Characters
Elizabeth Bennet - Protagonis and the second Bennett daughter. Is the most intelligent and sensible of the sisters. She is well read and quick-witted, with a sharp tongue. Her realization of Darcy’s essential goodness eventually triumphs over her initial dislike.
Darcy - A wealthy gentleman, the master of Pemberley, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Though Darcy is intelligent and honest, his excess of pride causes him to look down on people. He learns to admire and love Elizabeth for her strong character.
Jane Bennet - The oldest Bennet sister. More reserved and gentle than Elizabeth. Really like Bingley
Charles Bingley - Darcy’s wealthy best friend. Bingley purchased Netherfield. He is a well-intentioned gentleman, whose easygoing nature contrasts with Darcy’s initially discourteous personality. He is blissfully uncaring about class differences.
Mr. Bennet - The father of the Bennet family, a gentleman of modest income with five unmarried daughters. Sarcastic. He often fails as a parent, preferring to withdraw from the marriage concerns.
Mrs. Bennet - Mr. Bennet’s wife, a foolish, noisy woman whose only goal in life is to see her daughters married. Often repels men from her daughters.
George Wickham - A handsome, fortune-hunting militia officer. Wickham’s good looks and charm attract Elizabeth but Darcy’s revelation about Wickham’s past pulls her away and simultaneously draws her closer to Darcy.
Lydia Bennet - The youngest sister. Gossipy, immature, and self-involved. Ends up running off with Wickham.
Mr. Collins - An idiotic clergyman who stands to inherit Mr. Bennet’s property. Snobbish
Miss Bingley - Bingley’s snobbish sister. Dislikes Elizabeth’s middle-class background. Her vain attempts to garner Darcy’s attention causes Darcy to admire Elizabeth’s self-possessed character even more.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh - A rich, bossy noblewoman; Mr. Collins’s patron and Darcy’s aunt. Sums up class snobbery, especially in her attempts to order the middle-class Elizabeth away from her well-bred nephew.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner - Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife. The Gardiners, caring, nurturing, and full of common sense, better parents to the Bennet daughters than Mr. Bennet and his wife.
Charlotte Lucas - Elizabeth’s dear friend. Pragmatic where Elizabeth is romantic, and also six years older than Elizabeth. Doesnt view love as the most vital component of a marriage. She is more interested in having a comfortable home. AcceptsMr. Collins' proposal.
Georgiana Darcy - Darcy’s sister. She is immensely pretty and shy. Plays piano.
Mary Bennet - The middle Bennet sister, bookish.
Catherine Bennet - The fourth Bennet sister. Like Lydia, she is girlishly enthralled with the soldiers.
Chapter 1-2
Charles Bingleys, (a wealthy young gentleman) arrival causes a great stir in the Bennet household. The Bennets have five unmarried daughters, and Mrs. Bennet is a foolish and fussy gossip. She sees Bingley’s arrival as an opportunity for one of the girls to find a wealthy husband. Mr. Bennet eventually meets with Mr. Bingley without the family knowing. When he reveals to his family they are overjoyed and excited.
Chapter 3-4
Mrs. Bennet and the girls question Mr. Bennet. A few days later, Mr. Bingley visits. The Bennets invite him to dinner, but he declines to go to London. He returns to Netherfield Park with his two sisters, his brother-in-law, and a friend named Darcy. Mr. Bingley and his guests go to a ball in Meryton. The Bennet sisters attend the ball with their mother. Jane dances twice with Bingley. Bingley tells Darcy that Jane is “the most beautiful creature” he has ever ever seen. Elizabeth overhears. Bingley suggests that Darcy dance with Elizabeth, but Darcy refuses thinking she isn't good enough. Elizabeth and entire neighborhood takes an immediate and understandable disliking to Darcy, because of Darcy’s comments and refusal to dance with anyone not rich and well bred. The Bennet women return to their house, where Mrs. Bennet tells her husband stories from the evening. Upstairs, Jane tells Elizabeth that she's surprised that Bingley danced with her twice, and Elizabeth replies that Jane is unaware of her own beauty. Elizabeth dislikes Bingleys sister.
