Chapter 34 Summary

Elizabeth stays back at Hunsford and goes through all the letters Jane had written her. Despite her headache and her emotional state, she realizes that Jane must be deeply sad. At that moment, someone knocks on the door. Elizabeth thinks it is Colonel Fitzwilliam; however, to her surprise it is Darcy. After enquiring about Elizabeth’s health, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth. He explains that he did not propose to her earlier because he was bothered by the difference in their social standing. Elizabeth is offended and hurt; she rejects the proposal. Darcy asks her for a reason, and she gives him three: first, she tells him that his proposal was vain and distasteful. Second, she blames Darcy for driving a wedge between Jane and Mr. Bingley, a charge Darcy accepts without protest. Third, she says she doesn’t want to be with someone who has treated Mr. Wickham so poorly.

Darcy is hurt by the rejection. He tells Elizabeth that he was just being honest when there was in fact no need for him to do so. When Darcy leaves, Elizabeth breaks down and starts to cry. She is flattered by the proposal, but she is also unable to see the good in Darcy when she thinks of his role in separating Jane and Mr. Bingley.

Chapter 35 Summary

The next day, in a bid to avoid Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth takes a different route during her walk in the park. Nevertheless, Darcy is able to find her. He gives Elizabeth a letter and quickly leaves. The letter contains Darcy’s thoughts on the accusations Elizabeth had made against him the previous day.

Firstly, he admits that he did dissuade Mr. Bingley from pursuing Jane because of the Bennets’ poor social standing and connections. However, he alleges that the more important reason for this was Jane’s lack of interest in Bingley. He also alleges that his only wrong was keeping news of Jane’s visit to London from Mr. Bingley.

Secondly, he alleges that Wickham’s claims are false. He states that Wickham, after Darcy’s father’s death, had relinquished his role as a clergyman in exchange for 3,000 pounds. When Wickham wanted Darcy to reinstate him, Darcy had refused, but only because he didn’t think Wickham was fit to be a clergyman. The letter also reveals that Wickham had tried to seduce Georgiana Darcy in the hope of eloping with her and enjoying her wealth. Darcy alleges that Wickham is a man of poor character. He concludes the letter with the hope that Elizabeth would believe him.

Chapter 36 Summary

Elizabeth reads Darcy’s letter several times and realizes what had actually transpired. She understands that her prejudice against Darcy clouded her perception of Wickham. At the same time, she reminds herself that Darcy’s letter was not intended as an apology, that he is distastefully, perhaps even irredeemably, preoccupied with social status. Despite this, she comes to believe that Darcy may not have been entirely wrong in dissuading Mr. Bingley from pursuing Jane. She thinks Jane had indeed been too shy and restrained in her approach to Mr. Bingley.

When Elizabeth gets back to the Collinses, she is told that both Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had come to bid her goodbye.

Chapter 37 Summary

The Collinses, accompanied by Elizabeth and Maria, arrive at Rosings for dinner. Maria and Elizabeth are urged to stay with the Collinses for another fortnight, but Elizabeth tells them that her father would like her by his side.

Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth thinks about the letter at length. Though she is not sorry for turning down Darcy’s proposal, her hostility toward him has subsided. She realizes that Lydia and Kitty’s silly behavior, which she believes is a result of their parents’ neglect, may have come in the way of Jane’s marriage and her future.

Chapter 38 Summary

As Elizabeth and Maria prepare to leave, Mr. Collins inquires rather keenly whether he had been a hospitable host. Elizabeth is sympathetic toward Charlotte, who now seems well-settled in her role as Mrs. Collins. Before visiting Longbourn, Maria and Elizabeth visit London to spend a few days with the Gardiners. Jane, too, prepares to visit Longbourn with Maria and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is anxious about telling Jane what she knows. She decides that it would be apt to talk to Jane only in the privacy of their home. Elizabeth also wonders if she should be careful and selective about relating the recent developments to Jane.

