Pride and Prejudice

List of Characters
Elizabeth Bennet is the novel‟s twenty-year-old protagonist and hero. She is the second of the
five Bennet daughters, and the favorite of her father, since she is the most intelligent and
sensible of the girls. She is the least favorite of Mrs. Bennet, who much prefers her prettier and
livelier daughters. Elizabeth (also called “Lizzy”) is courted first by Mr. Collins, then Mr.
Wickham, then Mr. Darcy. She acquires an immediate dislike for Darcy, but eventually the two
begin to understand one another, and they end happily married.

Mrs. Bennet has one goal in life: to get her daughters married well. Ironically, her obsessive
pursuit of proper (read: wealthy) matches for her daughters nearly backfires, as potential suitors
are repulsed by her behavior. The opening chapter establishes her as “a woman of mean
understanding, little information, and uncertain temper” (3). The daughter of a Meryton
attorney, she received a dowry of 4,000 pounds upon her marriage to Mr. Bennet.

Mr. Bennet, “an odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, and caprice” (3), is the patriarch
of the Bennet family. His relationship with his wife is not one of equals; at best she amuses him,
at worst annoys and disappoints him. He loves his daughters, particularly Elizabeth, but
generally fails as a parent by refusing to educate or control their young instincts. Due to an
entail, his estate will pass to the nearest male relative, Mr. Collins.

Jane Bennet, at twenty-two years of age, is the oldest and most beautiful Bennet daughter. She
is often referred to as “Miss Bennet.” A constant optimist, she finds it hard to think badly of
anyone, even with a preponderance of evidence indicating the negative. Her lovely appearance
and positive disposition are greatly prized by her mother, who expects her to make a good
marriage. Jane falls in love with Mr. Bingley, a man well-suitedto her in temperament; after a
suitable season of separation and worry, the two marry happily.

Mary Bennet is the middle child of the Bennets. Studious and serious, she provides a foil to
Lydia, the youngest daughter. Mary wishes to be known as “accomplished” rather than pretty,
and enjoys displaying her musical skills at public events. Mary is unaware that her talents are
less than she might wish, and her family is at times embarrassed by these performances. She is
frequently moralizing and harshly judgmental at inappropriate times.

Catherine Bennet, also called Kitty, is the easily-influenced fourth Bennet sister. She is
initially closely allied to Lydia, and the two are obsessed with the comings and goings of the
officers of the local regiment. Later, she is influenced for the better by her older sisters in the
absence of Lydia. She is good friends with Maria Lucas, who lives nearby.
Lydia Bennet is fifteen years old and the youngest Bennet sister. Immature and impetuous, she
chases various soldiers and is a bad influence on her sister Kitty. She is Mrs. Bennet‟s favorite
of the girls. Much to the concern of her older sisters, Lydia‟s impulsiveness remains unchecked.
At sixteen, she elopes with Mr. Wickham and is nearly abandoned by him. She and the family
are narrowly saved from serious embarrassment due to her behavior, but Lydia seems not to
understand the depth of her plunge, and remains flighty, arrogant, and careless; she learns no
real lesson from her brush with infamy.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is Mr. Bingley‟s best friend and the nephew of Lady Catherine de
Bourgh. His aristocratic connections and considerable wealth make him a sought-after bachelor,
but his excessive pride causes much consternation among the ladies of the area. A man of great
pride, he is also honest and cautious. Despite initially insisting that there is not a pretty girl in
all of Meryton, he eventually becomes attached to Elizabeth Bennet, to whom he makes a
prideful, unromantic, (and rejected) proposal of marriage. Believing he merely speaks plainly,
Darcy fails to see that his speeches often shock and anger his audiences. After realizing his
haughty manner has been his downfall, Darcy learns humility, and eventually wins the hand of
Elizabeth.

Mr. Bingley is the source of much neighborhood gossip when he moves to Netherfield, an
estate neighboring Longbourne. Kind, generous, and easy-going, he immediately finds a
likeminded soul in Jane, despite her family‟s class and social inferiority. He is best friends with
Darcy, who steers him away from Jane, in part due to her poor connections. But Bingley cares
little for money or status. With honest modesty, he believes that he has not won Jane‟s
affection. Learning he has been deceived by his friend and sisters, he immediately returns to
Jane to set things right, and also hastily forgives Darcy for his interference.