Chapter 5-6
The Bennets’ neighbors are Sir William Lucas, his wife, and their children. Charlotte, their oldest daughter, is Elizabeth’s best friend. The morning after the ball, the women discuss the evening. They decide that Bingley considered Jane to be the prettiest of the girls. Elizabeth states that she will never dance with Darcy; everyone agrees that Darcy, hes too proud to be likable. Bingley’s sisters attempt to befriend Elizabeth and Jane. Bingley continues to pay attention to Jane, and Elizabeth thinks Jane is hiding her love for him. Elizabeth says it is better for a young woman to be patient until she is sure of her feelings; Charlotte disagrees, saying that it is best not to know too much about the faults of one’s future husband.Darcy finds himself attracted to Elizabeth. He begins listening to her conversations. Darcy tells Bingley’s sister that “Miss Elizabeth Bennet” is now the object of his admiration.
Chapter 7-8
Mr. Bennet’s property cannot be inherited by any of his daughters. Catherine and Lydia visit their mother’s sister, Mrs. Phillips, in Meryton. A note arrives inviting Jane to Netherfield Park for a day. Mrs. Bennet plans to send Jane by horse knowing that it will rain and that Jane will have to spend the night at Mr. Bingley’s house. Unfortunately, Jane gets soaked, falls ill, and is forced to stay at Netherfield. Elizabeth goes to visit her. When she arrives soaked and dirty, she is certain that the Bingleys frown upon her soiled clothes. Jane insists that her sister spend the night. That night the Bingley sisters make fun of the Bennets. When Elizabeth returns to the room, the discussion turns to Darcy’s opinions on what constitutes an “accomplished woman.” Elizabeth says that she “never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united,” implying that Darcy is far too demanding.
Chapter 9-10
The next day, Mrs. Bennet arrives with Lydia and Catherine to visit Jane. Mrs. Bennet spends her visit trying to convince Bingley to stay at Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet makes a fool of herself. Lydia asks Bingley whether he will hold a ball. He replies that he must wait until Jane is fully recovered to hold a ball. Elizabeth sees Miss Bingley complimenting Darcy. Elizabeth and Darcy argue over accepting the Advice of friends. Elizabeth again refuses to dance with Darcy. Her refusal only increases his admiration. Miss Bingley, becomes jealous and spends the day making fun of Elizabeth’s family. Miss Bingley begins reading to impress Darcy. Being uninterested in literature, she is quickly bored and says loudly, “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!—When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
Chapter 11-12
Miss Bingley spends the following night trying to attract Darcy’s attention. Darcy only looks up when she asks Elizabeth to walk with her. He states that his only fault is resentment. Elizabeth replies that it is hard to laugh at a “propensity to hate every body,” and Miss Bingley, insists on music to distract Darcy from Elizabeth. Elizabeth writes to her mother to say that she and Jane are ready to come home. Mrs. Bennet wantsJane to stay with Bingley, and refuses to send the carriage. Elizabeth insists on borrowing Bingley’s carriage and she and her sister leave. Darcy is glad to see them go, as Elizabeth attracts him too much.
Chapter 13-15
Mr. Bennet tells his wife about a visit from a Mr. William Collins, who will inherit Mr. Bennet’s property. Mr. Collins is a clergyman who is serving Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He arrives at Longbourn and apologizes for inheriting the Bennets’ property but admires and compliments the house. Mr. Collins speaks of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter who will one day inherit the de Bourgh fortune. After the meal, he reads from a book of sermons. Mr. Collins then decides to play backgammon with Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins is in search of a wife and fixes his attention on Elizabeth. They all go to Meryton, where they run into one of Lydia’s officer friends, Mr. Denny. Denny introduces his friend, Mr. Wickham, who the young women find charming. Darcy and Bingley walk by, and Elizabeth notices that Wickham and Darcy are extremely cold to each other. Darcy and Bingley leave, and the group visits Mrs. Phillips, who invites the Bennets and Mr. Collins to dinner.
Chapter 16-17
At dinner Wickham is the center of attention. Eventually, Wickham tells Elizabeth Darcy's story: he had planned on joining the ministry, rather than the militia, but couldnt because he lacked money. Wickham says, Darcy used a loophole in his fathers will to keep the money for himself. Elizabeth, who likes and trusts Wickham, believes him. Later, Wickham tells her that Darcy is Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s nephew. Elizabeth dwells on this information. Elizabeth tells Jane the next day and she defends Darcy, saying that there is probably a misunderstanding. Bingley invites the neighborhood to a ball, she looks forward to seeing Wickham.
Chapter 18
Wickham does not attend the ball. Mr. Denny says Darcy keeps Wickham away. Elizabeth’s unhappiness increases during two dances with Mr. Collins and peaks when she finds herself dancing with Darcy. Elizabeth encounters Miss Bingley who warns her not to trust Wickham. Elizabeth assumes that Bingley’s sister is only being spiteful and ignored the warning. Mrs. Bennet discusses the union of Bingley and Jane so loudly that Elizabeth scorns her. Mrs. Bennet continues rambling about the impending marriage.
