Austen 250 Reader Series: Pride and Prejudice (Chapters 57-61)

Hello and a heartfelt welcome to one and all. This year, in honor of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday celebration, the Jane Austen Summer Program is dedicating blog space to summarizing and reviewing the great works written by one of the world’s most renowned authors. We have now reached the point in our journey when it is time to discuss what some might consider Austen’s most treasured piece: Pride and Prejudice. Published January 28, 1813, this novel’s quick-witted characters and highly quotable dialogue have allowed this classic to become timeless and continually lauded by modern audiences. This week, we will focus on the events that unfold during chapters 57-61.

Synopsis

Mr. Bennet calls Elizabeth into his office so he can share a letter with her. Mr. Collins has written to let him know that he heard a report about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy becoming wed. He writes to warn Mr. Bennet that this match has greatly displeased Lady Catherine, but Mr. Bennet cares not at all for that part of the letter. He is diverted in thinking of one such as Mr. Darcy ever caring for Elizabeth. Her dislike of him has always been so decided. And Mr. Darcy has never looked at a woman but to see a fault in her. Elizabeth pretends that she is equally entertained by this notion, but her heart breaks. She fears that she saw something in her relationship with Mr. Darcy that does not exist, and it hurts her to hear her father’s observations.

A few days later, when Mr. Darcy again accompanies Mr. Bingley to Longbourn, the group goes for a walk. Kitty excuses herself so she can call upon Maria Lucas and that gives Elizabeth a moment to speak to Mr. Darcy alone. She begins by thanking him for helping her family. He then expresses how much he still cares for her. He acted hoping to bring her happiness. She shares that her own feelings toward him have changed drastically. She is ashamed to think of what she said and how she behaved previously. He echoes that sentiment. So, she says, “Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.”

They walk on and continue their dialogue. The conversation eventually turns to the developments in Jane and Mr. Bingley’s arrangement and Mr. Darcy owns that he knew Mr. Bingley meant to propose. He tells Elizabeth how he carefully observed Jane and was satisfied that her love for Mr. Bingley was what it ought to be. Then, he told his friend of what he witnessed, all while admitting to concealing the knowledge of her being in town for three months. Mr. Bingley was angry with Mr. Darcy for the concealment but forgave him quickly when he was persuaded to believe Jane in love with him.

That evening, Elizabeth tells Jane she and Mr. Darcy are engaged, and Jane cannot believe it. Elizabeth says, “Perhaps I did not always love him so well as I do now; but in such cases as these a good memory is unpardonable. This is the last time I shall ever remember it myself.”

Later, it is determined that Mr. Darcy should ask Mr. Bennet’s permission while Elizabeth breaks the news to her mother. She is anxious while Mr. Darcy is away, speaking to her father in his library, but he returns very shortly and tells her to go visit her father. Mr. Bennet is incredulous. He thought Elizabeth loathed Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth assures him of her love for Mr. Darcy. Then, she tells him all that was done to secure Lydia’s marriage. This makes Mr. Bennet laugh because now he will not have to repay the debt he thought he owed to Mr. Gardiner.

When Elizabeth has the opportunity of sharing her news with her mother, Mrs. Bennet is immediately struck speechless. Then, once she recovers, she begins rambling. She can think of nothing other than the family’s good fortune and even wishes to know if Mr. Darcy has a favorite dish so she can have it prepared for dinner the following night. Elizabeth is afraid that her mother will embarrass herself by showing too much flattery toward Mr. Darcy and is surprised when Mrs. Bennet does little more than stand in awe of him or agree with his opinions.

Elizabeth teases Mr. Darcy and wants to know when he first found himself in love with her. He says he does not know how his infatuation began. She guesses that he developed a fondness for her because she was different than all the others who bowed and sought his approval. She was highly uncivil toward him and thinks that is what he found attractive. They then set out to write very different letters to their respective aunts. Elizabeth, still feeling playful, tells her aunt Gardiner that they shall all meet at Pemberley again at Christmas and rejoices in the fact that they traveled to Derbyshire rather than the lakes. Mr. Darcy writes to Lady Catherine.  A series of letters fly round the country with congratulations flowing in from most quarters. Elizabeth looks forward to the time when she and Mr. Darcy will be able to flee the company of society and reside together at Pemberley.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are very happy in their match. Jane and Mr. Bingley only continue to stay at Netherfield Park for a year before they move to an estate nearby Pemberley. Mr. Bennet often turns up at Pemberley unannounced just for kicks. Kitty visits her sisters often and improves greatly. Lydia writes to Elizabeth, hoping to seek some fortune for herself and her husband, but Elizabeth does not share the contents of that letter with Mr. Darcy. While Lydia and Wickham never visit Pemberley, they do stay with Jane and Mr. Bingley often enough to tax Bingley’s nerves. Georgiana lives at Pemberley and loves Elizabeth well, but is often astounded to hear the way Elizabeth speaks to her older brother. The breach with Lady Catherine is eventually healed and she even condescends to visit the pair at Pemberley. And as for Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, both Elizabeth and Darcy love them well. They consider Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to be their matchmakers, the ones who brought them together and thus show an immense sense of gratitude to them.

Impressions

Quite often, when I finish reading a text, I find myself imagining alternate endings. What could the author have done differently? How could the story change to arrive at another conclusion? But in the case of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I find myself quite content. With Jane, Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth, and Mr. Darcy’s happy situations secured, this tale is wrapped up with a beautiful little bow in a nice tidy manner.

Extras

While I am wholly pleased with the conclusion of this work, I always wonder what became of some of the secondary and tertiary characters. What happened to the Gardiners’ children? Did Lydia and Wickham ever find happiness? And what of Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst? What happened to them after the story ended? If you’re like me and you’d like to explore what might happen next, please consider checking out my fan fiction, Austen-Inspired novel, Caroline Bingley and the Penny Stinkard. It is currently available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook editions.