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Chapter 35
‘The situation of your mother's family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison to that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your father.’
After his proposal is rejected, Darcy sends Elizabeth a letter in Chapter 35 to address several of the points she brought up during their heated exchange. Here, Darcy explains that her inferior social connections were less objectionable to him than the behavior exhibited by her parents and three younger sisters. At every turn, they showed a lack of social decorum, which prompted Darcy to suggest Bingley rethink his relationship with Jane.
Chapter 36
As to his real character, had information been in her power, she had never felt a wish of enquiring. His countenance, voice and manner had established him at once in the possession of every virtue.
Elizabeth processes Darcy’s letter in Chapter 36. His account of Wickham’s attempt to run away with Darcy’s sister rings completely true, and Elizabeth realizes she overlooked questionable aspects of Wickham’s character because of his charming outward appearance. Read more about this quote in Quotes by Theme: The Impact of First Impressions (the fifth quote).
She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd.
In Chapter 36, Elizabeth reflects with horror on her behavior over the past several months. The fact that Darcy has every reason to dislike Wickham, and that she refused to offer him any grace while accepting Wickham’s words wholeheartedly, challenges Elizabeth’s ideas about her own judgment.
I, who have prided myself on my discernment! …I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself.
In Chapter 36, Elizabeth continues to ruminate on her first impressions of Darcy and Wickham. She sees now that her stubborn adherence to those first impressions makes her no less prideful than Darcy. Snubbed by him and flattered by Wickham, she was happy to interpret new information about either one in whatever way best suited her biases. Because she believed so strongly that she was a good judge of character, this revelation rattles and humbles her.
Chapter 37
In her own past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and in the unhappy defects of her family, a subject of yet heavier chagrin.
In Chapter 37, Elizabeth reads Darcy’s letter again and again until she knows it by heart, and she acknowledges here that he is correct about her family. Though aware of the improper behavior frequently displayed by her sisters, she is still ashamed to have it pointed out to her, and she realizes there is little she can do. Her sisters will continue to make fools of themselves, and they will never be reined in by their parents as their mother acts similarly and their father has no interest in doing so.
Chapter 41
Lydia will never be easy until she has exposed herself in some public place or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so little expense or inconvenience to her family as under the present circumstances.
Mr. Bennet says this in Chapter 41, indicating that that he has no objection to Lydia leaving home to Brighton where the militiamen are located, despite the risk to her and the family’s reputations and despite Elizabeth’s warnings. This quote is indicative of Mr. Bennet’s hand-off parenting style, which is in sharp contrast to overly involved parenting approach of Mrs. Bennet.
Wherever you and Jane are known you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear to less advantage for having a couple of—or I may say, three—very silly sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. Let her go, then.
In Chapter 41, Lydia has received an invitation to accompany a militiaman and his wife to Brighton for the summer. Elizabeth, aware that the largely unsupervised Lydia could get into trouble in Brighton, tries to convince Mr. Bennet to forbid her from going. Mr. Bennet’s response, as quoted above, highlights his disinterest in his daughters’ affairs, his unwillingness to inconvenience himself, and his mistaken assumption that Lydia’s behavior has no effect on the rest of the family. Read more about this quote in Quotes by Character: Mr. Bennet (the third quote).
Chapter 42
Elizabeth was distressed. She felt that she had no business at Pemberley, and was obliged to assume a disinclination for seeing it. She must own that she was tired of great houses; after going over so many, she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains . . . The possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy, while viewing the place, instantly occurred. It would be dreadful!
Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, propose a visit to Darcy’s estate in Chapter 43 while they are traveling in the area. Elizabeth opposes this, claiming she’s tired of touring mansions, but the true reason is she’s still ashamed because of everything that has occurred between her and Darcy. She shows humility in her reluctance to face him after learning she misconstrued several aspects of his character, and only the knowledge that Darcy won’t be there persuades her to consent to the visit.
