reproaches. Darcy intervened in Bingley’s romance because he wanted him to marry a wealthy person, and he
was not convinced that Jane was truly in love with him. Jane’s placid manner never convinced him that there
was any deep emotion between them. He went on to add that the Bennet family left a lot to be desired. Mrs.
Bennet was vacuous, Mr. Bennet, indifferent and unequivocally negligent, and the two younger daughters
were flirtatious and empty-headed. No criticism was leveled at either Jane or Elizabeth. He revealed that
Wickham was a man without principle, and had presented his case falsely. Her former prejudice was now
quite jarred, and she had to contemplate the probability of this being true.
Elizabeth and her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner set off on a tour. One of their unofficial stops is at Derbyshire,
which is her aunt’s and Darcy’s home county. Since they are in the vicinity of Pemberley, Darcy’s estate,
Mrs. Gardiner wants to visit it. Elizabeth has apprehensions, but does not object when she learns the owner is
away. She finds Pemberley extremely pleasant. The house is prestigious, and the gardens lavish. Elizabeth
muses that if she had been more perceptive and indulgent, this place could have been hers. She hears the
housekeeper’s glowing description of Darcy as being extremely good-natured and generous to the poor.
Darcy unexpectedly appears, a day early, and both he and Elizabeth are embarrassed. Darcy is attentive and
gracious and extremely cordial to the unpretentious aunt and uncle. Darcy insists upon Elizabeth meeting his
sister, and they call the next day at the inn. The formidable Miss Darcy seems not proud, but shy. She barely
is able to carry on a conversation without deference to her brother. There is much affinity between the two. It
is not as obvious to Elizabeth that Darcy is still in love with her. The Gardiners see this, but await Elizabeth’s
version. When Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth go to Pemberley for a requested return visit, Miss Bingley tries in
vain to insult Elizabeth in her presence and behind her back. She fails completely to work her will on Darcy.
In the midst of her happiness, Elizabeth receives two letters from her sister Jane. They say that Lydia has
eloped with Wickham. The pair left Brighton for London and are not presumably married. Elizabeth fears that
her sister is permanently disgraced, and that her own re-discovered love for Darcy can never result in
marriage. She and the Gardiners leave for home as fast as they can make preparations.
The eloped pair is elusive for several days. Mr. Bennet went after them, but returns home unfulfilled. Mr.
Gardiner, who took the matter into his own hands, writes and states that they have been found. He adds that
Lydia has agreed to a quick marriage. All of this has been arranged by Darcy. He works secretly to pay off
Wickham’s gambling debts and ensure a suitable dowry. Mrs. Bennet is ecstatic about this development. Mr.
Bennet, Elizabeth, and Jane are sure that Mr. Gardiner must have paid out a tidy sum to get Lydia married
officially and save the family name. Little do they realize that it was Darcy’s work.
Pride and Prejudice: Overview
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Mr. Darcy confronted Wickham, bribed him and offered a commission in the army if he would marry Lydia.
He did this because of his love for Elizabeth, and because of his sense of blame for Wickham’s
irresponsibility.
Lydia and Wickham visit Longbourn as a married couple. Elizabeth inadvertently learns of Darcy’s
involvement in the marriage when Lydia passes on a confidence. She gets the complete story when she writes
to Mrs. Gardiner.
Bingley returns to Netherfield and falls in love with Jane again. After a while, he proposes. She accepts. Mrs.
Bennet’s joy is lessened by the appearance of Darcy, whom she has always distrusted.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh arrives at Longbourn, after hearing a rumor that Darcy is enraptured with
Elizabeth. She ridicules Elizabeth and demands her to reject a proposal from Darcy. Elizabeth’s answer is
reserved. Lady Catherine speaks with Darcy. This only lets Darcy acknowledge that Elizabeth has had a
change of heart, and he renews his proposal to her. This time it is met with a positive attitude.
Estimated Reading Time
Fifteen hours should be allowed for the study of Pride and Prejudice. The chapters are grouped into sections.
The chapters are short, but they should be read closely to capture nuances of plot and characterization. After
reading each section, the student should answer all study questions to insure understanding and
comprehension. The essay questions are guide-lines to be used, if needed.
Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen Biography
Jane Austen, the daughter of an English clergyman, was born in 1775 at her father’s Hampshire Vicarage in
South Central England. Austen had six brothers and one sister. Austen and her sister, Cassandra, were
inseparable. After several attempts to find an appropriate boarding school, they were schooled at home. Their
father taught his own children and several who boarded with the family. This education was by extensive
reading of the classics. Both sisters were pretty and popular, and they enjoyed most of the social amenities
portrayed in Austen’s novels.
Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen Biography
7
Jane Austen
By the time she was in her mid-twenties, Jane’s brothers, two of whom later became admirals, had careers
and families of their own. After the father’s death in 1805, the family lived temporarily in Southhampton
before finally settling in Chawton.
A lively and affectionate family circle and a network of friends provided a stimulated context for her writing.
It was the world of landed gentry and the country clergy that she used in her novels.
In the six novels published between 1811 and 1817, Austen revealed the possibilities of domestic literature.
Her concentration on personality and character and the tensions between her heroines and their society make
her works more closely related to the modern world than to the traditions of the eighteenth century. This
modernity, together with the wit, realism, and timelessness of her prose style, helps to explain her continuing
appeal to twentieth century readers.
Northanger Abbey, a satire on the romances, was sold for ten pounds in 1803, but as it was not published, was
bought back by members of the family. It did not appear in print until after Austen’s death.
Although her friends knew of her authorship, she received little recognition in her lifetime. She was quite
aware of her special excellences and limitations, and often compared her style to that of a miniaturist painter.
She ridiculed the silly, the affected, and the stupid, ranging in her satire from early, light portraiture to later,
more scornful exposures.
Austen published several minor works and five major novels: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and
Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1816), and posthumously, a collection of Persuasion and
Northanger Abbey (1818). Other minor works included Juenilia, the novel, Lady Susan, and the fragments:
The Watsons and Sandition. Her name never appeared on her title pages, therefore, she received little
recognition until after her death in 1817.
Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen Biography
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Her comedies of manners depict the self-contained world of provincial ladies and gentlemen, and most of her
works revolved around the delicate business of providing proper husbands and wives for marriageable
offspring of the middle class. She is best remembered for her lively interplays of character, her meticulous
care to style and plot, a sense of comic irony, and her moral firmness. The overall substance of this novel
concerns a small section of society locked into a timeless present in which little will change. The people
involved are fixed, and the routines and social rituals are predetermined. Money is a problem when it is short.
Successful courtships lead to satisfactory marriages. For the first two volumes of the book, Mr. Darcy and
Elizabeth Bennet are pre-judging and re-judging. It is a drama of insight that acts by revision and sees things
as they really are and not what was presumed.
There is a whole vocabulary connected with the processes of decision, conviction, and opinion. People’s
varied and unstable judgments are exposed and analyzed. Opinions are constantly changing as characters’
behaviors appear in a different light. The need to be aware of the difference between appearance and reality is
made clear throughout the novel.
Austen writes about what she knows. Therefore, great areas of human experience are never mentioned. The
male characters are not finely drawn. In contrast, the female characters are strong and stand out as intelligent
and complex individuals. Extreme passions are avoided. This is demonstrated when Elizabeth accepts
Darcy’s second proposal. She says, “My sentiments have undergone such a material change as to make me
receive with gratitude and pleasure your present assurances.” There seem to be many important topics which
Austen avoided.
Her greatest talents were her subtle insight into character and her precise dialogue. Each character’s speech is
appropriate. Collins is pompous, Mr. Bennet is cynical and sarcastic, Elizabeth is forthright and honest, Lydia
is frothy and giddy, and Darcy is sensitive and sure of himself.
Although Romanticism was at its peak during Austen’s life, she rejected this movement. She adhered more
closely to the neo-classic style, and to its discipline, devoid of passion. Her style emphasizes plots that turn
like gears on the intricacies of character interaction. Her work is often satiric but underlined with moral
purport. She seemed to observe human conduct with an amused and good-humored consciousness.
She once compared her writing style to that of a painter whose subjects are miniatures. This is particularly
true of her immaculate attention to detail. She was a perfectionist, and re-wrote most of her novels at least
twice.
Jane Austen died at the height of her creative potential at the age of 42. Researchers have suggested the cause
to be either Addison’s disease or tuberculosis. She spent the last weeks of her life in Winchester, Hampshire
in South England and is buried in the cathedral there.
She gradually developed a following in England in the late 1800s, but became even more popular in America.
Today, she is regarded as one of the great masters of the English novel.
Pride and Prejudice: Summary
At Meryton
Perhaps the most famous opening lines from any nineteenth-century novel are the opening lines to Jane
Austen's Pride and Prejudice: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a
good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Pride and Prejudice: Summary
9
These words are spoken by Mrs. Bennet to Mr. Bennet on the news that a gentleman of fortune has just moved
to Netherfield Park, a nearby estate. The Bennets begin this story with a peculiar problem: they have five
unmarried daughters and no sons. Their estate is entailed, or restricted in inheritance, to Mr. Collins, a family
cousin. Upon Mr. Bennet's death, Mr. Collins will inherit the family lands, which will leave the Bennet
daughters without a home or money. It becomes vital, therefore, that at least one of the daughters marries well
in order to support and house their sisters (and mother if she is still alive) should they not be able to marry.
Shortly after arriving alone, Bingley brings to Netherfield his two sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst; his
brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst; and his friend, Mr. Darcy, who also happens to be wealthy and unmarried. Not
wanting to miss a favorable introduction to their new neighbors, Mrs. Bennet pleads with Mr. Bennet to call
on Bingley so that she can begin introducing her daughters to him. Initially Mr. Bennet refuses to play any
part in matching any one of his daughters with Bingley. He tells his wife that if she is so intent on meeting the
newcomers at Netherfield, she must visit Bingley herself. However, prudent manners forbade a woman to call
on a strange man, making Mrs. Bennet powerless to begin the process which she hopes will lead to a marriage
between one of her daughters and Bingley. Following the pronouncement that Mr. Bennet refuses to call on
Bingley, Mrs. Bennet despairs that her daughters will never be able to meet with the eligible bachelor. Yet Mr.
Bennet does call on Bingley, beginning the family's acquaintance with him. He takes ironic pleasure in
surprising Mrs. Bennet with the news after letting her believe that he would not call on him.
The Bennet girls meet the Netherfield party for the first time at a small ball. Bingley proves to be personable
and polite to the local folk, making him instantly well-liked. Darcy, while handsome and noble looking,
appears proud and indifferent to participating in the activities of the evening or even socializing with the other
guests.
The eldest daughter, Jane, is instantly drawn to Bingley, and he seems equally attracted to her. Jane is
portrayed as gentle, unselfish, and very mannerly. Elizabeth is also well mannered, but possess a very sharp
wit and refuses to be intimidated by anyone. Inclined to be protective of Jane and her family, she nonetheless
recognizes the faults of her parents and other sisters. At the assembly, because of a shortage of men who
dance, Elizabeth is left sitting. She overhears Bingley encouraging Darcy to dance, suggesting that he ask
Elizabeth. Darcy curtly replies that "she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no
humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men." Elizabeth, though
insulted, refuses to give Darcy's comment any weight, instead telling the story to all her friends and ridiculing
his pretentious behavior.
Jane and Bingley's relationship continues to deepen during family visits, balls, and dinners. His sisters pretend
to like Jane, but are appalled by her mother's vulgarities, her younger sisters' wild, loose manners, and their
lower economic position among the landed gentry. They find great amusement in making fun of the Bennets
behind Jane's back. A particular point of hilarity stems from the way Kitty and Lydia chase after the young
military officers stationed locally.
Jane rides on horseback through a rainstorm in acceptance of an invitation from the Bingley sisters. She
consequently catches cold and must stay at Netherfield until she is well, much to Mrs. Bennet's delight.
Thinking her sister might need attending, Elizabeth goes to stay with Jane until she is well. Darcy soon begins
to demonstrate an interest in Elizabeth, making Miss Bingley jealous, as she has hopes of marrying him
herself. In fact, Miss Bingley has a right to worry, as Darcy notes to himself that "were it not for the
inferiority of [Elizabeth's] connections, he should be in some danger."
Soon Jane is well and returns home. Another visitor arrives in the person of Mr. Collins. He is a clergyman
and will be the inheritor of the Bennet estate upon Mr. Bennet's death. Thinking himself generous, he decides
to try to marry one of the Bennet daughters, so that any unmarried daughter will still be able to live at the
family estate. His patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who is also Darcy's aunt, has urged him to marry. He
Pride and Prejudice: Summary
10
obeys her, as usual, with servile haste. He becomes interested at first in Jane, but when Mrs. Bennet indicates
that Jane is taken, he fastens on to Elizabeth. She refuses him, believing that a marriage without love is not a
worthwhile endeavor. Mrs. Bennet breaks down in hysterics, though Elizabeth's father approves her decision.
Within a day, Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth's best friend, who accepts him.
During Mr. Collins' visit, Lydia and Kitty meet an officer newly stationed in Meryton. Wickham becomes a
favorite among the ladies, including Elizabeth. He claims to have grown up with Darcy, saying he is the son
of the late Mr. Darcy's steward. He says that the younger Darcy has cheated him of his inheritance, forcing
him into military service. Already inclined to believe the worst of Darcy, Elizabeth now believes she has
proof of his poor character, never once questioning the truthfulness of Wickham's story.
The Bingleys hold a ball where all of the Bennet family's manners, with the exception of those of Jane and
Elizabeth, are exposed as lacking, much to Elizabeth's mortification. Soon the Bingley party packs up and
leaves Netherfield to live in London during the winter. A letter comes from Miss Bingley to Jane implying
that Bingley might become engaged to Darcy's sister. Jane, while refusing to express her loss to anyone but
Elizabeth, is devastated. When Elizabeth learns of Bingley's near engagement, she quickly realizes that
Bingley's sister does not think Jane is a good marriage partner and has persuaded her brother that Jane is not
really interested in him. Unlike Jane, who faults no one but herself for Bingley's departure, Elizabeth is
furious with Miss Bingley, and perhaps Darcy, for interfering with her sister's happiness.
Travelling
Thinking that a change in scenery would improve Jane's condition, Mrs. Bennet's sister-in-law, Mrs. Gardiner,
suggests that she spend part of the winter in London. While there, Jane is snubbed by Bingley's sisters and
never even sees Bingley. Meanwhile, Elizabeth visits Charlotte and Mr. Collins in Kent, accompanied by
Charlotte's sister and father. She sees Jane on the way and is sure that Darcy is keeping Bingley from visiting
Jane.
In Kent, Lady Catherine honors the visitors, as Mr. Collins repeatedly informs them, with regular invitations.
Elizabeth finds the woman to be haughty and ill-mannered, constantly thrusting her opinions on the others and
fully expecting that they be followed without question. Elizabeth responds coolly to the other woman's prying.
Darcy soon arrives in Kent, visiting regularly at the parsonage, sparring verbally with Elizabeth.
Unexpectedly, he proposes marriage to her, explaining that he loves her in spite of her low family
connections. Rather than being impressed and honored that such a highborn man should be interested in her,
Elizabeth is insulted and refuses. She accuses him of being ungentlemanly, of destroying her sister's
happiness, and finally of treating Mr. Wickham in an miserable manner. He storms away, but the next day
presents her a letter answering her charges.
In the letter he states that he did keep Bingley from Jane, referring to the improprieties of her family and his
sincere belief that Jane had no feelings for Bingley. He goes on to explain how Wickham squandered all the
money the late Mr. Darcy left him and how he even attempted to elope with Georgiana, Darcy's sister, for a
chance at her fortune. Elizabeth acknowledges the truth of his explanation, reproaching herself for believing
Wickham without once questioning the truth of his story. Slowly, her prejudice against Darcy begins to
weaken. Without seeing him again, she returns home.
In spite of Elizabeth's protests, Lydia goes with one of the officer's wives to Brighton, where the regiment is
now stationed. Jane returns home from London, and Elizabeth leaves to travel with the Gardiners on a tour
through the country which will take them to Derbyshire, the region where Mrs. Gardiner was born and where
Darcy lives. They go to Pemberly, Darcy's home, believing that he is away and Elizabeth need not fear
running into him. But he comes home earlier than expected. In spite of their mutual embarrassment, he treats
Elizabeth and the Gardiners with courtesy, asking if he may introduce his sister to her. Surprised, Elizabeth
agrees.
Pride and Prejudice: Summary
11
While in Derbyshire, Elizabeth enjoys her time with Darcy, Georgiana, Bingley, and Bingley's sisters. She
becomes very fond of Darcy and almost believes that he may ask for her hand once more. A letter from Jane
quickly dashes Elizabeth's hopes. Lydia has eloped with Wickham. Wracked with guilt that she might have
prevented this disaster if she had made known what Wickham had done to Darcy's sister, Elizabeth rushes
home. It is soon discovered that the runaways are not married, but hiding in London. Wickham lets it be
known that he can be bribed to marry Lydia, so Mr. Gardiner arranges a quick wedding. With no other option,
Mr. Bennet must consent, though he worries how he will repay Mr. Gardiner, who is surely providing the
considerable bribe to Wickham. Once they are wed, Lydia and Wickham return to the welcoming arms of
Mrs. Bennet, who refuses to be embarrassed by Lydia's lack of propriety.
All Is Well
Lydia, heedlessly breaking her promise to Darcy, tells Elizabeth that Darcy attended their wedding. Elizabeth
then convinces Mrs. Gardiner to give her the details. It turns out that Mr. Darcy arranged the wedding, paid
off Wickham, purchased Wickham a commission in the army, and supplemented Lydia's small dowry.
Soon after, Bingley and Darcy return to Netherfield. They call on the Bennets and soon Bingley proposes to
Jane, who happily accepts. Elizabeth, having developed feelings for Darcy, scrutinizes him, hoping that he
still has feelings for her. But he soon leaves Netherfield.
An unexpected visit from Lady Catherine soon occurs. She has heard a wild rumor that Darcy and Elizabeth
are soon to be engaged, and she wishes for Elizabeth to refute the rumor and promise never to become
engaged to Darcy. It seems that she has hopes her sickly daughter will marry him. Unintimidated, Elizabeth
refuses. Lady Catherine leaves in a rage, later repeating the conversation to Darcy, unwittingly giving him
hope that Elizabeth is in love with him. He knows Elizabeth well enough to understand that had she "been
absolutely, irrevocably decided against [him], [she] would have acknowledged it . . . frankly and openly." He
returns to Longbourne and proposes once again. Without hesitation, she accepts.
Pride and Prejudice: Summary and Analysis
Volume One, Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
Mr. Bennet: The sarcastic, indifferent father
Mrs. Bennet: The foolish and unrestrained mother
Summary
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are in their country home, and Mrs. Bennet informs her husband that a neighboring
country estate has been rented by a young, wealthy, single gentleman named Bingley.
She insists that as soon as the young man settles in, Mr. Bennet must go visit him.
She already has made up her mind to snare him as the husband of one of her five eligible daughters.
Although Mr. Bennet teases his wife by saying all the daughters are silly and ignorant, he agrees to send
Bingley a note telling him that, if he desires any of their daughters, it should be his favorite, Lizzy. Mr.
Bennet favors Lizzy because he feels she is more intelligent than his other daughters.
They banter, and Mrs. Bennet again reminds him that he must go calling in person. Then, she complains of
her nerves, and Mr. Bennet teases her more.
Pride and Prejudice: Summary and Analysis
12
Discussion and Analysis
The opening sentence of this novel immediately catches one’s attention: “It is a truth universally
acknowledged, that a man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” It sets the ironic tone
that implies that the novel will deal with universal truths. The latter part of the sentence relates to a common
social situation, that a woman without a fortune is in need of a husband with one.
In the first chapter, Austen is dealing with only a small section of society. She calls it her “inch of ivory”
(one piano key in relationship to the whole). It is a tiny, personal portrayal, but is significant in its relationship
to the whole of society. The novel manipulates social relationships in a limited culture, and deals with them in
minute detail.
There is a great contrast between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet is effervescent and serious, while Mr.
Bennet is reserved and sarcastic. He enjoys teasing her. Austen ends the chapter with her descriptions of their
different personalities.
Volume One, Chapters 2-3 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet: the second daughter. She is intelligent, pretty, and independent
Jane Bennet: the eldest daughter. She is kind and beautiful, but too good-hearted
Catherine (Kitty) Bennet: next to the youngest daughter. She’s “boy crazy” and frivolous
Mary Bennet: the inarticulate third daughter, accomplished in provincial arts
Lydia Bennet: the youngest daughter. She is giddy, but is Mrs. Bennet’s favorite
Charlotte Lucas: Elizabeth’s best friend. She is sensible and intelligent but very plain-looking
Sir William and Lady Lucas: the neighbors of the Bennets and Charlotte’s parents
Charles Bingley: the handsome, single gentleman who moves next door. He becomes infatuated with Jane
Fitzwilliam Darcy: the proud, handsome aristocratic friend of Bingley
Summary
Mr. Bennet, without telling his family, has already called upon Mr. Bingley. He shocks the family when he
relays this information and teases them. The girls all become inquisitive, and Mrs. Bennet is rapturous. She
determines to ask Bingley to dinner in the near future. Mr. Bennet refuses to discuss with his family what
Bingley looks or acts like, but a neighbor, Lady Lucas, drops by and gives a very favorable report.
A few days later, Mr. Bingley returns Mr. Bennet’s visit, and spends some time with him in his library. All
the girls spy on him from an upper window, but are not introduced.
He finally meets the Bennet sisters at a ball at Meryton. He is attracted by Jane’s beauty and good nature, and
dances two dances with her. Jane is equally interested in him. Another person in Bingley’s party, the even
wealthier Mr. Darcy, attracts everyone’s attention. However, his arrogance and coldness make him seem too
proud. Mr. Bingley, on the other hand, pleases everyone with his warmth, charm, and fine manners.
Volume One, Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis
13
The Bennets return from the ball, and Mrs. Bennet is all aflutter. She tries to explain what transpired to a very
indifferent husband.
Discussion and Analysis
Chapter 2 deals with events that are significant in provincial society. The arrival of an eligible man is always
important for social and economic reasons.
The third chapter introduces the first of a series of balls in the book. We get our first look at Mr. Bingley and
Mr. Darcy. Both are handsome and captivating, but their personalities are totally opposite. Bingley is outgoing
and warm, and enchants everyone. Darcy is cool and reserved, and his sharp opinions turn people off.
The first contact between Darcy and Elizabeth is made at the ball when Bingley asks Darcy to dance with her.
Darcy’s superiority rings through when he remarks that Lizzy is not handsome enough for him. Bingley
states that all the girls are handsome. Darcy insists that only Jane is beautiful.
Austen does not present the typical romance where the two main characters fall in love at first sight. In other
novels, the hero is perfect and competent, and the heroine is admiring and captivating. Here, we see a heroine
who is intelligent and fiercely independent, and a hero who has human frailties. Both Darcy and Elizabeth are
characterized by Austen as strong-willed individuals who are not afraid to express their feelings. There is an
instant magnetism that attracts them to each other. Yet one can sense that there are going to be clashes of will,
and strong emotions will be exposed.
Volume One, Chapters 4-8 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
Mr. and Mrs. Hurst: Bingley’s “stuck-up” sister and his lazy brother-in-law
Caroline Bingley: Bingley’s selfish sister, who has aspirations of becoming Mrs. Darcy
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips: Mrs. Bennet’s sister and brother-in-law. They own a home in Meryton which Lydia
and Kitty love to visit because of the nearby officers’ quarters
Summary
Chapter 4 describes the previous ball, and we are presented with the different reactions of Jane and Elizabeth.
Then, in contrast, we learn the reactions of Darcy and Bingley. Elizabeth reproaches Jane for being “blind,”
which is ironic because later she is the one who becomes blind to Darcy’s attention. Elizabeth seems to have
a very perceptive nature, unless she is personally involved with the individual. Lizzy also chides Jane about
being naive, thinking the best of everyone. Jane admits to her sister that she is quite impressed with Bingley.
Darcy and Bingley express totally opposite views of the evening. Bingley enjoyed the people and the ball, but
Darcy complained that they’re common people with little or no beauty or fashion.
Chapter 5 begins with Mrs. Bennet and her daughters visiting the Lucas’ home the next day. The women
gossip and discuss the men and their manners. All are quite miffed with Darcy’s statement that Elizabeth was
merely “tolerable.” They end in a big discussion of the differences between pride and vanity. He, apparently,
is the epitome of both.
Chapter 6 takes place a few weeks after the first ball. Many social occasions have thrown the Bennets,
Bingleys, and Darcy together. There is a definite relationship developing between Jane and Charles. Darcy is
beginning to become attracted to Elizabeth, because of her quick wit and perceptive analysis. He discusses his
new admiration of Miss Bennet with Charles’ sister, who immediately sees Elizabeth as a threat to her own
Volume One, Chapters 2-3 Summary and Analysis
14
happiness.
Chapter 7 deals with the two youngest Bennet daughters, Kitty and Lydia. Their favorite pastime seems to be
to walk to their Aunt and Uncle’s home, because an army barracks is located nearby. Their incessant chatter
about uniforms and officers irks their father into stating that they are two of the silliest girls in the country.
Jane is sent a note inviting her to dine with Bingley’s sister, Caroline, that evening. She has to take a horse
instead of the coach, and arrives there soaked to the skin after a severe storm unexpectedly develops. Jane
becomes seriously ill with a cold, and she stays the night. Her note the next day alarms Lizzy, who walks
through the countryside to visit her. She arrives with muddy feet and stockings, and the two Bingley sisters
can hardly hold back their disdain. However, Mr. Bingley and Darcy are impressed by her devotion. This
impression is strengthened by the way she handles her silly mother and younger sisters when they visit
Netherfield while Jane’s condition worsens. Elizabeth stays at Netherfield, and helps nurse Jane back to
health.
Discussion and Analysis
“Pride” and “prejudice” are the twin themes of this novel. Both Darcy and Elizabeth possess excessive
amounts of each. The supporting characters in this novel are always discussing one or the other of these two
characters and their degrees of these two qualities.
Each individual character’s speech indicates something of his/her personality. Mary, the plain daughter, uses
polysyllabic words and elaborate, contrived sentences. She tries to make a discourse of every speech. She
ends up being pedantic and boring.
Elizabeth is forthright, terse and witty. She often speaks before she thoroughly thinks about what she is
saying, and intimidates or aggravates those around her.
