English Literature books summary

area. Elizabeth expressed her dislike of Darcy to Wickham, and Wickham

mentions that he and Darcy have been intimately acquainted since childhood.

After feigning to avoid the subject, Wickham divulges to Elizabeth that

Darcy's father was his godfather and had promised to provide an ample

living for him, but after his death Darcy had circumvented his father's

promise and had given the living to someone else because of his dislike for

Wickham. Elizabeth is outraged and suggests that Darcy ought to be publicly

dishonored for his actions, but Wickham refuses to do so ought of respect

for Darcy's father. Wickham attributes Darcy's dislike of him to jealousy.

Elizabeth and Wickham also speak of Darcy's pride, which Wickham believes

is the source of all his generosity in the use of his money and excellent

care for his sister. Wickham alludes to a previously close but now very

cold relationship with Darcy's sister.

Wickham also mentions to Elizabeth that Lady Catherine de Bourgh is

Mr. Darcy's aunt, and that Mr. Darcy is expected to marry Miss de Bourgh in

order to unite the fortunes of the two families.

Volume I, Chapter 17 Summary:

When, the next day, Elizabeth relates to Jane the substance of her

conversation with Wickham, Jane refuses to think ill of either Wickham or

Darcy, and assumes that they must in some way be mutually deceived.

Mr. Bingley and his sisters come to Netherfield to announce a ball.

When Elizabeth asks Mr. Collins whether or not he plans to attend, he state

that he does and asks her for the first two dances. While she had wanted to

reserve those dances for Wickham, she gracefully accepts his offer.

Elizabeth begins to realize that she has become Mr. Collins choice for a

future wife, but she ignores his hints in that direction hoping that he

will not ask her.

Volume I, Chapter 18 Summary:

At the Netherfield Ball Elizabeth is disappointed because of Wickham's

absence, which she assumes is all Mr. Darcy's doing. After relating her

disappointment to her friend Charlotte Lucas, she suffers through her two

dances with Mr. Collins. Mr. Darcy asks her for a dance and Elizabeth is so

taken by surprise that she accepts. During the dance with Mr. Darcy

Elizabeth makes a bit of sarcastic conversation, poking fun at his

character. She alludes to her new acquaintance with Wickham and to the fact

that she thinks he has not behaved well toward him. They change the subject

after a brief interruption from Sir William Lucas, but then she goes back

to it by asking him about his previous admission that he has a tendency

toward resentment, explaining that she is unable to figure out his

character because she has received such contradictory accounts. After the

dance they part in silence but Darcy forgives her questioning and blames

Wickham.

Miss Bingley, having heard from Jane that Wickham has talked with

Elizabeth about Darcy, tries to warn her not to trust Wickham and assures

her that Darcy has done nothing wrong to Wickham but that Wickham has

treated Darcy shamefully. Elizabeth reacts rudely and considers Mr. Bingley

to be blinded to the truth. Jane also tells Elizabeth that Mr. Bingley

believes Darcy's behavior is above reproach and that Wickham is not reputed

to be of good character, but Elizabeth dismisses Bingley's opinion because

he received all his information from Darcy.

Mr. Collins finds out the Darcy is Lady Catherine's nephew and decides

to introduce himself, in spite of Elizabeth's warnings that it would be

inappropriate to do so because of Mr. Darcy's superior social status. Darcy

is surprised at Mr. Collins but replies to him with civility and then walks

away.

Jane seems to be having a wonderful time with Mr. Bingley, and

Elizabeth enjoys herself in thinking of her sister's happiness. Mrs. Bennet

is also happy to see how well Jane and Mr. Bingley are getting along, and

during dinner speaks unceasingly and loudly about the imminence of their

engagement in close proximity to Mr. Darcy, much to Elizabeth's great

embarrassment.

After dinner Mary accepts an invitation to play and sing at the piano,

and is insensible to Elizabeth's hints that she ought to decline. After

Mary's second piece Elizabeth gets her father to tell Mary to stop playing.