Mr. Collins is a cleric and a cousin to the Bennets. Mr. Collins visits their home with the
intention of marrying one of the sisters, but the entire family finds him annoying and pompous,
particularly in his attachment to his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Collins is also the
beneficiary of the entail on the Longbourne estate; when Mr. Bennet dies, he will receive it.
Without any real affection, he proposes to Elizabeth, who rejects him outright in a very
humorous scene in which Collins believes she is just playing coy. Despite his failure with
Elizabeth, he does manage to land a wife—Charlotte Lucas— the very next day. His obsequious
manner and absurd formality are repeatedly a source of humor in the novel.

Mr. Geborge Wickham is a charming and handsome officer in the militia posted in Meryton.
Elizabeth becomes interested in him, only to find that he soon moves on to another young
woman who has recently come into an inheritance. He lies about his own history and that of
Darcy, imputing Darcy‟s good name. It is later revealed that he attempted to seduce Darcy‟s
sister Georgiana. He causes a great scandal by running off withLydia, presumably with no
intention of marrying her. He is able to gain both money and position from Mr. Darcy, who
intervenes on behalf of the Bennets. Wickham remains charming to the end, but also continues
to be a gambler and money-waster. Wickham‟s behavior has been so insulting, that he is never
allowed to visit Pemberley when Lydia comes to visit Elizabeth.

Caroline Bingley is Bingley‟s snobbish sister. Although she is fond of Jane, she merely
tolerates Elizabeth, and scorns the rest of the Bennet family entirely. She attempts to win the
affection of Darcy, but only succeeds in making Elizabeth that much more agreeable to him.

Louisa Bingley Hurst is Bingley‟s sister who is married to Mr. Hurst, “a man of more fashion
than fortune” (10). She tends to share in Caroline‟s sentiments, but as a married sister, is
somewhat removed from some of the politics of the situation.

Georgiana Darcy is Darcy‟s sister. The Bingley sisters claim to be quite fond of her, but it is
possible that they are merely after the Darcy family connections, including both the money and
the proximity to Georgiana‟s eligible brother Darcy. Darcy is very attached to his sister. She is
known for having great musical talent. Darcy has gone to great lengths to protect his sister from
rumors that she nearly eloped with and had her heart broken by the charming Wickham.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a wealthy upper-class woman with a large estate. She is the
widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, and now lives at Rosings. She is used to getting her own way in
everything, and is a most unpleasant woman. She is Mr. Collins‟ patron, and he idolizes her,
though it is clear that she merely keeps him around to flatter her. She is also Darcy„s aunt, but
he is less tolerant of her high airs.

Mr. Gardiner is Mrs. Bennet‟s brother. He is married and has four children with his wife. He
and his wife are quite fond ofthe Bennet girls, particularly Elizabeth, and prove much better
parents than the Bennets. It is Mr. Gardiner who works to recover Lydia in London, and the
family believes that they are indebted to him for payments to Wickham to ensure their marriage.

Mrs. Gardiner is Mr. Gardiner‟s wife, and sister-in-law to Mrs. Bennet. A mother of four
children (two girls and two boys), she is a sensible and observant woman, but knows how to
keep her surmises to herself. She watches Mr. Darcy‟s behavior towards Elizabeth, and easily
sees their attachment, but does nothing to reveal her knowledge or endanger the relationship.
Elizabeth is quite attached to her.

Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeth‟s best friend, and is six years her senior. She is the oldest child (at
27) of the Lucases. When she receives and accepts a marriage proposal from Mr. Collins the
day following his proposal to (and rejection by) Elizabeth, Elizabeth begins to question their
friendship, and fears they will never be close again. Although Elizabeth does visit the Collins‟
home, she never feels the same closeness with Charlotte.
Colonel Forster is the commander of the militia regiment of which Wickham is a member. He
is attentive and kind to the Bennet family after Lydia runs off with Wickham, and makes every
attempt to find the two.

Mrs. Harriet Forster becomes a friend of Lydia while her husband‟s regiment is stationed at
Meryton. She invites her to join them in Brighton, where Lydia runs off with Wickham.

Anne de Bourgh is Lady Catherine‟s daughter. She is quiet, sickly, and apparently snobbish.

