9/28/22, 11:41 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 1-6 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-1-6 1/6 Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. More books than SparkNotes. Section Navigation P r ide a n d P r ej u dice b y J a n e A ust e n P r ide a n d P r ej u dice S umm a ry a n d A n al ys i s o f V o l um e I , C ha pt e rs 1-6 S umm a ry C ha pt e r 1 T he nov el begi ns a t L on gb ourn , a t t he B e nn e t fa m il y e st a t e T he B e nn e ts a r e i mm e rs ed i n a n i n - de pt h c onv e rs a t i on ab out M r B i n gle y , " a s i n gle m a n o f la r ge f ortun e " w h o i s soon to i n habi t t he n ea r b y e st a t e o f N e t he r field P a r k M rs B e nn e t h op e s t ha t M r B i n gle y w ill be a pot e nt ial su i tor f or on e o f he r da u gh t e rs S he de sp e r a t el y w a nts he r h us ba n d to v i s i t hi m , h op i n g t ha t w ill sp a r k a n ac qu ai nt a n ce M r B e nn e t r e m ai ns al oo f , h ow e v e r , a n d r ef us e s to c omm i t H i s a tt i tu de i n f ur ia t e s hi s w ife , w h os e pr i m a ry life c on ce rn i s fi n di n g h us ba n d s f or he r da u gh t e rs T he r e a r e fi v e da u gh t e rs i n t he B e nn e t fa m il y ( f rom o lde st to youn ge st ): J a n e , E li z abe t h M a ry , K i tty , a n d L y dia I t i s clea r f rom t he begi nn i n g o f t he nov el t ha t M r B e nn e t pr efe rs E li z abe t h beca us e o f he r pr ac t ical n a tur e M rs B e nn e t , on t he ot he r ha n d , a pp ea rs to be mor e f on d o f J a n e beca us e o f he r bea uty , a n d o f L y dia beca us e o f he r g oo d h umor C ha pt e r 2 M r B e nn e t v i s i ts M r B i n gle y w i t h out t elli n g hi s fa m il y a n d on l y m e nt i ons i t non chala nt l y a fe w da ys la t e r H e had al w a ys i nt e n ded to v i s i t , b ut ke pt r ef us i n g i n or de r to i r k M rs B e nn e t A f t e r hi s r e v ela t i on , M r B e nn e t c ont i nu e s to a nnoy hi s w ife - a n d t hei r youn ge r da u gh t e rs , too - b y r ef us i n g to a nsw e r a ny o f t hei r qu e st i ons ab out t he myst e r i ous B i n gle y 9/28/22, 11:41 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 1-6 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-1-6 2/6 C ha pt e r 3 M r B i n gle y r e turns M r B e nn e t ' s v i s i t a fe w da ys la t e r , b ut t he wom e n d o not m ee t hi m a t t ha t po i nt M rs B e nn e t ' s on l y i n f orm a t i on ab out B i n gle y c om e s f rom he r n eighb or , M rs L u ca s A f t e r hea r i n g ab out hi m , M rs B e nn e t bec om e s c onv i n ced t ha t s he w ill be able to sn a t ch B i n gle y f or on e o f he r da u gh t e rs S he i nv i t e s B i n gle y to di nn e r U n f ortun a t el y , he i s f or ced to decli n e beca us e o f hi s c omm i tm e nt to fe t ch a p a rty f rom L on d on to a tt e n d a ball he i s t h row i n g a t n ea r b y M e ryton O n t he n igh t o f t he M e ryton ball , t he B e nn e t ladie s fi n all y m ee t M r B i n gle y , hi s s i st e rs ( C a ro li n e a n d M rs H urst ), a n d M r D a r c y , hi s f r ie n d f rom L on d on T he B e nn e t gi r l s qu ickl y j u dge M r D a r c y to be " t he prou de st , most di s ag r eeable m a n i n t he wor ld " beca us e o f hi s r e s e rv e a n d hi s unw illi n g n e ss to da n ce w i t h a nyon e outs ide o f hi s own p a rty A t on e po i nt , B i n gle y e n c our age s D a r c y to da n ce w i t h E li z abe t h , w h o i s not da n ci n g ei t he r , b ut he r ef us e s E li z abe t h ov e r hea rs D a r c y de s c r ibe he r a s " to le r able ; b ut not ha n d som e e nou gh to t e mpt m e ." S he i s un de rst a n dabl y outr aged , a n d t he e n c ount e r so lidifie s he r ill op i n i on o f hi m O n t he ot he r ha n d , t he B e nn e t gi r l s fi n d M r B i n gle y to be e nt i r el y a m iable H e da n ce s t he fi rst da n ce w i t h C ha r l ott e L u ca s , t he B e nn e ts ' s n eighb or a n d E li z abe t h ' s be st f r ie n d , b ut he s ee ms to be most i nt e r e st ed i n J a n e , w i t h w h om he da n ce s tw ice a n d t alk s f r e qu e nt l y U pon r e turn i n g h om e , M rs B e nn e t a tt e mpts to de s c r ibe t he ball to M r B e nn e t , b ut he i s i n diffe r e nt to t he n e ws a n d bec om e s qu ickl y i rr i t a t ed w i t h e v e ryt hi n g hi s w ife s a ys C ha pt e r 4 W he n t he y a r e al on e , J a n e ad m i ts he r feeli n g s f or B i n gle y to E li z abe t h I t i s clea r t ha t t he s i st e rs a r e qu i t e cl os e E li z abe t h a pprov e s o f B i n gle y , b ut ca ut i ons J a n e to be ce rt ai n o f t he n a tur e o f he r feeli n g s beca us e t he o lde r B e nn e t da u gh t e r n e v e r s ee s fa u l t i n a nyon e T he y al so di s c uss C a ro li n e a n d B i n gle y ' s ot he r s i st e rs E li z abe t h f oun d t he m to be sno bbi s h , b ut J a n e de s c r