opens with Mr Collins’ startling proposal of

marriage to Elizabeth. When Mr. Collins requests a private audience with her, Elizabeth begs her sisters to stay, but Mrs. Bennet makes a great show of removing them all. Mr. Collins’ proposal is perhaps one of the most comical scenes in the novel. He explains his reasons for marrying, and for selecting Elizabeth, none of which have anything at all to do with her personal qualities. Elizabeth repeatedly makes her refusal clear, but Mr. Collins refuses to accept; he believes she is merely playing games, and claims that her refusals only make her more agreeable to him. Becoming more frustrated, he makes shocking statements: “in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you” (83). He continues to believe that Elizabeth is merely trying to be charming, and the chapter ends with Elizabeth leaving the room, with Collins insisting that she will be brought around as soon as he officially approaches her parents.

Mrs. Bennet returns in chapter 20 to congratulate Mr. Collins; she is shocked to hear that Elizabeth declined, but Mr. Collins assures her that it was mere modesty and charm. Mrs. Bennet is alarmed nonetheless, and goes to Mr. Bennet to insist that Lizzy marry Collins. Elizabeth is summoned, and Mr. Bennet explains the situation: “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do” (85). This kind of humor is typical of Mr. Bennet, as are his wife’s and daughter’s reactions to his comment. Mrs. Bennet is

outraged, and Elizabeth is comforted by having her father’s immediate understanding of her loathing of Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins is not really upset by the rejection, since ultimately, “His regard for her was quite imaginary” (86). Mrs. Bennet remains dismal and sickly due to Elizabeth’s refusal, but the rest of the family agrees that Elizabeth has made the right decision.

In chapter 21, Mr. Collins responds to Elizabeth’s rejection with “stiffness of manner and resentful silence” (88). The girls walk to Meryton to inquire after Mr. Wickham; he walks back with Elizabeth, and explains his absence from the ball. Elizabeth is pleased by his attentions. Jane receives a letter from Caroline Bingley that surprises and disappoints her; the Bingleys have all left Netherfield for town, and do not intend to return to Hertfordshire any time soon. Even more distressing is Caroline’s cruel implication that they are going to visit Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, and that they hope that their brother will marry her. Elizabeth tries to comfort her sister, but is quite incensed at Miss Bingley’s behavior. They agree to tell their mother that the party has left Netherfield, but no more; nonetheless, Mrs. Bennet is distressed by the news, although she concludes that he will return soon for a promised dinner in Longbourn.

Elizabeth thanks her friend Charlotte for entertaining Mr. Collins during the day in Chapter 22; Charlotte claims it is no sacrifice, and indeed, we soon learn that she hopes to engage Mr. Collins’ affections for herself. She succeeds immediately. Mr. Collins proposes, and Sir William and Lady Lucas immediately agree to the match. Charlotte’s thoughts on the matter are expressed by the narrator: “Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honorable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want” (94). Charlotte worries that the news may cause a shock to her friend Elizabeth, so she asks Mr. Collins not to tell the Bennets until

she first tells Elizabeth. Mr. Collins complies and returns to the Bennets for his last night in their home. The next morning, Charlotte visits Elizabeth and informs her of her engagement, explaining “I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state” (96). Elizabeth believes the match completely unsuitable, and worries for her friend, who she believes cannot possibly be happy with her choice.

Before Elizabeth has a chance to tell the family about Charlotte’s engagement, Sir William Lucas arrives at the opening of chapter 23 to announce it himself. They are all greatly shocked by the revelation; Mrs. Bennet is particularly angry at Elizabeth, especially as Mrs. Lucas visits more often, referring to the joys of having a daughter well married. The friendship between Elizabeth and Charlotte grows distant. Elizabeth turns to Jane, who is waiting for a reply to her letter to Caroline Bingley. A laughable letter of thanks arrives from Mr. Collins; unfortunately, it also brings tidings of his plan to visit them again soon. He returns, much to the annoyance of all. Thankfully, he spends most of his time at Lucas Lodge. Mrs. Bennet frets further over the situation of the entail, which means that after Mr. Bennet’s death, their home will go to Mr. Collins and Charlotte, a situation that she finds enormously unjust, particularly since they already have a home through the parsonage at Hunsford. This is the end of Volume I of the novel.

Caroline Bingley’s letter finally arrives at the beginning of

Volume II, chapter 1, but it brings no pleasure to Jane.

Caroline praises Georgiana Darcy excessively, and continues to imply that she is to be their new sister-in-law. Elizabeth tries to comfort Jane, but the two have different temperaments. Elizabeth claims that Jane “wish[es] to think all the world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of any body” (104). Meanwhile, Elizabeth claims “The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief

of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense” (104). Mrs. Bennet continues to speak of Bingley, providing fresh pains for Jane. Their only comfort during this time is Mr. Wickham, who has spread his tale of injustice at the hands of Darcy. Everyone is glad to think well of Wickham and ill of Darcy, so the story is believed immediately.

After a week in Longbourn, Mr. Collins returns to his parish at the opening of chapter 2. After his departure, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner (Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife) arrive for a visit. The Gardiners are well-bred, sensible, and caring, and Elizabeth and Jane are quite fond of them. After hearing of the attachment between Jane and Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Gardiner suggests that Jane come to London with them for a change of scenery. Mr. Wickham visits, and Mrs. Gardiner observes his preference for Elizabeth (and hers for him). Mrs. Gardiner is familiar with the Pemberley estate (where Wickham grew up with Darcy); she is pleased to share in conversation with Wickham, who is a charming conversationalist. Hearing Wickham’s story of Darcy’s behavior, she cannot remember anything in particular of Darcy, and chooses to accept Wickham’s tale.