Chapter 6 presents several views about marriage. Both Jane and Elizabeth wish for love first and position
second. Charlotte wants a conventional marriage, based on practicality. Catherine and Lydia dream of getting
a man in uniform.
At another ball, Mr. Darcy approaches Elizabeth for a dance, and she refuses him. He becomes more attracted
to her. She, in turn, is puzzled by his interest and becomes intrigued with his motives.
Chapter 7 shows how important it is that the Bennet girls marry well. Mr. Bennet’s property is specifically
willed to a male heir. He has no sons, so it must go to a cousin, Mr. Collins.
While Elizabeth is staying with the Bingleys, they display their social hypocrisy. They fawn over Jane, yet
talk about her behind her back. They describe her family connections as low. Miss Bingley flatters Darcy
constantly. Elizabeth teases him with sharp questions.
Volume One, Chapters 9-12 Summary and Analysis
Summary
Chapter 9 reveals the difference between Elizabeth and her mother. Elizabeth always displays proper social
upbringing, but her mother is oblivious to what is right and proper.
After Elizabeth sends for them by note, Mrs. Bennet and the two youngest girls come to visit Jane. The
druggist arrives at about the same time, and announces that Jane is too ill to travel. Several heated
conversations take place between Elizabeth and Darcy. Her honesty and opinions begin to infatuate him.
Volume One, Chapters 4-8 Summary and Analysis
15
Chapters 10 and 11 convey how Misses Bingley and Hurst interact with the sisters Jane and Elizabeth during
Jane’s recuperation. Both the Bingley sisters are sarcastic and back-biting when they are out of earshot.
Jane recovers, and she and Elizabeth return home. Mrs. Bennet is not pleased. She had hoped the illness
would continue so that closer proximity would have endeared Jane more to Bingley. Their homecoming is
welcomed only by Mr. Bennet, who obviously missed Elizabeth and Jane.
Discussion and Analysis
Darcy and Elizabeth display a continuing relationship permeated with misunderstandings. When he asks her
to dance at another ball, she refuses. She believes he sees her to be frivolous and immature. Darcy admits his
attraction to her, but is restrained by her lack of social position which he considers an insurmountable
obstacle.
In Chapter 11, Darcy says that every person has a defect in character that makes him blind to the goodness of
others. Elizabeth answers that his defect is to hate everybody. Darcy countermands with “and yours is a
willful ploy to misunderstand them.” Both show they have a defect, because of either pride or prejudice, and
they need to surmount it.
In Chapter 12, Darcy realizes his love for Elizabeth, and tries to subdue it in action and words. Elizabeth is
unaware of this strong emotion. She can always analyze people’s feelings, but not when they affect her
personally.
Volume One, Chapters 13-18 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
William Collins: Mr. Bennet’s cousin, who will inherit Longbourn after Mr. Bennet’s death
Lady Catherine de Bourgh: Darcy’s rich aunt and Mr. Collins’ benefactor
Mr. George Wickham: the handsome, young soldier who has a grudge against Darcy
Summary
Mr. Bennet receives a letter from his cousin, the Reverend Collins, who will one day inherit Longbourn. Mr.
Bennet makes fun of his writing style and pomposity, and makes snide remarks about him to his family.
Collins is planning a fortnight visit with them. He informs Mr. Bennet that he is looking for a proper wife,
now that he has been assigned a parish post. If he should happen to select one of the Bennet daughters, it
would help him feel less guilty about becoming the heir to Longbourn. Elizabeth questions whether this man
can be sensible after evaluating his letter. Again, she shows her ability to see through other people’s motives.
Mr. Collins arrives promptly. He is a tall, portly man of 25, and given to pompous speech and manners. He
looks at the young ladies in the manner of one who is buying livestock. Every piece of furniture is eyed and
evaluated as if it were already his. He is attracted to Jane, but informed that she has a suitor, he settles on
Elizabeth. His speech shows how he feels indebted to his sponsor, Lady Catherine. The glowing praise he
heaps on her makes her seem saintly.
All the sisters except Mary accompany Mr. Collins to Meryton to visit their relatives, the Phillips. On the
way, they run into one of Lydia’s soldier friends, who introduces them to a new officer, Mr. Wickham. He’s
handsome, has good bearing, and is extremely personable. Mr. Bingley and Darcy appear, and immediately
there are hostile looks exchanged between Darcy and Wickham. Elizabeth is acutely aware of their distress.
The Phillips entertain the party. During their visit, Wickham explains to Elizabeth the reasons behind his
Volume One, Chapters 9-12 Summary and Analysis
16
animosity to Darcy. They were brought up together since infancy, as Wickham’s father was once employed
by Darcy’s father. The elder Darcy was supposed to bequeath money to support Wickham in a career as a
reverend, Elizabeth is told. Now, Wickham blames Darcy for cutting him out of the will, and for his loss of a
valuable profession. Elizabeth is shocked and disgusted with Darcy, and believes every detail of Wickham’s
tale. She thinks Darcy is cruel. Wickham also informs Elizabeth that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady
Anne Darcy are sisters. Young Miss de Bourgh has been selected as the perfect wife for Mr. Darcy, because
the match would unite the two estates. Wickham derides Lady de Bourgh, and speaks of how proud Darcy’s
young sister is.
In Chapter 17, Mr. Bingley drops by personally to deliver invitations to his Netherfield ball, and they all look
forward to it with enthusiasm. Elizabeth is shocked when Collins asks her to reserve the first two dances for
him. She then realizes that he has selected her as his intended.
The ball begins in Chapter 18. Wickham does not attend, and Elizabeth is disturbed and blames Darcy. During
a dance with him, she brazenly brings up the subject to Darcy. He denies Wickham’s version of events, and
becomes quite agitated by her inquiries. Miss Bingley supports Darcy’s version of the story, and further
confuses Elizabeth. She holds to Wickham’s version, and defies Darcy’s explanations.
Discussion and Analysis
Elizabeth seems to be blinded by her preconceived prejudices of Darcy. She totally believes that Wickham is
telling the truth, and accepts his story at face value. She has become attracted to Wickham, and secretly
relishes when Wickham derides Darcy’s sister, aunt, and pride.
Wickham talks about not defaming anyone’s character, and then proceeds to do just that. He even goes so far
as to state that Darcy is prejudiced against all people. When Elizabeth tells Jane about Wickham’s tale, she
speaks well of both people, and again finds it difficult that two gentlemen should have such faults.
The ball is not enjoyable to Elizabeth. She angers Darcy, is forced to dance with Collins, and is embarrassed
by her mother’s effusive manner and her sister Mary’s loud singing.
Volume One, Chapters 19-23 Summary and Analysis
Summary
Collins requests an audience with Elizabeth after having told Mrs. Bennet that he means to propose. The
proposal is clumsy and condescending. Elizabeth refuses to marry someone for a position or for convenience.
She expresses her refusal vehemently.
In Chapter 20, she is backed by her father. Her mother says she will never be seen with her again unless she
complies. The house is in an uproar when Charlotte Lucas arrives.
Bingley’s whole entourage leaves for London for an indefinite time, without even contacting the Bennets, as
Jane learns in a letter. Mrs. Bennet’s idle boast at the ball of a match between Jane and Bingley determined
Miss Bingley to prevent it, and she convinced Bingley that Jane is indifferent and unsuitable. She sends a
letter to the distraught Jane that Bingley is planning to court Miss Darcy, and will be absent the whole winter.
By Chapter 22, Collins proposes to Charlotte. Elizabeth is appalled, her mother disconsolate, and Lady and
Lord Lucas are ecstatic.
The section ends with Chapter 23’s general reflections on what has come before.
Volume One, Chapters 13-18 Summary and Analysis
17
Discussion and Analysis
Elizabeth’s refusal of Collins’ proposal implies that she will marry only for romantic reasons. This is further
supported by her disdain for Charlotte doing just the opposite. Mrs. Bennet wants the marriage, because
Elizabeth is the least favorite of her daughters. Collins seems like a good son-in-law to her. She wants all five
daughters married, and she is more concerned with position and income than with romance.
In Chapter 21, Elizabeth again runs into Wickham, and he tells her that he chose not to attend the ball. She
approves of this action, and conveniently forgets that he had once stated he would not avoid confrontations
with Darcy. As before, her prejudice clouds her from reaching realistic conclusions about his character.
Volume One has now been concluded, but there are several loose ends. Charlotte’s marriage to Collins will
allow Elizabeth to pay her a visit and be near Darcy. Miss Bingley’s letter to Jane shows her prejudice, and
leaves open several possibilities. Elizabeth has, for once, been mistaken about the character of her close
friend, Charlotte. Could she also be mistaken about other conjectures?
Volume Two, Chapters 1-3 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner: Mrs. Bennet’s sophisticated brother and sister-in-law. Mrs. Gardiner is an intelligent
and elegant young woman
Summary
When the section opens, Mr. Wickham is a frequent guest at the Bennet home, which casts an ever darker
shadow over Darcy’s reputation.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Bennet’s brother and sister-in-law, arrive at Longbourn for the Christmas
holidays. They are so unlike Mrs. Bennet, with their cultured manners and refinement, that it is hard to realize
they could be related. Mrs. Gardiner is much like Elizabeth, and the two carry on lively discussions. Most of
these center around Jane’s plight, and she invites Jane back to their home in London. She hopes such a
change of scenery will elevate her spirits. Mr. Gardiner is a merchant, so it is almost certain that their circle of
friends would not bring her in touch with Bingley. Elizabeth agrees, and says such an aristocrat like Darcy
would never let his friends visit a middle-class neighborhood.
The Gardiners like Wickham, but Mrs. Gardiner has some reservations. She warns Elizabeth of an
involvement with a person without money or position. Elizabeth realizes she doesn’t really love Wickham.
When the Gardiners return to London, she writes to Mrs. Gardiner and tells her that Wickham is now pursuing
a plain, 20 year old who has just received a large endowment from a deceased relative.
Jane, while in London, writes to Caroline Bingley requesting a meeting. Miss Bingley’s reply is very cold
and insincere. She states that Bingley knows Jane is in London. Jane begins to feel that Caroline is probably
behind her separation from Bingley.
Discussion and Analysis
The schism between Jane and Bingley seems to widen and Jane is beginning to become aware that there is
hypocrisy and deceit in others’ motives.
One reason Elizabeth changes her views about Wickham is that after Darcy left the country, Wickham tries to
poison the whole community about Darcy’s vindictive and evil character. This is contrary to what he had said
about defaming anyone’s character.
Volume One, Chapters 19-23 Summary and Analysis
18
The two new characters of the Gardiners represent new plot developments. Their upbringing and good taste
reflect a position in society that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Bennet could ever hope to attain. Mr. Bennet is so
cynical that he has no sympathy for anyone. Mrs. Bennet is narrow, uneducated, and sometimes vulgar. The
Gardiners are cultured, genteel, and superior.
Mrs. Gardiner is not fooled by Wickham’s charm. Her advice to Elizabeth suggests a better understanding of
human nature. Elizabeth again shows how she can misjudge an individual’s motives. Normally a good judge
of character, she has been taken in by Wickham’s studied charm and deceitful manner. Maybe her
preconceived convictions of Darcy’s true character are also incorrect.
Volume Two, Chapters 4-8 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
Maria Lucas: Charlotte’s younger sister
Colonel Fitzwilliam: a handsome, well-bred cousin of Darcy who becomes infatuated with Elizabeth
Mrs. Jenkinson: the tutoress of Miss de Bourgh
Summary
Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth discuss marriage, Wickham, and money. When they stop for a night in London,
Elizabeth is happy that Jane looks better and is enjoying her change of scenery.
Elizabeth, Charlotte’s father, and her sister, Maria, visit the parsonage for a fortnight, as they had planned
earlier.
At the parsonage, Mr. Collins effusively praises his patroness, and tries to show Elizabeth what she missed by
her refusal of his proposal. Elizabeth finds Lady Catherine to be rude, artificial, and condescending. The
daughter receives Elizabeth’s pity for being reclusive.
During this visit, Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, arrive. Darcy is again attracted to Elizabeth, as is
Fitzwilliam. Lady Catherine almost compels Elizabeth to play the piano for them at one of the requested
dinner invitations, and then complains to Darcy about her style and lack of finesse. Darcy was attentive and
enjoyed her performance.
Discussion and Analysis
Elizabeth’s arrival at the Collins’ parsonage is the essence of Chapters 4 and 5. She reaffirms her distaste for
Collins, pities Charlotte’s position, and forms a decisive opinion that Lady de Bourgh is not a nice person.
The woman is belligerent, domineering, outspoken, and condescending. She allows no one to have conflicting
views, and looks down her nose at those she considers to be socially inferior. Her treatment of her young
daughter explains why the poor child is so reticent.
A meeting with Darcy, who arrives to visit his aunt, rekindles old feelings. The emergence of Fitzwilliam
offers new hope of a future relationship. All the other visitors to Lady de Bourgh’s estate feel cowed by her,
but Elizabeth is not, and so earns her animosity. Elizabeth doesn’t allow her inferior social position to
countermand good judgment. She presents herself as an independent person, even when there are social
consequences.
She, Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam visit his aunt. Elizabeth questions whether he recently saw Jane in
London. His reactions indicate that he didn’t know she was there, and thus, Bingley was probably also
Volume Two, Chapters 1-3 Summary and Analysis
19
unaware.
In Chapter 8, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam seem to have an immediate rapport. Their conversations are animated,
and a mutual attraction is evident. Darcy senses this, and shows signs of being perturbed by it.
At the end of Chapter 8, Darcy’s aunt shows almost the same qualities of ill-breeding as Elizabeth’s mother.
She insults Elizabeth, gives rules and regulations to Charlotte, and tries to evince her superiority in all matters
of taste. Darcy is embarrassed, and Elizabeth takes some satisfaction that now both families have displayed
examples of bad taste. She accuses Darcy of trying to intimidate her during her piano playing, and
misunderstands that he was only enjoying her style. They pass further remarks, and Elizabeth becomes
aggressive. Darcy only becomes more enamored of her estimation of her own worth, and of her fierce
independence.
Volume Two, Chapters 9-12 Summary and Analysis
Summary
Darcy arrives at the door and finds only Elizabeth at home. They talk briefly. Charlotte suggests later to
Elizabeth that he is in love with her. Elizabeth does not accept this as probable, and Charlotte sees it her way.
Elizabeth then meets Darcy more than once on walks through the estate's grounds.
Fitzwilliam admires Elizabeth, but because he is the younger son who will not inherit an estate, the match is
improbable. In conversation, he lets slip that Darcy saved a friend from an inconvenient match. This news
makes Elizabeth angry because she supposes the woman in question to be Jane. She stays away from the
evening activities at Rosings, out of spite.
Elizabeth peruses all her letters from Jane and detects a sadness she had not perceived before. Her reserve to
Darcy for his complicity makes her avoid his presence, and he calls on her at the parsonage. Darcy shocks her
by professing his love for her and asks for her hand in marriage. He confesses that he fought his love for her,
because of her family, but that his isn't much better. He feels his proposal is such an honor that she should be
elated. She, however, is so incensed at his offer that she adamantly refuses. She blames him for the separation
of Jane and Bingley, for his treatment of Wickham, and for his arrogance and selfish pride. She hurts him
even more when she says his behavior is unlike that of a true gentleman. He leaves her coldly, and she bursts
into tears of aggravation when she is alone.
As Elizabeth pursues her regular walk the next morning, Darcy delivers a letter to her and promptly leaves the
premises. He admits to his involvement in the separation of Jane from Bingley. He confesses that her family
often acts with impropriety and reveals that Wickham is a cordial, but unprincipled young man. He suggests
that Wickham is vengeful and full of greed. Darcy says that he did not deprive Wickham of his parsonage, but
instead gave him 3,000 pounds to ensure it. Wickham gambled this away and left debts all over the county.
Even more vile, when the money was gone, Wickham tried to elope with the naive Miss Darcy, in hopes of
bettering his fortune. Darcy prevented this inconveivable match. If she questions these assertions, he asks her
to confide in Fitzwilliam, who can confirm his veracity.
Analysis
Elizabeth, initially, refuses to believe the letter, but after constant re-reading she realizes it is probably the
truth. She realizes in a moment of despair that vanity has been her downfall, and she has thoroughly
misjudged Darcy. She begins to regret her stubborn misconceptions.
Volume Two, Chapters 4-8 Summary and Analysis
20
The visits of Darcy to the Collins' residence soon begin to signify to Charlotte that he is enamored of her. The
introduction of Fitzwilliam allows her to make a further comparison to Wickham. They both are enamored of
her.
When Darcy proposes, Elizabeth hurts him more than ever. She refuses and complains that he behaved in an
ungentlemanly manner. The refusal is bad enough for Darcy's pride, but in all ways he has performed as a
gentleman. This reproach is worse than if she had slapped him or laughed at him. He is crushed and cannot
understand the accusation. The proposal cuts to Elizabeth's pride and implies that she is only "presentable"
again. Darcy is not believed of his real love for her and is thought to be only condescending. Elizabeth again
is angered for the wrong reasons.
Volume Two, Chapters 13-19 Summary and Analysis
New Character
Mrs. Forster: the wife of an army colonel, and a friend of Lydia’s, who invites her to Brighton
Summary
While Elizabeth is taking her morning walk, Darcy arrives, gives her a letter, and abruptly leaves. The
contents of the letter admit that he kept Bingley from Jane as Elizabeth had charged, but that he did so
because Jane’s calm nature did not show a deep emotional tie. The second part of the letter goes on to list the
improper behavior of members of her family. At first reading, Elizabeth is full of resentment and anger, but
she soon realizes that his criticism may be harsh but valid. The third part of the letter details the relationship
with Wickham, and how deceitful and dishonorable the man was in his version of their estrangement. On
reflection, Elizabeth realizes that she has been wrong in her trust in Wickham and prejudices against Darcy.
This knowledge of her own lack of discernment and the dishonor she has done Darcy throws her into a deep
depression. She is filled with regret for having acted so blindly, and admits that only now is she beginning to
know her own faults.
In the next chapter, Elizabeth and Maria leave the parsonage. Prior to their departure, they receive more
unasked-for advice from Lady Catherine, and more pompous civilities from Mr. Collins. He again talks of his
social position in another attempt to show her what she missed by her rejection of his proposal. They arrive in
London, pick up Jane, and continue their journey home.
When they arrive home, Mrs. Bennet and the younger daughters are all upset, because the military regiment is
leaving for nearby Brighton. Elizabeth is secretly glad, because she has no desire to see Wickham. Lydia gets
an invitation from a colonel’s young wife to summer in Brighton, where the regiment is to be now stationed.
She lords it over the other sisters, and Elizabeth sees that Darcy’s criticism of her was justified. She tries to
convince her father that Lydia is not to be trusted on her own. His denial of responsibility only exposes
another family weakness.
Her tour with the Gardiners has been shortened by them, because of business. It will be limited to Derbyshire
instead of the lake country. Mrs. Gardiner wants to see Pemberley, the Darcy estate, since she knew it as a
young girl. Elizabeth only agrees if they can visit when the lord of the house is not in attendance.
Discussion and Analysis
After constant re-reading of Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth comes to the conclusion that nothing Darcy has ever
done was less than honorable and fair. She acknowledges Mr. Wickham was always disloyal. She chastises
herself for her wanton prejudice and gullible, head-strong behavior. She now accuses herself of what she once
labeled Jane. She calls herself “blind.” This crucial insight into her own character increases her
self-knowledge and gives hope that she can change and rectify some of the damage she has done. She finally
Volume Two, Chapters 9-12 Summary and Analysis
21
has to acknowledge that Darcy had to overcome several objections to the match before he could propose. She
is mortified but realizes her family contributed greatly to ruining Jane’s chances with Bingley.
The remainder of Volume Two picks up and re-establishes certain plot elements. Elizabeth must return and
begin a new adventure. Jane and Bingley will be re-introduced. Wickham should somehow be made to pay for
his abominable behavior.
When she returns, Elizabeth relates to Jane all of her letter’s contents, except the reference to Jane and
Bingley. When Elizabeth learns the militia is leaving, she decides to keep to herself Wickham’s true nature.
When Lydia makes plans to go to Brighton, she pleads with her father to disallow the visit. She is afraid of
another family incident where there would be a breach of decorum.
The overall subject of this novel is marriage, both as a social, economic institution and as the expression of
love. The short discussion of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet exposes more faults of both. Elizabeth,
aware of this, is determined to marry based on a proper relationship between man and wife.
The second volume concludes with the impending trip to Derbyshire, the area where Darby’s estate is
located.
Volume Three, Chapters 1-5 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
Mrs. Reynolds: Darcy’s housekeeper at Pemberley who speaks highly of him
Georgiana Darcy: Darcy’s shy but impeccably-mannered sister
Mrs. Annesley: Georgiana’s elderly governess
Summary
On a leisurely journey, the Gardiners and Elizabeth stop in Derbyshire to view Darcy’s beautiful estate,
Pemberley.
The estate is elegant and tasteful, and the housekeeper is overly enthusiastic with praise of her master’s fine
manners and honest nature. She mentions that he is often thought of as proud, but she will have none of that,
having never seen an occasion where he has evidenced this. Darcy’s letter has made a great change in
Elizabeth. She feels repentance for wrongly accusing him. She looks at his marvelous estate, and reflects that
she could have been mistress of Pemberley, if she had been a better judge of character.
Darcy, who was not expected until the next day, appears while Elizabeth and the Gardiners are surveying his
gardens. This causes embarrassment on both parts. As a true gentleman, Darcy treats them with civil manners
and respect. Darcy is friendly and attentive, and is impressed with this branch of Elizabeth’s family tree. He
shocks Elizabeth when he asks if he could have the honor of introducing her to his sister during this visit.
Darcy calls on the party the next day, with Georgiana and Bingley. Georgiana is not in the least proud, as
Wickham had defined her. She is extremely shy and well-mannered. It is obvious to the Gardiners that Darcy
is still in love with Elizabeth. Her feelings have changed, but they remain private. Bingley is obviously not in
love with Georgiana, and he makes several references to Jane in his conversations.
Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth return the visit the next day. Caroline Bingley, who is present, resents her visit
and makes improper comments about how her family must be reacting to the militia withdrawal from their
Volume Two, Chapters 13-19 Summary and Analysis
22
town. Elizabeth takes all this without an offending reply. On her departure, Caroline tells Darcy that Elizabeth
looks worse than on their previous encounter. His reply that she is one of the handsomest women of his
acquaintance astounds her.
Darcy is trying to make up his mind to propose for a second time to Elizabeth, just as she receives two letters
from Jane. Lydia, while visiting at Brighton, has run off with Wickham (without the advantage of marriage).
Jane beseeches Elizabeth to return home, while her father goes after the pair to avenge the family name and
seek redress. Jane asks that Mr. Gardiner intervene and go to London to help her father to search for the two.
Darcy comes to the inn. When hearing of the current crisis, he believes his own silence about Wickham is
partially to blame. Believing he is only intruding on a family affair, he leaves. Elizabeth realizes now for the
first time that she loves him. This new family scandal, however, has probably ruined her chances forever.
Elizabeth and the Gardiners do exactly as Jane has requested. They pack hurriedly, and are on their way home
within an hour’s time.
In Chapter 5, Elizabeth assures the Gardiners that Wickham will never marry Lydia, because of the lack of
family money. They console her, but she lacks confidence in Lydia’s good sense and propriety. A letter to
Mrs. Forster, in which Lydia says they are to be married and go to Scotland, doesn’t console her. It looks like
another family embarrassment is evident.
Back at Longbourn, they find a haggard, over-worked Jane, administering to a hysterical mother. Mr. Bennet
is in London, and Mary and Kitty are of no help (although Kitty is assumed to have knowledge of the affair).
Lady Lucas arrives to “console” the family. In reality, she wants the latest news of the scandal, and they wish
she had stayed home.
Discussion and Analysis
The visit to Pemberley and the conversation with the housekeeper only reinforce Elizabeth’s newly-felt
regard for Darcy. She now realizes he is a caring brother, is responsible to his servants, and, instead of being
proud as she had judged him to be, he does not boast of his accomplishments.
His appearance at the estate embarrasses both, but Darcy handles it with warmth and gentility, and even
inquires about her family. He is genuinely pleased to meet the Gardiners, and is extremely courteous. He
invites Mr. Gardiner to go trout fishing on his grounds to serve his visitor’s interest. He asks permission to
introduce Elizabeth to his sister. She is perplexed by his acts. There seems to have been a change in how they
both react to each other. The Gardiners are impressed with his impeccable manners and think highly of him.
Elizabeth was prepared to find Miss Darcy unappealing, because of Wickham’s description. She, however,
finds her not arrogant and proud, but shy and warm. This, along with another meeting with Caroline Bingley,
and her arrogance and obvious jealousy, only endear her more to Darcy. Jane’s letters present a new family
tragedy. Elizabeth is about to believe that she can begin a courtship with Darcy when she receives two letters
from Jane.
Lydia, while in Brighton, has eloped with Wickham. Elizabeth is in a state of shock, and when Darcy calls he
believes her to be ill. His concern is tender and warm, and she can’t react to this. This new crisis only proves
to her that Darcy’s concerns about her family were just, and that they were open to criticism. She has done
him a great injustice.
Both Darcy and Elizabeth feel equal blame for this new situation. Darcy feels his inaction regarding Wickham
earlier has caused the predicament. Elizabeth worries about the disgrace to her family.
Volume Three, Chapters 1-5 Summary and Analysis
23
Volume Three, Chapters 6-10 Summary and Analysis
New Character
Mrs. Hill: the Bennets’ housekeeper
Summary
Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner have little luck in London. They can’t find the pair, but almost everywhere they
go they find more evidence of Wickham’s low character. He is a gambler and has left a trail of debts behind
him. Mr. Bennet returns home and leaves the search to Mr. Gardiner. He confesses that Elizabeth was correct
when she warned him about allowing Lydia to go to Brighton. He promises to be more strict with Kitty.
Wickham and Lydia are found. They did not get married, but Mr. Gardiner bribes Wickham to do the right
thing by offering to pay his debts and provide them with a yearly stipend. Mr. Bennet agrees, and assumes that
Mr. Gardiner must have settled a large amount of his own money on Wickham. Mrs. Hill shows that she is
inquisitive and offers help.
Mrs. Bennet recovers quickly from her bed, and starts planning the wedding details, from clothes to what
estate nearby will be proper for the newlyweds. She then runs off to spread the news to the Lucas family and
other neighbors.