ibe s t he m a s cha rm i n g T he n a rr a tor t he n r e v eal s som e i mport a nt p e rson al i n f orm a t i on ab out B i n gle y a n d D a r c y B i n gle y i s e xtr a or di n a r il y w eal t h y beca us e o f a la r ge i n he r i t a n ce f rom hi s la t e fa t he r H e ha s bee n f r ie n d s w i t h D a r c y f or a l on g t i m e , de sp i t e t hei r oppos i t e p e rson ali t ie s B i n gle y i s ea sy - g o i n g a n d op e n , w hile D a r c y i s ha u gh ty a n d r e s e rv ed W hile B i n gle y f oun d t he c omp a ny a t t he M e ryton ball to be qu i t e a m iable , D a r c y s a w no on e w i t h w h om he w i s hed to a sso cia t e D a r c y e v e n fi n d s fa u l t w i t h t he bea ut if u l J a n e ; s he sm ile s too mu ch f or hi s t a st e B i n gle y ' s s i st e rs a pprov e o f J a n e , t h ou gh , w hich m ake s t hei r b rot he r ha ppy C ha pt e r 5 T he n a rr a tor de s c r ibe s t he L u ca s fa m il y , w h o li v e n ea r L on gb ourn S i r W illia m L u ca s w a s on ce a m e r cha nt , b ut he ha s bec om e ov e r l y prou d af t e r bei n g k n igh t ed H i s w ife , M rs L u ca s , i s a cl os e c on fida nt o f M rs B e nn e t , a n d t hei r da u gh t e r C ha r l ott e i s E li z abe t h ' s cl os e st f r ie n d T he da y af t e r t he ball , C ha r l ott e a n d M rs L u ca s v i s i t t he B e nn e t ladie s to s ha r e t hei r e xp e r ie n ce s T he y all vo ice t hei r ge n e r al ad m i r a t i on f or J a n e a n d s ha r e t he belief t ha t B i n gle y i s a ttr ac t ed to he r T he y al so c r i t ici z e D a r c y beca us e o f hi s pr ide M a ry r e m a r k s t ha t pr ide i s un i v e rs al to h um a n n a tur e , a n d a rt ic u la t e s t he diffe r e n ce be tw ee n pr ide a n d v a n i ty S he c omm e nts , " P r ide r ela t e s mor e to our op i n i on o f ours el v e s , v a n i ty to w ha t w e wou ld ha v e ot he rs t hi n k o f us ." C ha pt e r 6 9/28/22, 11:41 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 1-6 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-1-6 3/6 T h ou gh t he y d o not ca r e f or M rs B e nn e t or t he youn ge r B e nn e t s i st e rs , B i n gle y ' s s i st e rs bec om e ac qu ai nt ed w i t h J a n e a n d E li z abe t h ov e r t he c ours e o f s e v e r al v i s i ts J a n e i s p lea s ed b y t hei r a tt e nt i on , w hile E li z abe t h r e m ai ns c r i t ical o f t he m T he B e nn e t s i st e rs al so s ee B i n gle y a n d D a r c y on o cca s i on W he n E li z abe t h sp eak s to C ha r l ott e ab out B i n gle y ' s affec t i on f or J a n e , C ha r l ott e t ell s E li z abe t h t ha t J a n e must be mor e o b v i ous ab out he r affec t i on , le st t he " un if orm chee r f u l n e ss o f [ he r ] m a nn e r " di s c our age B i n gle y C ha r l ott e belie v e s t ha t a wom a n s h ou ld s h ow mor e affec t i on t ha n s he feel s i n or de r to a ttr ac t a m a n , c omm e nt i n g t ha t " ha pp i n e ss i n m a rr iage i s e nt i r el y a m a tt e r o f cha n ce ." E li z abe t h i s s ke pt ical o f b ot h a ss e rt i ons D ur i n g t hi s p e r i o d , M r D a r c y g rows i nt e r e st ed i n E li z abe t h H e i s a ttr ac t ed to he r da r k , i nt ellige nt e y e s a n d t he " ea sy p la y f u l n e ss " o f he r m a nn e r A t a di nn e r held b y S i r W illia m L u ca s , D a r c y ea v e s d rops on a c onv e rs a t i on be tw ee n E li z abe t h a n d S i r W illia m L u ca s S i r W illia m , un a w a r e o f D a r c y ' s affec t i ons , beg s E li z abe t h to da n ce w i t h D a r c y - b ut s he st eadfa st l y r ef us e s D a r c y m e nt i ons hi s ad m i r a t i on f or E li z abe t h to C a ro li n e B i n gle y C a ro li n e r e spon d s to hi s r e v ela t i on b y c r i t ici z i n g t he B e nn e t fa m il y , b ut D a r c y d o e s not p a rt ake he r t he mo cke ry A n al ys i s T he op e n i n g cha pt e rs o f P r ide a n d P r ej u dice s e rv e to qu ickl y i ntro d u ce A ust e n ' s pr i n ci p al cha r ac t e rs a n d out li n e t he s kele ton o f t he p l ot A ust e n e xp edie nt l y e st abli s he s he r pr i m a ry t he m e s a n d t he sty li st ic de v ice s t h rou gh w hich s he w ill e xp l or e t he n a rr a t i v e T he v e ry fi rst li n e o f t he nov el ha s bec om e on e o f t he most fa mous fi rst li n e s i n li t e r a tur e : " I t i s a trut h un i v e rs all y ack now ledged , t ha t a s i n gle m a n i n poss e ss i on o f a g oo d f ortun e , must be i n w a nt o f a w ife ." T hi s op e n i n g li n e e st abli s he s t he nov el ' s two m aj or t he m e s - m a rr iage a n d cla ss ( p a rt ic u la r l y a s a s defi n ed b y mon e y ). M ost o f t he cha r ac t e rs i n P r ide a n d P r ej u dice a r e fi rst a n d f or e most defi n ed b y t hei r fi n a n cial backg roun d a n d m a r i t al st a tus I n t he s e t he ea r l y cha pt e rs , A ust e n e xp l or e