Mr. Collins then makes a speech about the importance of music which

nonetheless should not take precedence to more important parish duties.

Elizabeth feels completely embarrassed by her family's conduct during the

evening.

At the end of the ball Mrs. Bennet invites Bingley to dinner at

Longbourn and he promises to come as soon as he returns form a short trip

to London.

Volume I, Chapter 19 Summary:

The next day Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, in a long speech explaining

that he considers it appropriate for him to marry and that he wants to

marry one of the Miss Bennets in order lessen the difficulty of the

entailment of the estate. Elizabeth refuses him in no uncertain terms, but

Mr. Collins refuses to believe that her refusal could be sincere,

considering it a formality of female coquetry to always refuse a proposal

the first time. Elizabeth repeats and strengthens her refusal, but as he

still cannot believe her to be sincere, she simply leaves.

Volume I, Chapter 20 Summary:

When Mrs. Bennet hears that Elizabeth has refused to marry Mr.

Collins, she entreats Mr. Bennet to force Elizabeth to change her mind. Mr.

Bennet agrees to speak with Elizabeth, but actually tells her that he would

never hear of her marrying such a man as Mr. Collins. Mrs. Bennet does not

give up however, and continually attempts to persuade Elizabeth to accept

the proposal. In the midst of all this confusion, Charlotte Lucas comes to

visit. Eventually Mr. Collins accepts Elizabeth's refusal.

Volume I, Chapter 21 Summary:

Mr. Collins reacts by treating Elizabeth coldly for the rest of the

day and shifting his attentions to Charlotte Lucas. The girls all walk to

Meryton after breakfast. Elizabeth speaks with Wickham and he accompanies

them back to Longbourn, paying particular attention to Elizabeth.

When they return Jane receives a letter from Caroline Bingley stating

that they have all left Netherfield for town and have no intention of

returning. She states that Mr. Bingley will most probably not return for at

least another six months. The letter also speaks of the family's

expectation that Mr. Bingley will marry Georgiana Darcy, implying that they

do not want him to marry Jane. Elizabeth attempts to comfort Jane by

reassuring her that Mr. Bingley really is attached to her and that in spite

of his sisters' efforts to prevent him from marrying Jane he will most

assuredly return to Netherfield.

Volume I, Chapter 22 Summary:

Charlotte Lucas continues to engage Mr. Collins in conversation for

the rest of the day. Early the next morning Mr. Collins goes to Lucas Lodge

to propose to Charlotte. Charlotte accepts and Sir William and Lady Lucas

approve of the match.

Mr. Collins left the next day without informing the Bennets of his

engagement. His promise to return soon was met by assurances on the part of

Mr. Bennet that they would not be offended if the fulfillment of his duties

prevented his speedy return.

Later in the day Miss Lucas tells Elizabeth about her engagement.

Elizabeth is shocked but tries to be kind in her reaction. She is however,

very unhappy about Charlotte's decision because she thinks that the match

is completely unsuitable.

Volume I, Chapter 23 Summary:

Later in the day Sir William Lucas came to announce the engagement, to

the great surprise of the rest of the family. Mrs. Bennet is incredulous

and after being convinced that the news was true is extremely angry at

Elizabeth for having turned down the proposal.

Elizabeth and Charlotte do not discuss the subject of the marriage between

themselves, and their friendship gradually diminishes.

Jane and Elizabeth are concerned because they have not heard anything

at all from Mr. Bingley.

Mr. Collins returns again to Longbourn in order to make preparations for

his marriage. The Bennets are not too happy to see him but they are glad

that he spends most of his time at Lucas Lodge.