Chapter 19-21
Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, assuming that she will be overjoyed. She turns him down, but he insists that she will change her mind. Mrs. Bennet is infuriated. She tells Elizabeth that if she does not marry Mr. Collins she will never see her again, and she asks Mr. Bennet to order Elizabeth to marry him. Her husband refuses and informs his daughter that if she were to marry Mr. Collins, he would refuse to see her again. Elizabeth encounters Wickham in Meryton. He apologizes for not going to the ball and walks her home, where Elizabeth introduces him to her parents. A letter arrives for Jane from Miss Bingley, informing her that Bingley is returning to the city and that Bingley plans to marry Georgiana. Elizabeth comforts Jane, telling her that this is all Miss Bingley’s doing.
Chapter 22-23
News arrives that Mr. Collins proposed to Charlotte Lucas and that she has accepted. Elizabeth is shocked. Mrs. Bennet is furious with her daughter for allowing a man to get away. Jane’s marriage prospects begin to appear limited.
Chapter 24-25
Miss Bingley sends another letter stating that Bingley will remain in London all winter, ending the Bennets’s hopes that he might return. Elizabeth is very upset by this news. Mrs. Bennet’s hopes of seeing her daughters marry fade. Mr. Bennet seems amused: he encourages Elizabeth’s interest in Wickham, so that she inlove. Mr. Gardiner, comes to stay with the family. The Gardiners invite Jane to accompany them back to London when they finish their visit, hoping that a change in scenery might raise Jane’s spirits. Jane accepts, hoping to see Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Gardiner notices that Elizabeth and Wickham show a liking for each other. Mrs. Gardiner does not think of Wickham as a good match for Elizabeth.
Chapter 26
Mrs. Gardiner warns Elizabeth that Wickham’s lack of money makes him unsuitable. She says that Elizabeth should be careful not to embarrass her father by becoming attached to Wickham. Elizabeth states that she will try to keep Wickham from falling in love with her and that she doesn't want to upset her father.After Jane and the Gardiners leave for London, Mr. Collins returns for his wedding. Elizabeth promises to visit Charlotte after her marriage. Jane’s letters from London tell how Miss Bingley was cold to her and visited her only briefly. Mrs. Gardiner asks Elizabeth about Wickham, and Elizabeth says he likes another girl.
Chapter 27-29
Elizabeth travels with Sir William Lucas to visit Charlotte and Mr. Collins. On the way, they spend a night in London with Jane and the Gardiners. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner speak about Wickham’s attempts to win over Miss King. Mrs. Gardiner is critical of him, but Elizabeth defends him. The Gardiners invite Elizabeth to accompany them on a trip. Elizabeth accepts. When Elizabeth arrives at Mr. Collins’s parish, the clergyman and Charlotte greet her enthusiastically. She sees Lady de Bourgh’s daughter. The girl is “sickly and cross,” and Elizabeth imagines Darcy marrying such an unappealing person. Miss de Bourgh invites them to dine at a mansion. At dinner, Lady Catherine grills Elizabeth concerning her upbringing.
Chapter 30-32
Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam visit their aunt at Rosings. When Mr. Collins pays his respects, the two men accompany him back and visit with Elizabeth. Colonel Fitzwilliam pays attention to Elizabeth during dinner. Elizabeth makes fun of Darcy, informing Colonel Fitzwilliam of his bad behavior at the Meryton Ball. Darcy tells Elizabeth that Bingley is unlikely to spend much of his time at Netherfield Park in the future. Charlotte declares that Bingley must be in love with Elizabeth, or he would never have called. Eventually Charlotte says that it maybe Colonel Fitzwilliam is interested in Elizabeth.
Chapter 33-34
Colonel Fitzwilliam mentions to Elizabeth that Darcy claims to have saved a friend from a marriage. Elizabeth guesses that the friend was Bingley and the imprudent marriage a marriage to Jane. She views Darcy as the cause of her sister’s unhappiness. Elizabeth demands to know if Darcy sabotaged Jane’s romance with Bingley; he admits that he did. She repeats Wickham’s accusations and states that she thinks Darcy is to be proud and selfish and that marriage to him is unthinkable.