s t he st a r k c ontr a st be tw ee n M rs B e nn e t a n d E li z abe t h t h rou gh t hei r op i n i ons on t he s e i ssu e s M rs B e nn e t on l y ca r e s ab out m a rr iage a n d mon e y , w hile E li z abe t h r ef us e s to le t t he s e sup e r ficial m ea sur e s c ontro l he r T he fi rst li n e al so i ntro d u ce s A ust e n ' s us e o f i rony W hile t he fi rst li n e f o c us e s on " a s i n gle m a n i n w a nt o f a w ife ," A ust e n s h ows he r r eade rs ov e r t he c ours e o f t he nov el t ha t i n t he la t e - eigh t ee nt h a n d ea r l y - n i n e t ee nt h ce ntur ie s , m a rr iage w a s ac tu all y mor e c ru cial f or youn g wom e n I f a youn g wom a n o f a ce rt ai n cla ss did not fi n d a h us ba n d o f dece nt m ea ns a n d st a tus , s he r i s ked bec om i n g a pow e r le ss a n d pot e nt iall y de st i tut e sp i nst e r W hile A ust e n ' s ch o ice o f wor di n g i n t hi s fi rst li n e f r a m e s t he m a n a s t he ac t i v e f or ce i n s eeki n g m a rr iage , t he p l ot o f P r ide a n d P r ej u dice e mp ha s i z e s a wom a n ' s ro le i n fi n di n g a su i t able p a rtn e r T hi s i rony lead s to t he ce ntr al qu e st i on surroun di n g A ust e n ' s i nt e nt i n wr i t i n g P r ide a n d P r ej u dice W a s A ust e n c ons e rv a t i v e , po ki n g f un a t t he s e i nst i tut i ons b ut u l t i m a t el y a pprov i n g o f t he m , or w a s s he pro g r e ss i v e a n d su b t l y try i n g to up e n d t h os e so cial r e str ic t i ons ? N ei t he r a nsw e r ha s e v e r pro d u ced a s ch o la r l y c ons e nsus , la r gel y beca us e t he r e i s e v ide n ce i n support o f b ot h i nt e rpr e t a t i ons A ust e n a tt ack s t he pur el y ec onom ic , ut ili t a r ia n mot i v e s f or m a rr iage a s w ell a s t he so cie t al c onstr ai nts w hich lea v e m a ny wom e n w i t h li tt le ch o ice b ut to m a rry Y e t t he p l ot o f P r ide a n d P r ej u dice s ee ms to su gge st t ha t ha ppy un i ons ca n e x i st e v e n w i t hi n t he s e str ic t c u l tur al li m i t a t i ons I n t he c onv e rs a t i on be tw ee n C ha r l ott e a n d E li z abe t h i n C ha pt e r 5, A ust e n lead s t he r eade r to symp a t hi z e w i t h E li z abe t h , t he nov el ' s prot ag on i st S he a r g u e s agai nst t he ut ili t a r ia n mot i v e f or m a rr iage a n d r ejec ts t he idea t ha t a wom e n must feig n i nt e r e st i n or de r to s ec ur e a m a n F rom a c ont e mpor a ry p e rsp ec t i v e , C ha r l ott e ' s a tt i tu de i s la m e nt able if not a nt i - fe m i n i st S he belie v e s a wom a n s h ou ld ge t m a rr ied f or t he s ake o f s ec ur i ty , w hich w ill t he n all ow he r t he " lei sur e f or falli n g i n l ov e a s mu ch a s s he ch us e s ." E li z abe t h sp eak s up i n fa vor o f i n di v id u ali ty , r ef us i n g to c ons ide r t ha t m a rr iage s h ou ld be f oun ded on a nyt hi n g ot he r t ha n l ov e a n d r e sp ec t W hile t he r eade r n a tur all y alig ns w i t h E li z abe t h ' s op i n i on , A ust e n u l t i m a t el y prov e s b ot h o f C ha r l ott e ' s 9/28/22, 11:41 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 1-6 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-1-6 4/6 a r g um e nts to be tru e A s a r e su l t o f r ejec t i n g C ha r l ott e ' s ad v ice , J a n e al most l os e s B i n gle y A ddi t i on all y , m a ny mom e nts i n E li z abe t h ' s j ourn e y tow a r d s he r r ela t i ons hi p w i t h D a r c y su gge st t he i mport a n ce o f cla ss i n m a rr iage , a t lea st to som e deg r ee C r i t ic s ha v e pr ai s ed A ust e n ' s abili ty to b r i n g he r cha r ac t e rs to life C r i t ic G e or ge H e nry L e w e s la u d s A ust e n beca us e " i nst ead o f de s c r i pt i on , t he c ommon a n d ea sy r e sour ce o f nov eli sts , s he ha s t he r a r e a n d diffic u l t a rt o f d r a m a t ic pr e s e nt a t i on i nst ead o f t elli n g us w ha t he r cha r ac t e rs a r e , a n d w ha t t he y feel , s he pr e s e nts t he p e op le , a n d t he y r e v eal t he ms el v e s ." F or e x a mp le , t he r eade r ' s fi rst gli mps e o f t he B e nn e ts prov ide s a fai r l y acc ur a t e s ke t ch o f t hei r i n di v id u al cha r ac t e rs M rs B e nn e tt i s cha tty , f r i vo l ous , a n d o b s e ss ed w i t h m a rry i n g o ff he r da u gh t e rs , w hile M r B e nn e tt i s r a t he r de t ached J a n e i s bea ut if u l a n d a m iable , al w a ys belie v i n g t he be st ab out p e op le E li z abe t h , g oo d - l oo ki n g b ut not a s bea ut if u l a s he r s i st e r , ha s a s ha rp w i t a n d pr ide s he rs elf on he r kee n s e ns e o f p e r ce pt i on L y dia a n d K i tty a r e f r i vo l ous like t hei r mot he r , a n d M a ry i s s ch o la r l y a n d h umor le ss T he s e i n i t ial cha r ac t e r i z a t i ons mot i v a t e t he nov el ' s p l ot J