Chapters 16–20

The Bennet sisters and Mr Collins dine at the home of Mrs Bennet’s sister, Mrs Phillips, in Meryton, where some officers, including Wickham, are also in attendance. The handsome Wickham fixes his attention on Elizabeth and, quelling her interest, acquaints her with the details of his past association with Mr Darcy. Wickham grew up with Mr Darcy, having been the godson and a favourite of his Mr Darcy’s late father, for whom Wickham’s late father had been employed at Pemberley. According to Wickham, a promise had been made to his father by the late Mr Darcy that Wickham would be financially provided for through a position as a clergyman. However, Mr Darcy had failed to keep his father’s promise and gave the position to someone else, out of jealousy Wickham presumes. Wickham declares Mr Darcy is proud and also extends this opinion to Mr Darcy’s younger sister. Elizabeth further learns that Mr Darcy is the nephew of Lady Catherine and that he is destined to marry her daughter, which will have the effect of consolidating their respective estates. The news amuses Elizabeth, in light of Miss Bingley’s vain attempts to attract Mr Darcy. Elizabeth takes Wickham’s accounts of Mr Darcy on face value, which contradicts her tendency toward objectivity, and her prejudice against Mr Darcy is reinforced. Further surprising is that Elizabeth’s estimation of Wickham increases in spite of an incongruence: Wickham claims his respect for the late Mr Darcy precludes him from exposing the deeds of his son, a claim he has just forfeited by revealing those deeds to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth later shares Wickham’s story with Jane, who insists a misunderstanding has occurred on the side of both men. When Elizabeth jests at her sister’s gullible nature and declares Wickham to be speaking the truth, she fails to consider that Jane’s assessment may be based on a lack of facts, something Elizabeth is normally prone to rely on in making her judgments. Mr Bingley and his two sisters arrive to invite the Bennets to a ball at Netherfield. Everyone is thrilled, including Mr Collins who, in quickly gaining a dismayed Elizabeth’s promise of the first two dances, reveals his intentions of making her his wife.

Wickham does not attend the Netherfield ball, and Elizabeth blames Mr Darcy for making him feel unwelcome. To her surprise, Elizabeth is asked by Mr Darcy to dance and, caught unawares, she accepts. Their dance is made tense through a discussion of Wickham and Mr Darcy’s apparent discomfort when alerted to the developing association between Mr Bingley with Jane.
Elizabeth tries to dissuade Mr Collins from the faux pas of introducing himself to Mr Darcy on the grounds of his association with Lady Catherine, reminding Mr Collins that if an acquaintance is to begin, it should be initiated from the higher ranking, Mr Darcy. Mr Collins belittles Elizabeth’s guidance and proceeds. While she often satirises the social perceptions of manner and class, Austen demonstrates awareness of societal expectations and, as warned, Mr Darcy regards Mr Collins with contempt, though Mr Collins’ feeling any shame is far overridden by his excessive pride.

Elizabeth is embarrassed by her family throughout the evening, her mother’s incessant chatter about Jane and Mr Bingley marrying, Mary’s singing, and a pompous speech from Mr Collins, all of which she is certain makes for a good source of ridicule by Mr Darcy and the Bingley sisters. Meanwhile, Mr Bingley and Jane seem absorbed by one another and are oblivious.

Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth the day following the Netherfield ball. The officious proposal, full of self-pride and condescension, is humorous to Elizabeth who politely refuses. Mr Collins misconstrues Elizabeth’s refusal as bashful modesty, rather than loyalty to her stated ideal of marrying for love rather than financial convenience, and expects she will give way to eventual acceptance when he asked her several more times. Unable to convince Mr Collins of the steadfastness of her decision, Elizabeth appeals to her father who, likeminded in his opinion of Mr Collins, supports her, and gives his disapproval for the marriage. A devastated Mrs Bennet, unable to change her husband or daughter’s mind, takes out her disappointment on everyone. Mr Collins withdraws his proposal in as pompous a manner as it was offered.