Elizabeth contemplates her own chances of ever being with Darcy again. Even if he would marry into such a
disgraced family, would he ever accept Wickham as a brother-in-law? When Gardiner writes again and
informs them that Wickham has been assigned a new commission in the north of England, Mrs. Bennet is
again distraught. Mr. Bennet says they will never be allowed in his home, but Jane and Elizabeth soon
persuade him that this would be a further disgrace to Lydia.
Lydia and her new husband arrive at Longbourn soon after. They are both unashamed and very self-assured.
Mrs. Bennet is happy for Lydia, and seems proud of the match. It is obvious to everyone that Lydia is in love,
but Wickham displays almost no affection for her. Wickham is as charming as ever, and he tries to win back
the good graces of Elizabeth. She meets this with cool reserve. Lydia is as flighty as ever, and she informs
them that Mr. Darcy was involved with the wedding arrangements. Darcy paid off all of Wickham’s debts,
set up his new commission, and arranged for the yearly stipend. It was Darcy who found the errant pair, not
Mr. Gardiner, as everyone thought. Elizabeth ponders whether this was done because of his love for her or
because he felt responsible for Wickham’s actions.
Discussion and Analysis
The settlement after the elopement is carried out by Darcy without anyone except Lydia and Wickham
knowing. Many conflicting factors drove Darcy to straighten out the situation.
Mr. Collins is again shown to be a pompous fool. His letter to the Bennets about the elopement is full of
criticism. He gloats about not getting involved with such a family. He advises Mr. Bennet to “throw off”
Lydia. He also informed Lady de Bourgh of the incident, with the hopes that she will persuade Darcy to keep
away from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth realizes from Mrs. Gardiner’s letter that Lydia is enjoying this whole melodrama. She realizes
again how shallow Lydia is, and how lacking she is in morality or social consciousness.
Jane and Elizabeth, the only Bennets who are aware of Wickham’s past, speculate that Mr. Gardiner must
have sacrificed a substantial amount to have convinced Wickham to marry. When Elizabeth finds out that
Darcy arranged the deal, she feels indebted to him. She respects his mannerly solution.
Volume Three, Chapters 6-10 Summary and Analysis
24
The two marriages thus far in the novel have been what each of the brides wanted. Charlotte’s was for
convenience and Lydia’s was for lust. It remains for Jane or Elizabeth to make their choices.
When Lydia mentions that Darcy was at her wedding, Elizabeth writes to Mrs. Gardiner. She suspects that
Darcy had involved himself because of his concern for her welfare. Mrs. Gardiner confirms this in a lengthy
letter. She writes with glowing praise for his character. Austen again uses letters to explain past events and the
exact nature of people’s roles in them. These letters always give great insight into a character’s true nature.
Elizabeth realizes she is indebted to Darcy, and again has some hope of a future.
When Elizabeth and Wickham meet again in Chapter Ten, he knows she is aware of the truth. He takes on a
subservient role, fearing that she might reveal his true character.
Volume Three, Chapters 11-15 Summary and Analysis
Summary
Bingley and Darcy arrive at Netherfield. Elizabeth is afraid her mother’s behavior will repel them. Mrs.
Bennet’s rudeness to Darcy embarrasses Elizabeth, who owes him more than can be repaid. Darcy is very
reserved.
Jane and Bingley come together again at a dinner at Long-bourn. Jane tries to convince Elizabeth that they are
only on friendly terms. Elizabeth is troubled by Darcy’s reserve. Darcy returns to London, and Bingley
proposes to Jane. This is an unexpected event, and Elizabeth speculates about Darcy’s involvement in this
recent change of affairs. Jane, however, is enthralled.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh comes to Longbourn to try to break up what she suspects is a relationship between
Elizabeth and Darcy. She is extremely rude, and insists that Miss de Bourgh has been promised to Darcy since
infancy. She belittles the Bennets’ worth, and chastises Elizabeth for her sharp tongue. Elizabeth is not afraid
of her, and practically tells her to mind her own business. Darcy will make the choice, Elizabeth says. Lady
Catherine leaves very angry. She is on her way to confront Darcy, and Elizabeth fears that he may be
persuaded to the de Bourgh view of things.
The impact of Lady Catherine’s visit is that Darcy will again propose to Elizabeth. He sees that his aunt is
condescending and crude. He is ashamed of her behavior. He realizes that Elizabeth has changed her views
toward him, and he will return to propose again.
Discussion and Analysis
These final chapters are written to resolve the plot and bring all the stories together. We are left now to reflect
on the Jane and Bingley marriage, the reversal of Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship, and the reasons for
each.
The future marriage of Bingley with Jane will be the first real socially accepted marriage in the novel. It will
underscore the incorrectness of the first two marriages, which were made for all the wrong reasons.
We also see the differences between the Elizabeth-Darcy and the Jane-Bingley engagements. Jane and
Bingley have been constant in their feelings. Elizabeth and Darcy have both undergone great changes, which
made them different and better people. Elizabeth has an inquiring mind. Her liveliness is one of the qualities
that wins Darcy to her. She is capable of both complex ideas and impressions, and has a stubborn inflexibility
of pre-ordained conclusions. He will not be subordinate to another’s will. There lies the challenge. Will she
be able to accept another’s will?
Volume Three, Chapters 11-15 Summary and Analysis
25
Elizabeth is a heroine who possesses high moral standards, has strong convictions, and an engrained intuition.
This provokes many of the heated dialogues with Darcy. What wins Darcy over to her is her basic sincerity,
her honesty in approaching reality, and her ability to speak her mind.
Austen lets readers look into character. She allows us to get into the minds of Elizabeth, Darcy and others, and
to intertwine their thoughts and project what they will do next.
Elizabeth’s love has deepened, and she has become a more understanding, generous, and emotionally stable
person. Darcy has reached outside his world to offer help and assistance, and has been rewarded for it.
Volume Three, Chapters 16-19 Summary and Analysis
Summary
Lady de Bourgh is furious, and she goes to see her nephew. She tries to convince him that his feelings toward
Elizabeth are unacceptable. She gives him a full account of how Elizabeth treated her, which Lady de Bourgh
felt was insufficiently deferential.
Darcy returns to the Bennets after this visit, and they take a long walk together (more than three miles). In
their discussion, Darcy begs her for the truth of how she feels. He states his feelings are the same as they were
when he first proposed. Elizabeth admits that her feelings have undergone such a radical change that she now
loves him. They become sure of each other at last, and they comment on their troubled relationship. Darcy
admits that Elizabeth has freed him from his self-centered vanity by her refusal. He only became enamored of
her more. He admires her strong opinions and self-assurance. He admits to having given a brotherly chat to
Bingley to boost the attachment to Jane. He proposes to her for the second time, and she readily accepts.
Everyone at Longbourn is shocked. Elizabeth had previously shown nothing but contempt for Darcy. Once
they believe that the engagement is true, the family behaves as expected. Mrs. Bennet forgets her earlier
qualms, and concentrates on Darcy’s wealth. Jane is sincere, and truly happy. Mr. Bennet warns her not to
make the same mistake he did. He wants her to marry for love.
When the marriages are finalized, Bingley buys an estate near Pemberley (30 miles away), and they are
frequently visited by the Bennets and the Gardiners. Kitty seems to benefit most from this upward mobility. In
time, even Lady Caroline condescends to visit her nephew and his new wife.
Wickham and Lydia often entreat their now-rich relatives for handouts, but it is usually to no avail. Georgiana
and Elizabeth form as close a bond as if they were sisters, much to the delight of Darcy.
In the end, the daughter, Mary, seems content to remain at home and not have to plan for an eventual
marriage. We can assume of course that Kitty will soon meet someone acceptable. All the loose ends have
been resolved.
Discussion and Analysis
These final chapters resolve the plot with infinite care and precision to detail. The reader can marvel at the
resolution of all the complications.
Darcy has obviously influenced Bingley in choosing a bride. This again displays the reversal Darcy has
undergone. He earlier stated that a person should not be led by his friends. Now, we see how Elizabeth has
influenced him to change his mind.
Volume Three, Chapters 16-19 Summary and Analysis
26
Chapter 16 shows the renewed relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. They have drastically altered their
views since their first meetings. We can expect them to continue to adapt to new challenges.
Elizabeth shows that her love has deepened by awareness of her emotional state. Unlike Jane, who was
steadfast, Elizabeth has undergone a metamorphosis. Hers will be the most successful marriage in the entire
novel.
Austen’s skill is demonstrated by her ability to tie up loose pieces of information about subordinate
characters and interweave them. Each character is rounded out and final problems are resolved. She is a
master of precise dialogue. This is again demonstrated when Elizabeth confesses to Darcy how grateful she is
for his unexplained kindness to her sister, Lydia. His reply, that he did this for her happiness alone, and that
her family owes him nothing, shows his true respect and love for her. The beautiful moment with the second
proposal is a masterpiece of sentiment and refined taste. It is by far one of the most poignant moments in the
novel.
The last four chapters are masterful. Every little detail is ironed out, and intriguing conclusions are
accomplished.
Pride and Prejudice: Quizzes
Volume One, Chapter 1 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. Where does the opening scene take place?
2. What does Mrs. Bennet want her husband to do?
3. Why does Mrs. Bennet seem excited?
4. What does Mrs. Bennet consider to be her mission in life?
5. Why does Mr. Bennet favor Lizzy?
6. Who does Mrs. Bennet say will probably visit Mr. Bingley first?
7. How much money does Mr. Bingley earn annually?
8. What is meant by the word “let” in this sentence?
“Netherfield Park is let at last.”
9. What does Mrs. Bennet say a woman with five grown daughters should give up?
10. How many years have the Bennets been married?
Answers
1. It takes place in the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
2. She wants him to be among the first to visit their new neighbor, Mr. Bingley.
3. Mr. Bingley is a single man of wealth. She has five marriageable daughters.
Pride and Prejudice: Quizzes
27
4. The business of her life is to get her daughters married.
5. He thinks Lizzy is smarter than the rest of his daughters.
6. She says Sir William and Lady Lucas will go for the same reason.
7. He earns four or five thousand pounds per year.
8. It means the estate is rented.
9. She feels she should give up thinking of her own beauty.
10. They have been married for 23 years.
Volume One, Chapters 2-3 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. How does Mr. Bennet tease his family?
2. What annoying habit does Kitty have?
3. How does Mrs. Bennet show favoritism to Lydia?
4. Why did Bingley turn down the first invitation to dinner?
5. Who came back from London with Bingley?
6. What are the first impressions of most women of Darcy?
7. Who does Bingley find attractive?
8. Why does Elizabeth sit down for two dances?
9. Who overhears Darcy’s speech to Bingley? How does she react?
10. What most impresses Mrs. Bennet about Bingley’s sisters?
Answers
1. He doesn’t tell them right away that he has already called upon Mr. Bingley.
2. Kitty has an annoying cough.
3. She tells Lydia that she will probably get the first dance with Bingley.
4. He had to go to London to bring his relatives back.
5. He brought back his two sisters, his brother-in-law, and Mr. Darcy.
6. They find him to be handsome, but exceedingly vain and cold.
Volume One, Chapter 1 Questions and Answers
28
7. He dances two dances with Jane, and describes her to Darcy as the most beautiful creature he has ever seen.
8. There are more women at the ball than eligible men, and some are more popular than others.
9. Elizabeth overhears his arrogant speech, and forms an immediate dislike.
10. She says they dress elegantly and expensively, and are charming.
Volume One, Chapters 4-8 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. How does Jane describe Bingley to Elizabeth?
2. What does Elizabeth say Jane never sees?
3. What did Charlotte overhear at the ball?
4. What did Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst think of Mrs. Bennet and the younger daughters?
5. At the second ball, what does Darcy do that irritates Elizabeth?
6. What is an entailment?
7. What happens to Jane when she visits Bingley’s sisters?
8. How do the Bingley sisters react to Elizabeth’s appearance when she arrives at Netherfield?
9. What is the name of Darcy’s estate?
10. Who is Mr. Jones and why was he sent for?
Answers
1. She says he is sensible, good humored, lively, and has fine manners.
2. She says Jane never sees people’s faults.
3. She overheard Bingley describe Jane as the prettiest woman in the room.
4. They thought the mother was intolerable and the younger daughters were not worth talking to.
5. He deliberately listened in on a conversation she had with Colonel Forster.
6. Entailment is a legal term that means a property is bequeathed to a given person (in this case, a male heir).
7. Jane caught a severe cold in the rain and had to remain at Netherfield because she was bedridden.
8. She is muddy and wet, and they find her indelicate and rough.
9. Its name is Pemberley.
Volume One, Chapters 2-3 Questions and Answers
29
10. Mr. Jones is a druggist, and he is asked to bring medicine for Jane.
Volume One, Chapters 9-12 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. How does Mrs. Bennet describe Charlotte?
2. What does Miss Bingley ask Charles?
3. To whom does Darcy compose a letter?
4. Why does Miss Bingley get jealous?
5. What weaknesses do Darcy says expose “a strong understanding to ridicule”?
6. What type of entertainment is usually enjoyed after dinner at Netherfield?
7. How long did Jane stay at Netherfield?
8. Why does Darcy hardly speak to Elizabeth on their last day at Netherfield?
9. Why is Mrs. Bennet upset that the two daughters returned so soon?
10. How do the other daughters react to their reunion?
Answers
1. She states that Charlotte is very plain, but a dear friend.
2. She asks him if he is serious about giving a ball.
3. He writes a letter to his sister, Georgiana.
4. She gets jealous, because Darcy is interested in Elizabeth and ignores her.
5. He states that vanity and pride are the two greatest weaknesses in any individual.
6. The usual entertainment is an evening spent in the drawing room.
7. Jane was there for six days.
8. He realizes that she appeals to him, but is acutely aware of her lower social position.
9. She had hoped that they might stay longer, and form a more solid relationship between Jane and Bingley.
10. Mary ignores them, and pursues a study she is engrossed in. Kitty and Lydia “blabber-on” about all the
soldiers they’ve met.
Volume One, Chapters 4-8 Questions and Answers
30
Volume One, Chapters 13-18 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. How long does Mr. Collins plan to visit?
2. What is the first subject Mrs. Bennet discusses with Collins?
3. How does Collins describe young Miss de Bourgh?
4. What is the name of the de Bourgh estate?
5. How does Lydia embarrass Collins?
6. Which daughter is of first interest to Collins?
7. What did Darcy and Wickham do on first meeting?
8. What job had Wickham’s father held?
9. Does Bingley have any knowledge of Wickham?
10. What does Miss Bingley say to Elizabeth at the ball?
Answers
1. He plans to stay two weeks.
2. She brought up the entailment.
3. He describes her as sickly, but one of the most charming and accomplished women he has ever met.
4. The estate is called Rosings Park.
5. When he is reading to them for entertainment, she loudly interrupts his performance by talking of family
matters.
6. He is first attracted to Jane’s beauty.
7. They both turned red and stared uncivilly at one another.
8. He was once the steward at Darcy’s father’s estate.
9. He had never met the man until this encounter.
10. She warns her of Wickham’s bad character.
Volume One, Chapters 19-23 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. What is Mr. Collins’ first argument to Elizabeth explaining why he should marry?
Volume One, Chapters 13-18 Questions and Answers
31
2. What does Mr. Bennet say to Elizabeth that he will do if she accepts Collins’ proposal?
3. What does Wickham say about his absence from the ball?
4. Who sends Jane a letter?
5. Who does the letter imply should receive Mr. Bingley’s affections?
6. Who received Mr. Collins’ second proposal?
7. Why does Charlotte agree to become married?
8. How does Mrs. Bennet react to Charlotte’s marriage plans?
9. How long will Bingley be absent from Netherfield?
10. How does Charlotte’s age reflect on her decision to marry?
Answers
1. He says a reverend should marry to set a good example for his parishioners.
2. He tells her that if she accepts, he’ll never speak to her again.
3. He tells Elizabeth that he stayed away to avoid a confrontation with Darcy.
4. She receives a letter from Caroline Bingley.
5. Miss Bingley refers to a prior arrangement for Bingley to marry Georgiana Darcy.
6. His second proposal is to Charlotte Lucas.
7. She has no romantic notions, and wishes to have a position in society.
8. She can only dwell on the fact that Charlotte will someday be the mistress of Langbourn.
9. His sister’s letter states all winter. This is a period of six months.
10. She is plain, considers herself an old maid in her late twenties, and seeks to be settled in a position.
Volume Two, Chapters 1-3 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. Who sends Jane a letter from London?
2. What does Elizabeth say to Jane about her feelings toward others?
3. How does Elizabeth describe Mr. Collins?
4. What does Mrs. Gardiner have in common with Wickham?
Volume One, Chapters 19-23 Questions and Answers
32
5. What does Mrs. Gardiner warn Elizabeth about?
6. Who returns from another visit to Hertfordshire?
7. What favor does Charlotte ask of Elizabeth?
8. Who does Jane visit in London?
9. Who does Wickham court?
10. What does Elizabeth confess in her letter to Mrs. Gardiner?
Answers
1. Miss Bingley sends a letter saying that the Bingley clan is settled for the winter in London.
2. She says again that Jane only sees the good qualities of people.
3. She says, “Mr. Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man.”
4. They both once lived in the same part of Derbyshire, and know many of the same places and people.
5. She warns her about falling in love with someone with no wealth or position.
6. Mr. Collins comes back and stays with the Lucas family because of his impending marriage.
7. She asks her to accompany her father and sister in March for a visit.
8. After sending two letters and receiving no answer, she calls on Caroline Bingley.
9. He is now seeing a young lady who recently inherited 10,000 pounds.
10. She states that she has never fallen in love with Wickham.
Volume Two, Chapters 4-8 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. When Elizabeth visits Heresford, where does she stop over?
2. How far was the journey to Collins’ parsonage?
3. What do the Gardiners propose to Elizabeth?
4. Who unexpectedly comes to offer dinner?
5. What is Elizabeth’s first impression of Miss de Bourgh?
6. How does Lady de Bourgh assess Elizabeth?
7. What games are played after dinner at the fashionable de Bourgh estate?
Volume Two, Chapters 1-3 Questions and Answers
33
8. How old is Elizabeth?
9. Who arrives at the de Bourgh’s for a visit?
10. Why is Elizabeth attracted to Colonel Fitzwilliam?
Answers
1. She stops over for a day at the Gardiner’s, and meets Jane.
2. It was 24 miles.
3. They ask her to tour the lake region as their guest.
4. Miss de Bourgh arrives in her little carriage and offers a dinner invitation.
5. She is shy and timid.
6. She finds her too disrespectful.
7. They play card games, such as quadrille and casino and a variation of blackjack.
8. Elizabeth declines at first to say.
9. Darcy comes along with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam.
10. He is well-mannered, handsome, and attentive.
Volume Two, Chapters 9-12 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. Why does Fitzwilliam refrain from marriage?
2. Who does Fitzwilliam remind Elizabeth of?
3. What does Fitzwilliam inform Elizabeth that Darcy has done for Bingley?
4. What is Elizabeth doing just prior to Darcy’s proposal?
5. What are the reasons that Darcy feels superior to her?
6. Why does Elizabeth reject his proposal?
7. How does Darcy react to her answer?
8. How does Elizabeth hurt Darcy the most?
9. When Darcy leaves, what does Elizabeth do?
10. When Elizabeth receives Darcy’s letter the next day, why does she begin to chastise herself?
Volume Two, Chapters 4-8 Questions and Answers
34
Answers
1. He is the youngest son and will not inherit money or an estate.
2. He reminds her of Wickham, but he has a better mind.
3. He has kept Bingley from making an improper marriage.
4. She is rereading Jane’s letters, looking for any evidence of Darcy’s intervention.
5. He feels she has a low-class family.
6. She is mortified and angry with his pride and insolence.
7. He walks away in cold disappointment.
8. She charges him with acting in an ungentlemanly manner.
9. She breaks down and cries.
10. She realizes that her own pride and prejudice towards Darcy have made her judge him wrongly.
Volume Two, Chapters 13-19 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. What fault did Darcy place on Jane that encouraged him to break up the relationship with Bingley?
2. How much money was Wickham given?
3. When his money ran out, who did Wickham try to win over?
4. What did Elizabeth say had been her folly?
5. Who came to visit Elizabeth while she read and re-read Darcy’s letter?
6. What does Lady Catherine ask Elizabeth to do?
7. Why do Elizabeth and Maria stop at the Gardiners on their way home?
8. What news does Lydia give Elizabeth about Wickham?
9. Why are Lydia and Kitty so agitated?
10. What does Elizabeth warn her father about?
Answers
1. He said she seemed to express indifference.
2. Wickham was given 3,000 pounds.
3. He tried to court Georgiana Darcy.
Volume Two, Chapters 9-12 Questions and Answers
35
4. She said that vanity, not love, had been her folly.
5. Both Darcy and Fitzwilliam called to say good-bye.
6. She asks Elizabeth to write a letter to her mother, and to stay for a longer time.
7. They stop there to pick up Jane before returning home.
8. His newly intended, Mary King, has moved to Liverpool and is safe from him.
9. The militia will be leaving town in two weeks.
10. She warns him against Lydia being on her own, near so many eligible men.
Volume Three, Chapters 1-5 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. What does Elizabeth insist upon before her visit to Pemberley?
2. What does Darcy ask of Elizabeth that totally “floors” her?
3. What do the Gardiners perceive about Darcy?
4. How does Caroline Bingley try to insult Elizabeth?
5. Why does Jane send two letters to Elizabeth?
6. How does Darcy react to this family scandal?
7. What is Mr. Gardiner prepared to do?
8. Why is it unlikely that Wickham will marry Lydia?
9. How does Mrs. Bennet react to this new predicament?
10. What does Elizabeth admire about Pemberley?
Answers
1. She wants assurances that Darcy will not be there.
2. He asks to introduce her to his sister.
3. They see he is still in love with Elizabeth.
4. She hints that the Bennet family must be very hurt by the militia’s decision to leave their town.
5. One got lost in the mail. Both relate the elopement of Lydia and Wickham.
6. He blames himself for not revealing Wickham’s true
character.
Volume Two, Chapters 13-19 Questions and Answers
36
7. He is prepared to go to London and search for Mr. Bennet. He plans to intercept Bennet before he does
something rash.
8. She has no family inheritance and is only 16.
9. She becomes hysterical and bedridden. Jane has to minister to her.
10. Pemberley is beautiful but unpretentious. The furnishings and gardens are done with exquisite taste and
are very natural.
Volume Three, Chapters 6-10 Questions and Answers
Questions
1. Why did Wickham really leave Meryton with Lydia?
2. What does Mr. Collins say about what should be done to Lydia?
3. When Mr. Bennet returns, what does he tell Kitty?
4. Why are Jane and Elizabeth shocked when Mr. Gardiner tells them about the intended marriage?
5. What is one regret Mr. Bennet has about his failure to plan for the future when he was younger?
6. Why was Wickham shipped to a regiment in the north?
7. How do Lydia’s actions after her wedding show her true character?
8. Even though promised to secrecy, Lydia blurts out that another person was involved in her wedding. Who
was it?
9. How does Elizabeth seek verification of Darcy’s part in these arrangements?
10. What does Elizabeth say to Wickham that ensures that she won’t talk of his past?
Answers
1. He had a trail of debts and she was in love with him. He decided to turn a bad situation to his advantage.
2. He advises Mr. Bennet “to throw off your unworthy child, and leave her to reap the fruits of her heinous
offence.”
3. He tells her that he has learned to be more cautious, and that she will feel the effects of it.
4. They know Wickham’s character. The money mentioned in the letter seems not enough to satisfy his
greed.
5. He wishes that he had set aside part of his annual income for his children.
6. His debts were paid off at Meryton and it was thought best that he start again elsewhere with a clean slate.
7. She is unashamed, flaunts her ring, and wants everyone to call her Mrs. Wickham.
Volume Three, Chapters 1-5 Questions and Answers
37
8. She says that Mr. Darcy took charge of the nuptials and made the arrangements.
9. She sends a letter to Mrs. Gardiner asking for the true facts.
10. She says, “Come, Mr. Wickham we are brother and sister. Do not let us quarrel about the past. In the
future I hope we shall be always of one mind.”
Volume Three, Chapters 11-15 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. Soon after Lydia leaves with her new husband, who returns to town?
2. What does Mrs. Bennet ask her husband to do? What is his answer?
3. Who did Darcy sit next to when he was invited to the Bennets’ for dinner?
4. What does Jane tell Elizabeth about the current status of her relationship with Bingley?
5. When Bingley arrives for his second dinner invitation, what surprises the Bennet family?
6. How was it obvious that Mrs. Bennet wanted to leave Bingley and Jane alone?
7. What does Bingley do after the third dinner at the Bennets?
8. How does Lady Catherine shock Elizabeth when she unexpectedly calls at Longbourn?
9. What does Lady Catherine try to get Elizabeth to promise?
10. Why does Collins send Mr. Bennet a letter?
Answers
1. Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield to do some hunting.
2. She asks him to attend Bingley as soon as he arrives, and he refuses.
3. Mrs. Bennet placed him next to her, and they were both uncomfortable.
4. She says that they are merely friends again and that it goes no deeper than that.
5. He arrives early, and none of the women are yet dressed for dinner.
6. She kept winking at the girls, and finally took Kitty up to her room. Then, she had Mr. Bennet call
Elizabeth into the library so Jane and Bingley could be left alone.
7. He proposes to Jane.
8. She tells Elizabeth that Darcy cannot be hers, because he is promised to Miss de Bourgh.
9. She wants Elizabeth to refuse Darcy if he proposes.
Volume Three, Chapters 6-10 Questions and Answers
38
10. He wants Mr. Bennet to warn Elizabeth to stay away from Darcy and the de Bourgh family.
Volume Three, Chapters 16-19 Questions and Answers
Study Questions
1. What does Darcy beg of Elizabeth as they are walking after his aunt’s intervention?
2. What do Darcy and Elizabeth both admit?
3. Who are the only people who are not surprised by Elizabeth’s engagement to Darcy?
4. How does Mrs. Bennet’s reaction to the pairing of Elizabeth and Darcy show more of her shortcomings
and shallow character?
5. What does Mr. Bennet warn Elizabeth against?
6. What does Darcy say first attracted him to Elizabeth?
7. What does Elizabeth admit to her father after Darcy’s proposal?
8. How does Mr. Bennet’s concern differ from his wife’s?
9. How does Georgiana accept the marriage?
10. Is Elizabeth able to win over Lady Caroline?
Answers
1. He begs to know her true feelings for him.
2. They admit how much they have changed since their former meetings. Each has influenced the other.
3. The Gardiners always perceived a strong affinity between Darcy and Elizabeth, and are extremely happy
with the engagement.
