Ad-free experience
Study Guides for 1,000+ titles
Full Text content for 250+ titles
No Fear Translations of Shakespeare’s plays (along with audio!) and other classic works
Flashcards
Mastery Quizzes
Infographics
Graphic Novels
AP® Practice & Lessons
Note-taking
Bookmarking
Dashboard
What happens in Chapters 18–23 of Pride and Prejudice?
In Chapter 18, during a ball, Elizabeth finds herself dancing with Darcy. The two share an awkward conversation about Wickham. In Chapter 19, the next day, Elizabeth refuses Mr. Collins’ marriage proposal. In Chapter 20, this infuriates Mrs. Bennet and pleases Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth introduces Wickham to her parents. In Chapter 21, Jane receives a letter from Caroline that she, Darcy, and Bingley have left Netherfield for London. In Chapter 22, Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte Lucas and she accepts. In Chapter 23, Elizabeth and Jane begin to worry about Jane’s marriage prospects with Bingley.
Read our Summary & Analysis of Chapters 18–23. (4-minute read)
What important themes from Pride and Prejudice are introduced in Chapters 18–23?
Chapters 18–23 explore many of the text’s key themes, including Family Influence (as when Elizabeth begins to suspect Caroline Bingley is attempting to steer her brother away from Jane in Chapters 21 and 23) and Gender Roles (as when Mrs. Bennet appeals to her husband to force Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins in Chapter 20). Additionally, Elizabeth’s antipathy toward Darcy and her sympathy for Wickham both work to further develop the theme of the Impact of First Impressions.
Read about the key Themes of Pride and Prejudice. (3-minute read)
What important symbol from Pride and Prejudice is discussed in Chapter 22?
We are reminded that marriage is symbolic of one’s future prospects when Charlotte makes the decision in Chapter 22 to accept Mr. Collins’s suit purely for financial reasons.
Read about Marriage as a key Symbol in Pride and Prejudice. (1-minute read)
Why does Charlotte agree to marry Mr. Collins in Chapter 22?
The pragmatic Charlotte chooses to marry Mr. Collins not out of love but necessity. She is getting older, and she knows her chances of securing a match will only become more limited. When Mr. Collins proposes to her, she takes the opportunity to obtain a husband, a comfortable home, and economic security, even though she’s aware that he is ridiculous.
Read more about Charlotte's decision to marry Mr. Collins. (1-minute read)
What event in Chapter 22 was foreshadowed earlier in the novel?
Charlotte’s acceptance of Mr. Collins’s proposal are foreshadowed in Chapter 6, when she insists to Elizabeth that love and happiness are not required for a successful marriage. Her explanation to Elizabeth at the end of Chapter 22 echoes their earlier conversation.