Volume II, Chapter 1 Summary:

Jane receives another letter from Miss Bingley confirming that they

will definitely not return before the end of the winter, and boasting about

the whole family's increasing intimacy with Miss Darcy and the hopes of an

engagement between her and Mr. Bingley. When Elizabeth and Jane are finally

able to speak alone, Jane confides her disappointment to Elizabeth. In

spite of Elizabeth's arguments, Jane refuses to believe that the Miss

Bingleys and Mr. Darcy are responsible for persuading Mr. Bingley not to

propose to Jane.

Mrs. Bennet only aggravates the situation by speaking of Bingley so often,

and Mr. Bennet only responds sarcastically.

Some comfort is provided to the household by Mr. Wickham's society.

Soon the whole town knows Wickham's story about Darcy and is happy to

believe it and judge Darcy to be completely in the wrong.

Volume II, Chapter 2 Summary:

Mr. Collins leaves Longbourn with his usual solemnity.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Bennet's brother and his wife, come to

Longbourn to visit. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are both sensible, intelligent

and refined. Elizabeth and Jane are very fond of them. Mrs. Gardiner and

Elizabeth speak about Jane and Bingley. Mrs. Gardiner offers to bring Jane

back to London with her in order to cheer her with the change of scene.

Elizabeth hopes that while in London Jane will run into Bingley.

During the course of the visit Mrs. Gardiner observes Elizabeth with

Wickham and notices her preference for him. Mrs. Gardiner enjoys speaking

with Wickham about mutual acquaintances and about Mr. Darcy and his father.

Volume II, Chapter 3 Summary:

Mrs. Gardiner speaks with Elizabeth about the imprudence of becoming

attached to Wickham because of his poor financial state. Elizabeth makes no

promises that she will not become attached to him, but does promise to try

to prevent the attachment as much as possible.

Mr. Collins returns to Hertfordshire for his wedding. Charlotte Lucas makes

Elizabeth promise to visit her at Hunsford

Jane writes to Elizabeth telling about her stay in London. Caroline

Bingley is extremely inattentive to her, pretending first that she is

unaware of Jane's presence in London, and then waiting a fortnight to make

a promised visit, which itself is rudely short.

In a letter to Mrs. Gardiner Elizabeth relates that Mr. Wickham's

affections for her have subsided and have been transferred to another young

lady, Miss King, who recently acquired 10,000 pounds. Elizabeth concludes

that she must not have been in love with him, because her feelings are

still cordial toward him.

Volume II, Chapter 4 Summary:

After a couple of dull winter months in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth is

looking forward to going with Sir William Lucas and his second daughter to

visit Charlotte. She parts very amiably with Wickham, reinforced in her

belief that he is a "model of the amiable and the pleasing." The travellers

stop for a night in London to see the Gardiners. Elizabeth is pleased to

see that Jane is looking well. Mrs. Gardiner informs her, however, that

Jane does undergo periods of dejection occasionally. Mrs. Gardiner is

critical of Wickham so quickly shifting his attentions to Miss King, but

Elizabeth defends him. Elizabeth is pleasantly surprised to be invited to

accompany the Gardiners on a tour of the country during the summer.

Volume II, Chapter 5 Summary:

The next day Elizabeth, Sir William and his daughter Maria set out for

Hunsford to visit Charlotte. Upon arriving Mr. Collins welcomes him to the

house with his usual verbose formality. Charlotte‹now Mrs. Collins‹seems to

endure Mr. Collins' silliness very well, and to take pleasure in managing

the house. On reflection, Elizabeth concludes that Charlotte is handling

things well.

Elizabeth's reflections are interrupted by shouts from Maria telling

her to look outside because Miss de Bourgh is there in her carriage.

Elizabeth is happy that Miss de Bourgh looks sickly and cross, thinking

that she'll make a perfect wife for Mr. Darcy. After the carriage drives

away Mr. Collins congratulates them because they have all been invited to

dine at Rosings the next day.

Volume II, Chapter 6 Summary:

The day of the dinner at Rosings is spent mostly in listening to Mr.