4. She immediately accepts Darcy, because of his financial position, and tries to hide her earlier dislike of
him.
5. He tries to tell her not to marry someone only to advance her own status, as he did.
6. He admired her independent nature and outspoken ways.
7. She tells him the truth about Darcy’s settlement in the Lydia and Wickham situation, and how he resolved
it.
8. He wants her to find an acceptable mate, and she wants her to be financially stable.
9. She is extremely happy with Darcy’s choice and they become as close as sisters.
10. She accepts the arrangement and eventually comes to call at Pemberly and seeks a reconciliation.
Volume Three, Chapters 11-15 Questions and Answers
39
Pride and Prejudice: Essential Passages
Essential Passages by Character: Elizabeth Bennet
Essential Passage 1: Book 1, Chapter 3
“I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Bingley, “for a kingdom! Upon my honor, I
never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several
of them, you see, uncommonly pretty.”
“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking at the
eldest Miss Benet.
“Oh, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting
down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my
partner to introduce you!”
“Which do you mean?” and turning round he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till, catching
her eye, he withdrew his own, and coldly said, “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to
tempt me; and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are
slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are
wasting your time with me.”
Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained, with no very
cordial feelings toward him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends;
for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
Summary
At the ball at Meryton, the Bennet family meet Mr. Bingley as well as his friend and advisor, Mr. Darcy. Mr.
Bingley is taken with Jane Bennet, dancing with her twice, a clear signal that she has gained his favor. Mr.
Darcy, however, dances only with those whom he is already acquainted, which does not include any of the
local people and especially not the Bennet girls. Standing near the two gentlemen, Elizabeth Bennet overhears
their conversation. Bingley chides Darcy for being “fastidious” in his opinion of the ladies, but Darcy says
that Bingley has already chosen for himself the only attractive girl in the room—Jane Bennet. Bingley suggests
that Darcy ask Jane’s sister, Elizabeth, to dance, but Darcy refuses by saying that her modicum of beauty is
not enough to tempt him. Elizabeth goes immediately to her sisters and friends, more amused than offended
by Darcy’s prideful attitude and remarks.
Essential Passage 2: Book 1, Chapter 22
Charlotte did not stay much longer, and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what she had
heard. It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so unsuitable a
match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins' making two offers of marriage in three days was
nothing in comparison of his being now accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte's opinion
of matrimony was not exactly like her own; but she could not have supposed it possible that,
when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage.
Charlotte, the wife of Mr. Collins, was a most humiliating picture! And to the pang of a friend
disgracing herself, and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it was
impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen.
Pride and Prejudice: Essential Passages
40
Summary
Because the Bennets' Longbourne estate is "entailed" (i.e., legally inheritable only by male descendants), the
girls will lose their home once their father dies. It is therefore imperative that they marry well. Mr. Collins, a
rector, is the heir to the estate, even though his father and Mr. Bennet have long been in conflict. After his
father’s death, Mr. Collins tries to make amends for the quarrel and comes to visit the Bennets (Mrs. Bennet
suspects, however, that he has come just to “scout out” his future home). He proposes marriage to Elizabeth,
who adamantly rejects such a union, finding Mr. Collins odious and obnoxious. Mrs. Bennet is upset because
the marriage would allow the family to keep Longbourne, but Mr. Bennet approves of and supports
Elizabeth’s decision. Mr. Collins then turns to a Longbourne neighbor, Charlotte Lucas, who is Elizabeth’s
closest friend outside of the family. When Mr. Collins proposes, Charlotte accepts, which horrifies Elizabeth.
She reflects on her Charlotte's sad fate of choosing security over happiness, something that Elizabeth could
not do herself.
Essential Passage 3: Book 2, Chapter 13
“How despicably have I acted!” she cried. “I, who have prided myself on my discernment! I,
who have valued myself on my abilities—who have often disdained the generous candor of my
sister, and gratified my vanity in useless or blameless mistrust. How humiliating is this
discovery! Yet how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could not have been more
wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly. Pleased with the preference of one,
and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have
courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either as concerned. Till
this moment I never knew myself.”
Summary
Darcy has approached Elizabeth and confessed his love for her, even though he feels that it is not in his best
interests. He deplores her family, sees her social and financial status as beneath him, yet he loves her still.
Elizabeth is shocked by this confession, particularly because Darcy has sabotaged her sister's engagement.
Elizabeth bluntly rejects his proposal of marriage, stating that he would be the last man on earth she would
consent to marry. The next day, as she is out walking, Darcy approaches her and hands her a letter in which he
explains his reasons for convincing Bingley to end his courtship of Jane. Elizabeth sees the reasonableness of
his impressions, because he is unfamiliar with Jane, and Jane is inhibited in expressing her feelings. Elizabeth
sees that she has been prejudiced against Darcy and blind to his true motivations. She has a moment of
epiphany, one in which she truly sees how prideful she has been herself and how unfair she has been in her
judgment. It is at this moment that her feelings about Darcy begin to change.
Analysis of Essential Passages
Burdened by a neurotic mother, an uninvolved father, silly sisters, and categorizing friends and
neighbors, Elizabeth Bennet is an independent woman in a frustratingly conventional world. Even though a
financially profitable marriage is the only recourse for a woman of her social status, Elizabeth refuses to be
thrust into such a relationship. Encountering the available and very wealthy Mr. Darcy, she is amused rather
than upset by his rejection of her. She finds his narrow views of herself and other country people to be
misguided and laughable. Instead of being blinded by his “ten thousand a year,” Elizabeth sees only his
hubris and conceit. It is on this initial impression that she continues to develop her opinion of Darcy.
Elizabeth also sees marriage to Mr. Collins as unacceptable, even though the fate of her family depends on her
acceptance of his proposal. By rejecting him, she allows the estate of Longbourne to pass out of her branch of
the family and into the hands of Mr. Collins. Convinced of the rightness of her decision, she nevertheless
Essential Passages by Character: Elizabeth Bennet
41
knows that a marriage freely chosen and based on independence is not the frequent lot of women. She is thus
depressed by the loss of her friend, Charlotte Lucas, who does choose to accept Mr. Collins’s proposal.
Coupled with her depression is a feeling of isolation because Elizabeth believes there is not a single man of
honor with whom she might be compatible. As Mr. Darcy sees himself better than country people, so
Elizabeth sees herself superior to any prospective mates around her.
Yet with the reading of Darcy’s letter, which explains his motivations, Elizabeth comes to know herself more
clearly. It is not only Darcy’s pride that has stood in the way but her own as well. Although his observations
concerning Jane were wrong, Darcy now appears to Elizabeth as a person who is indeed flawed, as she herself
is, but equally capable of being honorable. Her rejection of his proposal, however, has left her even more
alone than before. Without hesitation or regret, she pridefully rejected a marriage of monetary convenience,
but she now knows that pride has denied her—temporarily at least—a marriage of genuine love and happiness.
Essential Passages by Theme: First Impressions
Essential Passage 1: Book 1, Chapter 18
“I remember hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy, that you hardly ever forgave—that your
resentment, once created, was unappeasable. You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its being
created?”
“I am,” said he, with a firm voice.
“And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?”
“I hope not.”
“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion to be secure of judging
properly at first.”
Summary
Mr. Bingley at last holds a ball at Netherfield. Elizabeth had hoped there to see Wickham, in whom she finds
some appeal, but he has not attended. Elizabeth blames Darcy for Wickham's absence and tells him why:
years ago, Darcy maliciously denied Wickham the rectorship he had been promised by Darcy’s father.
Confronted with this accusation, Darcy gives Elizabeth his opinion, which is that Wickham is dishonest,
manipulative, and corrupt. Elizabeth reminds Darcy of his prior claim that once having formed an impression
of a person, he never changes it. She asks him if he is thus blinded by the prejudice of his first impression, but
Darcy denies this. Elizabeth then says that if one never changes a first impression, one had better make sure it
is correct to begin with. Darcy still rejects Wickham’s interpretation of events, and in this he is backed up by
Miss Bingley. However, since Elizabeth has already decided on her own first impressions—namely, that Darcy
and Miss Bingley are prideful—she decides to believe Wickham because her impression of him is more
favorable.
Essential Passage 2: Book 2, Chapter 11
“From the very beginning, from the first moment, I may almost say, of my acquaintance with
you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and
your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of
disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not
Essential Passages by Theme: First Impressions
42
known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever
be prevailed on to marry.”
Summary
Elizabeth arrives at Charlotte Lucas’s new home for the first time since Charlotte's marriage to Mr. Collins.
As rector, he is a sycophant to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and goes to visit her often. Elizabeth avoids these
encounters as much as she can. On one occasion when she is at home alone in the parsonage, Darcy comes to
pay a visit. Recently, Elizabeth had detected a sad tone in Jane's letters, knowing it is because her sister has
lost Mr. Bingley due to Mr. Darcy's interference. When Darcy unexpectedly confesses his love to Elizabeth,
she gives vent to her anger. From their very first meeting, Darcy has made it clear that he has little regard for
Elizabeth and her family. He has been the cause of sadness for Jane and has tried to alter Elizabeth's own
opinion of Wickham. The fact that Darcy is now reluctantly proposing marriage strikes her as preposterous,
and she tells him that he is that last man she would ever consent to marry. Darcy, angered at her refusal but
repressing his emotions, leaves her.
Essential Passage 3: Book 2, Chapter 12
From that moment I observed my friend's behavior attentively; and I could then perceive that
his partiality for Miss Benet was beyond what I had ever witnessed in him. Your sister I also
watched. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any
symptom of peculiar regard; and I remained convinced from the evening's scrutiny, that
though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by participation of
sentiment. If you have not been mistaken here, I must have been in an error. Your superior
knowledge of your sister must make the latter probable. If it be so, if I have been misled by
such error to inflict pain on her, your resentment has not been unreasonable. But I shall not
scruple to assert that the serenity of your sister's countenance and air was such as might have
given the most acute observer a conviction that, however amiable her temper, her heart was
not likely to be easily touched. That I was desirous of believing her indifferent is certain; but I
will venture to say that my investigations and decisions are not usually influenced by my
hopes or fears. I did not believe her to be indifferent because I wished it; I believed it on
impartial conviction, as truly as I wished it in reason.
Summary
Darcy has proposed to Elizabeth Bennet, who has rejected him in no uncertain terms. She explains that she
has heard unfavorable reports of him from Wickham, and she has also seen his hardheartedness in convincing
Mr. Bingley to stop courting Elizabeth’s sister, Jane. Upset, Darcy departs, but the next day he gives her a
letter that he says will explain his past actions. In the letter, Darcy relates that his relationship with Wickham
is not completely as the latter told her. After turning down a rectorship in exchange for a cash payment,
Wickham tried to elope with Darcy’s sister, Georgianna. As far as his interference in the courtship of Bingley
and Jane, Darcy admits that this is true. Darcy could see that Bingley was truly in love with Jane and intended
to propose marriage; however, Darcy observed Jane’s quiet demeanor and concluded that she was not
interested in Bingley beyond friendship. Desiring to save his friend heartache, he convinced Bingley to break
off with her. Darcy admits that he had been mistaken in his first impressions of Jane.
Analysis of Essential Passages
“First Impressions” was the title Jane Austen gave the original incarnation of Pride and Prejudice in 1796. A
reworked version of the novel was finally published in 1813, but the complex concept of first impressions
remained as one of the work's central themes.
Essential Passages by Theme: First Impressions
43
Elizabeth’s first encounter with Mr. Darcy cements her opinion of him as prideful, conceited, and
condescending. He has no interest in the vast majority of the “country” girls in the region, dancing and
conversing only with women of his own acquaintance. When asked by his friend Mr. Bingley about Elizabeth,
he states that she is not “handsome enough” to tempt him. Yet only a few minutes later, Darcy silently
revises his opinion, finding that her eyes are “very fine.” It is this comment, later made aloud in the company
of the Bingleys, that causes Miss Bingley to tease him about his attraction to Elizabeth Bennet, a country girl
who is below him in social status, especially since she has relatives in “trade.”
Elizabeth first considers Darcy an attractive man, but when she overhears his remarks concerning her, she
decides that he is not someone with whom she would want to be friends. Elizabeth has decided that pride is
his major flaw, and she is further prejudiced against him throughout the novel. Thus the title’s themes of
“pride” and “prejudice” are equally applicable to both Elizabeth and Darcy.
Although Darcy says he never changes his opinions (because his first impressions are usually right), he does
so for both Elizabeth and Jane. With Jane, whom he judges to be indifferent to Bingley’s courtship, he
realizes that he misunderstood her shyness for aloofness. Besides the matter of Jane and Bingley, Elizabeth
has against Darcy the account from Wickham of Darcy’s driving him into financial and social distress.
Eventually, Elizabeth finds that her first impression of Wickham was entirely wrong—wrong to such an extent
that she is unable to prevent him from eloping with her younger sister Lydia.
It is only when Elizabeth herself admits that her first impressions were wrong, both in the case of Wickham
and of Darcy (especially when she discovers the part he played in arranging Lydia’s marriage to Wickham
and thus easing the disgrace somewhat), that she is able to discover her true self. In that epiphany, she is open
to seeing Darcy as he is, still prideful but not maliciously so, and that recognition allows her to fall in love
with him. As the two converse after their engagement, both admit that their first impressions, though flawed,
were not completely wrong. Only by accepting those flaws do Elizabeth and Darcy find happiness.
Pride and Prejudice: Characters
Catherine Bennet
Catherine "Kitty" Bennet is virtually a nonentity in the Bennet family. Although she is the fourth sister,
younger than Mary but older than Lydia, Austen reveals that she is "weak-spirited, irritable, and completely
under Lydia's guidance . . . ignorant, idle, and vain." However, the end of the novel is a bit encouraging for
Kitty. Jane and Elizabeth make sure that she visits both of them frequently, and they introduce her to more
intelligent and entreating society. Austen notes that this change in environment has an excellent effect on
Kitty.
Eliza Bennet
See Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth Bennet
"Elizabeth Bennet," writes Elizabeth Jenkins in her critical biography Jane Austen: A Biography, "has perhaps
received more admiration than any other heroine in English literature." Elizabeth is the soul of Pride and
Prejudice, who reveals in her own person the very title qualities that she spots so easily in her sisters and their
suitors. Elizabeth has her father, Mr. Bennet's, quick wit and ironic sense of humor. Unlike her older sister
Jane, she resists accepting all people uncritically. She is quick to recognize most people's principal
characteristics—for instance, she recognizes the stupidities of many members of her family and quickly
characterizes Lady Catherine de Bourgh as a control addict and her sister's suitor Charles Bingley as a simple
and good-hearted young man. But she is also, concludes Jenkins, "completely human. Glorious as she is, and
beloved of her creator, she is kept thoroughly in her place. She was captivated by [George] Wickham, in
Pride and Prejudice: Characters
44
which she showed herself no whit superior to the rest of female Meryton." When Elizabeth begins to accept
her own impressions uncritically, she makes her worst mistakes.
Because Elizabeth is so keen an observer of other people, she recognizes her mother's silliness and vows not
to be caught in the same trap as her father. This refusal, however, is itself a trap. By trusting entirely to her
own observations (pride) and her own initial assessments of people (prejudice), Elizabeth threatens her future
happiness with Fitzwilliam Darcy. "Above all," concludes Jenkins, "there is her prejudice against Darcy, and
though their first encounter was markedly unfortunate, she built on it every dislike it could be made to bear;
her eager condemnation of him and her no less eager remorse when she found that she had been mistaken, are
equally lovable."
Jane Bennet
Jane Bennet is Elizabeth's older sister, the most beautiful and amiable of the Bennet sisters. Her father
considers her too willing to please and believes that she lacks the character to deal with life's difficulties. He
tells Jane, "You are . . . so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will
cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income." Jane eventually marries the equally
amiable Charles Bingley.
Kitty Bennet
See Catherine Bennet
Lizzie Bennet
See Elizabeth Bennet
Lydia Bennet
Lydia is the youngest of the Bennet daughters and perhaps the silliest. Austen describes her as "a stout,
well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favorite with her
mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age." Rather than spend any of her day
receiving any sort of education, Lydia instead devotes all of her energies to collecting gossip about their
neighbors, freely spending money about the town, and flirting with young men. Although all the Bennet girls
are initially attracted to George Wickham, it is the headstrong Lydia who elopes with him and who is
eventually married to him. Lydia's impudent actions put her sisters' marriage prospects in jeopardy, but she
shows no signs of remorse; unlike Elizabeth and Darcy, she does not learn from her mistakes.
Mary Bennet
Mary Bennet is the third Bennet daughter, younger than Elizabeth and Jane and older than Catherine and
Lydia. Rather than prancing around town flirting with young men, Mary considers herself an intellectual and
would rather enjoy the company of a book. But Austen reveals that she overestimates her own talents and
intelligence, saying that Mary "had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it
had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of
excellence than she had reached."
Mr. Bennet
Austen describes Mr. Bennet, the father of the five Bennet girls (Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia),
as "so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic, humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three and
twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character." He is mildly well-off. Austen
reports that he has an income of two thousand pounds sterling a year, enough for his family to live
comfortably—but socially he ranks toward the bottom of the scale of the landed gentry. This is one of the
reasons that people like Fitzwilliam Darcy and Lady Catherine de Bourgh regard the family with some
disdain.
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45
Mr. Bennet is one of the primary means by which the author expresses her ironic wit. He shares this quality
with Elizabeth, his favorite daughter. However, unlike Elizabeth's, Mr. Bennet's wit is usually expressed in
sarcastic asides directed at his wife. Unlike his daughter, Mr. Bennet does not question or examine his own
life, and his situation never improves. In addition, he allows his younger daughters to behave as carelessly and
improperly as his wife. His inattention to his own family results in his daughter Lydia eloping with the
despicable George Wickham.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are not well matched. Her silliness does not mix well with his sarcastic wit. Mr. Bennet
recognizes this, and it is one of the reasons he instills in his daughter Elizabeth the importance of matching
temperaments with her husband.
Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet, Austen reports, is "a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.
When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters
married; its solace was visiting and news." Mrs. Bennet is primarily concerned with the outer aspects of her
society: the importance of marrying well in society without regard to the suitability of the personalities in the
match. Neither does Mrs. Bennet have any regard for respecting proper manners and behavior. She is
continually embarrassing Elizabeth and Jane with her inappropriate comments and schemes to marry off her
daughters. Additionally, Elizabeth finds her mother's influence on the younger Bennet daughters particularly
disturbing. Mrs. Bennet allows the younger girls to devote all their time searching for eligible young
bachelors, neglecting any form of education. It is perhaps because of Mrs. Bennet's attitudes that her youngest
daughter, Lydia, elopes with the despicable George Wickham.
Caroline Bingley
Caroline Bingley is the sister of Charles Bingley. She and her sister are very proud of her family's
wealth—conveniently forgetting, Austen notes, "that their brother's fortune and their own had been acquired by
trade." They are willing to go to great lengths to prevent his marriage into the poorer Bennet family. It is
Caroline who reveals to Jane Bennet her plans to have Charles marry Fitzwilliam Darcy's sister Georgiana.
Charles Bingley
Charles Bingley is a friend of Fitzwilliam Darcy and the new occupant of the Netherfield estate, which
neighbors the Bennet's home, Longbourn. It is through Bingley that Elizabeth first meets Darcy and is
unimpressed by Darcy's manners. Bingley, whom Austen describes as "good-looking and gentlemanlike; he
had a pleasant countenance and easy, unaffected manners," is very attracted to Jane Bennet. This affection
distresses his sisters, including Caroline Bingley, and Darcy himself. They all believe that the Bennet family
is too far down the social ladder to deserve such attention from him. Ironically, Charles himself has received
his fortune by his family's interest in trade, considerably less respectable than Darcy's wealth inherited by
birthright. Charles' sisters and Darcy deliberately give Elizabeth Bennet the impression that Bingley is to
marry Darcy's sister, Georgiana, after he leaves for London. Eventually, however, Bingley returns to
Netherfield and marries Jane.
Charlotte Collins
See Charlotte Lucas
Mr. William Collins
Mr. William Collins is Mr. Bennet's nephew and a clergyman. Because Mr. Bennet has no sons, Collins is in
line to inherit Mr. Bennet's estate. Austen describes him as "not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature
had been but little assisted by education or society." Mr. Bennet enjoys Collins's visit to his home because he
appreciates Collins's naive stupidity, but Elizabeth resents his attentions and rejects his marriage proposal. She
is very distressed when her friend Charlotte Lucas decides to marry Mr. Collins out of interest in his estate
rather than his personality.
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46
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Fitzwilliam Darcy, like Elizabeth Bennet, combines in his character the prime characteristics of Pride and
Prejudice: his aristocratic demeanor (pride) and his belief in the natural superiority of the wealthy landed
gentry (prejudice). Darcy sometimes unconsciously assumes that a lack of money or social status are
characteristics that disqualify people from marrying or loving each other. Elizabeth quickly discovers this
aspect of his character, and it is her flat rejection of his first proposal of marriage that sparks his eventual
change of heart. He recognizes the essential arrogance of his upbringing and repents of it; he tells Elizabeth,
"By you I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how
insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased." In return for the privilege of
become Elizabeth's husband, he is willing to put up with her three silly sisters, her equally silly mother, and
even the scoundrel George Wickham as a brother-in-law.
Some critics maintain that this change of heart was nothing more than the uncovering of Darcy's innate
characteristics. "Darcy's essential character is independent of circumstances," states Elizabeth Jenkins in her
critical biography Jane Austen: A Biography. "He had the awkwardness and stiffness of a man who mixes
little with society and only on his own terms, but it was also the awkwardness and stiffness that is found with
Darcy's physical type, immediately recognizable among the reserved and inarticulate English of today." This
analysis suggests that Darcy's character is more like that of his sister, Georgiana Darcy, a painfully shy girl.
Georgiana Darcy's shyness and awkwardness and Fitzwilliam Darcy's arrogance and harshness come from the
same roots. It is, however, Darcy's ability to examine his own life and recognize his flaws and his courage in
approaching Elizabeth Bennet again, after she had already rejected him once, that leads to their eventual
marriage and life together.
Georgiana Darcy
Georgiana Darcy is Fitzwilliam Darcy's younger sister. She is extremely shy and uncomfortable in company.
Austen describes her as "tall . . . and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her
appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother, but there was sense and good
humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle." Elizabeth Bennet expects that
she will dislike Georgiana just as much as she initially dislikes her brother, but she turns out to be favorably
impressed. Her impressions of Georgiana are among the first intimations Elizabeth has that her conclusions
about Darcy may be wrong.
Miss Anne de Bourgh
Anne de Bourgh is the only daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and the late Sir Lewis de Bourgh. Her
mother plans to marry the sickly Anne to her cousin, Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Fitzwilliam Darcy's aunt. A proud, unforgiving woman, she is a control addict
who likes to tell everyone what to do. She is scheming to have her nephew marry her own daughter, Anne de
Bourgh, whom Austen describes as "sickly and cross." Elizabeth quickly realizes that Lady Catherine is a
petty tyrant, but she seizes upon this revelation as an excuse to conclude that Fitzwilliam Darcy is himself
equally flawed. Lady Catherine makes a final attempt to create a breach between Darcy and Elizabeth in the
final chapters of the book, but her attempt backfires and only serves to help bring them together.
Colonel Fitzwilliam
Colonel Fitzwilliam is Darcy's cousin. He is the younger son of an earl and, although "not handsome,"
explains Austen, "in person and address [he was] most truly the gentleman." He develops a fondness for
Elizabeth Bennet, but realistically admits that as a younger son he must marry for wealth, not love.
Mr. Edward Gardiner
Mr. Gardiner is Mrs. Bennet's brother, whom Austen describes as "a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly
Pride and Prejudice: Characters
47
superior to his sister as well by nature as education." He and his wife take Elizabeth Bennet on a tour of
Derbyshire, including a side trip to Darcy's estate at Pemberley. He also tries to help Mr. Bennet locate
Wickham and Lydia after they elope. Mr. Gardner and his wife are among the few relatives Elizabeth can be
assured will not embarrass her.
Mrs. M. Gardiner
Mrs. Gardiner, Edward Gardiner's wife and Elizabeth Bennet's aunt, is according to Austen "an amiable,
intelligent, elegant woman, and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces." She accompanies Elizabeth
on a tour of Fitzwilliam Darcy's estate at Pemberley.
Mr. Hurst
Mr. Hurst is the husband of Mr. Charles Bingley's sister Louisa. He is lazy, says Austen, an "indolent man
who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards, who when he found [Elizabeth to] prefer a plain dish to a
ragout, had nothing to say to her."
Mrs. Louisa Hurst
Louisa Hurst is the wife of Mr. Hurst and the sister of Mr .Charles Bingley and Caroline Bingley. She plots
with her sister to remove their brother's affection from Jane Bennet and transfer it to someone more suitable.
Charlotte Lucas
Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeth Bennet's best friend. She distresses Elizabeth by deciding to marry William
Collins, Mr. Bennet's nephew, out of interest in his estate. Up until this point Elizabeth had respected
Charlotte's sensibility, but her decision to marry Mr. Collins lost her much of Elizabeth's respect.
Lady Lucas
Lady Lucas is the wife of Sir William Lucas and mother of Elizabeth Bennet's friend Charlotte Lucas. Austen
describes her as "a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a valuable neighbor to Mrs. Bennet."
Sir William Lucas
A close neighbor of the Bennets, he earned most of his income through trade. His daughter, Charlotte, marries
Mr. Collins, Mr. Bennet's heir.
Mr. Philips
Mrs. Bennet's brother-in-law, Mr. Philips is an attorney. He hosts the party at which Wickham tells Elizabeth
about Darcy's withholding a promised legacy. Already having a negative first impression of Darcy, Elizabeth
unquestioningly accepts Wickham's story as evidence that Darcy is a miserable person. When she discovers
that it is actually Wickham who wronged Darcy, Elizabeth feels terrible for allowing her pride to interfere
with an objective judgement of Darcy.
Mrs. Philips
Mrs. Bennet's sister, Mrs. Philips, is described by Austen as a silly, vulgar woman.
George Wickham
Lieutenant George Wickham is an unscrupulous man who schemes to win money by marrying a wealthy
heiress. He is physically quite attractive; Austen says of him that "he had all the best part of beauty, a fine
countenance, a good figure, and a very pleasing address." His father was once the steward of Darcy's estates,
and Wickham plays on the relationship by trying to elope with Georgiana Darcy, Fitzwilliam Darcy's sister.
