Selections from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice...Jane Austen does a wonderful job of setting the...

1/20/2020 Selections from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

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Selections from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Site: Tri-County Community CollegeCourse: ENG-242-INLS1-2020SP-HodgesBook: Selections from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Printed by: Lee Ann HodgesDate: Monday, 20 January 2020, 3:27 PM

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Table of contents

1. What to Look For in Ch. 1

2. Chapter 1


4. Selection from Chapter 3

5. Mr. Collins Proposes to Elizabeth (Lizzy)/What to Look For in Chapter 22


7. Jane and Bingley/Lizzy and Darcy/What to Look For in Chapter 34


9. Turning Point - Darcy's Letter (Chapter 35)

10. The Crisis - Lydia and Wickham







Jane Austen does a wonderful job of setting the scene for the rest of the novel in Chapter 1 of Pride andPrejudice. Here are some things to look for as you read:

Opening LinePay attention to the opening line--it's one of the most famous lines of literature!

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

It has a tongue-in-cheek, almost sarcastic quality that is a hallmark of Jane Austen's writing. It essentiallymeans, "Oh, there's a rich, single young man over there? He must need a wife!" This comment highlightsa few important things about the "business" of courtship in Austen's day:

Because women were not allowed (in most cases) to inherit property or to have careers, they were dependenton men. Therefore, a wealthy young man is viewed almost as socially obligated to marry and give some youngwoman a home. What if the young man did not wish to marry? It did not matter. He was often not viewed as"settled" unless he married, and until he did so, he faced extraordinary social and familial pressure to choose awife. However, it was socially acceptable for a man to marry relatively later in life than women--late twentiesat the earliest, preferably in his thirties.Likewise, it is assumed that women will marry, regardless of their desire to do so. Women had fewer years toenjoy their singleness; they were expected to marry fairly early, in their late teens or early twenties at latest. The opening line assumes that "good fortune" or wealth is a key consideration as to whether a man is marriagematerial. What if a man is relatively poor? He likely would not have odds in his favor to win permission tomarry his love, particularly if her family is in need of or desires a wealthy connection. Note the absence of qualities like kindness, consideration, etc. Families of course cared about whether adaughter's potential suitor was a good person, but it was sometimes a secondary consideration to wealth.

Business LanguageIt's an insightful exercise to print Chapter 1 and as you read, highlight words that are related to money,property, social position, and marriage. You'll find that these often overlap. For example, Austen notesthat when a wealthy young man enters a neighborhood, he is often viewed as "the rightful property" ofone of the families of marriageable-age girls. This exercise will give you an idea of just how intertwinedmarriage and money were in Romantic-era England.

Social Obligations of FathersNote that Mrs. Bennet and the girls cannot "call on" (visit) Mr. Bingley until Mr. Bennet, as the head ofhis household, has done so. This is one of the ways that women were socially restricted during this timeperiod.

Emphasis on Women's QualitiesNotice Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's discussion of their girls and what qualities they have that might attract Mr.Bingley. Mrs. Bennet notes Jane's beauty and Lydia's good humor, but Mr. Bennet notes Lizzy's"quickness," a word that at the time referred to her intelligence. Mrs. Bennet, however, doesn't seem tothink that this quality is quite on par with beauty or good humor.



Also pay attention to their discussion of Mrs. Bennet's own beauty and their assumption that women losetheir beauty as they age.

CharactersConsider the characters. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are the ones in conversation, so we see the most of them.However, they mention Mr. Bingley (the wealthy young man who has moved into the neighborhood) aswell as their daughters, Lizzy (Elizabeth) in particular. What do we learn about these characters? Howwould you feel if a woman like Mrs. Bennet was your mother? How does Lizzy seem different from hersisters, at least in her father's eyes?

Click the next arrow on the bottom right corner to continue to the next page to read the first chapter ofPride and Prejudice.



2. Chapter 1

Chapter 1It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in wantof a wife.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood,this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightfulproperty of some one or other of their daughters.

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”

Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.

“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”

Mr. Bennet made no answer.

“Do you not want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife impatiently.