Summary and Analysis

The opening one-sentence paragraph of Volume I, chapter 1— “It is a truth universally
acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife”
— goes far towards illustrating the tone of the narrative that follows. We are immediately
plunged into a conversation occurring between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, regarding a new arrival in
the neighborhood. The fact that the Bennet household contains five single daughters makes that
fact that the new arrival is rumored to be a single man of good fortune (who therefore must be
in want of a wife), quite notable. The new arrival, named Mr. Bingley, is a subject of great
importance to Mrs.Bennet, but of little interest to her husband. We also learn of other locals in
the area, including Mrs. Long, who provided the initial rumor, Mr. Morris, who was involved in
the procurement of the estate, and Sir William and Lady Lucas, who will be visiting Bingley,
much to Mrs.Bennet‟s concern, as the Lucases have marriageable daughters as well. Mr. Bennet
immediately makes clear his preference for daughter Lizzy, and Mrs. Bennet seems equally
clear of her lack of favoritism for this girl, preferring Jane for her beauty and Lydia for her
larks. Mrs. Bennet‟s character is summed up in the closing lines of the chapter: “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.” Mrs.
Bennet will not modulate far from this, and indeed, the opening discussion between the two sets
the model for their future interactions; Mr. Bennet tolerates and is general amused by Mrs.
Bennet, while Mrs. Bennet feels afflicted by her husband‟s lack of concern for gossip and
disdain for local neighborhood politics.

Chapter 2 opens by informing us that Mr. Bennet has indeed visited Mr. Bingley, although he
has kept this information from the ladies. Mrs. Bennet exclaim how her girls will ever be
introduced to him, until he finally reveals that he has paid the visit, which brings great pleasure
to Mrs. Bennet and leads Lydia to anticipate a forthcoming ball.
In chapter 3, the Bennet ladies attempt to gain information about Mr. Bingley from Mr.
Bennet. Mr. Bingley politely returns the visit, but only sees Mr. Bennet, although the girls do
manage to get a good look at him from an upstairs window. We learn that Mr. Bingley has
heard of the girls and their great beauty, and is disappointed at not seeing them. Mrs.
Bennet extends a dinner invitation, which Bingley cannot accept. But Bingley does arrive at
the ball, along with his two sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, the sister‟s husband (Mr.
Hurst), and his friend Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy prove a study in contrast. Mr.
Bingley is described as “Good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance,
and easy, unaffected manners” While Bingley dances every dance and makes himself
amiable to every guest, Darcy refuses to dance with women other than Bingley’s sisters, and
is pronounced most disagreeable by everyone present. Elizabeth overhears him slight her, which
doesn‟t seem to bother her much, as “she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in
anything ridiculous,” Mr. Bingley dances twice with Jane, and all the Bennet women are
pleased with the outcome of the evening. The chapter ends with the ladies returning home to
tell Mr. Bennet of their conquests. He is little interested in their tales. Mrs. Bennet reports on
both Jane’s success with Bingley and the horrid behavior of Darcy. Jane and Elizabeth
discuss their evening in chapter 4; Jane confesses her admiration for Bingley. We learn more
of Jane‟s disposition from the exchange between the two sisters. Jane is kind and generous,
and always eager to think the best of everyone. Elizabeth claims that Jane likes “to take the
good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad” (10).
We also learn the details of Mr. Bingley‟s fortune; he has inherited a hundred thousand
pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an estate, but died before he was able to
do so. We learn of Bingley‟s relationships with his sisters, who both find Jane Bennet to be a
sweet girl. Bingley has a very high regard for and close relationship with Darcy, who “was
clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners,
though well-bred, were not inviting.” When Bingley and Darcy discuss the ball, Bingley
reports that he has thoroughly enjoyed himself, and that “He could not conceive an angel
more beautiful” than Jane Bennet. Darcy, on the other hand, claims that he saw no beauty,
no fashion, and very little that pleased or interested him. The Lucas family is introduced in
chapter 5. Sir William Lucas, known as “inoffensive, friendly, and obliging”, made his
fortune as a trader in Meryton. The family lives in Lucas Lodge, not far from Longbourn. The
Lucases have several children, the oldest of which is Charlotte, aged 27, who is a dear
friend of Elizabeth. The Lucas ladies visit the Bennets to discuss the previous evening‟s ball.
Mrs. Bennet again raises the point that Mr. Bingley chose to dance with Jane twice, and
further abuses Mr. Darcy’s character for his slight of Elizabeth.