Chapter 35-36
The following day, Elizabeth takes a walk and runs into Darcy, who gives her a letter. He walks away, and Elizabeth begins to read it. In the letter, Darcy again admits to attempting to break Bingley’s romance with Jane, but he defends himself by arguing that Jane’s attachment to his friend was not yet strong enough to lead to heartbreak. He adds that he did not wish Bingley to involve himself with the social encumbrance of marrying into the Bennet family, with its lack of both wealth and propriety. In relation to Wickham, the letter states that Darcy did provide for him after his father’s death and that the root of their quarrel lay in an attempt by Wickham to elope with Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, in the hopes of obtaining her fortune.Elizabeth is stunned by this revelation, and while she dismisses some of what Darcy says about Jane and Bingley, his account of Wickham’s doings causes her to reappraise the officer and decide that'll she was probably wrong to trust him. Her feelings toward Darcy suddenly enter into flux.
Chapter 37-39
Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam leave Rosings. Elizabeth departs despite Lady Catherine’s insistence that she stay another two weeks. Mr. Collins informs Elizabeth that he and Charlotte seem to be made for each other (which is clearly not true). Elizabeth and Jane return home. Catherine and Lydia talk about the soldiers as they ride home. The regiment is to be sent to Brighton for the summer, and the two girls are hoping to convince their parents to go. Lydia mentions that Wickham is no longer interested in Miss King. Lydia insists that the girls go to Meryton to see the officers. Not wanting to see Wickham, Elizabeth refuses.
Chapter 40-42
Elizabeth tells Jane the truth about Wickham. Lydia is invited to spend the summer in Brighton by the wife of a Colonel Forster. Mr. Bennet lets her go. Elizabeth and Wickham discuss Darcy. Elizabeth doesn't mention what she has discovered. Kitty is upset to see the soldiers go and even more upset that her sister is allowed to follow them. Elizabeth goes with the Gardiners on a trip that takes them close to Darcy’s house. Hearing that Darcy is not in the neighborhood, she agrees to take a tour of the estate.
Chapter 43
Elizabeth imagines what it would be like to be mistress at Pemberley as Darcy’s wife. The housekeeper shows them portraits of Darcy and Wickham and says that Darcy was “the sweetest, most generous-hearted boy in the world.” Elizabeth is surprised to hear such an pleasant description of a man she thinks is awful. Darcy joins them in their walk, proving to be polite. Elizabeth assures Darcy that she came to Pemberley because she thought that he was away. Darcy tells her that he's only there to prepare for a group of guests that includes the Bingleys and his own sister, Georgiana. He asks Elizabeth if she would like to meet Georgiana, and Elizabeth replies that she would.
Chapter 44-45
Darcy and Georgiana visit Elizabeth at her inn. Bingley joins them and they invite Elizabeth and the Gardiners to dine at Pemberley. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner visit Miss Darcy. Miss Bingley makes a spiteful comment to Elizabeth. Elizabeth avoids the subject of Wickham. After the guests depart, Miss Bingley attempts to criticize Elizabeth to Darcy. Darcy replies that he now considers Elizabeth “one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
Chapter 46
When Elizabeth returns to her inn, she finds two letters from Jane: the first says that Lydia has eloped with Wickham, the second that they may not be married yet. Elizabeth panics, realizing that if Wickham does not marry Lydia, the reputations of both Lydia and the entire family will be ruined. Darcy and Elizabeth immediately blame themselves for not exposing Wickham. She decides to return home immediately. After an apology to Darcy and his sister for breaking their dinner plans, Elizabeth and the Gardiners head back to the Bennet home.
Chapter 47
On the way home, Mr. Gardiner attempts to reassure his niece that Wickham will marry Lydia. Elizabeth replies by telling them about Wickham’s past. When she gets home, Elizabeth learns that her father has gone to London in search of Lydia and Wickham. Mrs. Bennet is hysterical. Jane assures Elizabeth that there was no way anyone could have known about their sister’s attachment to Wickham.
Chapter 48
Mr. Gardiner follows Mr. Bennet to London and writes to Longbourn that the search has been unsuccessful. A letter arrives from Mr. Collins that accuses the Bennets of poor parenting and notes that Lydia’s behavior reflects poorly on the family. Mr. Gardiner writes to say that attempts to trace Wickham have failed and that Mr. Bennet is returning home.
Chapter 49
Mr. Gardiner writes to tell Mr. Bennett that Wickham and Lydia have been found and that Wickham will marry her if the Bennets will pay him. Mr. Bennet gladly agrees. The Bennets assume that the Gardiners have paid Wickham a lot. The Bennets assume that they owe a a lot to their relatives. Mrs. Bennet is happy with having Lydia married, even when her husband and daughters point out how much it has probably cost. Her happiness is lost when her husband refuses to allow Wickham and Lydia to visit or to provide his daughter with money.