“You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”

This was invitation enough.

“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortunefrom the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and wasso much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possessionbefore Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.”

“What is his name?”

“Bingley.”

“Is he married or single?”

“Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a finething for our girls!”

“How so? How can it affect them?”

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinkingof his marrying one of them.”

“Is that his design in settling here?”



“Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, andtherefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.”

“I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhapswill be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the best of theparty.”

“My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anythingextraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of herown beauty.”

“In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.”

“But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.”

“It is more than I engage for, I assure you.”

“But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir Williamand Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit nonewcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.”

“You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a fewlines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls; thoughI must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.”

“I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half sohandsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference.”

“They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he; “they are all silly and ignorant like othergirls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.”

“Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. Youhave no compassion for my poor nerves.”

“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heardyou mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.”

“Ah, you do not know what I suffer.”

“But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into theneighbourhood.”

“It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.”

“Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.”

Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that theexperience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand hischaracter. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, littleinformation, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. Thebusiness of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.

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In Chapter 2, we learn that Mr. Bennet indeed visits Mr. Bingley, who will be attending a local ball.

We're going to skip ahead into a portion of Chapter 3, where we meet not only Mr. Bingley but also hisfriend Mr. Darcy. They are attending the ball with all the local families. We also learn of Mr. Darcymeeting Lizzy (Elizabeth), whom he leaves with a decidedly bad impression of himself.

Pay attention to details that reveal Mr. Bingley's and Mr. Darcy's personalities. In many ways, these twocharacters are foils.

Foils: Characters who have a basis of similarity that encourages readers to compare them; however,they are so different in other ways that the few similarities only seem to exist to highlight thedifferences.

Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy do have many similarities--both are wealthy, single, of similar social status,and of similar ages (Darcy is a bit older, but not by much). However, their personalities are quitedifferent. Pay attention to clues about their personalities that are revealed by their behavior at the ball.

We also learn more about Lizzie's personality in this selection. Notice how she responds to Darcy'srudeness--his words leave a bad impression on her, but the insult doesn't get to her. She winds up tellingthe story to friends with good humor, which suggests that she has enough self-assuredness not to let sucha comment bother her.




Photo: Carolyn Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley at the ball, from Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Selection from Chapter 3Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffectedmanners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst,merely looked the gentleman; but his friend 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 fiveminutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a finefigure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at withgreat admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of hispopularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and notall his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeablecountenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively andunreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himselfat Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and hisfriend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined beingintroduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speakingoccasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeableman in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violentagainst him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particularresentment by his having slighted one of her daughters.

Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and duringpart of that time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough for her to hear a conversation between himand Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend to join it.

“Come, Darcy,” said he, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupidmanner. You had much better dance.”

“I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Atsuch an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not anotherwoman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”

“I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Mr. Bingley, “for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never metwith so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you seeuncommonly pretty.”

“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest MissBennet.

“Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down justbehind 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, hewithdrew his own and coldly said: “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in nohumour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had betterreturn 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 cordialfeelings 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.

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5. Mr. Collins Proposes to Elizabeth (Lizzy)/What to Look For in Chapter 22

Photo: Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice (2005)

The next selection you'll be reading is from Chapter 22, which is quite a gap, so let me fill you in on someevents that have transpired between Chapter 3 and Chapter 22.

The big event is that Lizzy (Elizabeth) gets a marriage proposal. However, it doesn't end so well . . . Here'sthe full story:

The novel reveals that the Bennet girls must marry because they have no brother to inherit Longbourn,their estate. Because the Bennets did not have a son, the estate will go to the nearest male relative, adistant cousin named Mr. Collins. That means that the girls must be married off or they will becomehomeless.

Mrs. Bennet, however, has a solution to this problem: She will marry off one of her daughters to Mr.Collins.

YES, I JUST SAID THAT MRS. BENNET WANTS TO MARRY OFF ONE OF HER DAUGHTERS TOTHEIR COUSIN!

That is really weird for modern-day readers, but this was NOT uncommon (nor was it illegal) during theRomantic Period. In their society, it was a perfect solution--marry a daughter to the man inheriting theestate, and the estate stays in the family. The daughter is taken care of, and the estate is taken care of.Problem solved (as long as you don't mind marrying a cousin).