Collins, who is trying to prepare his guests for the grandeur they are

about to encounter. While Maria and Sir William are extremely nervous about

meeting Lady Catherine, Elizabeth sees nothing to be intimidated about,

being unimpressed by "the mere stateliness of money and rank."

Lady Catherine is "a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked

features," and her manner of receiving her visitors is one which does not

fail to remind them of their inferior rank. Miss de Bourgh is extremely

thin and small. Mrs. Jenkinson, who lives with them, has an unremarkable

appearance and spends most of her time fussing over Miss de Bourgh.

At dinner nothing much is said other than continuous compliments about

the food from Mr. Collins, which are echoed by Sir William. After dinner

Lady Catherine speaks about her opinion on every subject which comes to

mind and offers advice to Charlotte about even the smallest details of

household management. She then barrages Elizabeth with impertinent

questions about her and her family. Elizabeth answers with composure but

without fear of giving her own opinion. For the rest of the evening they

play cards.

Volume II, Chapter 7 Summary:

Sir William Lucas stays only for a week at Hunsford, but Elizabeth

stays for quite some time longer. She passes the time pleasantly,

conversing with Charlotte and taking long walks through the gardens. They

all dine regularly at Rosings about twice a week, and all dinners follow

the model of the first.

After having stayed a fortnight at Hunsford Elizabeth hears that Mr.

Darcy is planning to visit Rosings. She looks forward to his coming because

he will provide a new face at the dinner parties and because she wants to

see how he acts with Miss de Bourgh, whom he is expected to marry. When Mr.

Darcy arrives with his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, the two gentlemen

immediately call at Hunsford. Elizabeth asks Darcy whether or not he has

seen Jane in the past few months, in order to see if he betrays any

knowledge about what happened between Jane and the Bingleys. He looks a bit

confused but simply answers that he has not seen her.

Volume II, Chapter 8 Summary:

It is about a week before Elizabeth and Mr. and Mrs. Collins are

invited again to Rosings, since Lady Catherine is no longer in need of

company. During the evening Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have a very

enjoyable conversation. Lady Catherine seems annoyed that she is not a part

of the conversation, and interrupts them in order to join in. Mr. Darcy

looks a bit ashamed at his aunt's impertinence and ill-breeding in treating

Elizabeth as an inferior.

At Colonel Fitzwilliam's request, Elizabeth begins to play the piano.

As she playing Darcy walks away from Lady Catherine in order to go up to

the piano and watch her. They have a very lively conversation, teasing each

other playfully about their characters. Soon Lady Catherine interrupts

demanding to know what they are talking of, and Elizabeth immediately

resumes playing. Lady Catherine offers generous criticisms and advice about

Elizabeth's playing. Elizabeth tries to observe how Mr. Darcy reacts to

Miss de Bourgh, and she finds in him no sign of affection for her.

Volume II, Chapter 9 Summary:

The next morning, when only Elizabeth is at home, Mr. Darcy comes to

visit alone. He had thought that the other ladies were also at home. They

converse for a while about several subjects, including his quick departure

from Netherfield last November, and Charlotte's marriage to Mr. Collins.

When Elizabeth tells Darcy that, contrary to his opinions, Charlotte is not

exactly close to her family since they lack the income to travel

frequently, he tells Elizabeth emphatically that she must not have such

strong local attachments. Elizabeth is surprised and he quickly cools his

tone of voice and changes the subject to a general conversation about the

countryside. Charlotte and Marie return from their walk Mr. Darcy stays for

a few minutes and then leaves. Charlotte tells Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy

must be in love with her, but Elizabeth convinces her that such is not the

case.

Colonel Fitzwalliams calls on the ladies frequently because he enjoys

their company. Elizabeth can tell that he admires her. He reminds her of

Wickham. Neither Elizabeth nor Charlotte are able to figure out why Mr.

Darcy calls on them so often. Charlotte keeps suggesting that Mr. Darcy

must be partial to her, but Elizabeth simply laughs at the idea.