Darcy gave Wickham a cash payment after Wickham turned down a comfortable church position the late Mr.
Darcy provided for him. After Wickham elopes with Lydia Bennet, Darcy tracks him down, bribes him into
marrying Lydia, and buys him an officer's rank in the army. Wickham is presented in the novel as a man
totally without principle.
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48
Pride and Prejudice: Themes
Pride
The two major themes of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice are summed up in the title. The first aspect can be
traced in the actions and statements of all of the work's major and many of its minor characters. Pride is the
character flaw that causes Elizabeth Bennet to dislike Fitzwilliam Darcy upon their first meeting. She
perceives in him a cold aloofness that she attributes to his own inflated opinion of himself. Yet Elizabeth
herself also suffers from the same flaw; her pride in her own ability to analyze character is such that she
refuses to reevaluate Darcy in the face of evidence in his favor.
In some characters, Austen depicts pride overtly. Lady Charlotte de Bourgh is motivated by pride in her
family's status to try to break up a potential match between Elizabeth and Darcy. Mrs. Louisa Hurst and
Caroline Bingley try to achieve the same effect with the relationship between their brother Charles Bingley
and Jane Bennet. In each case, however, Austen depicts the pride of these minor characters as ridiculous:
"Austen treats pride," writes Robert B. Heilman in "E pluribus unum: Parts and Whole in Pride and
Prejudice" "as if it were wholly unproblematic, a failing no less clear-cut than prejudice."
In the case of Elizabeth and Darcy, however, Austen treats pride less directly. On his first appearance in the
novel, Darcy appears "above his company and above being pleased," reports Heilman, the "proudest, most
disagreeable man in the world." The people who record these observations, the critic continues, "believe that
they are seeing a sense of superiority, snobbishness, excessive self-approval." However, they do not take into
consideration that some of the other behavior that Darcy exhibits, such as "reserve, an apparent
unresponsiveness to overtures, a holding back from conventional intercourse, pleasantries, and small talk,"
may actually stem from a quiet personality. So what appears to be pride may be simple shyness or
awkwardness. When Elizabeth and others consider Darcy full of pride, they are also condemning him, says
Heilman, for not obeying the rules of the "neighborhood social ways." For Darcy and Elizabeth, at least, pride
can be more than a simple negative quality.
In fact, pride serves several different functions in the novel. In addition to the misplaced pride of the minor
characters, there are characters who negleet to honor their pride when they should protect it. Elizabeth's friend
Charlotte Lucas decides to marry William Collins, the heir to Mr. Bennet's estate, out of a simple desire to
make his estate her own. Elizabeth strongly objects to such a union; it offends her sense of pride for someone
to enter into a loveless marriage for purely material purposes. The George Wickham-Lydia Bennet elopement
is another example of an arrangement where pride should have been taken into consideration and was not. In
this way, Heilman states, Austen defines pride as "the acceptance of responsibility. This indispensably fills
out a story that has devoted a good deal of time to the view of pride as an easy and blind self-esteem."
Gradually, even Darcy and Elizabeth herself come to a realization of the necessity not to reject pride, but to
control it.
Prejudice and Tolerance
The subject of prejudice is linked to pride in the title of Pride and Prejudice. It is also more directly linked to
Elizabeth Bennet's character. From the beginning, states Marvin Mudrick in "Irony as Discrimination: Pride
and Prejudice," "Elizabeth sets herself up as an ironic spectator, able and prepared to judge and classify,
already making the first large division of the world into two sorts of people: the simple ones, those who give
themselves away out of shallowness (as Bingley fears) or perhaps openness (as Elizabeth implies) or an
excess of affection (as Mr. Collins will demonstrate); and the intricate ones, those who cannot be judged and
classified so easily, who are 'the most amusing' to the ironic spectator because they offer the most formidable
challenge to his powers of detection and analysis." EIizabeth is prepared to divide the entire world into one of
these two categories—an extreme example of prejudice in the "pre-judging" sense of the term. It is most
evident in her judgment of Darcy, so sure is she of her powers of observation that she refuses to reevaluate
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49
Darcy even when the weight of evidence begins to turn in favor of him.
It is not until Darcy overcomes his own prejudice against those of lower social station—by treating Elizabeth
and the Gardiners graciously and considerately at Netherfield—that Elizabeth's opinion of him begins to
change. "Not only do Elizabeth and Darcy . . . have the most serious problem of surmounting barriers of
misconception and adverse feeling," Heilman declares, "but they are the most sensitive—both in susceptibility
to injured feelings and in capacity for getting to the center of things—to matters of prejudice and pride." The
ending "is a remarkable tracing of Elizabeth's coming around to a completely changed point of view," the
critic concludes. "To Jane she acknowledges that she has cultivated her 'prejudices' and has been 'weak and
vain and nonsensical.'" With this realization, Elizabeth begins the process of change that will eventually bring
herself and Darcy together.
Change and Transformation
The major characters of the novel suffer from a combination of the two title characteristics of Pride and
Prejudice. What separates Elizabeth and Darcy from the silly minor characters, such as Wickham, Lydia, Mr.
Collins, and Lady Catherine, and even from the good minor characters such as Mr. Bennet, Jane, and Charles
Bingley, is their ability and willingness to learn and grow, to overcome their initial shortcomings. They
mature and come to a better understanding of each other by the novel's end through a slow and painful growth
process.
Darcy begins his process of transformation with Elizabeth's rejection of his suit. He makes his proposal to her
clumsily, stressing his own wealth and position (and minimizing hers) and stating that he has tried to suppress
his feelings because of the low position of her family. When Elizabeth indignantly rejects his hand, accusing
him of arrogance and selfishness, Darcy begins a process of reevaluation of his behavior. When he next
appears in the story—at the beginning of Volume 3—he is much friendlier and more attentive to Elizabeth. She
begins to feel an attraction to him that is not fully realized until the Wickham-Lydia elopement is fully
resolved. Darcy completes his transformation by swallowing his pride and proposing to Elizabeth again, in
spite of the fact that her acceptance will make the silly Bennet girls his sisters-in-law and the detestable
Wickham his brother-in-law.
Elizabeth's process of transformation begins later and takes longer. She realizes her own prejudices toward
Darcy in Chapter 12 of Volume 2, when he gives her the letter in which he reveals the truth about Wickham
and his role in the breakup of the Bingley-Jane relationship. She does not complete the change, however, until
the end of Volume 3, when Lady Catherine de Bourgh demands assurances from her that she will not accept a
proposal from him. Elizabeth refuses, and by doing so gives Darcy his first hint that his feelings for her are at
last reciprocated. "By a slow revision of preconceptions," concludes Heilman, "Elizabeth and Darcy 'earn' the
better insight and rapport that insight makes possible."
Wealth and Class
Wealth and class are correlated, but at the time of the novel's action, that correlation is beginning to break
down. For centuries, England's economy depended on agriculture, and by and large wealth belonged to those
who owned large country estates. With the industrial revolution, however, wealth has begun to concentrate in
the cities, and members of the middle class can become rich through "trade." This new social mobility has
forced the gentry into a defensive posture, and they are more sensitive to questions of class than ever. Mr.
Collins warns Lizzy, for instance, that Lady Catherine "likes to have the distinction of rank preserved."
One of the Bennet girls' uncles is an attorney, and the other - Mr. Gardiner - is "in trade" in London; as Darcy
points out, the girls' "low connections . . . must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any
consideration in the world." When it appears, however, that Mr. Gardiner has bribed Wickham to marry
Lydia, Mr. Bennet wonders how he will ever repay him. The tradesman Mr. Gardiner, that is, seems to have
more liquid capital than the landed gentleman Mr. Bennet. "Men of consideration" would thus object, not to
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50
Mr. Gardiner's lack of money, nor to his manners, which are impeccable, but to his station in life - that he was
not born to wealth and works for a living.
Bingley's father also made his fortune in trade. The size of that fortune, however, and the fact that Bingley
inherited it instead of earning it himself, seem to cleanse it of its unpalatable associations. Nonetheless,
Bingley's sisters are anxious that he should buy a large country estate, which will legitimize his wealth.
Austen clearly intends to undermine these class distinctions. The oldest Bennet girls do indeed marry men of
consideration, and outside the two central couples, the Gardiners are the most admirable characters in the
book - certainly more admirable than the titled Lady Catherine. Still, Austen cannot resist drawing her hero,
Mr. Darcy, from the upper classes. Her social attitudes may be progressive, but they are not revolutionary.
Marriage
Pride and Prejudice's famous first sentence declares the centrality of marriage to the storyline. In the course
of the book - which spans a little less than a year - four marriages in fact take place: three of the Bennet girls'
and Charlotte Lucas's. More are plotted: Lady Catherine schemes that Darcy should marry her daughter; Miss
Bingley schemes to marry Darcy, and to get her brother married to Darcy's sister; Mr. Collins actually
proposes to Lizzy; and Wickham fixes his attentions on Darcy's sister, Lizzy, and the fleetingly glimpsed Miss
King before finally being persuaded to marry Lydia.
In England in the late 18th and early 19th century, marriage among the wealthy was viewed as a kind of
financial merger. When Darcy and Ann De Bourgh were infants, their mothers had already decided they
would marry - and not, obviously, on the basis of personal affinity and sexual attraction. A little farther down
the social ladder, Mrs. Bennet is furious when Lizzy refuses Mr. Collins's proposal: the thought of pawning
her daughter off on a buffoon is negligible beside the prospect of keeping Mr. Bennet's estate - which Collins
will inherit - in the family.
Austen is obviously unsympathetic to this view of marriage. Charlotte's decision to marry Mr. Collins
damages her friendship with Lizzy, who repeatedly characterizes her motives as "mercenary," and when Lizzy
visits the newlyweds at the Hunsford parsonage, she quickly deduces that Charlotte has arranged household
affairs such that she spends as little time with her husband as possible.
But neither is Austen a romantic. Lydia loves Wickham wholeheartedly, but their marriage is a disaster. Mr.
Bennet, too, married because he was "captivated by youth and beauty," but his wife's foolishness "had very
early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her." The book's two successful marriages - Lizzy's
and Jane's - follow long delays, reversals of opinion, and several tests of both character and commitment.
Toward the end of the book, moreover, Jane asks Lizzy how long she has loved Darcy. When Lizzy replies, "I
believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley," we suspect she is only
half-joking. Austen seems to suggest that, while economic motives for marriage should not be decisive,
neither should they be despised.
The Rights, Status, and Education of Women
In Pride and Prejudice, the stakes of the marriage plots are high because Mr. Bennet's estate has been
"entailed away from the female line" - a common legal provision of the period whereby only men may inherit
property. If the Bennet girls do not marry well, they will be almost penniless when their father dies. The fact
that the heir of the estate, Mr. Bennet's nephew Mr. Collins, is a buffoon who already has a comfortable living
of his own, might suggest that Austen considers entailment unfair.
Critics have pointed out, however, that only two characters in the book - Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine actually object to the entail, and that they are scarcely less ridiculous than Collins. It seems unlikely that
Austen would make them the mouthpieces for her own opinions.
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51
If Austen is equivocal about women's political equality, however, she insists on their intellectual equality. At
the time of the novel, the education of gentlewomen was intended to equip them to be good wives, and it
emphasized decorative arts and household management. Bingley mockingly describes the conventional
"accomplishments" of women as "painting tables" and "netting purses"; his sister Caroline rejoins that a truly
"accomplished" woman must also have "a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the
modern languages."
By these standards, Lizzy is undistinguished: she has neither been to a women's boarding school nor had a
governess; her musical performance is "pleasing, but by no means capital"; and she astonishes Lady Catherine
with the admission that she cannot draw. Nonetheless, when she asks Darcy what attracted him to her, he
responds, "the liveliness of your mind, I think."
When Lizzy rejects Collins's marriage proposal, he simply cannot believe she is serious, ascribing her refusal
to the "wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females." In reply,
she says, "Do not consider me now as an elegant female . . . but as a rational creature." Most critics agree that
the phrase "rational creature" intentionally employs terminology Mary Wollstonecraft introduced in her
seminal feminist tract A Vindication of the Rights of Women. The exchange would then explicitly reject the
conventional view of women as nothing more than contestants in the marriage lottery, armed only with
studied coquettishness and the ability to "knit purses."
Personal Autonomy
A related but distinct theme is that of personal autonomy. In many ways, Lizzy is a champion of
individualism. When Caroline Bingley derides her decision to walk three miles to Netherfield as showing "an
abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum," we cannot, given
the source, be expected to agree. Similarly, during the climactic final confrontation in which Lady Catherine
attempts to dissuade Lizzy from marrying Darcy by appealing to "the claims of duty, honor, and gratitude,"
Lizzy replies, "I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my
happiness." And while Lizzy's witticisms sometimes seem to test the bounds of propriety - as when she teases
Bingley for the transparency of his character - it is her "liveliness of mind" that first attracts her fabulously
eligible husband.
But just as Austen urges compromise on the questions of class, marriage, and women's rights, so does she
point up the limits of personal autonomy. By withdrawing into his private world of contemplation and ironic
distance, for example, Mr. Bennet has neglected his duties as parent and estate manager, leading to both
Lydia's near-catastrophic unruliness and his daughters' vulnerability to the entail. Lydia, for that matter, is a
monster of autonomy, whose unrestrained pursuit of personal satisfaction ruins her own future and nearly
ruins her sisters'. Lizzy's dispositional similarity to her father, and the attraction to Wickham that she shares
with Lydia, suggest that she could fall into the errors of both. It is precisely her determination to rely on - as
she says to Lady Catherine - "her own opinion" that initially blinds her to Darcy's virtues. Critics have
suggested that, according to the moral scheme of the novel, her subsequent recognition of the limits of her
autonomy is what finally earns her the right to a happy ending.
Irony and Satire
Irony and satire are techniques that not only Austen but her characters - particularly Lizzy and her father employ throughout the book. Lizzy, we are told, has "a lively, playful disposition, which delights in anything
ridiculous," and Mr. Bennet later says to her, "For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and
laugh at them in our turn?" Mr. Bennet invites Collins to visit purely in the hope of finding him absurd, and
Lizzy subtly taunts Lady Catherine by flouting her expectation of deference.
The technical definition of "irony" is "the expression of meaning using language of a different or opposite
tendency," as when Lizzy, refusing to dance with Darcy, tells Sir William that "Mr. Darcy is all politeness," or
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when, at the end of the book, Mr. Bennet says, "I admire all my three sons-in-law," but "Wickham perhaps is
my favorite." Irony can be seen, however, as acknowledging a multiplicity of perspectives simultaneously; its
prominence in a novel so concerned with the difference between real and perceived value is thus no accident.
Before Wickham's true character had been exposed, for example, Lizzy told her aunt, in all seriousness, that
"my father . . . is partial to Mr. Wickham." Mr. Bennet's later declaration of a favorite son-in-law is a joke, but
it also illustrates the reorientation of the book's value system through the resolution of the marriage plot.
Pride and Prejudice: Style
Romanticism
The novel Pride and Prejudice was written during the middle of the Romantic period in western literature, but
it is itself rather uncharacteristic of other fictional works of the period. Unlike the great Romantic novels and
poems of the period, which usually praised youthful passions, Austen's work minimizes them. Compared to
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's classic sturm und drang novel The Sorrows of Young Werther (1774), in
which the young hero is unsuccessful at love and, unable to make his inner visions conform to the reality of
the outer world, finally commits suicide, Austen's works are models of restraint. Instead of the wild forces of
nature, Austen concentrates on family life in small English towns. Instead of rampant emotionalism, Austen
emphasizes a balance between reason and emotion. Instead of suicide and unrequited love, Austen offers
elopement and marriage. Although the author does consider some of the same themes as her Romantic
contemporaries—the importance of the individual, for instance—Austen's society is altogether more controlled
and settled than the world presented in Romantic fiction.
Irony
Irony, or the contrast between the expected and the actual, is the chief literary device Austen uses to comment
on the small, enclosed world of the English gentry in Pride and Prejudice. Her irony takes different forms for
different characters. Perhaps the most ironic character in the entire book is Mr. Bennet, father of the five
Bennet sisters. Mr. Bennet is married to a silly woman he cannot respect, who centers her life on marrying her
daughters off to wealthy, well-bred men. He expresses his discontent in the marriage by criticizing his wife's
stream of comments. Many of these are sarcastic and hurtful, and contribute to the misunderstandings between
the couple that leave them incapable of dealing with the disastrous elopement of their youngest daughter
Lydia with the detestable George Wickham. Mr. Bennet's conscious use of irony is for him a game—it serves
no useful purpose.
For the author, in the persona of Mr. Bennet's daughter Elizabeth, however, irony is both a toy and a defensive
weapon in the war against stupidity. The author uses Elizabeth to skewer self-important characters such as Mr.
Collins and Mrs. Bennet. Yet Elizabeth is also blind to her own character faults, and her very blindness is
another example of Austen's use of irony. In her misunderstandings with Darcy, she (who is blind to her own
pride in her ability to read character) accuses him of excessive pride, while he (who is prejudiced against
people with less money than he has) accuses her of prejudice. The on-again, off-again love between Jane
Bennet and Charles Bingley is also an example of Austen's use of irony to underline messages about love and
marriage. "Jane and Bingley provide us, then, with one of the book's primary ironies," writes Marvin Mudrick
in "Irony as Discrimination: Pride and Prejudice," "that love is simple, straightforward, and immediate only
for very simple people." "In Pride and Prejudice," concludes Mudrick, "Jane Austen's irony has developed
into an instrument of discrimination between the people who are simple reproductions of the social type and
the people with individuality and will, between the unaware and the aware."
Other examples of Austen's use of irony abound in the novel. "Many pages of Pride and Prejudice can be read
as sheer poetry of wit, as [Alexander] Pope without couplets," writes Reuben A. Brower in "Light and Bright
and Sparkling: Irony and Fiction in Pride and Prejudice." "The triumph of the novel—whatever its limitations
may be—lies in combining such poetry of wit," the critic concludes, "with the dramatic structure of fiction."
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Pride and Prejudice: Historical Context
Jane Austen's England
Jane Austen's major novels, including Pride and Prejudice, were all composed within a short period of about
twenty years. Those twenty years (1795-1815) also mark a period in history when England was at the height
of its power. England stood as the bulwark against French revolutionary extremism and against Napoleonic
imperialism. The dates Austen was writing almost exactly coincide with the great English military victories
over Napoleon and the French: the Battle of the Nile, in which Admiral Nelson crippled the French
Mediterranean fleet, and the battle of Waterloo, in which Lord Wellington and his German allies defeated
Napoleon decisively and sent him into exile. However, so secure in their righteousness were the English
middle and upper classes—the "landed gentry" featured in Austen's works—that these historical events impact
Pride and Prejudice very little.
Jane Austen's house
The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars
The period from 1789 to 1799 marks the time of the French Revolution, while the period from 1799 to 1815
marks the ascendancy of Napoleon— periods of almost constant social change and upheaval. In England, the
same periods were times of conservative reaction, in which society changed very little. The British
government, led by Prime Minister William Pitt, maintained a strict control over any ideas or opinions that
seemed to support the revolution in France. Pitt's government suspended the right of habeas corpus, giving
themselves the power to imprison people for an indefinite time without trial. It also passed laws against public
criticism of government policies, and suppressed working-class trade unions. At the same time, the Industrial
Revolution permanently changed the British economy. It provided the money Pitt's government needed to
oppose Napoleon. At the same time, it also created a large wealthy class and an even larger middle class.
These are the people that Jane Austen depicts in Pride and Prejudice, the "landed gentry" who have earned
their property, not by inheriting it from their aristocratic ancestors, but by purchasing it with their new wealth.
They have few of the manners and graces of the aristocracy and, like the Collinses in Pride and Prejudice, are
primarily concerned with their own futures in their own little worlds.
Unlike other Romantic-era writers, such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge Austen's
works are very little impacted by the French Revolution and revolutionary rhetoric. Members of Austen's own
family served in the war against Bonaparte and the French; two of her brothers became admirals in the Royal
Navy. The only hint of war and military behavior in Pride and Prejudice, however, lies in the continued
presence of the British soldiers in Meryton, near the Bennet estate at Longbourn. The soldiers include George
Wickham, who later elopes with Lydia Bennet, disgracing the family. In the world of Pride and Prejudice, the
Pride and Prejudice: Historical Context
54
soldiers are present only to give the younger Bennet daughters men in uniforms to chase after. Their world is
limited to their own home, those of their friends and neighbors, a few major resort towns, and, far off, the city
of London. There is no hint of the revolutionary affairs going on just across the English Channel in France.
English Regency Society
On the other hand, contemporary English society is a preoccupation of Pride and Prejudice. At the time the
novel was published, King George III had been struck down by the periodic madness (now suspected to be
caused by the metabolic disease porphyria) that plagued his final years. The powers he was no longer capable
of using were placed in the hands of his son the Prince Regent, later George IV. The Prince Regent was
widely known as a man of dissolute morals, and his example was followed by many of society's leading
figures. Young men regularly went to universities not to learn, but to see and be seen, to drink, gamble, race
horses, and spend money. Perhaps the greatest example of this type in Pride and Prejudice is the unprincipled
George Wickham, who seduces sixteen-year-old Lydia Bennet. Lydia for her part also participates willingly in
Regency culture; her thoughts are not for her family's disgrace, but about the handsomeness of her husband
and the jealousy of her sisters.
Most "respectable" middle- and upper-class figures, such as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, strongly
disapproved of the immorality of Regency culture. But they did participate in the fashions of the time,
influenced by French styles (even though France was at war with England). During the period of the Directory
and the Consulate in France (from 1794-1804), styles were influenced by the costumes of the Roman
Republic. The elaborate hairstyles and dresses that had characterized the French aristocracy before the
Revolution were discarded for simpler costumes. Women, including Elizabeth Bennet, would have worn a
simple dress that resembled a modern nightgown. Loose and flowing, it was secured by a ribbon tied just
below the breasts. Darcy for his part would have worn a civilian costume of tight breeches, a ruffled shirt with
a carefully folded neckcloth, and a high-collared jacket. Even though these costumes were in part a reaction to
the excesses of early eighteenth-century dress, they became themselves quite elaborate as the century
progressed, sparked by the Prince Regent himself and his friend, the impeccable dresser Beau Brummel.
Brummel's mystique, known as "dandyism," expressed in clothing the same idleness and effortless command
of a situation that characterizes many of Austen's heroes and heroines.
Pride and Prejudice: Critical Overview
In the early nineteenth century, when Jane Austen published her first two novels Sense and Sensibility and
Pride and Prejudice, writes B. C. Southam in his introduction to Jane Austen The Critical Heritage, "fiction
reviewing had no . . . dignity, and in the light of prevailing standards the two novels were remarkably
well-received. The reviewers were in no doubt about the superiority of these works. Although their notices are
extremely limited in scope they remark on points which any modern critic would want to make." These points,
in the case of Pride and Prejudice, include the spirited characterizations of Elizabeth Bennet and her family,
Fitzwilliam Darcy, and the other major personalities of the novel. Those people that criticized the novel,
however, complained that the author of the book (who was unknown at the time—Austen published her works
anonymously and her authorship did not become widely known until after her death) depicted socially and
morally unrefined people, that the book was simply entertaining without being uplifting, and that the realism
of her book threatened their concept of literature as an idealized higher reality.
Most of the known contemporary opinions of Pride and Prejudice come from private journals and diaries,
where important figures of the time recorded their opinions of the book as they were reading it. In January of
1813, the month of the publication of Austen's novel, however, two reviews were published anonymously in
the British Critic and the Critical Review. Both reviewers praised the novel's readability, but most of the
reviews are dedicated to appreciations of Austen's characterization. Pride and Prejudice "is very far superior
to almost all the publications of the kind which have lately come before us," wrote the British Critic reviewer.
Pride and Prejudice: Critical Overview
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"It has a very unexceptionable tendency, the story is well told, the characters remarkably well drawn and
supported, and written with great spirit as well as vigour." "It is unnecessary to add," the reviewer concluded,
"that we have perused these volumes with much satisfaction and amusement, and entertain very little doubt
that their successful circulation will induce the author to similar exertions." The Critical Review contributor
began his appreciation with the words, "Instead of the whole interest of the tale hanging upon one or two
characters, as is generally the case in novels, the fair author of the present introduces us, at once, to a whole
family, every individual of which excites the interest, and very agreeably divides the attention of the reader."
"Nor is there one character which appears flat," the contributor concluded, "or obtrudes itself upon the notice
of the reader with troublesome impertinence. There is not one person in the drama with whom we could
readily dispense,— they have all their proper places; and fill their several stations, with great credit to
themselves, and much satisfaction to the reader."
Those contemporaries of Austen who criticized Pride and Prejudice did so, says Southam, out of a feeling
that the novel offended their sense of the tightness of the world. "While few readers could deny that they
enjoyed reading the novels— for the vitality of the characters, the wit, the accuracy and realism of her picture
of society—praise comes grudgingly, fenced round with qualifications," he states. Commentators, including
Lady Darcy and Miss Mitford, complained that the characters, particularly the Bennets, are unrefined and
socially mannerless. "These notions of decorum persisted throughout the nineteenth century, and created a
particular unease in the reader," Southam concludes, "the sense on one hand that he was undoubtedly enjoying
Jane Austen, but equally a sense that he must temper his admiration, recalling that novels so very worldly and
realistic could never be great art."
Because of this common reaction to her fiction, criticism of Austen's works, including Pride and Prejudice, as
a whole was delayed until after her death. "In 1819," writes Laura Dabundo in the Concise Dictionary of
British Literary Biography, "Henry Crabb Robinson wrote the first of several diary entries in praise of her
novels." Another contemporary reviewer, the novelist Sir Walter Scott "recognized Austen's greatness, but his
remarks also help to perpetuate the notion that her range was limited." It was the publication of James Edward
Austen-Leigh's A Memoir of Jane Austen, by Her Nephew in 1870 that sparked a revival of Austen criticism.
However, its depiction of Austen as a "spinster aunt" whose works were written primarily for her own
amusement created a distorted picture of the author. "Later in the century," Dabundo explains, "George Henry
Lewes argued for the unqualified excellence of her writing, comparing her accomplishment to that of
Shakespeare, but nonetheless he saw her fiction as cool and unfevered." It was not until after the publication
of Mary Lascelles's Jane Austen and Her Art in 1939 that twentieth century critics began to overturn the
Victonan concept of Austen as an amateur artist uncommitted to creating great literature.