The problem is not so easily solved for the Bennets. Mr. Collins chooses Lizzy to be his wife and proposesto her. She finds him to be repugnant and ridiculous (which he is) and refuses his proposal. Mrs. Bennetentreats Mr. Bennet to FORCE Lizzy to marry Collins, but he cannot do it. Mr. Bennet knows that Lizzywould be terribly unhappy with Collins, and he does not have it in him to sentence her to a life of misery.

Mr. Collins then turns his attention to Charlotte (also referred to a Miss Lucas in the selection). Thisattention was actually encouraged by Charlotte, who is Lizzy's best friend. Her encouragement to Collinswas so successful that he winds up proposing to Charlotte.

Like the Bennet girls, Charlotte knows she must marry to avoid being a burden to others in her family.Her situation is more dire, however; she is already 27, which was "old" for this time period, and she isn'tparticularly pretty, a detriment in a society that values superficial qualities in women.

On the next page, you'll find a selection from Chapter 12 that describes Charlotte's reaction to Collins andher reflection on her upcoming marriage. It's a stark reminder that for women like Charlotte, marriagewas indeed a "business" secondary to their own feelings and wishes.

Click the next arrow to view the selection from Chapter 12




Selection from Chapter 22

Photo: Charlotte Lucas, screen grab from Pride and Prejudice (2005)

The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases and again during the chief of the day was Miss Lucasso kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. “It keeps him in goodhumour,” said she, “and I am more obliged to you than I can express.” Charlotte assured her friend of hersatisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was veryamiable, but Charlotte's kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of; its object wasnothing else than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them towardsherself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted atnight, she would have felt almost secure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon.But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character, for it led him to escape out ofLongbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himselfat her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw himdepart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known tillits success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte hadbeen tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. Hisreception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window ashe walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had shedared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.

In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to thesatisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was tomake him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady feltno inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guardhis courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, whoaccepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon thatestablishment were gained.

Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a mostjoyful alacrity. Mr. Collins's present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, towhom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Lady Lucasbegan directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many yearslonger Mr. Bennet was likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion, that whenever Mr.Collins should be in possession of the Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and hiswife should make their appearance at St. James's. The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed onthe occasion. The younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they mightotherwise have done; and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte's dying an oldmaid. Charlotte herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and had time to consider of it.Her reflections were in general satisfactory. Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; hissociety was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband.Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only



provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness,must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the ageof twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it.

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7. Jane and Bingley/Lizzy and Darcy/What to Look For in Chapter 34

Our next selection will come from Chapter 34, so I really must catch you up on some happenings betweentwo sets of couples: Jane and Bingley and Lizzy and Darcy.

Jane and Bingley

Photo: Jane and Mr. Bingley at the ball. Lizzy looks on, smiling. Carolyn Bingley is next to Lizzy. Prideand Prejudice (2005)

Jane and Bingley grow closer. She stays at his estate for a few days with his sister--she was invited todinner and caught a terrible cold that prevented her from travelling home. In those days, she and Bingleygot to know one another better, and a genuine affection seems to develop between them.

Mysteriously, however, after Jane returns home, Bingley and his sister abruptly pack up the house andleave for London, leaving word with their servants that they do not intend to return.

Jane and Lizzy are mystified by this turn of events. Why would the Bingleys leave so suddenly, withouteven a word to them? Jane is understandably hurt, but when she is invited by an aunt to visit her inLondon, Jane's spirits improve. She hopes to see Bingley and get an explanation for his sudden departure.

The trip, however, only depresses her spirits more. She sends word that she is in London, but Bingleynever visits; even his sister never visits. Jane believes that she was mistaken about his feelings for her.

Lizzy, however, suspects that Darcy had something to do with separating Jane and Bingley. Darcy hasalways struck her as being a bit of a snob, and she thinks that Darcy encouraged Bingley to drop Janebecause she is not as wealthy as him.