Chapter 6 revolves around the exchange of visits between the Bennets and the Bingleys. Miss
Bingley and Mrs. Hurst particularly like Jane and Elizabeth, but find their mother
intolerable and their younger sisters worthless. Jane is pleased by their courteous treatment
of her; Elizabeth is annoyed by their haughty treatment of the rest of the family. Elizabeth
and her friend Charlotte discuss the growing connection between Jane and Bingley.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth is unaware that Mr. Darcy has begun to observe her with growing
interest; she has no idea that “he began to wish to know more of her” Mr. Darcy’s attempts
to observe and join conversations with Elizabeth are a source of annoyance to her.
Meanwhile, she is offended at her sister Mary‟s performance: “Mary had neither genius nor
taste; and though vanity had given her application. Sir Lucas attempts civilities with Darcy
about the pleasures of dancing, but Darcy never dances, and haughtily intones that “every
savage can dance” Mr. Lucas mistakenly attempts to get Darcy to dance with Elizabeth, but
the refusals on both sides make for an awkward moment. Miss Bingley approaches Darcy with
the intent of belittling the party they are attending, but she miscalculates; Darcy does not join
in her critique, and instead comments on Elizabeth‟s “fine eyes”. Miss Bingley abuses the
character of the Bennet family (particularly Mrs. Bennet), but Darcy ignores her, although
Miss Bingley is unaware of this.

Chapter 7 begins with an explanation of the economic situation of the Bennets. Mr. Bennet has
an estate of two thousand pounds a year, which is entailed to male heirs. Since the Bennets
are all daughters, upon Mr. Bennet‟s death, the estate will go to the nearest male heir, a Mr.
Collins. The only other money in the family is the four thousand pounds given to Mrs. Bennet
by her father, an attorney. Mrs. Bennet has a sister, married to Mr. Phillips, who lives in the
town of Meryton, only a mile distant from Longbourn. A militia regiment is stationed in the
town, and the younger girls suddenly have an extra incentive to visit their aunt. Catherine
(who is usually called Kitty) and Lydia are particularly enamored of these military men. Jane
is invited to Netherfield, which overjoys Mrs. Bennet, who manages it so that Jane must go on
horseback, with the hope that bad weather will follow and Jane will have to stay overnight.
Although this element of the plan is successful, it has the unfortunate side effect of making
Jane take ill. The next morning, Elizabeth walks to Netherfield to see her sister. She is
invited to stay until her sister is well enough to go home.