Austen criticism has exploded since 1939. Scholars turn to Pride and Prejudice for its portraits of late
eighteenth-century society, for the technical expertise of its composition, and for its capacity to find and
maintain interest in the everyday lives of small-town English society. "Increasingly, in studies like those of
Dorothy Van Ghent, Reuben Brower, Marvin Mudnck, and Howard Babb," declares Donald J. Gray in his
preface to Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice, An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds, Reviews and Essays in
Criticism, "[twentieth-century critics] study the development of characters and themes, the structure of
episodes and sentences, even her very choice of words, in order to explain how novels about three or four
families in a country village are also novels about the important business of making a fruitful life in a society
and of a character which do not always encourage the best of even the few possibilities they permit." Austen's
novels, Dabundo concludes, "deal with passionate but realistic people whose world was changing and being
challenged, people who conducted their lives in the context of their immediate friends and family and a
national culture that nourished and sustained them."
Pride and Prejudice: Critical Overview
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Pride and Prejudice: Character Analysis
Caroline Bingley
The younger of Bingley's two sisters, Miss Bingley is rich, attractive, elegant, snobbish, and conniving. She is
determined to marry Darcy, flattering him constantly -- though in vain -- and disparaging Lizzy at every
opportunity. She treats Jane like a dear friend while secretly undermining her relationship with Bingley, who
she hopes will marry Darcy's little sister.
Charles Bingley
Bingley is half as rich as Darcy, meaning very rich indeed, and he has just begun renting a manor house near
the Bennets'. He is outgoing, affable, good-looking, charming, and so open and artless that everyone can tell
almost immediately that he is in love with Jane. But he is also somewhat flighty -- boasting to Mrs. Bennet
that "whatever I do is done in a hurry" -- and thus susceptible to the persuasions of Darcy and his sisters, who
oppose his marrying into the Bennet family.
Elizabeth Bennett
The second of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's five daughters, who has inherited her mother's beauty and her father's
intelligence. At 20, Lizzy has perfect manners, but she is as witty and independent-minded as the period's
strict social code will allow. She finds her mother's vulgarity humiliating, but reproaching her for it, even in
private, would be a breach of decorum. On the other hand, she publicly teases Mr. Darcy for his lack of
chivalry, and her willingness to assert her own opinions shocks Lady Catherine, who is used to the deference
and even the awe of those around her.
As attractive as they are to modern readers, however, Lizzy's independence and willfulness are the chief
obstacles in the book's romantic plot, for they lead her to the prejudice of the title. The night she meets Mr.
Darcy, he shows obvious contempt for her family, friends and neighbors, and she accidentally overhears him
making some belittling remarks about her. That is enough to convince her to dislike him on principle. Though
Wickham later misrepresents Darcy's character to her, she is too eager to believe him, and too willing to
ignore the inconsistencies in his story, because of her determination to think badly of Darcy.
Otherwise, however, she is a model of late-18th-century upper-class feminine virtue: like her father, she reads
a great deal; she both plays the piano and sings well; she is clever of speech; and she is a devoted and
affectionate friend and sister. When Jane falls ill during her visit to Netherfield, Lizzy hikes three miles across
country to take care of her -- climbing over fences and muddying her petticoats -- rather than recall any of her
father's horses from their vital farm work. Bingley's sisters deride such unladylike exertion, but it speaks
volumes about Lizzy's sensibility, self-reliance, and compassion.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Mr. Darcy supplies the pride of the title, and he has good reason for it: he is not only tall, handsome, and
clever, but filthy rich. At 28, he is the sole owner of the Pemberley estate in Derbyshire, which generates an
annual revenue of 10,000 pounds, making him one of England's 400 richest people.
Darcy is well bred -- he attends to all the formalities that civility demands of him -- but he does not go out of
his way to make others feel comfortable. He has no patience for frivolousness: he would rather sit silent than
engage in vacuous small talk, and he doesn't like to dance, which is counted a serious fault in an eligible
bachelor. Because of his natural dignity and contempt for vulgarity, his reticence makes him appear haughty -though that appearance is heightened by his arrogant conviction that, in accompanying his friend Bingley to
Hertfordshire, he has slipped several rungs down the social ladder. None of the locals likes him.
Pride and Prejudice: Character Analysis
57
But after Lizzy refuses his (first) offer of marriage, he proves himself, in an attempt to "obtain [her]
forgiveness" and "lessen [her] ill opinion," capable of great charm and generosity. He even ignores the
difference in rank between himself and Lizzy's uncle and aunt Gardiner, who are not landowners. We also
discover that the housekeeper at his estate has "never had a cross word from him" in 24 years, that he is
"affable to the poor," and that he indulges and dotes on his younger sister -- though she still remains a little bit
afraid of him.
George Wickham
Mr. Wickham was Darcy's boyhood companion and the son of his father's steward, a former lawyer and an
honorable man who ran the Darcy estate until his death. Wickham is polite, devastatingly handsome,
charming, well-spoken -- and utterly worthless. Darcy's father had bequeathed Wickham a parsonage, which
would have provided him a good, comfortable living, but Wickham renounced it in exchange for three
thousand pounds in cash, which he quickly squandered. When Darcy refused to give him any more money,
Wickham seduced his 15-year-old sister and attempted to elope with her. He leaves huge debts wherever he
goes, and tries to insinuate himself with every rich woman he meets.
Jane Bennett
Jane is the Bennet's oldest daughter, well bred, gentle, and even prettier than Lizzy -- though not as quick
witted. Indeed, she is so mild mannered that her ardor for Bingley looks to Darcy like complete indifference.
She finds it distressing to think badly of anyone and is consequently the only resident of Hertfordshire to find
any virtue in Darcy. She cannot even motivate herself to censure Wickham, until she learns of his gambling
debts. Jane and Lizzy are each other's most intimate confidantes.
Lady Catherine De Bourgh
Darcy's aunt and Mr. Collins's benefactor: arrogant and vain of her rank, yet ungracious and unusually direct
in her manner of speech. She does very little herself but takes pleasure in instructing all those around her in
the conduct of their own affairs. Despite her incivility, however, she requires constant company to stave off
boredom.
Mr. Bennet
Mr. Bennet is a gentleman, meaning he lives off the rent and the farm revenue generated by his estate. He
married his wife for her beauty and youthful exuberance, neither of which compensated very long for her
inanity. He thus spends most of his time alone in his library, reading. While he commands deference as head
of the household, his conversation is usually limited to mild but witty ridicule of his wife, neighbors, and
younger daughters, whom he makes little effort to keep in line. Indeed, he makes little effort at anything. He
is, however, devoted to Lizzy, in whose intelligence and satirical bent he sees the reflection of his own.
William Collins
Since Mr. Bennet has no sons, his 25-year-old nephew Mr. Collins is, to everyone's chagrin, the heir of his
estate. He is also, in Lizzy's words, "a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man." Mr. Collins owes his
current position as a parson to the patronage of Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh. He is awed by her
nobility and talks about her, and the magnificence of her estate, almost constantly, adding shameless
pandering to his habitual faults of long-windedness and pomposity.
Other Characters
Mary Bennet: The third and plainest of the Bennet girls, Mary spends all her time playing the piano and
reading moralistic literature that gives her an endless supply of sanctimonious aphorisms.
Catherine (Kitty) Bennet: The fourth of the Bennet girls, Kitty tags after Lydia and complains when she
doesn't get as much attention.
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Lydia Bennet: The youngest of the Bennet girls, Lydia is a somewhat less attractive version of her mother at
16: loud, exuberant, thoughtless, vulgar, and boy crazy.
Edward Gardiner: Mrs. Bennet's brother, an honest, honorable, friendly man who lives in London. He is
wealthy, but since he made his money in trade, the landed gentry look down on him.
Mrs. Gardiner: Mrs. Bennet's sister-in-law, whose good sense, good manners, and perceptiveness make her a
favorite with Lizzy and Jane.
Sir William Lucas: The Bennets' neighbor in Hertfordshire, Sir William is so outgoing that he sometimes
oversteps the bounds of decorum, and so solicitous that he sometimes intrudes on other people's personal
affairs. But no one doubts his good heart.
Lady Lucas: Lady Lucas is, aside from Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Bennet's most regular gossip partner. The two
women also have a friendly rivalry: Lady Lucas's estate is less grand than the Bennets', but her husband is a
knight; her daughter is less pretty, but she manages to get married first.
Charlotte Lucas: Kind, plain, and practical, Charlotte is Lizzy's best friend -- until she shows the bad
judgment of marrying Mr. Collins. At 27, however, Charlotte has few alternatives that will guarantee her as
much security.
Marie Lucas: Charlotte's younger sister. Marie's sole purpose in the story is to be so overwhelmed by Lady
Catherine's grandeur that she can hardly speak.
Georgiana Darcy: Mr. Darcy's sister, 12 years his junior, who worships her older brother and, because she
finds his example so intimidating, is shy and diffident in public. Nonetheless, she is pretty, bright, kind, and
accomplished.
Colonel Fitzwilliam: Darcy's cousin, who is much more affable and outgoing, but much less dashing.
Miss De Bourgh: Lady Catherine's daughter, a sickly, pale, emaciated little thing who hardly speaks but
nonetheless finds ways to be inconsiderate. Her mother intends her to be Darcy's wife.
Louisa Hurst: The eldest of Bingley's two sisters, Mrs. Hurst serves only to second her sister's opinions and
abet her connivances.
Mr. Hurst: Bingley's brother-in-law, who lives only to hunt, eat, drink, play cards and, when none of those
options is available, to sleep.
Aunt Phillips: Mrs. Bennet's sister, who is, if anything, even ruder and more embarrassing.
Uncle Phillips: Mrs. Bennet's brother-in-law, who inherited her father's law practice in Meryton, a town just a
mile or so from the Bennet estate.
Colonel Forster: The head of the militia unit in which Wickham enlists, which is initially quartered in
Meryton.
Mrs. Forster: The colonel's wife, who, easygoing and exuberant herself, takes a liking to Lydia, thereby
precipitating her disastrous elopement with Wickham.
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Pride and Prejudice: Essays and Criticism
Major Themes in Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is full of character-driven themes that revolve around the literary concept of “comedy of
manners.” A comedy of manners is a literary work that deals with young lovers attempting to unite in
marriage, and usually includes several incidences of witty commentary from the main characters, which can
take form in terms of anything from clever flirting to open warfare, as in the case of Darcy and Elizabeth.
Pride and Prejudice is mainly concerned with the pairing of several couples and the issues surrounding each
of those couples. The pursuit of marriage in this novel brings the other major themes to light.
The novel’s title itself indicates one of the major themes of the novel. All of the characters in this novel (with
the exception of Jane and Bingley) suffer from the sins of both pride and prejudice. This is evident in Darcy’s
introduction, when the entire neighborhood is set against Darcy (and he against them):
Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features,
noble mien—and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his
entrance of his having ten thousand a year . . . and he was looked at with great admiration for
about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity;
for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and
not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding,
disagreeable countenance (6).
Thus Hertfordshire society looks down upon Darcy for the remainder of the novel. This introduction to Darcy
also demonstrates an important point about the relationship between pride and prejudice—one leads to the
other. The affront that the neighborhood has suffered by Darcy’s refusal to interact with them leads to their
prejudice. Darcy, possessing pride as well, is no better, as he develops a bias against the neighborhood and the
Bennett family in particular. This intolerance leads to Darcy’s interference in and prevention of Jane and
Bingley’s romance. Elizabeth also suffers from both pride and prejudice, as her mortification over Darcy’s
description of Elizabeth as “tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt” him (7), and his proud behavior at
the first party at Netherfield, as she rejects Darcy’s first proposal:
“From the very beginning, from the first moment, I may almost say, of my acquaintance with
you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and
your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form that groundwork of
disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not
known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever
be prevailed on to marry”(145).
While Darcy and Elizabeth are alike in terms of personality and ability, and the offer of marriage would be
financially and socially advantageous to Elizabeth, her hatred of Darcy, based on her impression of him,
determines her decision.
Austen presents two solutions to the problems created by pride and prejudice. The first is to avoid either. Jane
and Bingley exemplify this idea. Neither has any pride, and they are not easily prejudiced by the comments of
others. When Jane hears of the rumors regarding Wickham, she refuses to believe any of them without proof,
whether it is Wickham’s claims of Darcy’s abuse, or Wickham’s infamous escapades with money and
Georgiana Darcy. Bingley is of a similar mindset, and refuses to believe or internalize any of the criticisms of
his sisters or Darcy regarding anyone in Hertfordshire. Jane and Bingley’s capability to avoid both pride and
prejudice is what brings about their happiness at the end of the novel, because their goodness is truly
Pride and Prejudice: Essays and Criticism
60
unaffected.
For most of the characters, as well as the rest of us, the faults of pride and prejudice cannot be so easily
remedied. Austen gives the rest of us our answer to the problems of these two failings through the
development of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. The heated exchange between these two
characters in Chapter 34 and Darcy’s subsequent letter in Chapter 35 demonstrates both the effects of pride
and prejudice and the solution to the problem. Elizabeth’s accusations of Darcy’s pride and his interference
in the lives of Jane and Wickham make Darcy reexamine his attitude toward Jane and toward his behavior.
Darcy thinks about his mistakes, and by doing so, is able to recognize them, as he tells Elizabeth after she
accepts his second proposal:
“The recollection of what I then said, of my conduct, my manners, my expressions during the
whole of it, is now, and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me. Your reproof, so
well applied, I shall never forget: ‘had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.’ Those
were your words. You know not, you can scarcely conceive, how they have tortured me;
though it was some time, I confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice”
(275).
Despite his earlier convictions about the Bennetts’ inferiority and the offense that Darcy’s pride has taken
through his attraction to Elizabeth, Darcy is able to conquer his negative ideas so that he can see the error of
his ways.
Elizabeth, too, must conquer her own pride and prejudices in order to see Darcy’s worth. When Darcy
explains his actions in Chapter 35 as a result of the conversation during the previous chapter, Elizabeth must
come to terms with several of the problems that she has ignored or avoided throughout the novel. She must
acknowledge Jane’s appearance of indifference toward Bingley, which even Charlotte Lucas has previously
noted to her. Elizabeth must admit that she might be wrong about Wickham, especially given his refusal to be
in the same room as Darcy and his attentions toward Miss King. And most difficult of all, Elizabeth must deal
with the impropriety of her parents and her younger sisters, all of which she has known but refused to censure
her father for because she adored him so much. Like Darcy, Elizabeth must review and review these facts
until she can put aside her prejudices against Darcy so that they can be together.
Another theme that appears in the novel is the relationship between reputation and marriage. Because the lack
of money and societal connections often made it difficult for middle-class girls to marry, a girl’s reputation
needed to be carefully guarded and maintained. The damage created by a thoughtless act was often
irreparable, especially when it came to issues of romance, and one action by one daughter often destroyed the
reputation of the entire family. This is what makes Lydia’s elopement with Wickham so horrible for the
Bennett girls—she has not only jeopardized her own status in society by running away with Wickham, but she
has also greatly damaged the opportunities of her sisters. Any possible suitors would not want anything to do
with a family that cannot teach one of their girls to act properly. This action immediately ruins the developing
romance between Darcy and Elizabeth, who are clearly on the path to marriage until Jane’s letter announcing
Lydia’s escapade interrupts them. The problem is compounded by the “vulgarity” of the rest of the Bennet
family—the obnoxious whining of Mrs. Bennet, the neglect of Mr. Bennet, the pompous attitude of Mary, and
the insipid nature of Kitty. Any author attempting to uphold the guilt-by-association tendencies of Regency
society would have ended the novel in tragedy at this point, because Darcy and Bingley would never gain any
societal advantage from associating with Elizabeth and Jane.
Austen, however, disagrees with the stereotyping of families and daughters in particular by the
thoughtlessness of their relatives, and demonstrates that those who are strong enough to question the practices
of society can be rewarded for it. Both Darcy and Bingley, who have taken the time to get to know and
understand Elizabeth and Jane, see past Lydia’s foolishness and recognize the value of the women they love.
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They choose to ignore the dictates of their society for marital happiness. That happiness will help them
overcome their problems. Bingley and Jane must tolerate the Wickhams, and are so irritated by them that even
Bingley starts to hint that he might ask them to leave (which is extreme for someone who likes everyone).
Darcy and Elizabeth must deal with Lady Catherine, whose anger takes a long time to abate. However, by the
end of the novel it is clear that both couples have made the right choice, and despite their problems are
rewarded for their willingness to move past the pride and prejudices of themselves and their society.
Good Matches in Pride and Prejudice
The primary concern of Pride and Prejudice is to determine how a young girl of some intelligence and beauty
but not much money can enter into a good marriage in Regency England—a time and place in which a good
marriage was determined almost entirely by the opportunity for money, status, and “connections”
(networking) between families and businesses. Austen criticizes this concept of marriage as financial and
social advancement, and instead contends that a good marriage consists of two people who are of similar mind
and talents.
In order to understand what is at stake for all of the girls in the novel, it must first be understood that there
were very few options available to the daughters of a gentleman such as Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters.
Professions for “respectable” women at the time were scarce—the only viable career choice would be as a
governess for young children. Since those jobs were few and far between, the most realistic (and sometimes
only) option for young women of Austen’s time was marriage. This, of course, made the availability of brides
to men plentiful, increasing the anxiety of parents of young girls who did not have enough money, status, or
beauty to attract rich young men. Austen addresses the desperation felt by parents who needed to marry off
their daughters at the very beginning of the novel: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (1). This spot of humor highlights the major dilemma
of not only the Bennett sisters but thousands of girls in Austen’s time—the desperation of parents to marry
their daughters off to the first unmarried man with money that comes along.
Austen presents several attitudes toward the problem of attaining a marriage with underwhelming money,
status, and/or looks. The first character to marry in the novel is Charlotte Lucas, who demonstrates her
opinion on the concept of a good match in her discussion with Elizabeth regarding Jane and Bingley:
“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are
ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their
felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their
share of vexation, and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with
whom you are to pass your life” (16).
Charlotte is advocating not knowing anything about a spouse before getting married because she believes that
the less you know, the better. This philosophy, which Elizabeth immediately dismisses as “not sound,” is
what leads Charlotte to agree to marry Mr. Collins, a buffoon who will be a constant source of embarrassment
and distress to Charlotte. Many characters in the novel, as well as Regency society itself, would consider Mr.
Collins a tremendous match for the plain, nearly-spinster Charlotte, who has been previously unsuccessful in
attracting a husband. After all, Mr. Collins is a respectable man whose position as a minister for the
well-respected Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the envy of many. He will have money and standing throughout
his life, and will eventually even inherit Longbourn. It is no wonder, then, that Mrs. Bennett is angry with
Elizabeth for turning down an offer of marriage from such an eligible man. However, Austen soon vindicates
her heroine because only a few months later, Charlotte is miserable in her marriage despite her social and
marital status. Austen demonstrates Charlotte’s mistake in failing to get to know her prospective husband
before the point of no return.
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62
Marriage that is based on looks and physical attraction does not work any better than marrying for status. The
Bennets, we are told, marry because they were both good looking:
[Elizabeth’s] father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance of good humor
which youth and beauty generally give, had married a woman whose weak understanding and
illiberal mind had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her (176).
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett wed because they are physically attracted to each other, but, like Charlotte and Mr.
Collins, learn nothing of their prospective spouse’s personality. As a result, they soon find they have nothing
in common and by the beginning of the action of this novel cannot even stand to be in the same room for long
periods of time. This lack of understanding and tolerance has a devastating effect on the Bennett daughters, as
Mr. Bennett’s intolerance of his wife leads him to leave his youngest three daughters alone, which is why
they become so silly. Elizabeth acknowledges this after noting Lydia and Kitty’s vulgar behavior with the
militia:
But she had never felt so strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of
so unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising from so ill-judged a
direction of talents, talents which rightly used might at least have preserved the respectability
of his daughters, even if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife (177).
Mr. Bennett’s loathing of his wife is no excuse for his parental neglect, and he is responsible for not guiding
Mary, Kitty, and Lydia properly. Lydia and Wickham are no better off—they foolishly run off to London
without knowing much of anything of each other because they too are attracted to each other. Lydia is a
carbon copy of her mother, and Wickham, who is far more cunning, soon tires of her. Had they bothered to
acquaint themselves with each other, they might have avoided the Bennets’ fate.
Jane Austen’s concept of a good match is more than looks and status—it is a match of character and
intelligence. Darcy and Elizabeth are proof of this. Both characters demonstrate their intelligence and wit
throughout the novel, often through their verbal sparring with each other. Both suffer from their own pride, as
well as the prejudice created by each other’s actions. However, Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy’s
comments and actions in the beginning of the novel is much more severe than Darcy’s, which explains why
he falls in love with Elizabeth long before she has any interest in him. While Elizabeth’s personality appeals
to him, Darcy is convinced that he is superior to Elizabeth because he has the same expectations of a match
that those of his society maintain. This sense of superiority is a tremendous offense to Elizabeth in Chapter
34, and she has little trouble rejecting Darcy because he is so rude. Elizabeth, however, is not innocent either,
and believes herself to be superior to Darcy because she thinks she is not as rude as he is. The reality of the
situation, however, is that Elizabeth is just as dissatisfied with people as Darcy is:
“The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and everyday confirms my
belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be
placed on the appearance of either merit or sense” (101-102).
At this point in the novel, Darcy is attracted to Elizabeth beyond reason, but as this would send him down the
same road as the Bennets or the Wickhams, it is insufficient to woo Elizabeth, and thus the proposal cannot be
accepted until Darcy learns that Elizabeth is an equal.
Fortunately for both of them, Darcy and Elizabeth come to realize that they are indeed equals. Darcy meets
the Gardiners, who demonstrate that Elizabeth’s relations can not only act in a civilized manner, but can
actually be a delight to speak to. Elizabeth sees the regard of Darcy’s servants for their master, and witnesses
the behavior of the reformed Darcy at Pemberley. Both use their intelligence to see past their own pride and
the prejudices that have been formed, and are ready by the end of the novel to be together. However, one last
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63
issue remains—the impact of society’s prejudices on Elizabeth and Darcy. When Lydia runs away with
Wickham, society’s values at the time would dictate that Darcy end his pursuit of Elizabeth because any
connection with a family whose daughter would thoughtlessly run away with a man without getting married
would poison that person’s status in society permanently. Darcy sees past this, solves the problem by bribing
Wickham (which is a great source of pain considering Wickham’s insidious attempt at elopement with
Georgiana). Elizabeth must deal with the venom of Lady Catherine, who makes her prejudices against
Elizabeth and her family plain in the rudest possible way. Austen rewards the efforts of Elizabeth and Darcy
to see past their own limitations and the limitations imposed by the society around them with domestic
felicity, as it is clear at the end of the novel that they are indeed a good match.
Humor in Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is an extremely funny novel, but most students miss the humor because of difficulty with
the language. Close examination of Austen’s ironic and scathing treatment of specific characters and scenes
in the novel not only helps to clarify the novel’s major themes, but also makes Pride and Prejudice an
enjoyable experience.
The novel is sarcastic from its opening line: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (1). This is obviously not true—as any major movie
star or rock singer can attest. Austen is ironically stating that when a young, rich, single man is in the
neighborhood, people are always trying to set him up with a girl, whether or not he wants to be. This is
because, as Austen notes, once he moves into a neighborhood, he becomes the "rightful property” of the girls
of the area. This idea of targeting available young men for marriage is the central topic of the novel, as every
family in Hertfordshire is attempting to hitch up Mr. Bingley to their daughters. This line also shows the
desperation of the families in attempting to attain wealth and connections at all costs.
The first declared victim of this targeting mentality, Mrs. Bennet, is one of the funniest (and the stupidest)
characters in Pride and Prejudice. In Chapter 1, Mrs. Bennet is completely oblivious to Mr. Bennet’s sarcasm
because she is incapable of understanding anything remotely intelligent, and she is completely fixated on the
idea of Mr. Bingley, the latest rich and available young man to move into the neighborhood. Mr. Bennett
teases Mrs. Bennet by telling her that there is no need for him to introduce himself to Bingley, which there
really is, as the societal rules of the time dictated that the father of a family must first introduce themselves to
a new neighbor (especially a male) before the rest of the family was permitted to visit. The teasing comes to a
head when Mrs. Bennet exclaims that Mr. Bennet has no regard for her delicate nerves, to which he replies:
“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you
mention them with consideration these twenty years at least” (2). In reality, Mr. Bennet has no respect for his
wife’s feelings at all because she is so ridiculous. Austen clarifies this shortly hereafter, when she describes
the Bennets as a couple:
Mr. Bennet was odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the
experience of three and twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his
character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding,
little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself
nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and
news (3).
In other words, Mr. Bennet is a smart aleck and Mrs. Bennet is a whiny hypochondriac whose only goals in
life are getting her daughters married and gossip. This is indicative of both characters throughout the novel:
anything that comes out of Mr. Bennet’s mouth is sarcastic and/or insulting, and whatever Mrs. Bennet says
is idiotic and loud. This mismatch of tempers and abilities highlights one of the novel’s most significant
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64
themes, the concept of a good match as a unity of similar characters and temperaments as opposed to marriage
for the sake of attraction.
Unfortunately, the Bennet marriage also exemplifies another warning from Austen—the ramifications of a bad
match on children. The Bennets’ inability to understand each other and get along results in Mr. Bennet’s
neglect of his three youngest daughters: Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. He leaves them to his wife to raise because
after his patience has worn out after Jane and Elizabeth, and this neglect is what makes these three girls so
“silly.” Lydia is an airheaded flirt whose selfishness nearly ruins everything for all of her sisters, and Kitty is
a nervous wreck who is far too easily influenced by Lydia’s lead. However, the oldest of the three silly girls,
Mary, is another source of amusement in the novel. Mary is sarcastically introduced in the novel by her father,
who facetiously appeals to the “wisdom” that she has gathered from great amounts of reading: “’What say
you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books, and make extracts’”
(4). Despite reflecting deeply and reading always, Mary has no ability to apply the knowledge she has
gathered, and is just as much of an idiot as her mother is. Austen demonstrates this immediately with Mary’s
lack of a response to her father’s taunt: “Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.”
This is Mary’s problem throughout the novel, as she says a great many things, but absolutely none of them
are sensible. Another example of this occurs after Elizabeth finishes playing the piano at the second gathering
of the novel, where she is quickly succeeded by Mary, who devours any chance at attention even though she
cannot sing. Austen then describes Mary more thoroughly:
Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application
[perseverance], it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would
have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Elizabeth, easy and
unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well
(17).