In chapter 3, Mrs. Gardiner tells Elizabeth that she should not become too attached to Wickham, since neither of them have any means of support. Elizabeth sees the sense in this and promises to try not to become too attached to him. Mr. Collins returns once again, this time for his wedding. Charlotte asks Elizabeth to visit her at her new home in Hunsford, and she promises to do so. Elizabeth receives a letter from Jane in London. Jane is disappointed because Caroline has ignored her while she has been in London, and she has only made one very short, rude visit. Elizabeth is saddened by Jane’s disappointment and the rude behavior of Miss Bingley, but she is pleased to be able to write Bingley off finally and completely. Elizabeth writes to Mrs. Gardiner to tell her not to worry about her promise, as Mr. Wickham is no longer showing any interest in her. Indeed, Mr. Wickham has recently been paying

his attentions to a Miss King, recent heiress of 10,000 pounds. Elizabeth remains cordial to him, and realizes that her ease in seeing his feelings change indicates that her own feelings for him were not very strong.

Elizabeth passes some dull winter months at home before eagerly making the trip to visit Charlotte at Hunsford with Sir William and his second daughter, Maria in chapter 4. She has a friendly farewell with Mr. Wickham. The travelers stop for a night in London, where Elizabeth is able to see Jane and the Gardiners. Mrs. Gardiner is disappointed by the behavior of Wickham, and becomes critical of Miss King (the heiress and new object of Wickham’s attentions). The Gardiners propose that Elizabeth join them later in a summer tour of the Lakes, a plan that thrills Elizabeth.

Elizabeth begins the next day, chapter 5, in a wonderful mood as she sets out for Hunsford with Sir William and Maria. Upon their arrival, they are welcomed by Mr. Collins with his typical absurd formality. Elizabeth watches Charlotte’s reactions to her husband’s behavior, and finds that she seems to endure it by ignoring it. It is also clear that Charlotte takes great pride and pleasure in her home. She notes that “When Mr. Collins could be forgotten, there was really a great air of comfort throughout, and by Charlotte’s evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be often forgotten” (121). Mr. Collins goes on about the pleasures and privileges of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, their neighbor and his patron. His excessive praise is interrupted by the arrival of the young Miss de Bourgh and her lady maid, Mrs. Jenkinson. Elizabeth observes to herself that Miss de Bourgh looks “sickly and cross” (122) and is pleased to imagine her as a “proper” wife for Mr. Darcy. Mr. Collins is endlessly delighted to announce that they have been honored by an invitation to dinner at Rosings (the home of the de Bourghs) the following day.

Mr. Collins spends the opening of chapter 6 preparing his guests for the grandeur of Rosings. Maria and Sir William are nervous about meeting Lady Catherine, but Elizabeth is unconcerned with the pedigree, wealth, and position of Lady de Bourgh. Upon arriving, Elizabeth carefully observes the

women of the house. She finds that Mr. Wickham’s report of Lady Catherine exactly matches her own observations. She notes that Miss de Bourgh is extremely thin and small, and is constantly attended by Mrs. Jenkinson. Elizabeth watches Mr. Collins and Sir William praise everything about the dinner excessively, and also sees how Lady Catherine enjoys their obsequiousness. Maria and Elizabeth hardly speak at all, while Lady Catherine was constantly “delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgment controverted” (126). After dinner, Lady Catherine begins to question Elizabeth rather impertinently about her family’s financial situation. She is shocked to learn that the girls had no governess. For the rest of the evening they play cards. Elizabeth returns and gives Charlotte a pleasant review of the evening, simply to be polite.

In chapter 7, Sir William leaves Hunsford after a week, but Elizabeth stays on to visit with her friend. They spend the time pleasantly; Elizabeth enjoys the quiet time alone with Charlotte, and endures twice weekly dining at Rosings. After a fortnight, Elizabeth learns that Mr. Darcy will join the party at Rosings, and she looks forward to his arrival merely so that she can observe his behavior and interaction with Lady Catherine and her daughter. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam call on the Collinses on their second day in the area, a civility that Charlotte immediately attributes to the presence of Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy inquires after Elizabeth’s family, and she asks him if he has seen Jane while in London. Although she knows that he hasn’t, she hopes he will reveal how much he knows about Miss Bingley’s treatment of Jane. Darcy looks confused and answers that he has not seen her; the matter is dropped immediately.

About a week after Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arrival, the Collinses and their guests are invited to Rosings on Easter at the beginning of chapter 8. Colonel Fitzwilliam finds Elizabeth very pretty, and talks with her with great animation; Elizabeth finds herself enjoying time at Rosings as she never has before. Their lively conversation attracts the attention of Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy. Lady Catherine interrupts their conversation, dispensing useless advice to the company,

and Mr. Darcy seems to be ashamed of his aunt’s behavior. Elizabeth plays the piano at Colonel Fitzwilliam’s request; Lady Catherine is annoyed to find that Darcy walks away from her in order to listen to Elizabeth’s performance. Elizabeth and Darcy begin to tease one another about their own behavior (hers at the piano, his at the dance in Hertfordshire). They seem to enjoy their exchange immensely, but they draw the attention of Lady Catherine, who begins a critique of Elizabeth’s playing. Elizabeth observes Darcy’s cold reaction to this, as well as his obvious lack of interest in Miss de Bourgh.