Chapter 39 Summary

A grand reunion is taking place in Hertfordshire. Mr. Lucas, Lady Lucas, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Kitty, and Mary receive the party. As ever, Lydia and Kitty talk about the soldiers. Elizabeth learns from them that Wickham has called off his wedding to Ms. Kings. She also realizes that she has nothing to do with Wickham anymore. The younger sisters also inform Elizabeth that the soldiers are set to leave Meryton for good. Although Lydia and Kitty are upset about it, Elizabeth is relieved about the regiment’s imminent departure. Lydia and Kitty decide to take a walk to Meryton. They ask Elizabeth if she’d like to join, but Elizabeth, who is in no mood to run into Wickham, declines politely.

Chapter 40 Summary

In this chapter, Elizabeth tells Jane about Darcy’s letter and his proposal. To avoid hurting Jane, she skips the part about Darcy’s role in Mr. Bingley’s separation from Jane. Nonetheless, Jane is shocked when she learns of Wickham’s deception; she finds his conduct unjustifiable. They discuss the feasibility of letting the entire town know of Wickham’s character, but decide against it since public outrage might tarnish Georgiana Darcy’s reputation.

Later, Elizabeth observes Jane, and realizes that Jane is deeply unhappy and still in love with Mr. Bingley.

Chapter 41 Summary

Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs. Bennet are upset about the regiment leaving Meryton. They wish they could accompany them to Brighton, where they will be stationed for the summer. Lydia gets an invitation from Mrs. Foster, the wife of a colonel, to accompany her to Brighton. Elizabeth tries to talk her father into dissuading Lydia from accepting the invitation. She is afraid that Lydia might ruin the family’s reputation in Brighton. However, Mr. Bennet finds no reason to prevent Lydia, thinking that she is too unimpressive for the soldiers’ liking. He is certain that Lydia will have no opportunity to tarnish her reputation or the family’s.

Elizabeth does not run into Wickham over the next few days. On their last day, at a party, Wickham tries to approach Elizabeth again. Irritated by his advances, Elizabeth subtly lets him know that she is aware of his deceptions. Wickham in turn avoids her for the rest of the party. At the end of the party, Lydia accompanies Mrs. Foster to Meryton to leave for Brighton the next day.

Chapter 42 Summary

This chapter sheds light on Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s history. Though Bennet had married his wife for her beauty, he’d gradually lost interest in her due to her frivolity. Presently, he only derives solace from books and has isolated himself from his family. Elizabeth blames her parents for the younger sisters’ poor manners.

Meanwhile, nothing eventful takes place in Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty argue incessantly about visiting Brighton. With Lydia not around, Elizabeth wishes that Kitty will find something worthwhile to replace her fascination with soldiers. Elizabeth finds herself looking forward to her trip with the Gardiners. In fact, the prospect of this trip gives her a sense of contentment.

The Gardiners entrust Jane with taking care of their children. While traveling, Mrs. Gardiner suggests that they visit Pemberley, Darcy’s estate. Elizabeth is mortified at the prospect of meeting Darcy, but their housekeeper informs them that the Darcys will not be at the estate until the following day.

Chapters 34–42 Analysis

This section roughly marks the beginning of the novel’s second half; it mainly tracks Elizabeth’s growing self-awareness. It’s worth noting that Darcy demeans Elizabeth for her lower-class background even when he expresses his love for her. Elizabeth finds Darcy’s snobbery intolerable, and she is also deeply alarmed by his alleged mistreatment of Wickham, as well as his role in separating Bingley and Jane. Later, however, when she reads Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth is ashamed for having misjudged Darcy. She carefully considers Darcy’s explanations and gradually realizes that he was not wrong to say that Jane’s interest in Bingley had been too subdued. She also becomes aware of Wickham’s deceptions and misdeeds. The minor characters in this section do not undergo much development; they merely play foil to the main characters.