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What happens in Chapters 56–61 of Pride and Prejudice?
In Chapter 56, Lady Catherine visits the Bennets and says that she heard a rumor Darcy plans to marry Elizabeth. In Chapter 57, Mr. Bennet hears the same, which makes him laugh, as he assumes Elizabeth detests Darcy. In Chapter 58, Darcy tells Elizabeth he still wishes to marry her. In Chapter 59, after Darcy asks Mr. Bennet for his consent to marry Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet needs Elizabeth to convince him that she does indeed care for Darcy. In Chapter 60, Elizabeth shares the news of her engagement with friends and family. In Chapter 61, after the weddings, Bingley moves to an estate near Pemberley, allowing the Bennet sisters to visit each other frequently.
Read more about Chapters 56–61 with our 3-minute Summary & Analysis
What does Lady Catherine’s visit foreshadow?
Lady Catherine de Bourgh visits to Longbourn to warn Elizabeth off becoming engaged to Darcy. This signals to the reader that a proposal from Darcy is indeed coming.
Read more about Foreshadowing in Pride and Prejudice (1-minute read)
What famous quote from Pride and Prejudice appears in Chapter 58?
“If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.”
This quote precedes Darcy’s second proposal, and illustrates the extent to which he has changed, even though his feelings for Elizabeth have not. You can read the full quote and an explanation of it in Quotes by Chapter (the first quote under the Chapter 58 heading).
What important themes does the text explore in Chapters 56–61?
The final chapters touch back to several of the themes that have been explored throughout the novel. For instance, the conversation between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth underscores the theme of Divisions of Social Class as Lady Catherine insists marrying Elizabeth will disgrace Darcy, while Elizabeth’s refusal to bow to Lady Catherine’s influence (or anyone else’s) speaks to the theme of Integrity. Finally, when Darcy proposes and Elizabeth accepts, both have overcome their pride and prejudice in order to do so, and the novel’s overarching message about the importance of love comes to fruition.
The ways in which several of the main characters of the novel react to Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage—including Kitty, Georgiana, and Lady de Bourgh—drives home another idea in Pride and Prejudice: marriages affect not just the individual partners, but the wider community. A good marriage, where both partners love and respect each other, can have positive ripple effects on many people around them.
Read more about how the end of the novel and the community impact of marriage (2-minute read)
What’s a good way to get a concise recap Pride and Prejudice?
If you want an overall review or a recap, SparkNotes offers a 4-minute Full Book Summary as well as a 4-minute Full Book Analysis of Pride and Prejudice that was created to help you better understand and appreciate Jane Austen’s enduring novel.