a n e ' s g oo d n a tur e i s p a rt l y r e spons ible f or he r trou ble w i t h B i n gle y B eca us e J a n e i s so p lea s a nt to e v e ryon e , D a r c y i s la t e r able to c onv i n ce hi s f r ie n d t ha t J a n e i s not p a rt ic u la r l y i nt e r e st ed i n hi m T h rou gh out t he nov el , M rs B e nn e t r e m ai ns " a wom a n o f m ea n un de rst a n di n g , li tt le i n f orm a t i on , a n d un ce rt ai n t e mp e r ," b ut a s t he gi r l s l os e t hei r prosp ec ts o f m a rr iage , i t bec om e s clea r t ha t he r e x ce ss i v e i ns i st e n ce i s not e nt i r el y un f oun ded S he k nows t ha t if he r da u gh t e rs d o not m a rry , t hei r li v e s c ou ld be ru i n ed F i n all y , E li z abe t h ' s kee n w i t w ill u l t i m a t el y be he r own worst e n e my , a s i t lead s he r to e xpr e ss a s e ns e o f pr ide t ha t r i v al s D a r c y ' s T hi s qu ali ty prov e s to b ot h E li z abe t h ' s str e n g t h a n d he r w eak n e ss , a n d he r stru ggle w i t h he r pr ide p a v e s he r cha r ac t e r a r c T he M e ryton ball i ntro d u ce s t he nov el ' s two m ai n c oup le s a n d f or e s had ows t he di st i n c t w a ys i n w hich each r ela t i ons hi p w ill de v el op J a n e a n d B i n gle y a r e a ttr ac t ed to each ot he r f rom t he outs e t , a n d t he y b ot h ha v e s i mp le , a m iable , a n d ea sy - g o i n g p e rson ali t ie s H ow e v e r , B i n gle y n eed s to w ai t f or hi s s i st e rs ' a pprov al bef or e feeli n g " a ut h or i s ed " to like J a n e T hi s s h ows t ha t B i n gle y i s ea s il y i n fl u e n ced b y ot he rs ' op i n i ons a n d f or e s had ows t he diffic u l t ie s he a n d J a n e w ill face E li z abe t h a n d D a r c y , on t he ot he r ha n d , each ha v e un fa vor able fi rst i mpr e ss i ons o f each ot he r I n fac t , A ust e n or igi n all y t i t led t he nov el F i rst I m pr e ss i ons beca us e s he w a nt ed to e xp l or e t he diffic u l ty o f cha n gi n g on e p e rson ' s i n i t ial a ss e ssm e nt o f a not he r B eca us e o f hi s pr ide a n d e xtr e m e cla ss - c ons ci ousn e ss , D a r c y r ef us e s to e v e n c ons ide r E li z abe t h a s a da n ci n g p a rtn e r A n d y e t , E li z abe t h i s e qu all y qu ick to j u dge D a r c y E li z abe t h i s not e v e n a w a r e o f t he fac t t ha t s he i s ov e r l y c on fide nt ab out t he acc ur ac y o f he r p e r ce pt i ons I n fac t , D a r c y ' s r ef us al o ffe n d s E li z abe t h ' s v a n i ty mor e t ha n s he ad m i ts T hi s i n cide nt i s t he fi rst t i m e t ha t M a ry ' s ce ntr al a r g um e nt f rom C ha pt e r 5 bec om e s clea r : pr ide i s h ow w e v ie w ours el v e s , a n d v a n i ty i s h ow ot he rs v ie w us A ust e n prov ide s i ns igh t i nto t he stony D a r c y t h rou gh hi s c onv e rs a t i on w i t h C a ro li n e B i n gle y W hile b ot h cha r ac t e rs a r e e xtr e m el y cla ss - c ons ci ous , on l y C a ro li n e m ake s t he t a st ele ss st a t e m e nt t ha t rur al " so cie ty " i s " i nsupport able ." W he n D a r c y c omm e nts t ha t E li z abe t h ' s " fi n e e y e s " p lea s e hi m , he s h ows a w illi n g n e ss - h ow e v e r n a s ce nt - to s ee a p e rson be yon d he r cla ss li m i t a t i ons O n ce C a ro li n e r eali z e s t ha t D a r c y i s i nt e r e st ed i n E li z abe t h , s he i ns i nu a t e s t ha t t he B e nn e t fa m il y - e sp eciall y M rs B e nn e t - wou ld be e m ba rr a ss i n g i n so cie ty D a r c y d o e s not f u ll y di s ag r ee , r e v eali n g t ha t he poss e ss e s mor e dece n c y t ha n C a ro li n e A n d y e t , t hi s c onv e rs a t i on un de r li n e s t he t he m e t ha t p e rson al pr ej u dice s a r e mor e diffic u l t to tr a ns ce n d t ha n cla ss diffe r e n ce s H ow T o C i t e h ttps :// www g r ade s a v e r c om / pr ide - a n d - pr ej u dice / stu d y - g u ide / summ a ry - vo l um e - i - cha pt e rs -1-6 i n MLA F orm a t M os chella , M eli ss a S R C eda rs ed " P r ide a n d P r ej u dice V o l um e I , C ha pt e rs 1-6 S umm a ry a n d A n al ys i s ". G r ade S a v e r , 29 M a r ch 2014 W eb 28 S e pt e m be r 2022. P r ide a n d P r ej u dice Q u e st i ons a n d A nsw e rs 9/28/22, 11:39 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 7-14 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-7-14 1/6 Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. More books than SparkNotes. Section Navigation P r ide a n d P r ej u dice b y J a n e A ust e n P r ide a n d P r ej u dice S umm a ry a n d A n al ys i s o f V o l um e I , C ha pt e rs 7-14 S umm a ry C ha pt e r 7 I n t hi s cha pt e r , A ust e n i ntro d u ce s t he e nt ail , a n o ld B r i t i s h c ustom de s ig n ed to kee p a fa m il y e st a t e w i t hi n t he bl oo dli n e I n t hi s ca s e , L on gb ourn ca n on l y p a ss on to a m ale hei r B eca us e t