Chapter 50-51
Elizabeth realizes that her opinion of Darcy has changed so much that if he were to propose, she would accept. She understands that, given Lydia’s behavior and Wickham to the Bennet family, a proposal seems unlikely. Mr. Gardiner writes to Mr. Bennet to tell him that Wickham has accepted a commission in England. Lydia asks to visit her family before they move. The Bennets allow the newlyweds to stay at their home. The ten-day visit is difficult: Lydia is oblivious to all of the trouble that she has caused, and Wickham behaves as if he has done nothing wrong. Lydia describes her wedding and mentions that Darcy was in the church. Elizabeth sends a letter to Mrs. Gardiner asking for details
Chapter 52-53
Mrs. Gardiner replies to Elizabeth that it was Darcy who found Lydia and Wickham, and Darcy who paid Wickham the money. She hints that Darcy did this because he loves Elizabeth. Elizabeth is unsure whether to be upset or happy. Bingley is returning to Netherfield for a few weeks. Mr. Bennet refuses to visit him. Bingley comes to the Bennets’s home with Darcy. Mrs. Bennet is rude to Darcy, completely unaware that he was the one who saved Lydia.
Chapter 54-55
Bingley placed himself next to Jane at dinner while Darcy found a seat at the opposite end of the table from her Elizabeth. Elizabeth accepts that Darcy will not propose again. Bingley visited the Bennets and Mrs. Bennet invited him to dinner. He tells her that he already already has plans but accepts an invitation for the next day. Mrs. Bennet manages to leave Bingley alone with Jane but he does not propose. Bingley goes shooting with Mr. Bennet and stays for dinner. After the meal, he finds himself alone with Jane again. He tells her that he will ask Mr. Bennet for permission to marry her. Mr. Bennet agrees and Jane tells Elizabeth that she is “the happiest creature in the world". The neighborhood agrees that the Bennets are extremely fortunate in their daughter’s marriage.
Chapter 56
Lady Catherine de Bourgh visits the Bennets, she wants to talk to Elizabeth and insists that they go outside. Lady Catherine informs Elizabeth that she has heard a rumor that Darcy is planning to marry her. Elizabeth hides her surprise. She admits that she and Darcy are not engaged but doesnt promise not to get engagement to him. Lady Catherine presents the familiar objection: the Bennets have such low connections that Darcy marrying Elizabeth would ruin him. Elizabeth defends her family. Miss Bingley, and Lady Catherine herself always attempt to exert over their social inferiors. Lady Catherine leaves, furious and frustrated, and Elizabeth keeps their conversation secret.
Chapter 57-58
A letter arrives from Mr. Collins that says an engagement between Darcy and Elizabeth is possible. Mr. Bennet reads it to Elizabeth and comments on the absurdity of the idea of an engagement with Darcy. After Lady Catherine’s visit, Darcy comes to stay with Bingley at Netherfield. They visit the Bennets and everyone takes a walk together. Elizabeth and Darcy lag behind, and Elizabeth thanks him for saving Lydia’s good name. Darcy says that he only did because Lydia is her sister. He then says that his feelings toward her have not changed. Elizabeth tells him that her own feelings have changed and that she is now willing to marry him.
Chapter 59-60
Elizabeth tells Jane about Darcy’s intention to marry her. Jane cannot believe that Elizabeth loves Darcy. Darcy goes to Mr. Bennet to ask him for his approval. Mr. Bennet needs Elizabeth to convince him that she loves Darcy. She tells him how Darcy paid Wickham. Mrs. Bennet hears about engagement and bursts into happy tears. Darcy and Elizabeth talk about how their love began developed. Darcy writes to Lady Catherine about his engagement. Mr. Bennet sends a letter to Mr. Collins to do the same. The Collins congratulate the couple.
Chapter 61
After the weddings, Bingley buy a house near Pemberley, and the Bennet sisters visit a lot. Kitty is kept away from Lydia and she matures by spending time at her older sisters’ homes. Lydia and Wickham continue asking Darcy for money and visiting the Bingleys so much that Bingley gets tired of them. Elizabeth becomes friends with Georgiana. She even interacts with Miss Bingley. Lady Catherine accepts the marriage and visits her nephew at Pemberley. Darcy and Elizabeth consider the Gardiners close friends, grateful for the fact that they helped bring the two together.