Chapter 8 accounts an entertaining evening of parlor play at Netherfield. While Jane is ill,
Elizabeth dines and socializes with the Bingleys and Darcy. Darcy plainly admires her,
making Miss Bingley jealous, as she wishes to marry him herself. Jane is still ill, so they
decide to call a doctor the next morning. Jane is feeling better the next morning, when
chapter 9 opens. Mrs. Bennet arrives at Jane’s request, and insists that Jane is far worse,
and cannot possibly be moved without damage to her health. Of course, this is all part of her
ploy to keep Jane at Netherfield for as long as possible. Mrs. Bennet continues to mortify
Elizabeth, discussing with Darcy the advantages of country life over London city living.
She lets Mr. Bingley know that she keeps servants so that her daughters do not have to do
housework or cooking (unlike the Lucases){hahahahaha}
At this rather inappropriate moment, Lydia reminds Bingley that he promised to give a ball
at Netherfield; he promises to set the date as soon as Jane is better. Lydia further
embarrasses Elizabeth by referring to the pleasure of having the military men included.
During chapter 10 Jane continues to recover at Netherfield, and Elizabeth stays to mind her
sister. She also dines with the family and their guests, and is able to observe the behavior
of Miss Bingley and Darcy. Miss Bingley, attempting to gain the attentions of Darcy,
compliments him excessively on his letter writing, but her behavior only annoys him. She
teases him about his attraction to Elizabeth, but her behavior once again only makes Elizabeth
look more appealing to Darcy. Elizabeth notices Darcy’s observation of her, but cannot
account for it, as she believes that he dislikes her. But she is not bothered, as “she liked him
too little to care for his approbation” After they exchange comments about dancing, “Darcy
had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her” Although Darcy can admire
Elizabeth, her family is never far from his mind, and prevents his true consideration of her as
a proper match. The party goes for a walk in the garden, and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley
are openly rude to Elizabeth; Darcy attempts to make up for it, but before he can, Elizabeth
gracefully and gleefully removes herself from their party, and joins Jane. Jane is well enough
to join the ladies in the parlor after dinner in chapter 11, and Elizabeth finds that they are all
quite more agreeable in her presence, at least until the men arrive. But with the entrance of
Darcy, Miss Bingley immediately turns her attention to him. Miss Bingley tells Elizabeth
that Mr. Darcy cannot be laughed at, and Elizabeth finds this to be a great character flaw
indeed. The three joke and parry about character flaws, and Darcy admits that his greatest
weakness is a resentful temper and that he holds a grudge. Their playful talk is ended by Miss
Bingley, who insists on musical entertainment for the group because she feels left out of the
conversation. Jane and Elizabeth are ready to return home at the start of chapter 12. Their
mother makes efforts to keep them there by refusing to send the carriage, but the girls borrow
Mr. Bingley‟s and are on their way. The Bingley sisters and Mr. Darcy are relieved to see
them leave, though for different reasons. Miss Bingley is glad to be rid of her competition,
but Darcy is simply glad to be spared further rudeness by Miss Bingley towards Elizabeth,
who continues to “attract him more than he liked” Mrs. Bennet is annoyed with their early
return. Mary is engrossed in her music, while Catherine and Lydia talk only of the militia.
At the beginning of chapter 13, Mr. Bennet announces that they will receive a guest in the
house, their cousin, Mr. Collins, who is also the man who will inherit the Longbourn estate.
Mr. Collins‟ pompous letter is read aloud; He intends that his visit reunite him with the family
(his father had a falling out with Mr. Bennet before his death). Mr. Collins, the rector of Lady
de Bourgh‟s parish in Hunsford, is 25 years old, excessively formal and obsequious, and eager
to show his connections with nobility. He informs the girls that he has come “prepared to
admire them” indicating that he intends to marry one of them so that the entire family may
remain in the Longbourn estate. Although she does not dwell extensively on it, Austen
portrays the serious limitations that the economic and social order of her society placed on
women. Lacking an inheritance, the Bennet women must marry well or face hardship. Their
marrying well is further impaired by their lack of an inheritance. Throughout chapter 14,
Collins repeatedly praises his patroness, and his own good fortune in being so closely connected
with her socially. He mentions her daughter, “the most charming young lady” who is not in
good health, which results in Lady de Bourgh staying home a great deal. The fact that Mr.
Collins is an absurd character immediately makes us suspect his judgment of the de Bourghs,
who we will not meet first-hand for several chapters. These descriptions prepare the Bennets
and the reader for that future meeting. Mr. Bennet is completely amused by Mr. Collins’
absurd talk, but he soon grows tired of him. Perhaps to be an annoyance to his daughters, he
suggests that Mr. Collins read aloud to them. Mr. Collins reads from a series of sermons, much
to the ladies‟ disappointment. Mr. Collins hints in chapter 15 that he is interested in Jane; Mrs.
Bennet suggests that she is likely to be engaged to another (implying Bingley), so in his ever-
practical way, Collins immediately moves on to the second daughter. Mr. Collins and the
girls walk to Meryton to see their aunt, Mrs. Phillips, and on the way meet some of the militia
officers, including Mr. Denny, who Lydia and Catherine already know. He introduces them
to Mr. Wickham. Soon after their meeting, Bingley and Darcy arrive as well and explain that
they had attempted to seek the ladies at Longbourn. Elizabeth watches as Darcy and Mr.
Wickham see each other and change color; they seem barely able to exchange civilities.
Darcy and Bingley hurry on. The girls and Mr. Collins relax at Mrs. Phillips‟ house, and she
invites them to a party the following night.