Lizzy and Darcy

Photo: Lizzy and Darcy dancing, Pride and Prejudice (2005)

In this era, it was inappropriate for single men and women to be alone with one another for extendedperiods of time. Therefore, while Bingley was still in the village, Lizzy and Darcy were often enlisted toaccompany Jane and Bingley at dinner and on walks.



Lizzy could never shake her initial bad impression of Darcy, an impression that he does nothing to dispel.It is also underscored by a lie told about Darcy by Mr. Wickham, a young military man who has made theacquaintance of the Bennet family. Wickham tells Lizzy that he is the son of Darcy's father's caretaker,and that he was promised an inheritance upon Darcy's father's death. According to Wickham, Darcycheated him of his inheritance. Because Darcy has been so disagreeable, Lizzy believes Wickham's story.

At this point in the novel, we begin to recognize that Darcy represents "Pride" in the novel's title whileLizzy represents "Prejudice." Lizzy is prejudiced against Darcy because of Wickham's lie as well as hisinitial rudeness to her, a rudeness that we later learn had nothing to do with her and everything with hisgeneral discomfort in social situations like the ball. The reader gets clues that Darcy is a strong introvert,uncomfortable and sometimes awkward in social settings. He seems to have difficulty understanding howother people misconstrue his awkwardness as rudeness, a difficulty admittedly influenced by his privilege,and hence, "Pride."

Darcy is such a bad communicator, in fact, that Lizzy is completely taken aback when he proposes to her!Yes, while they have been chaperoning Bingley and Jane, Darcy has been quietly falling for Lizzy.

In the following selection from Chapter 34, look for the awkwardness between them, the words Darcyuses to propose, and the effect that these words have on Lizzy. Click the next arrow to view the selection.




Selection from Chapter 34. . . [Elizabeth] was suddenly roused by the sound of the door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered bythe idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, andmight now come to inquire particularly after her. But this idea was soon banished, and her spirits werevery differently affected, when, to her utter amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the room. In anhurried manner he immediately began an inquiry after her health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearingthat she were better. She answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and thengetting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of severalminutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began:

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell youhow ardently I admire and love you.”

Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This heconsidered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her,immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; andhe was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority—of itsbeing a degradation—of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on witha warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommendhis suit.

In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man'saffection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he wasto receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. Shetried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concludedwith representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he hadfound impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by heracceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer.He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstancecould only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said:

“In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for thesentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt,and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot—I have never desired your goodopinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain toanyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelingswhich, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty inovercoming it after this explanation.”



Mr. Darcy, who was leaning against the mantelpiece with his eyes fixed on her face, seemed to catch herwords with no less resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and thedisturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. He was struggling for the appearance of composure,and would not open his lips till he believed himself to have attained it. The pause was to Elizabeth'sfeelings dreadful. At length, with a voice of forced calmness, he said:

“And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting! I might, perhaps, wish to beinformed why, with so little endeavour at civility, I am thus rejected. But it is of small importance.”

“I might as well inquire,” replied she, “why with so evident a desire of offending and insulting me, youchose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I wasuncivil? But I have other provocations. You know I have.Had not my feelings decided against you—had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, doyou think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been the means of ruining,perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?”

As she pronounced these words, Mr. Darcy changed colour; but the emotion was short, and he listenedwithout attempting to interrupt her while she continued:

“I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can excuse the unjust and ungenerous partyou acted there. You dare not, you cannot deny, that you have been the principal, if not the only means ofdividing them from each other—of exposing one to the censure of the world for caprice and instability,and the other to its derision for disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutestkind.”

She paused, and saw with no slight indignation that he was listening with an air which proved him whollyunmoved by any feeling of remorse. He even looked at her with a smile of affected incredulity.

“Can you deny that you have done it?” she repeated.

With assumed tranquillity he then replied: “I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my powerto separate my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards him I have been kinderthan towards myself.”

Elizabeth disdained the appearance of noticing this civil reflection, but its meaning did not escape, norwas it likely to conciliate her.