Volume II, Chapter 10 Summary:

Elizabeth often unexpectedly meets Mr. Darcy during her walks in the

Park, in spite of the fact that she has told him where she usually walks in

hopes of deterring him from taking the same path. When they meet he not

only stops to say hello but also walks all the way back to the house with

her. During one conversation he asks questions which seem to imply that in

the future when she comes to Kent she will be staying at Rosings. Elizabeth

thinks that he may be alluding to the prospect of her marriage to Colonel

Fitzwilliam.

On another walk Elizabeth runs into Colonel Fitzwilliam. He speaks to

her about the fact that because he is a younger son he cannot ignore

financial concerns in his choice of whom to marry. Elizabeth thinks that

this statement may be made for her sake. They also speak of Miss Darcy, and

then of Bingley. Colonel Fitzwilliam tells Elizabeth that Darcy recently

saved a good friend probably Bingley from an imprudent marriage.

When she is alone and reflecting on the conversation, Elizabeth is

sure that it was due to Darcy's influence that Bingley did not propose to

Jane. Her reflections distress her so much that she begins to have a

headache, and her headache combined with her desire to avoid seeing Mr.

Darcy lead her to stay at home even though they have been invited to

Rosings that evening.

Volume II, Chapter 11 Summary:

While Elizabeth is at home alone, the door bell rings and she thinks

that it might be Colonel Fitzwilliam. To her surprise, however, it is Mr.

Darcy. After he inquires about her health, he paces around the room for a

few minutes and then makes a declaration of love for her. While he speaks

eloquently about his admiration for her, he also clearly expresses the

inferiority of her connections and the family obstacles which prevented him

from proposing sooner. Elizabeth turns down his proposal rather harshly,

and he is both surprised and resentful.

Elizabeth explains her reasons for turning him down. These reasons

are, first, the arrogant manner of his proposal; second, his actions to

separate Bingley and Jane; and third, his actions toward Wickham. Darcy

replies angrily that her calculation of his faults is indeed heavy, but

that she might have overlooked them if he had not been honest about the

fact that her family connections had made him try to avoid becoming

attached to her. She simply states that his manner of proposal had no

influence on her other than to "spare me the concern of refusing you, had

you acted in a more gentlemanlike manner." After she finishes speaking he

quickly leaves the room.

Elizabeth collapses and cries from weakness as a result of what has

passed. She is flattered that he should have proposed to her, but any

softness which she feels toward him because of his affection is quickly

dissipated as soon as she thinks of his "abominable pride" and all that he

has done to Jane and to Wickham.

Volume II, Chapter 12 Summary:

The next morning Elizabeth decides to go for a walk. Though she avoids

her usual walking route, Mr. Darcy finds her and gives her a letter, then

quickly leaves. First the letter explains Darcy's reasons for persuading

Bingley not to marry Jane. Darcy admits that the impropriety of the Bennet

family made him hope that the two would not marry, but that his main reason

for preventing Bingley from proposing to Jane was that he did not think

that Jane had any particular regard for Bingley. The only part of his

conduct which he is uneasy about is that he concealed from Bingley his

knowledge that Jane has been in London for the past few months.

In response to Elizabeth's charge that Darcy had injured Mr. Wickham,

Darcy relates the whole account of Wickham's relationship with him and his

family. Darcy's father was very fond of Wickham and paid to provide him

with an excellent education. Before his death Darcy's father asked Darcy to

promote Wickham's professional advancement and stipulated that if Wickham

should become a clergyman Darcy should provide him with a good family

living. Wickham, however, having no desire to become a clergyman, wrote to

Darcy after his father's death and asked for money in order to study law.

Darcy gave him 3,000 pounds and Wickham resigned his claim to assistance in

a church career. However, Wickham quickly gave up on studying law and

squandered the money with a dissipate lifestyle. When he needed more money

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