In chapter 16 the girls and Mr. Collins return to Mrs. Phillips‟ as promised. Upon their arrival,
they learn that Mr. Wickham is there. Mr. Collins again goes on about Lady Catherine and her
estate at Rosings; Mrs. Phillips is an engaged listener. Mr. Wickham is acknowledged by all as
the most superior of men, and Elizabeth has the pleasure of receiving a great measure of his
attentions for the evening. Wickham takes the opportunity to explain the awkward meeting
between himself and Darcy, telling Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy has done him a grave ill by
refusing to make good on a promise that Mr. Darcy’s father made to Wickham. He claims
that he was to join the clergy, but that he was unable to do so because of Mr. Darcy‟s refusal to
give him the allowance promised by his father. Elizabeth is outraged, and wishes for Mr.
Darcy to be publicly humiliated for his behavior; Mr. Wickham will not hear of it, but is
relieved to hear that Elizabeth has found him prideful and rude, and that the general opinion
of him in Meryton is not a positive one. He also claims that Miss Darcy is very proud and
haughty like her brother. Wickham also explains the further connections of Darcy‟s family.
Since Lady Catherine de Bourgh and now-deceased Lady Anne Darcy are sisters, Lady
Catherine is Darcy‟s aunt, and it is rumored that Darcy and Lady Catherine‟s daughter were
intended for one another, in order to join the families‟ two fortunes. Wickham confirms
Elizabeth‟s suspicions that Lady Catherine is pompous and proud, and only gains her good
reputation (that we have heard from Collins) through her wealth and power. Elizabeth is much
impressed with Wickham, as are the other ladies of the company. Elizabeth shares her gossip
about Darcy with Jane at the opening of chapter 17, and Jane is astonished. Mr. Bingley and his
sisters arrive to invite them to the ball at Netherfield for the following Tuesday, and the rest of
the chapter involves the preparations for the event. Mr. Collins asks Elizabeth if she will dance
with him at the ball, and “it now first struck her, that she was selected from among her sisters as
worthy of being the mistress of Hunsford Parsonage” this is not a thought that pleases her.
Chapter 18 opens at the much-anticipated ball. Elizabeth is disappointed to find that Wickham
is not there, and further vexed to think that the reason is Mr. Darcy. The first two dances, which
she has promised to Mr. Collins, are painful to her, and “the moment of her release from him
was ecstasy” She then dances with others, and learns that Wickham is “universally liked”
further endearing him to her. She is taken by surprise by an offer from Darcy to dance; the two
make awkward conversation, and Elizabeth tells him “I have always seen a great similarity in
the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak,
unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room” Although she means this as
a compliment to neither, it does indeed point out a similarity between the two that will become
a striking feature of their relationship. Elizabeth brings up Darcy‟s previous comment about
being unforgiving, and the two discuss judgment; Elizabeth says “It is particularly incumbent
on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly first” (71). This of
course is a theme of the novel; Elizabeth wishes to have a clear judgment of him, but Darcy
asks that she defer judgment for a time, to learn more of him. After their cold separation, Miss
Bingley approaches Elizabeth, saying she has heard from her sister that she is enamored of
George Wickham. She warns Elizabeth about him, telling her that he was the son of Mr.
Darcy‟s steward, and warns her “not to give implicit confidence to all his assertions; for as to
Mr. Darcy‟s using him ill, it is perfectly false” Elizabeth does not take the information kindly,
and Miss Bingley turns away sneering. Mr. Collins approaches Elizabeth with his exciting
news: he has just learned that a nephew of Lady Catherine is present (meaning Darcy). He
intends to introduce himself, a great breech of etiquette; Elizabeth attempts to dissuade him, but
he explains that his position in the clergy entitles him to such an act (it doesn‟t). Elizabeth
watches from afar, and sees the awkwardness of it all; Mr. Collins is oblivious and returns
thinking he has been triumphant. Mrs. Bennet has been talking loudly and freely to Mrs. Lucas
of her belief that Jane will soon be engaged to Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth is mortified, and begs her
to stop, if only to avoid the notice of Mr. Darcy. Mary has been singing, and Elizabeth also
wishes this would stop; her father intervenes to ask her to allow another girl to sing. Mr. Collins
goes on about his duties as clergy. Elizabeth is completely mortified by the behavior of every
member of her family, and particularly perturbed by the constant presence of Mr. Collins at her
side. Mrs. Bennet once again manages to delay her carriage so that the Bennets are the last to
leave the hall, and they have clearly overstayed their welcome. At the end of the chapter, Mrs.
Bennet fully believes that her daughter Jane will be married to Bingley and Elizabeth will be
married to Collins; she feels these are appropriate matches for each daughter. Chapter 19 opens
with Mr. Collins‟ startling proposal of marriage to Elizabeth. When Mr. Collins requests a
private audience with her, Elizabeth begs her sisters to stay, but Mrs. Bennet makes a great
show of removing them all. Mr. Collins‟ proposal is perhaps one of the most comical scenes in
the novel. He explains his reasons for marrying, and for selecting Elizabeth, none of which have
anything at all to do with her personal qualities. Elizabeth repeatedly makes her refusal clear,
