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Summary 'Pride and Prejudice' detailed chapter summaries
'Pride and Prejudice' detailed chapter summaries with Grade 9 level analysis, including key quotations and themes.
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Pride and Prejudicechapter summaries
volume I
chapte summary + key themes key quotation(s)
r
Ch I Mrs. Bennet announces that a wealthy young ‘It is a truth universally
gentleman, Charles Bingley has rented the Netherfield acknowledged, that a single man
1 Park estate. The Bennets have five unmarried daughters in possession of a good fortune,
so she sees this as an opportunity. Mrs. Bennet insists must be in want of a wife.’
for Mr. Bennet to call on the new arrival immediately
though he sarcastically ensures that he has no interest ‘She was a woman of mean
in doing so, showing the contrast in their characters. The understanding, little information,
emphasis on wealth highlights the importance of and uncertain temper … The
marrying for security rather than love in Regency business of her life was to get her
England, especially for women, portrayed in Mr. and daughters married.’
Mrs. Bennet’s marriage. In the opening line, Austen
criticises the female obsession with marriage. ‘odd mixture of quick parts,
sarcastic humour, reserve and
key themes: prejudice, social class, wealth/money, caprice.’
gender, love and marriage
Ch II Mr. Bennet visits Mr. Bingley without the rest of the ‘Mr. Bennet was among the
family knowing, who are overjoyed and excited when earliest of those who waited on
2 they hear the news, wondering who will take his fancy. Mr. Bingley. He had always
They consider inviting him to dinner. This shows how intended to visit him.’
even Mr. Bennet recognises the importance of marriage
for his daughters.
key themes: prejudice, social class, wealth/money,
gender, love and marriage
Ch III Mrs. Bennet and the girls incessantly question Mr. ‘Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention
Bennet. Bingley returns the visit though he only meets of the room by his fine, tall person,
3 Mr. Bennet who invites him to dinner. Bingley declines handsome features, noble mien
as he has business to attend in London. Soon after, Mr [...] he was much handsomer than
Bingley attends a ball in Meryton with his two sisters, Mr. Bingley’
brother-in-law and Mr. Darcy, and dances twice with
Jane. He suggests that Darcy should dance with ‘Not all his large estate in Derby-
Elizabeth, but he refuses. Darcy is immediately disliked shire could then save him from
by Elizabeth and most of the neighbourhood despite his having a most forbidding,
wealth. When the Bennet women return home, Mrs. disagreeable countenance, and
Bennet recounts their experiences with Mr. Bennet, being unworthy to be compared
showing how strong prejudices can be once formed. The with his friend.’
males’ inclination to dance is used as a measure of
amiability as this allowed men and women to interact ‘He was lively and unreserved,
with each other. Elizabeth and Darcy’s first interaction is danced every dance [...] Such
structurally interesting as they do not actually converse amiable qualities must speak for
before making their first impressions of each other. themselves.’
Austen may do this to emphasise the importance of
prejudice in the novel by establishing this early on. ‘His character was decided. He
was the proudest, most
key themes: pride, prejudice, social class, disagreeable man in the world.’
wealth/money, gender, love and marriage
, extra quotes:
‘She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!’ - Mr. ‘She is tolerable; but not
Bingley handsome enough to tempt me’.’ -
Mr. Darcy
‘Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a
pleasant countenance and easy, unaffected manners.’
Ch IV Upstairs, Jane expresses her surprise that Bingley ‘Compliments always take you by
danced with her to Elizabeth who replies that Jane is surprise, and me never.’ -
4 unaware of her own beauty, criticising her obliviousness. Elizabeth Bennet
This shows how Jane is more accepting, blinding her
from people’s faults whereas Elizabeth is not afraid to ‘You never see fault in anybody.
express her opinions. They both agree that Bingley’s All the world are good and
sisters are not well-mannered but Jane insists that they agreeable in your eyes.’ -
are charming in close conversation and Elizabeth Elizabeth Bennet
continues to dislike them. The Bingley sisters are
described as being ‘very fine ladies […] but proud and ‘I would wish not to be hasty in
conceited [and] in every respect entitled to think well of censuring any one; but I always
themselves, and meanly of others.’ Bingley is described speak what I think.' - Elizabeth
as having inherited a hundred thousand pounds from his Bennet
father and ‘intended to purchase an estate, but did not
live to do it’. His friendship with Darcy is ‘steady’, despite ‘Between him and Darcy there
their contrasting characters and Bingley’s sisters take a was a very steady friendship, in
liking to Jane and see her as a ‘very sweet girl’. spite of great opposition of
character.’
key themes: pride, prejudice, social class,
wealth/money, gender ‘Darcy was clever [...] haughty,
reserved, and fastidious, and his
manners, though well-bred, were
not inviting.’
Ch V The morning after the ball, the Bennet women discuss ‘He is such a disagreeable man
the events of the evening with their neighbours, the that it would be quite a misfortune
5 Lucas family. It is agreed that Bingley took a liking to to be liked by him.’ - Mrs. Bennet
Jane and Elizabeth will never dance with Darcy as he is
too proud. Charlotte argues that he may be forgiven due ‘His pride does not offend me so
to his fortune as someone in his social position is much [...] because there is an
entitled to be proud, showing her and Elizabeth’s excuse for it. [...] he has a right to
different attitudes to marriage. Elizabeth aligns herself be proud.’ - Charlotte Lucas
with Darcy by admitting she can also be proud.