he B e nn e ts ha v e on l y da u gh t e rs , t he y a r e likel y to l os e t he e st a t e to a di st a nt r ela t i on upon M r B e nn e t ' s dea t h L y dia a n d K i tty o f t e n v i s i t t hei r a unt , M rs P hilli ps , i n n ea r b y M e ryton T he y i n c r ea s e t he f r e qu e n c y o f t hei r v i s i ts af t e r t he a rr i v al o f a m ili t ia r egi m e nt beca us e t he y e n j oy fli rt i n g w i t h t he so ldie rs M r B e nn e t o f t e n c omp lai ns o f hi s two youn ge r da u gh t e rs ' f oo li s h n e ss , b ut M rs B e nn e t d o e s not c ons ide r t hei r o b s e ss i on w i t h t he o ffice rs to be a ca us e f or c on ce rn J a n e r ecei v e s a n i nv i t a t i on f rom t he B i n gle y gi r l s to di n e a t N e t he r field M rs B e nn e t i nstru c ts J a n e to g o on h ors eback , h op i n g t ha t t he r ai n w ill f or ce J a n e to sp e n d t he n igh t a n d ha v e a n opportun i ty to i nt e r ac t w i t h M r B i n gle y J a n e d o e s not like he r mot he r ' s s che m e b ut ha s no ch o ice b ut to g o al on g w i t h i t T he p la n wor k s too w ell , h ow e v e r N ot on l y d o e s t he r ai n de t ai n J a n e a t N e t he r field , b ut s he fall s ill a s a r e su l t o f ge tt i n g so aked on he r r ide t he r e T he B i n gle y fa m il y e xp ec ts J a n e to st a y a t N e t he r field unt il s he r ec ov e rs A f t e r r ecei v i n g t he le tt e r i n f orm i n g t he B e nn e ts o f J a n e ' s ill n e ss , E li z abe t h i ns i sts on v i s i t i n g he r s i st e r a t N e t he r field S he w alk s t h rou gh t he w e t field s beca us e t he r e a r e no h ors e s a v ailable B y t he t i m e s he a rr i v e s a t N e t he r field , E li z abe t h i s di s he v eled a n d ha s mu d all ov e r he r d r e ss T he B i n gle y s i st e rs a r e s h o cked b y he r m e ssy a pp ea r a n ce D a r c y , on t he ot he r ha n d , qu ie t l y not ice s t ha t t he e x e r ci s e ha s i mprov ed E li z abe t h ' s c omp le x i on M ea nw hile , J a n e ' s c on di t i on ha s i nt e ns ified a n d s he ca nnot lea v e he r bed E li z abe t h a tt e n d s to he r s i st e r w i t h g r ea t so lici tu de all da y J a n e d o e s not w a nt E li z abe t h to lea v e he r s ide t ha t e v e n i n g , so C a ro li n e i nv i t e s t he youn ge r B e nn e t s i st e r to st a y t he n igh t a t N e t he r field 9/28/22, 11:39 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 7-14 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-7-14 2/6 C ha pt e r 8 A f t e r di nn e r , E li z abe t h lea v e s t he t able to a tt e n d to J a n e , a n d t he p a rty begi ns to t alk ab out he r C a ro li n e ha rs hl y c r i t ici z e s E li z abe t h ' s pr ide a n d stu bb orn i n de p e n de n ce , b ut M r B i n gle y a n d D a r c y ad m i r e he r de vot i on to J a n e T he B i n gle y s i st e rs al so de r ide t he B e nn e ts ' s l ow fa m il y c onn ec t i ons B i n gle y d o e s not s ee m to ca r e ab out t he B e nn e ts ' s so cial st a n di n g , al t h ou gh D a r c y c ons ide rs l ow l y st a tus a n i mp edi m e nt to t he B e nn e t gi r l s ' cha n ce s o f m a rry i n g w ell A f t e r J a n e fall s a s lee p , E li z abe t h j o i ns t he ot he rs i n t he d r a w i n g room a n d p a rt ici p a t e s i n a c onv e rs a t i on ab out w ha t i t m ea ns f or a wom a n to be acc omp li s hed T h rou gh out t he deba t e , E li z abe t h a n d D a r c y f r e qu e nt l y di s ag r ee , al t h ou gh t he y a r g u e w i t h g r ea t w i t D a r c y a n d C a ro li n e prov ide unr eali st ic c r i t e r ia f or a wom a n to be c ons ide r ed acc omp li s hed , i n ci t i n g E li z abe t h to e x clai m t ha t s he ha s n e v e r m e t su ch a wom a n i n he r life C ha pt e r 9 E li z abe t h a s k s t ha t he r mot he r be summon ed to v i s i t J a n e , a n d B i n gle y c omp lie s W he n M rs B e nn e t a rr i v e s , s he i s p lea s ed to s ee t ha t J a n e w ill e v e ntu all y r ec ov e r b ut st ill ill e nou gh to r e m ai n a t N e t he r field ( a n d i n prox i m i ty to M r B i n gle y ). M rs B e nn e t lack s su b t le ty a n d he r i nt e nt i ons bec om e qu i t e clea r to e v e ryon e a t N e t he r field S he i s al so op e n l y ru de to M r D a r c y E li z abe t h i s e m ba rr a ss ed b y he r mot he r ' s beha v i or a n d p lea s ed w he n M rs B e nn e t de p a rts C ha pt e r 10 T ha t e v e n i n g i n t he d r a w i n g room , D a r c y wr i t e s a le tt e r to hi s s i st e r w hile C a ro li n e m ake s s ill y c omm e nts i nt e n ded to fla tt e r hi s le tt e r - wr i t i n g sty le H e ig nor e s he r a tt e mpts a t fli rt a t i on T he g roup affec t i on a t el y mo ck s B i n gle y f or hi s p liable cha r ac t e r , b ut E li z abe t h defe n d s hi m , su gge st i n g t ha t i t i s a v i rtu e to y ield to t he p e rsu a s i ons o f on e ' s f