Chapters 16–20 Quotes

‘I have no right to give my opinion … as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for me to be impartial.’ (Wickham to Elizabeth about Mr Darcy) Chapter 16

‘Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion…’ (Jane to Elizabeth, when she refuses to think negatively of Mr Darcy based on Wickham’s story) Chapter 17

‘My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world in your excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of your understanding; but … there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity, and those which regulate the clergy; … I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom…’ (Mr Collins, defending his decision to introduce himself to Mr Darcy) Chapter 18

‘Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom on is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil.’ (Elizabeth to Charlotte about Mr Darcy) Chapter 18

‘We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all the eclat of a proverb.’ (Elizabeth to Mr Darcy) Chapter 18

‘Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends— whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain.’ (Mr Darcy to Elizabeth) Chapter 18

‘Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.’ (Mr Collins’ proposal to Elizabeth) Chapter 19

‘Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart.’ (Elizabeth turning down Mr Collins’s marriage proposal) Chapter 19

‘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.’ (Mr Bennet) Chapter 20

Chapters 21–25

Jane receives a letter from Miss Bingley informing her that their whole group has returned to London. She indicates that her brother is romantically interested in Mr Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, and shows her strong support in Georgiana becoming her sister. The news is upsetting for Jane however Elizabeth is suspicious and sees some ulterior motive in the role of the Bingley sisters keeping Jane and Mr Bingley apart.

Meanwhile, Mr Collins begins focusing his attentions on Charlotte, which culminates in him proposing marriage. Charlotte accepts and Austen uses this to illustrate the gender conflict that existed for well-educated nineteenth century women of little means in that marriage was a question of security rather than love. Despite Charlotte’s well-reasoned argument, Elizabeth is extremely disappointed at her for settling for what she believes will be an unhappy life, much like that of her incompatibly matched parents.

With the activity around Charlotte’s impending wedding, Mrs Bennet becomes even more intolerable; she makes snide remarks to Elizabeth, is rude to Lady Lucas, regards Charlotte with jealousy and suspicion (now that she will be Longbourn’s next mistress), and agitates Jane with continued references to Mr Bingley’s prolonged absence.

Jane receives another letter from Miss Bingley and learns that Mr Bingley and his party will stay in London over the winter. Jane is depressed by the news and begins to doubt that Mr Bingley had ever been attracted to her, seeing merit in the sisters wanting their brother to marry Miss Darcy. Elizabeth expresses certainty that the Bingley sisters are persuading their brother but, respecting Jane’s wishes, agrees not to talk of the matter anymore. The Longbourn household is somewhat distracted from their woes by visits from the well-regarded Wickham.

Mrs Bennet’s brother, Mr Gardiner, and Mrs Gardiner spend a week at Longbourn for Christmas. Jane and Elizabeth are particularly attached to the well-mannered, intelligent and sensitive aunt and uncle. Jane accepts Mrs Gardiner’s offer to stay with them in London for a change of scenery, hoping it may also offer her a chance to see Miss Bingley. Mrs Gardiner observes Elizabeth with Wickham with uneasiness and resolves to speak with her about it.

Chapters 21–25 Quotes

‘But the case is this: We are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother, from the notion that when there has been one intermarriage, she may have less trouble in achieving a second: in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and I dare say it would succeed, if Miss de Bourgh were out of the way.’ (Elizabeth to Jane, about Miss Bingley) Chapter 21

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 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. (Charlotte) Chapter 22

The sight of Miss Lucas was odious to her. As her successor in that house, she regarded her with jealous abhorrence. (Mrs Bennet) Chapter 23

‘I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he offended two or three young ladies, by not asking them to dance; and I spoke to him twice myself, without receiving an answer. Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?’ (Elizabeth to Mrs Gardiner about Mr Bingley’s love for Jane) Chapter 25

‘Poor Jane! I am sorry for her, because, with her disposition, she may not get over it immediately. It had better have happened to you, Lizzy; you would have laughed yourself out of it sooner.’ (Mrs Gardiner to Elizabeth) Chapter 25

Chapters 26–30

Before leaving Longbourn, Mrs Gardiner confronts Elizabeth about Wickham. While agreeing he is an interesting man, she cautions Elizabeth to be sensible and not to be quick to fall in love.

Meanwhile, Mr Collins and Charlotte marry and leave for the parsonage in Hunsford. Elizabeth reluctantly agrees to visit her in March along with Charlotte’s father and sister.