“But it is not merely this affair,” she continued, “on which my dislike is founded. Long before it had takenplace my opinion of you was decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received manymonths ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, what can you have to say? In what imaginary act offriendship can you here defend yourself? or under what misrepresentation can you here impose uponothers?”

“You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns,” said Darcy, in a less tranquil tone, and with aheightened colour.

“Who that knows what his misfortunes have been, can help feeling an interest in him?”

“His misfortunes!” repeated Darcy contemptuously; “yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed.”

“And of your infliction,” cried Elizabeth with energy. “You have reduced him to his present state ofpoverty—comparative poverty. You have withheld the advantages which you must know to have beendesigned for him. You have deprived the best years of his life of that independence which was no less hisdue than his desert. You have done all this! and yet you can treat the mention of his misfortune withcontempt and ridicule.”

“And this,” cried Darcy, as he walked with quick steps across the room, “is your opinion of me! This is theestimation in which you hold me! I thank you for explaining it so fully. My faults, according to thiscalculation, are heavy indeed! But perhaps,” added he, stopping in his walk, and turning towards her,“these offenses might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession of thescruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design. These bitter accusations might havebeen suppressed, had I, with greater policy, concealed my struggles, and flattered you into the belief of mybeing impelled by unqualified, unalloyed inclination; by reason, by reflection, by everything. But disguise



of every sort is my abhorrence. Nor am I ashamed of the feelings I related. They were natural and just.Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?—to congratulate myself on the hopeof relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?”

Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment; yet she tried to the utmost to speak withcomposure when she said:

“You are mistaken, Mr. Darcy, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any otherway, than as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a moregentlemanlike manner.”

She saw him start at this, but he said nothing, and she continued:

“You could not have made the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me toaccept it.”

Again his astonishment was obvious; and he looked at her with an expression of mingled incredulity andmortification. She went on:

“From the very beginning—from the first moment, I may almost say—of my acquaintance with you, yourmanners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain ofthe feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding eventshave built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the lastman in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.”

“You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings, and have now only to beashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept mybest wishes for your health and happiness.”

And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth heard him the next moment open the frontdoor and quit the house.

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9. Turning Point - Darcy's Letter (Chapter 35)

It is in Chapter 35, the chapter after Darcy's proposal to Elizabeth, that we start to see a fuller picture ofDarcy.

In this chapter, Darcy seeks out Elizabeth on her morning walk and awkwardly presents her with a letter.He leaves immediately after giving her the letter. The majority of Chapter 35 is the content of the letter, inwhich Darcy answers the accusations Lizzy lobbed at him when she rejected his proposal.

Her first accusation was that Darcy separated Bingley and Jane. Darcy admits that he did encourageBingley to drop Jane. However, he did it because he did not think Jane cared for Bingley as much asBingley cared for Jane and he did not want his friend to be hurt. Lizzy can see the truth in thisexplanation because Jane has always been reserved and afraid to show her feelings to anyone but Lizzy.

Darcy's explanation of Wickham's lie is troubling because it reveals sinister aspects of Wickham'scharacter. Darcy had indeed granted Wickham's inheritance, but Wickham quickly spent it throughgambling. When the money was gone, Wickham tried to elope with Darcy's younger sister, Georgianna.Georgianna was too young to understand that Wickham was only after her money, and Wickhammanipulated her. When Darcy intervened and Georgianna realized Wickham deceived her to get hermoney, she was devastated.

Darcy promises that he will not repeat the proposal that was "so disgusting" to Lizzy the night before.However, he wanted to write the letter so that she would know the truth of his actions.

Darcy's letter has a profound effect on Lizzy. Its details match so perfectly with other facts as she knowsthem that she absolutely believes him. She also recognizes that she has been terribly prejudiced againstDarcy. She considers how much of her distaste for him comes from the way her misconceptions havetinged her view of him. Although Lizzy can definitely be considered prejudiced against Darcy, she is alsoinnately honest and comes to recognize her flaw. Austen says in Chapter 36 that Lizzy "grew absolutelyashamed of herself.--Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had beenblind, partial, prejudiced, absurd."