‘I could easily forgive his pride, if
key themes: pride, prejudice, social class, wealth/ he had not mortified mine’.’ -
money, gender, love and marriage Elizabeth Bennet
Ch VI The Bingley sisters exchange visits with the Bennets in ‘In nine cases out of ten a woman
attempt to befriend Elizabeth and Jane. Jane is flattered had better show more affection
6 though Elizabeth still doesn’t approve. Elizabeth decides than she feels.’ - Charlotte Lucas
that Jane is concealing her feelings for Bingley very well
and discusses this with Charlotte at the Lucas’ party, ‘When she is secure of him, there
who claims that if she conceals it too well, Bingley may will be leisure for falling in love as
lose interest so should make her feelings more obvious. much as she chooses.’ - Charlotte
They disagree about whether it is better to be sure about Lucas
their emotions before marriage or not. Darcy finds
himself attracted to Elizabeth and begins listening to her ‘If a woman conceals her affection
conversation at parties, much to her surprise. Sir William with the same skill from the object
attempts to persuade Darcy and Elizabeth to dance of it, she may lose the opportunity
together though Elizabeth refuses as he is ‘all of fixing him.’ - Charlotte Lucas
politeness’. Shortly after, Darcy tells Caroline Bingley
that his opinions about Elizabeth have changed and that ‘Happiness in marriage is entirely
he admires her and finds her attractive. Darcy’s shift in a matter of chance.’ - Charlotte
emotion reveals his capacity to change, even though he Lucas
was prejudiced against Elizabeth because of her lower
, social status. ‘He has a very satirical eye, and if
I do not begin by being impertinent
key themes: pride, prejudice, social class, myself, I shall soon grow afraid of
wealth/money, love and marriage him.’ - Elizabeth Bennet
extra quotes:
‘A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from
admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.
I knew you would be wishing me joy’ - Mr. Darcy
Ch VII Mr. Bennet’s property is described as entailed, meaning ‘Mr. Bennet's property consisted
that it must pass to a man after his death and cannot be almost entirely in an estate of two
7 inherited by any of his daughters. Kitty and Lydia thousand a year, which,
entertain themselves by visiting their aunt, Mrs Phillips in unfortunately for his daughters,
Meryton and gossiping about the soldiers there. One was entailed.’
night a note arrives inviting Jane to Netherfield for a day.
Mrs. Bennet suggests sending her by horseback rather ‘Her hopes were answered; Jane
than coach, knowing that it will rain so Jane will have to had not been gone long before it
spend the night there, showing her desperation for Jane rained hard. Her sisters were
to marry a wealthy gentleman like Bingley. Jane is uneasy for her, but her mother
soaked by the rain and falls ill and therefore must stay at was delighted.’
Netherfield. Elizabeth goes to visit her, hiking three
miles on foot. She is soaked and muddy when she ‘That she should have walked
arrives, causing the Bingley sisters to disapprove of her three miles so early in the day, in
appearance, although they consent for her to stay such dirty weather, and by herself,
overnight to take care of Jane. was almost incredible to Mrs.
Hurst and Miss Bingley.’
key themes: pride, social class, wealth/money, gender
Ch VIII The Bingley sisters poke fun at the Bennets. Darcy and ‘I am no longer surprised at your
Mr. Bingley defend them, expressing their admiration for knowing only six accomplished
8 Elizabeth, though Darcy agrees that he would not want women. I rather wonder now at
his sister to go out on such an expedition and that the your knowing any.’ - Elizabeth
Bennets’ lack of wealth and connections make them Bennet
poor marriage prospects. When Elizabeth returns to the
room, the discussion turns to Darcy’s library at ‘A woman must have a thorough
Pemberley and his opinions on what he considers an knowledge of music, singing,
“accomplished woman.” After he and Bingley list the drawing, dancing, and the modern
attributes that such a woman would possess, Elizabeth languages [...] she must possess
states that Darcy is too demanding. a certain something in her air and
manner of walking, the tone of her
key themes: social class, gender, love and marriage voice, her address and
expressions’ - Caroline Bingley
‘I never saw such capacity, and
taste, and application, and
elegance, as you describe united.’
- Elizabeth Bennet
Ch IX The next day, Mrs. Bennet arrives with Kitty and Lydia to "Indeed, Mamma, you are
visit Jane. She tries to convince Bingley to remain at mistaken,’ said Elizabeth, blushing
9 Netherfield and compares country life to the city as well for her mother.’
as promoting Jane over Charlotte. Lydia asks Bingley
where he will hold a ball at Netherfield, and he replies ‘Mr. Bingley was unaffectedly civil
that he must wait until Jane is fully recovered. Elizabeth in his answer, and forced his
is embarrassed by her family’s behaviour. younger sister to be civil also, and
say what the occasion required.’
key themes: pride, social class, gender, love and
marriage
Ch X Elizabeth remains at Netherfield, taking care of Jane ‘Elizabeth, having rather expected
and observing Caroline as she piles compliments upon to affront him, was amazed at his
10 Darcy who is writing to his sister, trying to flatter him. gallantry; but there was a mixture
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