r ie n d s A gai n , most o f t he deba t e t ake s p lace be tw ee n E li z abe t h a n d D a r c y L a t e r , t he B i n gle y s i st e rs s i n g a n d p la y t he p ia no E li z abe t h not ice s h ow f r e qu e nt l y M r D a r c y i s l oo ki n g a t he r , a ssum i n g t ha t i t i s a s ig n o f hi s di s a pprov al W he n M r D a r c y a s k s he r to da n ce , E li z abe t h belie v e s t ha t hi s r e qu e st i s s a r ca st ic a n d r e spon d s w i t h a w i tty r ef us al C a ro li n e not ice s t he i nt e r ac t i on a n d la t e r , pr i v a t el y t a unts D a r c y ab out t he poss ibili ty o f hi s m a rry i n g i nto a c ommon fa m il y like t he B e nn e ts C ha pt e r 11 A f t e r di nn e r , J a n e feel s w ell e nou gh to j o i n t he ot he rs i n t he d r a w i n g room E li z abe t h i s deligh t ed to s ee t ha t B i n gle y i s s h ow i n g J a n e so mu ch a tt e nt i on M ea nw hile , C a ro li n e c ont i nu e s he r a tt e mpts to a ttr ac t D a r c y , a n d e v e n feig ns a l ov e f or r eadi n g S he t he n w alk s a roun d t he room i n or de r to a ttr ac t D a r c y ' s ad m i r a t i on S he fail s to a rous e hi s a tt e nt i on , so s he i nv i t e s E li z abe t h to w alk w i t h he r S he not ice s t ha t D a r c y puts hi s b oo k d own a n d w a t che s t he m T he g roup c onv e rs e s ab out D a r c y ' s cha r ac t e r , a n d D a r c y ad m i ts t ha t he ha s a t e n de n c y to be r e s e nt f u l E li z abe t h cha st i s e s hi m ov e r hi s ad m i ss i on t ha t he n e v e r cha n ge s hi s fi rst i mpr e ss i on o f a p e rson C ha pt e r 12 O n ce J a n e ha s r ec ov e r ed , t he B e nn e ts p la n to lea v e N e t he r field M rs B e nn e t i s unw illi n g to s e n d t he ca rr iage , h op i n g he r da u gh t e rs w ill st a y l on ge r , b ut t he gi r l s a s k if t he y m igh t b orrow B i n gle y ' s ca rr iage H e g r a nts t he fa vor E v e ryon e b ut M r B i n gle y i s p lea s ed to s ee J a n e a n d E li z abe t h g o D a r c y i s glad to be r e mov ed f rom t he da n ge r o f E li z abe t h ' s c omp a ny , a n d M i ss B i n gle y i s glad to be r id o f he r c omp e t i t i on 9/28/22, 11:39 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 7-14 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-7-14 3/6 C ha pt e r 13 T he n a rr a t i v e s hif ts back to L on gb ourn A t b r eakfa st t he f o ll ow i n g da y , M r B e nn e t a nnoun ce s t ha t t he fa m il y i s e xp ec t i n g a v i s i tor : M r C o lli ns , t he di st a nt c ous i n w h o i s n e xt i n t he e nt ail f or t he L on gb ourn e st a t e ( m ea n i n g t ha t M r C o lli ns w ill i n he r i t t he e st a t e upon M r B e nn e t ' s dea t h , s i n ce t he la tt e r pro d u ced no m ale hei rs ). T h ou gh no b o d y i n t he fa m il y ha s e v e r m e t M r C o lli ns , M rs B e nn e t ha t e s hi m r igh t a w a y beca us e o f t he e nt ail M r B e nn e t r ead s M r C o lli ns ' s le tt e r to t he fa m il y I n i t , C o lli ns e xp lai ns t ha t he ha s r ece nt l y bee n or dai n ed a n d i s r ecei v i n g p a tron age f rom a n a r i sto c r a t n a m ed L ad y C a t he r i n e D e B our gh M r C o lli ns a rr i v e s t he f o ll ow i n g af t e rnoon , r igh t on t i m e H e i s 25 y ea rs o ld , t all a n d hea vys e t , w i t h a g r a v e ai r a n d v e ry f orm al m a nn e rs H e t e n d s to sp eak i n l on g , ov e r l y - eff us i v e mono l o g u e s B ef or e di nn e r , M r C o lli ns ack now ledge s t he ha r d s hi p t ha t t he e nt ail pr e s e nts to t he B e nn e t fa m il y a n d pro fe ss e s hi s de s i r e to m ake a m e n d s H e clai ms t ha t he ha s c om e to L on gb ourn " pr e p a r ed to ad m i r e " t he youn g ladie s o f t he h ous eh o ld B ef or e he ca n e xp lai n hi s m ea n i n g , t he y a r e called to di nn e r D ur i n g di nn e r , M r C o lli ns e xpr e ss e s hi s ad m i r a t i on f or t he h ous e a n d t he qu ali ty o f t he f oo d C ha pt e r 14 A f t e r di nn e r , M r B e nn e t i nv i t e s M r C o lli ns to sp eak ab out hi s p a tron e ss L ad y C a t he r i n e M r C o lli ns de s c r ibe s L ad y C a t he r i n e w i t h g r ea t so le mn i ty a n d eff us i v e pr ai s e , r e m a r ki n g on he r g r ea t affabili ty tow a r d s hi m , i n sp i t e o f he r high r a n k H e al so de s c r ibe s L ad y C a t he r i n e ' s da u gh t e r , M i ss de B our gh , a s qu i t e cha rm i n g b ut r a t he r s ickl y C o lli ns had wor ked to i n g r a t ia t e hi ms elf w i t h L ad y C a t he r i n e b y s h ow e r i n g he r da u gh t e r w i t h fla tt e r i n g p h r a s e s A f t e r t hi s di sp la y , M r B e nn e t decide s t ha t M r C o lli ns i s ab sur d A f t e r t ea , M r B e nn e t a s k s M r C o lli ns to r ead al ou d M r C o lli ns decla r e s t ha t he n e v e r r ead s nov el s , a n d i nst ead begi ns to r ead f rom a b