This incident of Darcy's proposal and letter have broken both Darcy and Lizzy in different ways. Darcy isnow painfully aware of how his pride and disdain come across to others, and Lizzy is aware that she hasprejudged Darcy wrongly. This breaking of the characters is necessary for them to eventually cometogether. However, they do so only after a major crisis.

Click the next arrow to proceed to the next page.



10. The Crisis - Lydia and Wickham

Photo: Lydia and Mr. Wickham, Pride and Prejudice (2005)

On the previous page, I noted that a crisis takes place that helps, along with Darcy's letter, to draw Darcyand Elizabeth together. That crisis is Lydia.

You may remember Lydia from Chapter 1--she's the daughter that Mrs. Bennet mentions as being "goodhumoured." In fact, Lydia is the youngest and silliest of the Bennet daughters. She is spoiled and muchtoo boy-crazy and flirtatious for her own good.

Lydia begins flirting with Wickham, the military officer who told Lizzy the lie about Darcy. Wickham doesnot take her seriously and has no intention of marrying Lydia, but he does think he can seduce her. Hepersuades her to leave town with him, and they spend several nights together. Lydia leaves a note for herfamily telling them that she's eloping with Wickham, but they learn that Wickham has no intention ofmarrying her.

I cannot emphasize enough how devastating this situation would have been for the entire family in theRomantic Period.

Premarital sex was scandalous, and the weight of judgment tended to descend on the woman rather thanthe man. News of Lydia's trip with Wickham would have spread quickly, and her reputation would beruined. She would be banished from polite society. In fact, even her family would have to banish her sothat Lydia would not further taint the marriage prospects of her other sisters. No respectable familywould allow their son to marry a woman whose sister had done such a thing (much less the womanherself).

Jane and Lizzy are horrified that Lydia and Wickham have done this. Mr. Bennet and Lizzy's uncle,meanwhile, try to persuade Wickham to marry Lydia. While there would still be a scandal about themrunning off before they were married, the marriage would make things more tolerable to society.

The prospects of a marriage look bleak, but one day Mr. Bennet receives a letter saying that Wickham hasagreed to marry Lydia. No one really understands why Wickham has had the change of heart, buteveryone is relieved.

Lydia visits her family briefly after her wedding, and she inadvertently lets it slip that Mr. Darcy was ather wedding. This makes Lizzy suspicious--why would Darcy be there?--so she starts asking questions ofher aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, who arranged for the wedding. She learns that Wickham had the change of heartabout the marriage because Darcy paid him off. Her family was saved from scandal because of hisintervention.

The next page contains a selection from Chapter 54 in which Lizzy confesses to Darcy that she knowswhat he did and thanks him. This leads to another proposal that ends much more successfully than thefirst. :-)

Click the next arrow to continue to the Chapter 54 selection.




Photo: From Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Selection from Chapter 54

[Elizabeth said,] “Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving relief to my ownfeelings, care not how much I may be wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for yourunexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious toacknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not havemerely my own gratitude to express.”

“I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,” replied Darcy, in a tone of surprise and emotion, “that you have ever beeninformed of what may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner wasso little to be trusted.”

“You must not blame my aunt. Lydia's thoughtlessness first betrayed to me that you had been concernedin the matter; and, of course, I could not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again,in the name of all my family, for that generous compassion which induced you to take so much trouble,and bear so many mortifications, for the sake of discovering them.”

“If you will thank me,” he replied, “let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to youmight add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. Butyour family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you.”

Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, “You aretoo generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so atonce. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.”

Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herselfto speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments hadundergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive withgratitude and pleasure his present assurances. The happiness which this reply produced, was such as hehad probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as aman violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eye, she might haveseen how well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him; but, though shecould not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings, which, in proving of what importance she wasto him, made his affection every moment more valuable.

Click the next arrow to read a selection from Chapter 59, in which Mr. Darcy seeks Mr. Bennet'spermission for Lizzy's hand in marriage.




This selection describes Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth asking Mr. Bennet for the blessing on their marriage.