Elizabeth receives a letter from Jane in which she outlines acceptance at having been deceived by Miss Bingley, whose changed manner toward her and hinting of Mr Bingley never returning to Netherfield suggested the Bingleys wanted nothing more to do with her. Elizabeth is pained by the letter and, with Mr Bingley sunk in her opinion, she hopes he will marry Miss Darcy and have the regrettable marriage Wickham’s account of her predicts.

Elizabeth writes to Mrs Gardiner with news Wickham is pursuing an acquaintance with a young lady who had suddenly acquired ten thousand pounds. Surprisingly, Elizabeth wishes them both well, happy in the knowledge that she would have been his first choice had she a fortune, and realising she was never in love with him. Her easy excusal of Wickham’s motivations, which contrasts the resentment she targeted at Charlotte despite their choices being based on the same realism, indicates Elizabeth is betraying her own principles.

In March, Elizabeth accompanies Charlotte’s father and sister to visit Charlotte in Hunsford. The party stop overnight in London at the home of the Gardiners where Elizabeth and her aunt discuss Wickham and his courtship of the heiress, Miss King. Mrs Gardiner expresses concern that Wickham’s intentions towards Miss King are based on her finances to which Elizabeth counters with the contradiction: Elizabeth had been warned by her aunt against an acquaintance with Wickham because he had no money now Wickham was being scrutinised for courting someone because she has money. Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle invite her to spend the summer with them on a trip to northern England and she ecstatically accepts the chance to escape into nature.

Elizabeth continues on to Hunsford with Sir William Lucas and his daughter. Mr Collins is as formal as ever in showing off every detail of his home. Overall, Elizabeth observes Charlotte to be happy and only occasionally embarrassed by her husband’s manner.

The following day, Miss de Bourgh and her governess, Mrs Jenkinson, arrive by carriage to invite the parsonage occupants to dinner at Rosings the following day. Elizabeth’s first impressions of Miss de Bourgh are that she appears ‘sickly and cross’ and she is pleased at the thought of Mr Darcy marrying her.

Mr Collins is in prime form preparing everyone for dinner at Rosings. He is condescending to Elizabeth about not apologising for her simple dress since Lady Catherine likes social ranking preserved. The evening serves as an opportunity for Austen to criticise the snobbery of the higher class, with the dinner conversation dominated by Lady Catherine’s dictates and opinions. Conversely, and coming as a surprise to Elizabeth, Miss de Bourgh is plain and speaks little, and is constantly fussed over by her dutiful governess. Lady Catherine expresses her astonishment at Elizabeth’s outspokenness and criticises the fact she and her sisters were raised without a governess and that they did not all have musical talent.

Sir William leaves Hunsford after a week and Elizabeth stays on, catching up with Charlotte, going for walks in the outdoors and attending Rosings for dinner twice a week.

Lady Catherine invites her nephews, Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, to dinner. The men visit at Hunsford with Mr Collins where Elizabeth and Mr Darcy meet reservedly. Mr Darcy asks after the health of Elizabeth’s family, after which Elizabeth asks whether he had seen Jane during the three months she had been in London. Her intention was to see whether he would betray any confidence to Mr Bingley however Mr Darcy’s demeanour was one of confusion and accompanied by the confession that he had not.

Chapters 26–30 Quotes

‘…handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain.’ (Elizabeth to Mrs Gardiner, about Wickham) Chapter 26

‘What are young men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what hours of transport we shall spend! And when we do return … We will know where we have gone— we will recollect what we have seen. Lakes, mountains, and rivers shall not be jumbled together in our imaginations; nor when we attempt to describe any particular scene, will we begin quarreling about its relative situation.’ (Elizabeth to Mrs Gardiner) Chapter 27

‘Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.’ (Mr Collins to Elizabeth) Chapter 29

Her air was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. (Lady Catherine) Chapter 29

Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady’s attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others. (Lady Catherine) Chapter 29

‘Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?’
‘Yes, ma’am, all.’
‘All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second. The younger ones out before the elder ones are married!’ (Lady Catherine to Elizabeth) Chapter 29

Her favourite walk, and where she frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, was along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where there was a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself, and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s curiosity. (Elizabeth) Chapter 30