oo k o f s e rmons w i t h " monotonous so le mn i ty ." A f t e r a fe w p age s , L y dia i nt e rrupts t he r eadi n g to a s k he r mot he r a qu e st i on ab out he r U n cle P hili ps M r C o lli ns i s o ffe n ded , b ut t ake s t he hi nt a n d stops r eadi n g af t e r b r iefl y r e pr i m a n di n g L y dia ' s f r i vo li ty H e t he n propos e s p la y i n g a ga m e o f backga mmon A n al ys i s W he n stu d y i n g J a n e A ust e n ' s wor k , i t i s us ef u l to un de rst a n d t he or ga n i z a t i on o f so cial cla ss e s d ur i n g he r t i m e T he B r i t i s h cla ss syst e m w a s e xtr e m el y c omp le x I n effec t , e v e ry fa m il y t ha t ha s a pp ea r ed t h us fa r i n P r ide a n d P r ej u dice wou ld ha v e bee n c ons ide r ed ' upp e r cla ss ,' b ut t he r e a r e s e v e r al g r ada t i ons w i t hi n t ha t r a n ki n g T he t i t led a r i sto c r a ts , like L ad y C a t he r i n e de B our gh , r e pr e s e nt t he highe st so cial cla ss i n t he nov el B el ow t ha t a r e fa m ilie s like t he D a r c ys a n d t he B i n gle ys T he y a r e not f u ll y a r i sto c r a t ic , b ut t hei r so cial st a n di n g i s defi n ed b y t he pro fi t abili ty o f t hei r e st a t e s ( on a n a nnu al ba s i s ). T he s e fa m ilie s a r e w ha t m igh t be called " o ld mon e y " i n c ont e mpor a ry s la n g T he B e nn e ts a r e al so a n upp e r cla ss fa m il y ( t he y c ou ld be c ons ide r ed t he l ow e st run g o f upp e r - m iddle - cla ss ). T he y ha v e a n e st a t e w hich y ield s a n a nnu al i n c om e , t he y d o not wor k , a n d t he y p a rt ake i n so cial s e rv ice H ow e v e r , t he B i n gle ys a n d D a r c ys s ee t he B e nn e ts a s i n fe r i or beca us e o f t hei r rou gh beha v i or a n d lack o f acce ss to l uxur ie s like mu l t i p le s e rv a nts , addi t i on al r e nt ed e st a t e s , a n d e n dle ss di spos able i n c om e E li z abe t h a n d J a n e ' s st a y a t N e t he r field i s a d r a m a t ic v ehicle f or A ust e n to highligh t t he i mport a n ce o f cla ss i n P r ide a n d P r ej u dice C a ro li n e B i n gle y a n d M rs H urst m ake c onst a nt r efe r e n ce s to t he B e nn e ts ' s l ow c onn ec t i ons , w i t h p a rt ic u la r l y ha rs h c omm e nts ab out t he fac t t ha t on e o f t hei r r ela t i ons i n a n a ttorn e y W hile a ttorn e ys a r e w ell - r e sp ec t ed i n c ont e mpor a ry so cie ty , i t w a s c ons ide r ed a " wor ki n g pro fe ss i on " i n A ust e n ' s da y T h os e i n wor ki n g pro fe ss i ons m ade mon e y f rom a tr ade r a t he r t ha n f rom a n e st a t e , t he r ef or e m aki n g a ttorn e ys utt e r l y m iddle cla ss 9/28/22, 11:39 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 7-14 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-7-14 4/6 A t t he begi nn i n g o f t he nov el , D a r c y fi rm l y belie v e s t ha t cla ss i s a n i n dica tor o f p e rson ali ty H e t hi n k s to hi ms elf , " w e r e i t not f or t he i n fe r i or i ty o f [ E li z abe t h ' s ] c onn ec t i ons , he s h ou ld be i n som e da n ge r ," i ns i nu a t i n g t ha t he r cla ss wou ld m ake i t i mposs ible f or t he m to m a rry H ow e v e r , t hi s i s a n e x a mp le o f A ust e n ' s m a st e r f u l us e o f d r a m a t ic i rony ( w hich i s w he n t he r eade r or a u die n ce k now som e t hi n g t ha t t he cha r ac t e rs d o not ). T he fac t t ha t D a r c y a rt ic u la t e s t he poss ibili ty o f " da n ge r " m ea ns t ha t he i s al r ead y falli n g f or E li z abe t h de sp i t e he r cla ss st a tus T h rou gh out t he nov el , A ust e n us e s t hi s i rony to f r a m e E li z abe t h a n d D a r c y ' s r ela t i ons hi p B ot h E li z abe t h a n d D a r c y clai m to belie v e i n t hei r fi rst i mpr e ss i ons o f each ot he r I n t he s a m e w a y t ha t D a r c y all ows hi s cla ss a w a r e n e ss to pr ej u dice hi m agai nst E li z abe t h , he r uny ieldi n g n a tur e pr ej u dice s he r agai nst c ons ide r i n g D a r c y ' s v i rtu e s H ow e v e r , t hei r c onv e rs a t i ons a n d deba t e s a r e cha r ged w i t h un i qu e w i t a n d e n e r g y - a n i n dica tor o f t hei r n a tur al che m i stry E li z abe t h ' s da r k , bea ut if u l e y e s a r e t he sym b o lic c or e o f D a r c y ' s a ttr ac t i on to he r H ow e v e r , t he da r k n e ss o f he r e y e s a r e al so r e pr e s e nt a t i v e o f E li z abe t h ' s w eak n e ss : all ow i n g pr ide a n d pr ej u dice to cl ou d he r p e r ce pt i on o f ot he r p e op le W hile s he pr ide s he rs elf on bei n g a n e x celle nt j u dge o f cha r ac t e r , i t i s he r j u dge m e nt o f D a r c y t ha t m ake s E li z abe t h bli n d to hi s affec t i ons H e r i n i t ial i mpr e ss i on c r ea t e s a le ns t h rou gh w hich s he fil t e rs all o f t hei r i nt e r ac t i ons W he n D a r c y