but Mr. Collins refuses to accept; he believes she is merely playing games, and claims that her
refusals only make her more agreeable to him. Becoming more frustrated, he makes shocking
statements: “in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of
marriage may ever be made to you” He continues to believe that Elizabeth is merely trying to be
charming, and the chapter ends with Elizabeth leaving the room, with Collins insisting that she
will be brought around as soon as he officially approaches her parents. Mrs. Bennet returns in
chapter 20 to congratulate Mr. Collins; she is shocked to hear that Elizabeth declined, but Mr.
Collins assures her that it was mere modesty and charm. Mrs. Bennet is alarmed nonetheless,
and goes to Mr. Bennet to insist that Lizzy marry Collins. Elizabeth is summoned, and Mr.
Bennet explains the situation: “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day
you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do
not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do” This kind of humor is typical of
Mr. Bennet, as are his wife‟s and daughter‟s reactions to his comment. Mrs. Bennet isoutraged,
and Elizabeth is comforted by having her father‟s immediate understanding of her loathing of
Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins is not really upset by the rejection, since ultimately, “His regard for her
was quite imaginary” Mrs. Bennet remains dismal and sickly due to Elizabeth‟s refusal, but the
rest of the family agrees that Elizabeth has made the right decision. In chapter 21, Mr. Collins
responds to Elizabeth‟s rejection with “stiffness of manner and resentful silence” (88). The girls
walk to Meryton to inquire after Mr. Wickham; he walks back with Elizabeth, and explains his
absence from the ball. Elizabeth is pleased by his attentions. Jane receives a letter from Caroline
Bingley that surprises and disappoints her; the Bingleys have all left Netherfield for town, and
do not intend to return to Hertfordshire any time soon. Even more distressing is Caroline‟s cruel
implication that they are going to visit Mr. Darcy‟s sister, Georgiana, and that they hope that
their brother will marry her. Elizabeth tries to comfort her sister, but is quite incensed at Miss
Bingley‟s behavior. They agree to tell their mother that the party has left Netherfield, but no
more; nonetheless, Mrs. Bennet is distressed by the news, although she concludes that he will
return soon for a promised dinner in Longbourn. Elizabeth thanks her friend Charlotte for
entertaining Mr. Collins during the day in Chapter 22; Charlotte claims it is no sacrifice, and
indeed, we soon learn that she hopes to engage Mr. Collins‟ affections for herself. She succeeds
immediately. Mr. Collins proposes, and Sir William and Lady Lucas immediately agree to the
match. Charlotte‟s thoughts on the matter are expressed by the narrator: “Mr. Collins, to be
sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her
must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or
of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honorable provision for
well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must
be their pleasantest preservative from want” Charlotte worries that the news may cause a shock
to her friend Elizabeth, so she asks Mr. Collins not to tell the Bennets until she first tells
Elizabeth. Mr. Collins complies and returns to the Bennets for his last night in their home. The
next morning, Charlotte visits Elizabeth and informs her of her engagement, explaining “I am
not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr.
Collins‟s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of
happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state” Elizabeth
believes the match completely unsuitable, and worries for her friend, who she believes cannot
possibly be happy with her choice. Before Elizabeth has a chance to tell the family about
Charlotte‟s engagement, Sir William Lucas arrives at the opening of chapter 23 to announce it
himself. They are all greatly shocked by the revelation; Mrs. Bennet is particularly angry at
Elizabeth, especially as Mrs. Lucas visits more often, referring to the joys of having a daughter
well married. The friendship between Elizabeth and Charlotte grows distant. Elizabeth turns to
Jane, who is waiting for a reply to her letter to Caroline Bingley. A laughable letter of thanks
arrives from Mr. Collins; unfortunately, it also brings tidings of his plan to visit them again
soon. He returns, much to the annoyance of all. Thankfully, he spends most of his time at Lucas
Lodge. Mrs. Bennet frets further over the situation of the entail, which means that after Mr.
Bennet‟s death, their home will go to Mr. Collins and Charlotte, a situation that she finds
enormously unjust, particularly since they already have a home through the parsonage at
Hunsford. This is the end of Volume I of the novel.
STUART TAVE ON “AFFECTION”
The form in which domestic felicity comes to Elizabeth and Darcy is unusual and it is there not
by luck. It comes, first, because both are amiable and that is a necessary foundation, but it
comes because on that is built something more. Above all, as Elizabeth knows, there must be
love, or to use the word Jane Austen prefers in such contexts, there must be “affection.” It is the
quieter, more general word, for an emotion of slower growth and more lasting therefore; but it
is, in this context, a strong word for a deep emotion.

Dialogue
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good
fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

“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 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.”