Mary’s vanity and know-it-all attitude make her intolerable to everyone around her, but it is the result of the
neglect of her father, who could have taught her proper manners and could have helped in her education, as he
had done with Jane and Elizabeth. Elizabeth notes this failing in her father later on in the novel, reminding us
that the consequence of a bad match is often miserable and neglected children.
Another of Austen’s humor targets is Mr. Collins. With the possible exception of Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins is
the biggest buffoon of Pride and Prejudice. His letter of introduction in the novel makes his silliness obvious:
[F]or having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by
the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh...whose bounty and
beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my
earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship, and be very
ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England
(47).
Mr. Collins sees his primary job as Lady Catherine’s doormat (which is a good thing, since she is determined
to treat him and every other character in the novel that way), and will also force himself to baptize, marry, and
bury the members of his parish whenever time permits. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet immediately recognize
that he may not necessarily be “sensible,” and their assessment is justified when Mr. Collins arrives shortly
thereafter. He constantly praises everything, down to the most minute piece of furniture. He also apologizes
profusely for the smallest thing, a habit appreciated by no one except Mary and Mrs. Bennet. His constant
remarks of admiration for Lady Catherine, whose condescension and sheer rudeness equal the money she
possesses, irritate virtually everyone around him.
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65
One of the best examples of the failings of Mr. Collins and of humor in the novel in general is Mr. Collins’
proposal to Elizabeth. When Mr. Collins asks Mrs. Bennet for a private word with Elizabeth, Elizabeth tries to
avoid being alone with him by first saying that no one needs to leave, and then tries to leave the room herself,
but is stayed by her mother’s order. Then Mr. Collins begins his declarations of love for Elizabeth: “’Almost
as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life’” (80). This statement is
false, since he initially shows interest in Jane and only makes up his mind for Elizabeth when Mrs. Bennet
tells him that Jane is practically engaged to Bingley. He then proceeds to list his reasons for marrying, all of
which basically boil down to the fact that Lady Catherine told him he should, which is hardly romantic. He
also goes so far as to say that the best thing about marrying him is that Elizabeth will get to be near Lady
Catherine herself, which, in Mr. Collins’ mind, is the ultimate reason to marry anyone. Elizabeth is, not
surprisingly, not enticed by this proposal, and refuses Mr. Collins. This hilarious and awkward scenario, a
primer on what not to do when one proposes, is also a reminder to Austen’s audience that the only reason to
marry anyone is for true love—love that is based on understanding and equality of mind and character, not love
of status or beauty. Unfortunately, Mr. Collins is so dense that he does not believe Elizabeth, and therefore
persists several more times before he finally gives up his suit and proposes to Charlotte Lucas, who he does
not even know. This point is exemplified later through the Collins’ marriage, as Charlotte is completely
miserable and must encourage her husband to be away from her as much as possible.
There are many other examples of humor in this novel. From Darcy and Elizabeth’s verbal war to the
nonsensical behavior of the sillier characters in the novel, Austen’s use of irony, both verbal and situational,
makes her examination of the rules of courtship and society a joy to read, and her style also emphasizes her
major points. Pride and Prejudice is the perfect example of humor’s ability to teach important lessons about
life.
Pride and Prejudice: Historical Background and Treatment
of Men and Women
Pride and Prejudice published in 1813, is Jane Austen's second, and probably best known novel, though it
was originally published anonymously. Austen began Pride and Prejudice in 1796 under the title First
Impressions. Her family found the novel entertaining and continued to reread it for at least two years. By
1799, she'd begun working on Eleanor and Marianne, which was later published as Sense and Sensibility in
1811. She again began revision work on First Impressions, though she was forced to retitle it as the name had
already been used by another novelist. Pride and Prejudice finds its popular appeal in its control of language,
wit, clever dialogue, and charming representations of human foible portrayed in characters such as Mr.
Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and Mrs. Bennet. It is a far more mature and better written novel than
Sense and Sensibility.
Known as a novel of manners, it, like Emma (1816), another popular Austen novel often used in the
classroom, portrays the life of gentility in a small, rural society. Austen dramatizes the delicate and precarious
nature of a society based on an ecology of manners. In such a society, the well-being of everyone hinges on
people maintaining their proper places and behaving according to a strict code of manners. For the Bennet
girls, their chances of marriage fall precipitously with every show of impropriety.
From the beginning, it is important to understand the very real danger that faces the Bennet girls if they do not
marry. Upon Mr. Bennet's death, the girls' cousin, Mr. Collins, will inherit Longbourn. That means that the
family will have no source of support and no place to live. A marriage of one of the girls to a wealthy man
would provide a solution, but there is another problem, even for Jane and Elizabeth who do not suffer from
ill-bred, vulgar behavior as their sisters do. Each girl possesses a negligible dowry to entice a prospective
husband. Any man who chooses to marry a poor girl must do so for love or to acquire a good wife. Clearly
Kitty, Mary, and Lydia will not make good wives. They have not been brought up to behave properly. Indeed,
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66
with the example of the loud, tactless Mrs. Bennet, it is a wonder that Elizabeth and Jane have managed to
grow up so well.
Mrs. Bennet cannot be the only one blamed for the poor behavior of her daughters. Mr. Bennet keeps himself
aloof from his wife's quirks, using them only as fodder for his dry wit. When Mrs. Bennet sends Jane on
horseback to Netherfield, plotting that Jane should catch cold, Mr. Bennet, though making disparaging
comments, does not attempt to stop her. He is as ineffective a parent as she is, taking no responsibility for the
improprieties of the girls, until Lydia's elopement. At this point he realizes he has been derelict as a parent and
attempts to change. This is part of Austen's goal to teach the necessity of proper behavior, of taking
responsibility for one's actions. Thus is it important that both Darcy and Elizabeth admit to their Pride and
Prejudice and the mistakes that they have made. In doing so, they seek to learn from their mistakes, but also
they recognize the danger of such rash opinionated behavior, such as that of Darcy's childhood friend,
Wickham. Mr. Wickham was nearly the ruin of both of them and their families.
However, in spite of Wickham's and Lydia's complete break with propriety, and the danger that she places the
rest of her family in, she neither learns from her mistakes, nor suffers particularly from them. In a world
where so much depends on people fulfilling their positions, behaving properly, punishment is a luxury that
society cannot afford. For if Lydia were punished, perhaps ostracized, the rest of the family, and through them
friends and the rest of the community, would suffer. The taint of scandal and gossip serve to make women
ineligible to marry. In this small community, no one could afford to associate with the Bennets. At the same
time, maintaining that sort of ostracism would cause schism and the ecology of the community would be
forever crippled, if not destroyed completely. Therefore, Lydia must be forgiven and her improprieties
overlooked. This is only possible because she has returned to the fold, once again conforming within the
bounds of acceptable behavior. Once she and Wickham have married, they have sufficiently rectified their
situation and no longer pose a danger to the society.
Austen does remain cautious about marriage without some sort of attachment, or marriage between people of
comparable characters. Charlotte marries Mr. Collins, suffering for the rest of her life with an obsequious fool
and under the thumb of Lady de Bourgh. In exchange for security, she has given up her individuality and
freedom. And while Austen does suggest that individuality must be contained within the codes and mores of
society, it should not be repressed all together. Individualism has the power to add zest and charm to life, as
long as it does not subvert the community. This sort of conforming individualism is best exemplified in
Elizabeth. She is a unique character, abiding by the social demands of the community, yet at the same time her
sharp wit and humor make her the only woman that engages Darcy's mind and heart.
Feminists have criticized Austen's portrayal of women in Pride and Prejudice as being too passive. None of
the women ever take active control of their lives. They instead must wait until men act. Jane must wait for
Bingley, and when he leaves Netherfield, she cannot contact him or ask for any explanation. Similarly, when
Lydia disappears with Wickham, none of the Bennet women—who incidentally will be more fundamentally
affected by the events than anyone else—are allowed to do anything to retrieve Lydia. Instead they must wait
at home for news. This enforced passivity reinforces the traditional view of women as helpless and delicate.
Men must take care of women since they are incapable of managing for themselves. However, it should be
noted that Austen gives most of the dialogue to the women throughout the novel.
Another thing that many readers notice about Austen's novels, is that in spite of the fact that she writes during
the political turmoil of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, the growing Industrial Revolution,
and the escalating political and social upheaval in England, except for the officers stationed m Meryton, there
is no evidence of any of this strife in her novels. Austen herself notes that she knows little of the world at
large and instead chooses to write about what she does know. However, it is clear that she does not know how
to write male characters well. As mentioned above, much of the dialog in the novel is given to women. Some
critics have suggested that Austen herself was not familiar enough with men to write believable male
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67
characters. When Elizabeth accepts Darcy's proposal, Austen only vaguely suggests his reaction: "he
expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to
do."
Austen's writings had great influence on a number of writers throughout the century. Glimpses of Mrs. Bennet
and Mr. Collins can be found in Dickens Elizabeth's sharp wit can be found in Thackeray, Eden, and Trollope.
Her exploration of manners and the constrictions of women were taken up by later women writers such as
George Eliot, Sarah Grand, and Elizabeth Gaskell. She helped to legitimize the novel as an art form. At the
same time, she set an example for other women writers, showing them that even without the expansive
education given to men, women could still make valuable contributions.
Source: Diana Francis, in an essay for Novels for Students, Gale, 1997. Francis is a doctoral candidate at Ball
State University.
The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice
Students, like many critics, question the point of the last volume (the final 19 chapters) of Pride and Prejudice
because they already know who will "get" whom. Many feminist scholars portray Austen's happy unions as
either sexist, sellouts, or parodies. But critics' declared dissatisfaction with marriage as a narrative resolution
is never reconciled with unexamined prejudices against single women. A number of critics themselves
reiterate the tired news that Austen was a "spinster," a term that Austen's books never once invoke and that
hardly defends singleness as a liberating option. The twin assumptions that neither single nor married women
can be powerful, useful, or happy leads to a deadlier myth, the curiously perverse axiom that suicide is
woman's only "life-affirming" choice. In fact, the art—particularly Kate Chopin's The Awakening—and the
authors—Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath—in vogue during the last few decades have often been seen as
glorifying death as the only way out for women in an inexorably unjust culture. By implication, simply
surviving, let alone coping, becomes synonymous with compromising. The last third of Pride and Prejudice,
however, imagines an alternative: far from smothering under a shroud of "the marriage plot," Elizabeth
Bennet works out a new institution of love based on a new conception of self.
After the crisis of Elizabeth's initial embarrassment at Mr. Darcy' s unexpected arrival at Pemberley, including
her "amazement at the alteration in his manner," Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle the Gardiners "were again
surprised, and Elizabeth's astonishment was quite equal to what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy
approaching them." Elizabeth's second surprise is that "he really intended to meet them." The encounter here
between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy encapsulates the recurring action of this final volume; Elizabeth continually
assumes that Mr. Darcy will "strike into some other path," but whenever the "turning" that obscures him fades
away, he always turns up, "and at no great distance"—in fact, "immediately before" her. Every time that "her
thoughts were all fixed on that one spot . . . whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy then was," she finds that
he is on an errand expressly to see or to help her.
In the woods of Pemberley, Elizabeth is far from imagining that Mr. Darcy is on such a quest. In fact, she
begins an alternating pattern of distancing herself from him—fancying that her friendly praise "might be
mischievously construed"—yet nevertheless bewildering herself with his mystery: "Why is he so altered?. . . It
cannot be for me, it cannot be for my sake." Always the stunning answer is that her "reproofs at Hunsford
[did] work such a change as this," because "it is [not] impossible that he should still love" her. Mr. Darcy
himself later explains why he does not "avoid her as his greatest enemy," by distinguishing between hatred
and anger: he could never hate her, and even his anger "soon began to take a proper direction"—at himself.
Through an affecting contrast, Austen honors this man's exceptionally receptive resilience. Elizabeth's
response to the events at Hunsford had been an inability to "feel the slightest inclination ever to see him
again"; Mr. Darcy, however, not only wishes to continue as Elizabeth's friend but hopes that his sister,
The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice
68
Georgiana, may come to know her as well.
The trope of Elizabeth's shock will be picked up when she is home at Longbourn, looking out the window to
see Mr. Darcy riding up to the house with Mr. Bingley. The narrator explains, "Her astonishment at his
coming was almost equal to what she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour in Derbyshire."
Elizabeth's surprise is great because she has felt that the disgrace of Lydia's elopement would destroy Mr.
Darcy's affection. But we also learn that although Mr. Darcy continues to astound, the shock is lessening and
is now only "almost equal" to what she had felt before. The stupefaction Elizabeth experiences here, like that
created by Mr. Darcy's behavior at Pemberley, reflects the conventional belief that men cannot be loyal and
deeply attached lovers. Mr. Darcy's arrival at Longbourn enlarges Elizabeth's expectations of men's capacity
to love. One measure is that when he returns yet again, after Lady Catherine de Bourgh has stormed through
Longbourn vowing to separate her from Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth now only "half expect[s]" him not to come.
Back in Lambton, Elizabeth had begun to rely on Mr. Darcy's affection, or on her own "power, which her
fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses." But that confidence is
shattered by the news of Lydia Bennet's elopement. For readers swept by a growing excitement at Elizabeth's
discovery of Fitzwilliam Darcy's "impossible" power "still [to] love me," the turning point at the lodgings is a
careful frustration of our hopes, a transformation of exhilaration to anguish. Elizabeth mistakenly, and
conventionally, reads Mr. Darcy's "earnest meditation" about how to find Mr. Wickham as a sign that "her
power was sinking." The inadequacy of Elizabeth's equation of love with "power" is suggested by a sudden
shift in tone. From the pathos of "she could neither wonder nor condemn," the narrator unexpectedly swells
into sentimental cliches: "but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom,
afforded no palliation of her distress." "Of course not," respond students, who readily see that women's
self-sacrifice is silly. Elizabeth realizes only "now, when all love must be vain," that she "could have loved
him"; yet she, at least as much as Mr. Darcy, must let go of such traditional, and false, visions of sexual
relations.
At issue are assumptions about the selfishness and instability of men's love. When Elizabeth discovers that Mr
Darcy had been at Lydia's wedding, "conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her
brain," but they "seemed most improbable." However, what she considers her most farfetched fancies will be
"proved beyond their greatest extent to be true." Elizabeth's inability to conceive that Mr. Darcy could cherish
a concern for her as "ardent" as hers for Jane culminates when we learn that while her new respect for Mr.
Darcy is fervent, it still does not do him justice. "Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry" that she had not
concealed the elopement from "all those who were not immediately on the spot." By designating Mr. Darcy as
just another bystander, Elizabeth would, in her yearning for secrecy, negate her unreflecting confidence—her
disclosure of how fully she has accepted his revelations about Mr. Wickham—and deprive herself of Mr.
Darcy's delicately underspoken comfort. But Elizabeth's regrets are hilariously inappropriate because the
joyful truth is that Lydia's problems never would have been solved had Elizabeth not confided in Mr Darcy.
Only he knew how to find Mr. Wickham.
Elizabeth's doubts about the possibility of allegiance from Fitzwilliam Darcy are hardly a private matter.
Neither Austen's culture nor our own has traditionally demanded much of men as lovers. William Collins's
spleen when Elizabeth refuses him reflects the customary churlishness of the disappointed suitor. Mr Darcy's
own first movement toward Elizabeth embodies the sexist view that he is a good catch who has only to choose
and be accepted, that no matter how he has insulted any woman, she will be happy either to dance with or
marry him whenever he can force himself to ask. The novel does not support such conventional views. Most
students have been raised on the interwoven notions of women's craving for men and men's indifference to
women, a trope misnamed "the battle of the sexes" and a heritage that Pride and Prejudice explicitly invokes
in its opening torture scenes in which Mr. Bennet baits Mrs. Bennet. Readers continue to adore Mr. Bennet's
bitter humor on a first reading and only later learn to reevaluate that continual breach of conjugal obligation
and decorum which . . . was so highly reprehensible." Pride and Prejudice offers a vision of love in which
The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice
69
women and men may care about each other with a passionate tenderness at least equal to that felt by strongly
united sisters: the other person' s well-being is simply and immediately crucial. Mr. Darcy's concern for
Elizabeth is so great, so sublimely disinterested, that, whether or not she loves him, he wants to make her
happy and never claim the credit.
At stake is how we recognize romance. What are the signs in others that we respond to as allure, and what are
the alterations in ourselves that we identify as passion? What Pride and Prejudice offers to Elizabeth Bennet
through Fitzwilliam Darcy is a sexuality that casts away usual power relations with their traditional
alternatives of confrontation and capitulation, when men sweep women off their feet but both sides nurse an
underlying narcissism as their truly dominant passion. The traditional proposal Mr Darcy made at Hunsford
betrays a masturbatory fixation with his own desires and sacrifices, however, his avowal of love in the lanes
near Longbourn portrays a generous focus on Elizabeth Bennet, foretelling a relation of listening reciprocity.
Mr Darcy's reform is convincing because it is based on a goodness and generosity that Elizabeth had never
credited him with, and it is moving because it is unimaginable according to cultural ideas of men's capacity
and feelings. The sexual politics of the relation between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy locates erotic
pleasure in kindnesses that any person can show another. To women Austen offers a vision in which nothing
about men's honest devotion is too good to be true—a prophecy that women need not settle for less. In a final
volume made up almost exclusively of characters' astonishment at how others' actions surpass or betray their
expectations, the delicately crocheted chain of Elizabeth's surprises carefully builds excitement over reunions
that we are asked to celebrate because they change our ideas about what love, even marriage, can mean.
Yet as Elizabeth discovers Mr. Darcy's affection, she must explore her own—in a process that protects the
integrity and disinterestedness of her attachment. "She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she
felt a real interest in his welfare." Her effort to "make [her feelings] out," as she "lay awake two whole hours"
is a comic reversal of an earlier moment when, with "something like regret," she had toyed with envy about
the position as "mistress of Pemberley." Now, as Elizabeth investigates her new tenderness for Mr. Darcy, we
can delight in how she stretches out the process of committing herself. Respect, esteem, gratitude, and an
interest in his welfare all add up to love. Such feelings are the origin of love based on knowledge, and, Pride
and Prejudice shows, nothing else is love.
But Elizabeth's discerning standards for heterosexual affection display a revolution of self as well as of eros.
Even at the height of her suspense about Mr Darcy, Elizabeth asserts the worth of her own life, gloriously
declaring to herself, "If he is satisfied with only regretting me, when he might have obtained my affections
and hand, I shall soon cease to regret him at all." Such faith that if need be she can outlive her affection for
Fitzwilliam Darcy is based on the new idea that he will be unworthy if he cannot continue to love. The value
for her own future, separate from her connection to a man, and her resolve to judge his rather than her own
worth by his performance intensify our suspense over the test: Can Mr. Darcy justify her affection? The
fulfillment of that quest comes in a love scene that readers have long depreciated as an anticlimax.
Pride and Prejudice is a pivotal moment in our feminist heritage, an achievement whose power has in many
senses been lost, as we have so often lost women's history and work. This novel offers an iconoclastic
representation of women and men. Austen is a creative political thinker in her own right, but her politics must
be located through attention to the relationships among her characters, between those characters and their
narrator, and between narrator and reader, before we try to place her in extratextual heritages or contexts.
Rather than look for politics by turning away from the text to events outside the novel, we need at last to
accept that the book's explicit concerns are themselves political. Pride and Prejudice does more than teach us
about the debates of Austen's day; it can guide us among the many urgent issues of identity and gender with
which we continue to struggle. In an age when we have learned to see the battle of the sexes as one aspect of
the abuse that women have been taught to label as "love," the answer is not to throw out romance altogether.
Pride and Prejudice's moving prophecy is that we may also make Elizabeth Bennet's demand that Fitzwilliam
Darcy become worthy of her love.
The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice
70
Source: Susan Kneedler, "The New Romance in Pride and Prejudice," in Approaches to Teaching Austen's
Pride and Prejudice, edited by Marcia McClintock Folsom, Modern Language Association of America, 1993,
pp. 152-66.
The 'Social History' of Pride and Prejudice
As for the historical content of the [Austen] novels, students may not see it because they think of social
history as "history with the politics left out," as G. M. Trevelyan once described it, rather than what it is: the
essential foundation that gives shape to everything else. For the cultural historian Raymond Williams, for
example, Austen's novels provide an accurate record of that moment in English history in which high
bourgeois society most evidently interlocked with an agrarian capitalism. "An openly acquisitive society,"
writes Williams [in The Country and the City, 1975], "which is concerned also with the transmission of
wealth, is trying to judge itself at once by an inherited code and by the morality of improvement." What is at
stake here is not personal relations but personal conduct "a testing and discovery of the standards which
govern human behaviour in certain real situations." Those situations arise from the unsettled world Austen
portrays, with its continual changes of fortune and social mobility that were affecting the landed families of
her time. Thus, although Darcy is a landowner established for "many generations," his friend Bingley has no
estate and has inherited £100,000 from his father, who made money in trade; and although Mr. Bennet has an
estate, he has married the daughter of an attorney who has a brother in trade, and his estate will not pass to his
own children, and so on.
Readers may glimpse the "openly acquisitive society" in the heroine's first sight of Pemberley, Darcy's
beautiful estate. Deeply impressed, even awe-struck, by its elegance and grandeur, Elizabeth cannot but admit
to herself that "to be mistress of Pemberley might be something." Later Elizabeth satirizes her own response
when her sister asks her to explain when she first fell in love with Darcy: "It has been coming on so
gradually," Elizabeth replies, "that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first
seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley." Elizabeth's wit distances her from herself, from the woman with
the conventional response to Pemberley, just as the narrator's irony distances the reader from conventional
responses. But before entering into a discussion of Austen's narrative irony, we may as well ask the
conventional question, In what sense would being mistress of Pemberley "be something"?
In Austen's day England was still to a large extent an "aristocracy," or hierarchy based on property and
patronage in which people took their places in a pyramidlike structure extending down from a minority of the
rich and powerful at the top to ever wider and larger layers of lesser wealth to the great mass of the poor and
powerless at the bottom. Together, the aristocracy and gentry owned more than two-thirds of all the land in
England. In this largely agrarian society, government was conceived of as the authority of the locality, the
government of parish, county, and town, whose officials were members of the gentry appointed by the Crown.
In the course of the century, this system of local government was replaced by a modern bureaucracy of trained
and elected administrators, but at the time Austen was writing, the gentry were the real governors of the
countryside. Not until the commercial and political revolutions, accumulating full force in the eighteenth
century, disrupted the solidarity of families founded on landed wealth did these ancient families, and the
women who belonged to them, lose much of the power they had so long exercised. Only then did the state
pass to the control of parliaments composed of men and elected by men.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her nephew Darcy are members of one such ancient family, and they are
highly conscious of the power they possess. Both control the lives and incomes of scores of people on their
estates, many of whom had no voting power until the Reform Bill of 1832. Even after that, until the secret
ballot was passed in 1872, landlords could have a decisive effect on votes, since they were taken orally.
Traditionally, the steward of an estate such as Darcy's would round up the tenants who could vote, take them
to the polling place, and remain there while they called out their preference. A man such as Darcy, were he to
The 'Social History' of Pride and Prejudice
71
run for a seat in the House of Commons, could then be sure of this built-in constituency of tenants. Wickham's
chronic resentment, Austen implies, is a function of his having grown up as the son of the elder Darcy's
steward, daily observing so many more advantages accrue to Darcy than to himself.
Although women in the gentry had less authority than men, a matter I take up later, some had considerable
power. The tradition of primogeniture established that, under the law, property was passed to the eldest son;
and English matrimonial law stipulated that, through marriage, the husband became the owner of all his wife's
property. But there were ways in which the gentry could and did protect its women. Mr. Bennet cannot alter
the entail requiring that his estate go to the nearest male relation, but he can settle money on his daughters
that, if proper legal measures are taken, will remain their own after marriage. Because Lady Catherine's estate
is not entailed from the female line, she enjoys most of the advantages of her nephew. She is patroness of the
living of Mr. Collins, for example, and he is only one of many people who are dependent on her and therefore
must pay court to her. Elizabeth is right when she recognizes that to join Darcy's family and become mistress
of Pemberley would indeed "be something. " Family and marriage occupied a far more public and central
position in the social government and economic arrangements of English society than they would later. In the
novels of Austen, marriage is then accurately seen as an institution that both determines and is determined by
history.
[Social historian Lawrence] Stone's theory of social history suggests that only in a highly individualist society
does happiness arise as an ideal: those who see themselves as living for themselves become interested in
happiness. But if they view themselves as living for something beyond the self—say, the
community—happiness loses its central place in human concern. That Austen reveals in almost every novel
how difficult it is to negotiate a compromise between the drive for happiness and the necessity of a life of
service all communities require of its citizens (most commonly in their role as parents) is not surprising. The
question of happiness lies at the heart of the English tradition of liberal rationalism, particularly as it
expressed itself in the works of Austen's contemporary Jeremy Bentham and later in the formulations of John
Stuart Mill. One of Mill's major efforts was to reconcile a Benthamite faith in making happiness the supreme
goal of human life with his communitarian belief in service, probably acquired through the classical education
he received from his father (as Austen did from hers). In order to do so, Mill eventually insists on the
existence of a private domain, set apart and separate from the demands of law and custom. This abstraction,
the private domain, which we have difficulty imagining as an abstraction so much do we take Mill's ideas for
granted, is the basis of the argument of On Liberty (1859). So little did Mill himself take it for granted,
however, that a large section of On Liberty is devoted to establishing and defining its existence. Another
example is that, until the secret ballot was passed, parliamentarians expressed their astonishment over the
proposal on the grounds that no honorable person would have any reason to cast a vote in secret; the private
domain was imagined only with difficulty.
These same ambiguities concerning the private self and its relation to custom and community make
themselves felt in Pride and Prejudice. Austen tempers her affirmation of individual happiness as an ideal by
means of a deep aesthetic vigilance over its possible excesses. The hero of the novel, for example, is as
different in substance and temperament from the heroine as could be; he embodies the traditional self, one
whose identity is based on a sense of his own position in the social hierarchy rather than on an evaluation of
his inner worth. This is what Darcy means when he says to Elizabeth, after they have been united, that he was
a good man in theory but not in practice. He accepted his own merit as given; until Elizabeth forces him to, he
has no impulse to look critically inward. A traditional self with a strong sense of duty (as distinct from
conscience), Darcy has before him a traditional— that is to say, arranged—marriage when the novel opens. Of
course, contact with Elizabeth changes Darcy, but that Elizabeth ends by marrying so traditional a personality
is perhaps the largest check on the modern drive for happiness (most intelligently represented by Elizabeth) in
the novel.