a s k s E li z abe t h if s he i s i n cli n ed to da n ce a r eel , s he a ssum e s he i s mo cki n g he r a n d r ef us e s hi m W he n t he g roup i s sp eaki n g ab out D a r c y ' s cha r ac t e r , s he ide nt ifie s hi s fla w a s " a prop e ns i ty to ha t e e v e ry b o d y ," w hile D a r c y p e r ce pt i v el y r e p lie s t ha t E li z abe t h ' s fla w i s " w illf u ll y to m i sun de rst a n d t he m ." E li z abe t h j u dge s D a r c y f or ov e r - v al u i n g hi s fi rst i mpr e ss i on w hile s he i s ac t i v el y e x hibi t i n g t he s a m e v ice i n he r a ss e ssm e nt o f hi m A ust e n v ie ws t he fa m il y a s t he f un da m e nt al un i t o f so cie ty , a ss e rt i n g t ha t i t i s p a r e nts ' r e spons ibili ty to t each mor al s a n d v al u e s to t hei r child r e n K i tty a n d L y dia lea rn t hei r f oo li s h n e ss f rom t hei r mot he r , b ut i t i s al so t he r e su l t o f t hei r fa t he r ' s n eglec t F rom t he begi nn i n g o f t he nov el , M r B e nn e t s i mp l y wr i t e s o ff hi s youn ge r da u gh t e rs a s s ill y a n d m ake s li tt le eff ort to tru l y c orr ec t t hei r beha v i or I nst ead , he tr ea ts t he m i n t he s a m e al oo f m a nn e r t ha t E li z abe t h tr ea ts D a r c y T he qu e st i on o f surroun di n g A ust e n ' s c ons e rv a t i sm bec om e s i n c r ea s i n gl y c omp le x a s t he nov el g o e s on I t i s un clea r h ow mu ch s he i nt e n ded [ P r ide a n d P r ej u dice ] to be a c r i t ici sm o f he r so cie ty H ow e v e r , A ust e n us e s t he ci r c umst a n ce s o f t he e nt ail to s h ow he r symp a t h y tow a r d s wom e n d ur i n g he r t i m e E li z abe t h a n d J a n e mo de r a t e t hei r r eac t i ons to t he e nt ail m e nt beca us e t hei r ed u ca t i on ha s accli m a t ed t he m to t he r eali ty o f t he ge n de r di v ide E v e n if t he y d o not like t he ru le , t he y al so k now be tt e r t ha n to a r g u e agai nst i t O n t he ot he r ha n d , M rs B e nn e t i s vo cal i n de noun ci n g t he i n j ust ice o f e nt ail m e nt W i t h out t he i n c om e f rom t he e st a t e , he r da u gh t e rs m ust m a rry w ell i n or de r to s ec ur e t hei r li v elih oo d F urt he rmor e , t he e nt ail m e nt dec r ea s e s t he B e nn e t gi r l s ' m a rr iage prosp ec ts beca us e t he y w ill on l y r ecei v e sm all i n he r i t a n ce s S om e s ch o la rs a r g u e t ha t t he on l y two wom e n w h o sp eak up f or ge n de r e qu ali ty i n t he c ont e xt o f t he e nt ail - M rs B e nn e t a n d la t e r , L ad y C a t he r i n e - a r e b oor i s h a n d un a pp eali n g cha r ac t e rs , t he r ef or e s e rv i n g a s proo f o f A ust e n ' s c ons e rv a t i sm M ea nw hile , A ust e n ' s mor e symp a t he t ic prot ag on i sts - J a n e a n d E li z abe t h - r e m ai n s ile nt on t he su bjec t H ow e v e r , i t i s al so poss ible t ha t beca us e o f t he p a tr ia r chal c u l tur e s he li v ed i n , A ust e n n eeded to c r af t t he s e outr age ous cha r ac t e rs i n or de r to st a t e a n un e qu i vo cal trut h w i t h out i n ci t i n g too mu ch c ontrov e rsy F urt he rmor e , i t i s i mport a nt to not e t ha t t ha t A ust e n p ai nts M r C o lli ns , t he legal m ale hei r o f L on gb ourn , a s t he s illie st cha r ac t e r o f all I n fac t , C o lli ns ' s b u ff oon e ry highligh ts t he pr e post e rous n a tur e o f a ru le t ha t g r a nts M r B e nn e t ' s prop e rty to a di st a nt r ela t i on i nst ead o f to hi s own da u gh t e rs A sup e r cili ous m a n w i t h ov e r l y f orm al m a nn e rs a n d a str a n ge c om bi n a t i on o f s elf - i mport a n ce a n d o b s e qu i ousn e ss , M r C o lli ns i s a heigh t e n ed e m b o di m e nt o f t he ki n d s o f p e rson ali t ie s t ha t r e su l t ed f rom a str ic t cla ss syst e m H i s e x agge r a t ed affec t i on f or L ad y C a t he r i n e s e ts t he r eade r up to j u dge he r c r i t icall y F urt he rmor e , C o lli ns ' s a tt i tu de tow a r d s m a rr iage i s mor e ab sur dl y pr ag m a t ic t ha n a ny ot he r cha r ac t e r i n t he nov el H e h op e s to m a rry on e o f t he B e nn e t da u gh t e rs , belie v i n g t ha t su ch a un i on w ill tr a ns la t e i nto a ki n d deed H e n e v e r e v e n c ons ide rs t hei r p e rson ali t ie s U l t i m a t el y , M r C o lli ns i s a not he r mout h p iece t h rou gh w hich A ust e n ca n i n di r ec t l y c r i t ici z e ce rt ai n so cial belief s surroun di n g cla ss a n d m a rr iage 9/28/22, 11:39 AM Pride and Prejudice Volume I, Chapters 7-14 Summary and Analysis | GradeSaver https://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/summary-volume-i-chapters-7-14 5/6 W hich o f t he f o ll ow i n g be st ide nt ifie s a ce ntr al t he m e o f t he t e xt A r e you prov idi n g ch o ice s he r e ? A s ked b y K a mryn G # 1256437 A nsw e r ed b y