In the evening, soon after Mr. Bennet withdrew to the library, she saw Mr. Darcy rise also and follow him,and her agitation on seeing it was extreme. She did not fear her father's opposition, but he was going to bemade unhappy; and that it should be through her means—that she, his favourite child, should bedistressing him by her choice, should be filling him with fears and regrets in disposing of her—was awretched reflection, and she sat in misery till Mr. Darcy appeared again, when, looking at him, she was alittle relieved by his smile. In a few minutes he approached the table where she was sitting with Kitty; and,while pretending to admire her work said in a whisper, “Go to your father, he wants you in the library.”She was gone directly.

Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious. “Lizzy,” said he, “what are you doing?Are you out of your senses, to be accepting this man? Have not you always hated him?”

How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, her expressionsmore moderate! It would have spared her from explanations and professions which it was exceedinglyawkward to give; but they were now necessary, and she assured him, with some confusion, of herattachment to Mr. Darcy.

“Or, in other words, you are determined to have him. He is rich, to be sure, and you may have more fineclothes and fine carriages than Jane. But will they make you happy?”

“Have you any other objection,” said Elizabeth, “than your belief of my indifference?”

“None at all. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing if youreally liked him.”

“I do, I do like him,” she replied, with tears in her eyes, “I love him. Indeed he has no improper pride. Heis perfectly amiable. You do not know what he really is; then pray do not pain me by speaking of him insuch terms.”

“Lizzy,” said her father, “I have given him my consent. He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I shouldnever dare refuse anything, which he condescended to ask. I now give it to you, if you are resolved onhaving him. But let me advise you to think better of it. I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that youcould be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked up tohim as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. Youcould scarcely escape discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable torespect your partner in life. You know not what you are about.”

Elizabeth, still more affected, was earnest and solemn in her reply; and at length, by repeated assurancesthat Mr. Darcy was really the object of her choice, by explaining the gradual change which her estimationof him had undergone, relating her absolute certainty that his affection was not the work of a day, but hadstood the test of many months' suspense, and enumerating with energy all his good qualities, she didconquer her father's incredulity, and reconcile him to the match.

“Well, my dear,” said he, when she ceased speaking, “I have no more to say. If this be the case, he deservesyou. I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.”



Click the next arrow for a selection from Chapter 60, which reveals the tenderness, playfulness, andopenness that have developed between Darcy and Lizzy.




This selection reveals the playfulness and openness that have developed between Darcy and Elizabeth astheir relationship has progressed.

Selection from Chapter 60Elizabeth's spirits soon rising to playfulness again, she wanted Mr. Darcy to account for his having everfallen in love with her. “How could you begin?” said she. “I can comprehend your going on charmingly,when you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off in the first place?”

“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too longago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”

“My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my manners—my behaviour to you was at least alwaysbordering on the uncivil, and I never spoke to you without rather wishing to give you pain than not. Nowbe sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?”

“For the liveliness of your mind, I did.”

“You may as well call it impertinence at once. It was very little less. The fact is, that you were sick ofcivility, of deference, of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who were alwaysspeaking, and looking, and thinking for your approbation alone. I roused, and interested you, because Iwas so unlike them. Had you not been really amiable, you would have hated me for it; but in spite of thepains you took to disguise yourself, your feelings were always noble and just; and in your heart, youthoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously courted you. There—I have saved you the trouble ofaccounting for it; and really, all things considered, I begin to think it perfectly reasonable. To be sure, youknew no actual good of me—but nobody thinks of that when they fall in love.”

“Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was ill at Netherfield?”

“Dearest Jane! who could have done less for her? But make a virtue of it by all means. My good qualitiesare under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongsto me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may be; and I shall begin directlyby asking you what made you so unwilling to come to the point at last. What made you so shy of me, whenyou first called, and afterwards dined here? Why, especially, when you called, did you look as if you didnot care about me?”

“Because you were grave and silent, and gave me no encouragement.”

“But I was embarrassed.”

“And so was I.”

“You might have talked to me more when you came to dinner.”

“A man who had felt less, might.”

Selections from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice...Jane Austen does a wonderful job of setting the...

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Transcript of Selections from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice...Jane Austen does a wonderful job of setting the...