The 'Social History' of Pride and Prejudice
72
Not all the self-seekers in the novel are as intelligent and virtuous as Elizabeth, however, which brings us to
another way Austen tempers her affirmation of the pursuit of happiness. The novel continually juxtaposes to
Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage the completely selfish marriage, such as the unions between Lydia and
Wickham and between Charlotte and Mr Collins, who live only for themselves and their own advancement. In
contrast, Darcy and Elizabeth are envisioned at the conclusion of the novel as surrogate parents, moral
guardians, and educators to Georgiana and Kitty, and as host and hostess at their ancient estate to members of
the rising class of merchants, the Gardiners. The novel ends, then, on a note of affirmation of the power of
marriage as an agent of constructive social change.
Feminist critics who have condemned Austen for not opening up any new vistas for the female spirit, for
merely reaffirming the traditional option of marriage, may as well say to a starving person, "Man cannot live
by bread alone." Like all her sisters, Elizabeth has only humiliating dependence on relations before her if she
does not marry. No professions to speak of are open to her, and laws on every side are designed to restrict her
independence. Within the privilege of the gentry class, wives had far less control over their lives than
husbands did, and daughters had virtually none. Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins because she does not
wish to remain a daughter all her life; that marriage to Mr. Collins is seen as liberating by comparison with
"spinsterhood" tells us all we need to know of the depth of Austen's irony on the subject of women.
What is remarkable about Austen's perspective on this subject is that she does not lapse into sentimental wish
fulfillment but renders the crass, survivalist posture required of women with unfailing honesty and irony. The
"honesty" and "irony" are interchangeable because of the fundamental contradiction in the gentry woman's
situation: that she enjoyed tremendous privileges and relative comfort as a member of that class but that her
ability to act independently within it was severely restricted. Elizabeth's refusal to marry Mr. Collins, for
example, is not ponderously portrayed as an act of courage; it would take little courage to refuse so ridiculous
a person as Mr. Collins. But given the situation of women and her own particular economic circumstances, to
refuse him without giving way even for a moment to anxiety concerning the future shows an exceptional
spirit. Elizabeth's sangfroid is again apparent when she refuses the far more imposing Darcy; she cannot be
frightened by circumstance or intimidated by power. Popular women novelists writing at the same time as
Austen often show heroines engaged in far more obvious acts of heroism and have been praised over Austen
by feminists for portraying more adventurous women; in one such novel the heroine travels down the Amazon
River. But Austen did not have to show Elizabeth traveling down the mighty river; she walks three miles in
the mud to visit an ailing sister, and the society around her (including the hero) behaves as if she had. That
Elizabeth remains unfazed by their exaggerated response to this most commonplace act—Darcy's admiration
no more turns her head than Miss Bingley's visible contempt ruffles her—is not the least of her virtues. It is in
Austen's ironic critique of her society, with its vulgar idolatry of the "lady" combined with its brute legal and
economic restriction of her independence, together with her passionate endorsement of women who live
within it and still manage to retain their self-possession (dignity is too lofty a word) that her feminism lies....
That Elizabeth Bennet is so easy to like makes Pride and Prejudice the less ironic novel. But Elizabeth's
marriage to Darcy, as we have seen, is not without contradiction and irony. After they are united, Elizabeth
"remembered that [Darcy] had yet to learn to be laught at." Perhaps a juxtaposition of the two novels suggests
more than anything else that no discussion of the social-historical context in which the heroines move can
proceed without consideration of Austen's irony. The moral discrimination that forms the basis of that irony is
so insistent, writes Raymond Williams, "that it can be taken as an independent value . . . which is in the end
separable from its social basis." After making this profound observation, Williams goes on to attach that value
to the democratic social agenda "she provided the emphasis which had only to be taken outside the park walls,
into a different social experience, to become not a moral but a social criticism," such as one finds in the
Victorian moralists. But we will leave it to the historical ideologists to determine the political direction
Austen's emphasis would take later. Whatever one concludes, one cannot help but feel that Austen wrote more
for later generations than for her own. This perception is apparent not only in her steady refusal to court the
public attention she could so easily have gained but in the way the novels seem to feel themselves forward
The 'Social History' of Pride and Prejudice
73
into time, articulating our own historical distance from her world by means of their irony. Historians have
long been in the habit of claiming, as A. J. P. Taylor has written, that, among novelists, history began with
Walter Scott, the historical novelist and contemporary of Jane Austen. But if history is a form of
self-consciousness, perhaps history began with Jane Austen as well.
Source: Julia Prewitt Brown, "The 'Social History' of Pride and Prejudice," in Approaches to Teaching
Austen's Pride and Prejudice, edited by Marcia McClintock Folsom, Modern Language Association of
America, 1993, pp. 57-66.
Pride and Prejudice: Suggested Essay Topics
Volume One
Chapter 1
1. The first title Jane Austen chose for this work was First Impressions. What are your first impressions of Mr.
and Mrs. Bennet? Compare and contrast them. Illustrate this with dialogue that gives insight into their
characters.
2. What examples of humor can be found in the first chapter?
Chapters 2–3
1. How does Austen go against the grain of traditional romance stories of the period?
2. What is the biggest stumbling block in the future development of a romance between Jane and Bingley?
3. What is Lizzy’s first impression of Mr. Darcy?
4. Quote some samples of dialogue that give you insight into Darcy’s character.
Chapters 4–8
1. Often we misjudge character when we first meet individuals. Give examples of the first impressions that
Elizabeth and Darcy form that are incorrect.
2. Mary is the forgotten character in this novel. What references can you find that define her character? How
does she differ from Elizabeth or Jane?
3. Austen has an opinion on the difference between pride
and vanity. How does it agree or disagree with yours? Cite examples.
Chapters 9–12
1. Why is Darcy afraid of liking Elizabeth too much? What is his concept of what a wife should be?
2. Elizabeth has an “attitude,” which her sisters lack. How would you describe it? Is it beneficial to her or
does it harm her interactions with others?
3. What other examples of excessive pride or prejudice have you seen? Explain.
Chapters 13–18
1. Locate lines in Austen’s prose that describe and reflect the character of Collins. What descriptive phrases
does she use that show negative qualities?
Pride and Prejudice: Suggested Essay Topics
74
2. Why does Elizabeth believe Wickham when she carefully analyzes everyone else?
3. More is discussed about Pride and Prejudice at the ball. Quote these lines and comment on them.
4. What social blunders are committed by the Bennet family at the Netherfield ball?
Chapters 19–23
1. How do Elizabeth and Charlotte’s views on marriage contrast? Which was more common in the society
presented in this novel? Which do you agree with?
2. What devious type of plan prompted the whole Bingley entourage to leave for the winter? Who do you
presume is behind this intrigue? Why?
3. Elizabeth, though intelligent, is fallible in her judgments of character. Show by examples where she has
been wrong.
4. At this point in the novel, if you had to select a character that you would prefer to have as a friend, who
would it be? Explain your choice.
Volume Two
Chapters 1-3
1. Elizabeth once again changes her views on the true character of an individual. Who is it this time and why
does she have a change of opinion?
2. Why does Jane begin to see faults in Miss Bingley? What incidents alter Jane’s opinion of her?
3. How does the introduction of the Gardiners inject new life into the novel?
4. What are the similarities between Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner? How do they differ in personality?
Chapters 4-8
1. How is Elizabeth’s prejudgment of Lady de Bourgh confirmed by their first meeting?
2. How does Darcy again present a wrong impression to Elizabeth?
3. How does Mr. Collins show Elizabeth what she has foregone with her refusal to marry him?
4. Upon meeting Miss de Bourgh, what are your first impressions?
5. How does Darcy’s aunt portray as much ill-breeding as Elizabeth’s mother? Cite examples.
Chapters 9-12
1. Explain the circumstances leading up to this declaration by Elizabeth. “Vanity, not love, has been my foll .
. . till this moment I never knew myself.”
2. During the proposal scene, Darcy accuses Elizabeth of pride. She accuses him of prejudice. How is this an
ironic reversal of their usual reaction to each other?
3. What did Elizabeth accuse Darcy of that made him write the letter to explain his actions?
Pride and Prejudice: Suggested Essay Topics
75
Chapters 13-19
1. What is the denouement that takes place in Volume Two? Describe three main events leading up to it.
2. Elizabeth gains some knowledge of herself. Explain.
3. How does Darcy answer Elizabeth’s doubts?
4. What actions of Elizabeth’s younger sisters justify some of Darcy’s accusations?
Volume Three
Chapters 1-5
1. How does Darcy treat the Gardiners? Is this unlike how he treated Elizabeth’s immediate family?
2. Why do you think Darcy brought Bingley with him when he introduced Georgiana to Elizabeth?
3. How does Miss Bingley’s reaction to Elizabeth’s visit give us more insight into these characters?
4. Why was Lydia’s current predicament predictable? What hints did you have this might happen?
5. How are the Bennet parents ineffectual in handling this current situation?
Chapters 6-10
1. What are the conditions set for Wickham to marry Lydia?
2. How does Mr. Collins’ letter reveal his true nature? Is he justified in his appraisal of the situation or merely
being vindictive?
3. Why did Mr. Darcy become involved in such a messy family affair? What do you believe his true
motivations to be?
4. How do you think Elizabeth will react when she next sees Darcy? How would you react?
5. How has Mrs. Bennet again shown her vulgarity?
6. Letter writing is one of the basic forms of communication in the novel. Why is this literacy technique so
effective? How would the novel be different if the characters had telephones?
Chapters 11-15
1. Mr. Collins and Lady de Bourgh are not nice people. Compare and contrast the ways in which they show
this.
2. Who best describes the advantages of a match between Jane and Bingley? Why is this a suitable match?
3. How does Mrs. Bennet again show poor taste and bad
manners?
4. How was Darcy instrumental in settling the Wickham affair? Who does Elizabeth learn this from?
5. What does Collins say in this new letter to Mr. Bennet? What does Mr. Bennet mean when he states “For
what do we live, but make sport of our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”
Pride and Prejudice: Suggested Essay Topics
76
Chapters 16-19
1. How do Darcy and Elizabeth show they have overcome their feelings of pride and prejudice?
2. What is revealing about Mr. Bennet’s comment on his own marriage? How does this revelation help
explain his character?
3. If you were able to place a microphone in a secluded spot, which conversation would you have liked to
record? Why?
4. Good sense brings characters together. How does this affect five of the minor and major characters in this
novel?
5. What techniques does Austen use to tie up all loose ends at the climax of the novel?
Pride and Prejudice: Sample Essay Outlines
• Topic #1
Elizabeth’s character is influenced by her relationships with other characters in the novel. Write an
essay to show how she changes either in a positive or negative manner due to another’s influence.
Outline
I. Thesis Statement: The role of Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice is developed through the negative
and positive influences of Jane, Darcy, and Mrs. Gardiner.
II. Influences of Jane
A. Positive influences
1. She can be trusted for her honesty
2. She will share sisterly confidences
3. She possesses a forgiving quality
4. She evinces the goodness of leading a moral life
B. Negative influences
1. She never sees evil in others
2. She keeps everything emotionally inside
III. Influence of Darcy
A. Positive influences
1. He forces Elizabeth to analyze her feelings
2. He makes Elizabeth grow in self-understanding
3. He makes Elizabeth change her emotional state
4. He shows Elizabeth how her own pride and prejudices
can be overcome
B. Negative influences
1. He is quick to judge
2. He often seems too proud and vain
3. He is sometimes too reserved in speaking his mind
IV. Influences of Mrs. Gardiner
A. Positive influences
1. She helps Elizabeth analyze her true feelings toward
Pride and Prejudice: Sample Essay Outlines
77
Darcy
2. She provides an opportunity to put Elizabeth and
Darcy together
3. She shows by example how intelligence and rational
thinking can work out problems
B. Negative influences
1. She is sometimes naive about the Bennet family’s lack of social class
2. She is often too impressed by the upper class
V. Conclusion: Jane, Darcy, and Mrs. Gardiner are three major characters who influence Elizabeth.
• Topic #2
Austen interjects comedy into many of the novel’s more serious moments. How do Mrs. Bennet,
Mary, and Mr. Collins bring comic relief to some of the novels dramatic scenes?
Outline
I. Thesis Statement: The comic sides of Mary, Mrs. Bennet, and Collins enable Austen to lighten
some of the more serious moments in the novel.
II. Mary
A. How is she portrayed?
1. She speaks like a textbook
2. She is always the sister who thinks too much
3. Her comments have little to do with a given situation
B. Instances of comic relief
1. She has opinions about events that she knows little
about
2. She has her nose stuck in a book when serious
discussions surround her
III. Mrs. Bennet
A. Her comic contributions
1. Her dialogues with her husband are comical and
ridiculous
2. Her social blunders are so many that the reader
begins to expect them
3. She lacks logic
4. When something goes wrong, she hides behind a fit
of “nerves”
IV. Mr. Collins
A. His character and instances of comic relief
1. He thinks entirely too well of himself, and speaks with
a false humility that is pompous, verbose, and long
winded
2. His proposal to Elizabeth is for all the wrong reasons
3. He fawns over upper-class women
4. His letters are full of self-importance and nonsense
V. Conclusion: Mary, Mrs. Bennet, and Collins provide comic
relief.
Pride and Prejudice: Sample Essay Outlines
78
• Topic #3
The whole novel revolves around attitudes and reasons for marriage. Write an essay comparing and
contrasting the marriages of Charlotte, Lydia, Jane, and Elizabeth.
Outline
I. Thesis Statement: The marriages of four of the key characters and their pride and prejudices lead
them to represent
an era.
II. Charlotte’s marriage to Collins
A. Reasons
1. He has a title and an estate
2. She is plain and unattractive
3. She is 26 and nearly an old maid
4. It is for convenience only
III. Lydia’s marriage to Wickham
A. Reasons
1. He is handsome and attractive
2. He has a commission in the army
3. She is 16 and in love
IV. Jane’s marriage to Bingley
A. Reasons
1. They both fell in love almost immediately upon
meeting
2. He has a title and money
3. It is upward mobility for her
4. They are well-matched
V. Elizabeth’s marriage to Darcy
A. Reasons
1. They share mutual love and understanding
2. It is a social coup for Elizabeth
3. They compliment one another
4. They share trust and have confidence in each other
VI. Conclusion: The marriages of Charlotte, Lydia, Jane, and Elizabeth reflect typical marriages of
that period.
• Topic #4
Letter writing is a lost art in the twentieth century. Today, we pick up the phone, or send e-mail
messages by computer. Letters were usually written in the first person, and they communicated style,
intelligence (or lack of it), and insights into character. Explain how Austen used letters to reveal the
innermost thoughts of her characters and to express their personalities.
Outline
I. Thesis Statement: Letter writing in Pride and Prejudice reveals a great deal about Collins, Darcy,
and Mrs. Gardiner.
Pride and Prejudice: Sample Essay Outlines
79
II. Collins’ personality as revealed by his letters
A. His personality is revealed by
1. His excessive verbiage
2. His pompous flattery
3. His insincere understanding or knowledge
4. His self-pride
5. His condemnation of others and self-praise
III. Darcy’s personality is reflected in his letters
A. He shows qualities not expressed verbally
1. His sincerity
2. His acknowledgment of faults
3. His perceptive analysis of others
4. His lack of guile or trickery
5. His honest devotion to those he admires
IV. Mrs. Gardiner’s personality is revealed in her letters
A. She is steadfast and intelligent with her perceptions
1. She has almost a sixth sense about character
2. She can intelligently come to conclusions regarding
social situations
3. She shows warmth and understanding
4. She is critical but unbiased
5. She offers hope and understanding
V. Conclusion: Collins, Darcy, and Mrs. Gardiner reveal their personalities and thoughts by writing
letters
• Topic #5
Write an essay to show how the first impressions of major characters influence the plot and character
relationships in Pride and Prejudice.
Outline
I. Thesis Statement: The first impressions of Darcy, Elizabeth, and Lady de Bourgh affect the plot and
structure of Pride and Prejudice by their influences on other characters.
II. First impressions of Darcy
A. Positive influences
1. He exhibits good breeding
2. He is intelligent
3. He has pride in his worth
4. He seems loyal to his friends
B. Negative influences
1. He seems to be vain
2. He criticizes those below his social status
3. He exhibits indifference
4. He has strong opinions
III. First impressions of Elizabeth
A. Positive influences
1. She is accomplished in provincial society
Pride and Prejudice: Sample Essay Outlines
80
2. She is a master of conversation
3. She is witty and well-mannered
4. She surpasses all of her sisters in intelligence
B. Negative influences
1. She is quick to make a judgment of character
2. She is sometimes too outspoken
3. She can be deceived by charm
4. She acts before she thinks out situations
IV. First impressions of Lady Catherine de Bourgh
A. Positive influences
1. She is wealthy and aristocratic
2. She runs a “tight ship” within her household
3. She oversees the care of her timid daughter
4. She is knowledgeable of all social amenities
B. Negative influences
1. She wants everything decided in her favor
2. She is overpowering and strongly opinionated
3. She forms immediate opinions on every subject
4. She won’t permit others to question her view points.
V. Conclusion: Elizabeth, Darcy, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh are three major characters whose
first impressions influence the development of the plot of Pride and Prejudice.
Pride and Prejudice: Compare and Contrast
• 1810s: Europe is submerged in warfare throughout most of the decade by the struggle against the
ambitions of Napoleon Bonaparte to unite the continent under French rule. Two of Austen's brothers,
Frank and Charles, entered the British Navy and fought in the Napoleonic Wars.
Today: For the first time since the Napoleonic Wars, Europe considers a single multinational
government in the European Union.
• 1810s: In the early nineteenth century, a woman's education differed greatly from that of a man.
While boys attended boarding schools and studied Latin, mathematics, and science, girls were
schooled at home by governesses, focusing on the fine arts, writing, reading, and sewing.
Today: Over one hundred twenty-five million women graduated from high school in 1994 alone,
while around eight hundred thousand females were enrolled in colleges and universities. Not limited
to a specific gender, most American high schools and universities are open to both sexes, and course
offerings are not exclusive to men or women.
• 1810s: Because of a lack of professions for women to enter and become self-supporting, few women
could afford to remain single in early 1800s. Most women elected to marry rather than depend on
other family members for financial support.
Today: Many women in America have increasingly decided to remain single. By 1994, only
fifty-nine percent of women in America were married. In addition, almost sixty percent of American
women over the age of sixteen were employed in the labor force, either part-time or full-time.
Pride and Prejudice: Compare and Contrast
81
Pride and Prejudice: Topics for Further Study
• Research the changes in the English social structure during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth
centuries. Show how attitudes in Pride and Prejudice toward the newly wealthy middle classes, who
earned their money through trade and manufacturing, differed from those toward the landed gentry
who inherited their generations-old wealth.
• Much of Pride and Prejudice centers on the question of marriage or other unions. Examine the
attitudes of the different characters in the novel towards the institution of marriage and compare them
to modern attitudes.
• In 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft published her book, A Vindication of the Rights of Women, which
offered the then revolutionary idea that women were the intellectual equal of men and should be
educated as such. What subjects did women study during the late eighteenth and early eighteenth
century? Although Austen never credited Wollstonecraft as inspiration, many of Austen's characters
have qualities encouraged by Wollstonecraft. Examine Wollstonecraft's ideas and find examples of
how Elizabeth fulfills many of Wollstonecraft's demands for women.
Pride and Prejudice: Media Adaptations
• The most famous film version of Pride and Prejudice is the black and white Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer
production released in 1940. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, the film featured Greer Garson as
Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Fitzwilliam Darcy and won the Academy Award for best
art direction because of its lavish sets. It is currently available as a videocassette from MGM/UA
Home Entertainment.
• In 1985, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and director Cyril Coke adapted Pride and
Prejudice for television as a mini-series. It starred Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul as Elizabeth
and Darcy and was later released on video by CBS/Fox Video.
• In 1995, another BBC television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was released, starring Jennifer
Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Fitzwilliam Darcy. In the United States it aired on Arts &
Entertainment Television (A&E) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and is available from
A&E Home Video and PBS Home Video.
• Other adaptations of Pride and Prejudice include the sound recordings Pride and Prejudice, narrated
by Flo Gibson, Recorded Books, 1980 (an unabridged version of the novel); Pride and Prejudice,
abridged by Frances Welch, read by Celia Johnson, ALS Audio Language Studies, 1981 (a
"read-along" transcript); Pride and Prejudice, read by Jane Lapotaire, Durkin Hayes, 1992; Pride and
Prejudice: Selections, narrated by Sheila Allen, Francia DiMase, and Roger Rees, Time Warner
Audiobooks, 1994; and Pride and Prejudice, abridged by Elizabeth Bradbury, BDD Audio, 1994 (a
BBC Radio production).
Pride and Prejudice: Topics for Further Study
82
Movie still from Pride and Prejudice, starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, MGM, 1940.
Pride and Prejudice: What Do I Read Next?
• Sense and Sensibility (1811), Jane Austen's first published novel, looks at the contrast between reason
and emotion in the persons of two of the three Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne.
• Austen's Mansfield Park (1814), in which meek, poor Fanny Price wins through simple virtue both the
love and hand of country heir Edmund Bertram.
• Emma (1816), in which Austen's well-to-do heroine plays matchmaker for a lower-class friend—until
she realizes that she is herself in love with the man her friend has chosen.
• Northanger Abbey and Persuasion (1818), Austen's posthumously-published novels, that are
respectively a sly parody of the overly-romantic Gothic novel and her examination of the
transformation of the world by means of the Royal Navy.
• Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels (1814). Scott was a contemporary and an admirer of Austen's
work, and the Waverley novels—like Austen's, published anonymously—make an interesting contrast
with her fiction. Waverley is set during the 1745 Jacobite rebellion in Scotland and is very Romantic
in theme.
• The English: A Social History, 1066-1945 (1987), by popular historian Christopher Hibbert, makes
plain the evolution of the society that Austen portrays in her novels.
Pride and Prejudice: Bibliography and Further Reading
Sources
Brower, Reuben A. "Light and Bright and Sparkling: Irony and Fiction in Pride and Prejudice." In his The
Fields of Light. Oxford University Press, 1958.
Dabundo, Laura. "Jane Austen." In Concise Dictionary of British Literary Biography Volume 3: Writers of the
Romantic Period, 1789-1832. Gale, 1992.
Gray, Donald J. "Preface." In Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice, An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds, Reviews
and Essays in Criticism, edited by Donald J. Gray. Norton, 1966.
Pride and Prejudice: Media Adaptations
83
Heilman, Robert B. "E pluribus unum: Parts and Whole in Pride and Prejudice." In Jane Austen: Bicentenary
Essays, edited by John Halperin. Cambridge University Press, 1975.
Jenkins, Elizabeth. Jane Austen: A Biography. Gollancz, 1948.
Mudrick, Marvin. "Irony as Discrimination: Pride and Prejudice." In his Jane Austen: Irony as Defense and
Discovery. Princeton University Press, 1952.
Review of Pride and Prejudice. In British Critic, February, 1813, pp. 189-90. Reprinted in Jane Austen: The
Critical Heritage, edited and compiled by B. C. Southam, Routledge, 1968.
Review of Pride and Prejudice. In Critical Review, March, 1813, pp. 318-24. Reprinted in Jane Austen: The
Critical Heritage, edited and compiled by B. C. Southam, Routledge, 1968.
Southam, B. C., ed. Jane Austen: Critical Heritage. Routledge, 1968.
Wright, Andrew H. Jane Austen’s Novels: A Study in Structure. London, 1954.
Further Reading
Brown, Julia Prewit. Jane Austen's Novels: Social Change and Literary Form. Harvard University Press,
1979. Brown discusses how Austen uses contrasts between characters, themes, and narrative devices to give
structure to her novel.
Butler, Marilyn. Jane Austen and the War of Ideas. Oxford University Press, 1975, reprinted with new
introduction, 1987. Butler argues that despite the tendency of many readers and critics, Austen's novels are not
"progressive" novels, but rather novels that reinforce a conservative, orthodox thinking in tune with her era.
Gilbert, Sandra and Susan Gubar. The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the
Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination. Yale University Press, 1979. Gilbert and Gubar explore the
struggles of nineteenth-century women writers endured while publishing their works and how society reacted
to the ideas and perspectives of women authors.
Grey, J. David, managing editor, A. Walton Litz and Brian Southam, consulting editors. The Jane Austen
Companion. Macmillan, 1986. The Jane Austen Companion was published under the auspices of the Jane
Austen Society and includes much scholarly information, including a chronology of Austen's life and works,
her family tree, critical appraisals of her novel, and a Dictionary of Jane Austen's Life and Works, a
concordance of important people and events in her fiction and her world.
Kroeber, Karl. "Pride and Prejudice: Fiction's Lasting Novelty." In Jane Austen: Bicentenary Essays, edited
by John Halperin. Cambridge University Press, 1975. In this essay Kroeber looks at the phenomenon of
Austen's continuing popularity despite the ways in which she goes against prevailing modern literary tastes.
Liddell, Robert. "Pride and Prejudice." In The Novels of Jane Austen. Longmans, 1963, pp. 34-55. In his
collection, Liddell studies various aspects of Pride and Prejudice, including its history, social background,
and irony.
Poovey, Mary. The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer: Ideology as Style in the Works of Mary
Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley, and Jane Austen. University of Chicago Press, 1984. Poovey writes about the
role of women writers in society during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Pride and Prejudice: Bibliography and Further Reading
84
Roberts, Warren. Jane Austen and the French Revolution. St. Martin's, 1979. In this study, Roberts traces the
impact that the French Revolution had on Austen's own life (her brothers served in the Royal Navy in the
struggle against Napoleon Bonaparte) and on the type of fiction she wrote.
Smith, LeRoy W. "Pride and Prejudice: No Improper Pride." In his Jane Austen and the Drama of Woman.
Macmillan, 1983, pp. 87-110. This essay concentrates on the social, moral, economic, and sexual dilemmas
Elizabeth must face as a middle-class woman in nineteenth-century society.
Williams, Michael. Jane Austen: Six Novels and their Methods. St. Martin's, 1986. Williams discusses six
Austen novels, including Pride and Prejudice, and concentrates on the methods Austen uses to construct her
stories.
Pride and Prejudice: Pictures
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Pride and Prejudice: Pictures
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