PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: PLOT SUMMARY / NOTES

CHAPTER 34

Summary

When the Company leaves, Elizabeth begins to reread Jane’s letters. Suddenly Darcy comes back in. After making perfunctory inquiries about her health, he declares his love for Elizabeth, who is thunderstruck and mute. Darcy speaks a good deal about his pride and makes Jane feel she is socially inferior to him. He acts like his proposal to her is a divine honor, which Elizabeth cannot turn down. Elizabeth, furious over his superior attitude, spares no words in refusing him. She accuses Darcy of separating Jane and Bingley, of treating Wickham horribly, and of acting in an arrogant manner. Darcy accepts these accusations without apology, but it hurts him when she says that his demeanor is not gentlemanly. When Darcy leaves the house, Elizabeth is so flustered great that she breaks into tears.

Notes

This chapter presents a new complication in the plot, for Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, who promptly turns him down. It must be noted that the normally calm and composed Darcy seems flustered, behaving in a theatrical fashion. It is ironic that Darcy’s proposal is the second one that Elizabeth has received, and both are condescending rather that romantic in nature. Both men have felt that it was Elizabeth’s privilege to marry them; also, both were certain that Elizabeth would accept their proposal. Her refusal surprises both men.

If Darcy had worded his proposal in a romantic way, emphasizing his love, Elizabeth would have reacted differently. As it stands, Elizabeth can only attack him. She accuses Darcy of ruining her sister’s chances with Bingley and of upsetting Wickham. Darcy does not understand what Elizabeth means and finds himself at a loss of words. When Elizabeth accuses him of ungentlemanly conduct, Darcy has heard enough, for he greatly prides himself on "his stately bearing,"

What stands in the way of Darcy and Elizabeth getting together at this point in the novel is "pride and prejudice." Darcy’s pride makes him act in a superior way when he proposes; he indicates that he makes the offer in spite of her inferior social position and her vulgar family. Elizabeth’s previously established prejudice against Darcy is intensified; she does not even contemplate marrying such an arrogant man.

In an ironic inversion, Darcy accuses Elizabeth of being too proud, while Elizabeth accuses him of being prejudiced. She tells Darcy that he has a propensity to hate people and has shown his prejudice against Wickham and Jane (and everyone else who comes in his way). The truth is that both characters are guilty of pride and prejudice.

CHAPTER 35

Summary

The next morning Elizabeth is walking by the park gates when she is confronted by Darcy, who thrusts a letter in her hand and leaves. The letter, contrary to her expectations, does not renew his marriage proposal. Instead, Darcy admits that he persuaded Bingley to give up Jane, for he had the impression that Jane did not really love Bingley. Darcy now realizes his mistake; however, he still feels the Bennet family, especially the mother, is ill suited to become the in-laws of a man of Bingley’s caliber. Darcy also apologizes for keeping Jane’s presence in London a secret from Bingley.

In regard to Wickham, Darcy informs Elizabeth that his own father, who employed Wickham’s dad, had given Wickham 3,000 to aid him in studying law. Unfortunately, Wickham squandered the money in idle living; quickly exhausting the funds, Wickham demanded more money. When rebuffed by Darcy, Wickham tried to get back at Darcy by attempting to elope with Darcy’s young sister, which Darcy was able to foil. Darcy ends the letter by asserting the veracity of his statements, which Colonel Fitzwilliam can certify. Darcy closes the letter with "God bless you."

Notes

The letter that Darcy thrusts into Elizabeth’s hand is the most important letter in the book. As Darcy tries to defend himself in the letter, he clears up several unanswered questions.

It is important to note the style of Darcy’s letter. Like Darcy himself, the language of the letter is direct, straightforward, precise, proud, and, above all, faithful to his convictions. In fact, Darcy’s tersely worded letter reads like a legal manuscript; it is a sharp contrast to Mr. Collins’ first letter to Mr. Bennet, which was full of flowery language and formal addresses.

Elizabeth’s aggressive behavior has forced Darcy to defend himself. In the letter, he elucidates his role in the Jane-Bingley matter and exposes Wickham’s treachery. The reader now understands why Darcy, at various moments in the novel, has been hesitant to divulge the truth about Wickham. Since the man misled his young sister, Darcy could not explain his treatment of Wickham without bringing his dear sister into the picture.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Free BookNotes Summary

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