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What happens in Chapters 13–17 of Pride and Prejudice?
In Chapter 13, Mr. Bennet says that Mr. Collins, the man who will inherit Mr. Bennet’s property, will be arriving soon. That evening, in Chapter 14, Mr. Collins reads from a book of sermons, which bores Lydia. In Chapter 15, Mr. Collins reveals he is in search of a wife and fixes his sights on Elizabeth. On a walk, the Bennet girls meet a handsome stranger, Mr. Wickham, and invite him to a dinner at Mrs. Bennet’s sister’s home the following night. In Chapter 16, Wickham offers to explain the animosity between himself and Darcy that Elizabeth picked up on earlier, claiming Darcy once cheated him out of his inheritance. This reinforces Elizabeth’s dislike of Darcy. In Chapter 17, when Elizabeth and Jane discuss the disagreement between Wickham and Darcy, Elizabeth rejects Jane’s suggestion that it is probably just a simple misunderstanding.
Read more about Chapters 9–13 with our 3-minute Summary & Analysis
What key characters are introduced in Chapters 13–17 of Pride and Prejudice?
Two significant characters make their first appearances in this section of the novel. (You can read their in-depth Character Analysis by clicking on their names.) In Chapter 13, the reader meets Mr. Collins, Mr. Bennet’s cousin and a clergyman who will one day inherit the Bennet family’s home. In Chapter 15 we meet Mr. Wickham, a militiaman with whom Elizabeth is immediately enamored.
Read more about all the characters in Pride and Prejudice with our 4-minute Character List
What do we learn about the setting of Pride and Prejudice in Chapter 13?
In Chapter 13, during Mr. Collins’s visit to Longbourn, he appraises the property, taking in the rooms and the furniture therein. His compliments are not received well by the Bennets, given that Mr. Collins’s observations are that of a future property owner and not merely a casual visitor.
Read more about Longbourn as a Setting in Pride and Prejudice (1-minute read)
What important theme of Pride and Prejudice is introduced in Chapter 13?
Austen explores The Impact of First Impressions through the introduction of Mr. Wickham in Chapter 13. He presents himself as charming, sociable, and considerate, and Elizabeth both likes and trusts him immediately, something that will change as the novel progresses.
Read more about the Impact of First Impressions in Pride and Prejudice (2-minute read)
Why will Mr. Collins inherit the Bennets’ home when Mr. Bennet passes away?
Previously, the reader has learned that the Bennets’ property is entailed, meaning it automatically transfers to a predetermined heir. Mr. Collins, as the closing living male relative to Mr. Bennet, is that heir.
Read more about the entailment of the Bennets' property (1-minute read)
What is notable about the tone of Pride and Prejudice in Chapters 13–17?
The presence of the foolish, ridiculous Mr. Collins offers Austen the opportunity to be particularly sarcastic and critical, often through the lens of much cleverer characters like Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet.
