Summary
Chapter 38
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Elizabeth's last morning at the parsonage becomes a comedy of social awkwardness as Mr. Collins delivers an absurdly pompous farewell speech. He congratulates himself on introducing Elizabeth to 'superior society' at Rosings and goes on at length about how wonderful their marriage is and how Charlotte and he 'have but one mind.' Elizabeth can barely keep a straight face, but she's also sad for Charlotte, who she's leaving trapped in this ridiculous situation. The chapter captures that bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to a friend who's made choices you don't understand. Poor Charlotte has to live with Mr. Collins forever, while Elizabeth gets to escape. As they finally get into the carriage to leave, Maria chatters excitedly about how much has happened ('We've dined at Rosings nine times!'), while Elizabeth thinks silently, 'And how much I shall have to conceal!' She's carrying explosive secrets - Darcy's proposal, the truth about Wickham, the revelations in the letter - and she can share none of it with Maria. They travel to London first, where Jane is staying with the Gardiners. Elizabeth is bursting to tell Jane about Darcy's proposal, but she's worried that once she starts talking, she won't be able to stop herself from mentioning Bingley, which would only hurt Jane more. The chapter matters because it shows Elizabeth torn between the social performance she has to maintain (polite goodbyes, cheerful traveling companion) and the internal turmoil she's experiencing. She's fundamentally changed, but the world around her is still the same. Mr. Collins is still pompous, Maria is still superficial, and Elizabeth has to pretend everything is normal while processing life-altering revelations. The ending line perfectly captures this tension: Elizabeth is desperate to confide in Jane but has to carefully calculate what she can reveal without causing more pain. It reminds us that personal growth happens privately, invisibly, even as we're forced to continue playing our public roles.
Coming Up in Chapter 39
Elizabeth returns home to Hertfordshire, bringing all her new knowledge and changed perspectives back to a family that has no idea how much has shifted for her.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
I[llustration] On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared; and he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary. “I know not, Miss Elizabeth,” said he, “whether Mrs. Collins has yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I am very certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for it. The favour of your company has been much felt, I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode. Our plain manner of living, our small rooms, and few domestics, and the little we see of the world, must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension, and that we have done everything in our power to prevent you spending your time unpleasantly.” Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness. She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with Charlotte, and the kind attention she had received, must make _her_ feel the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified; and with a more smiling solemnity replied,-- “It gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very superior society, and from our connection with Rosings, the frequent means of varying the humble home scene, I think we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine’s family is, indeed, the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are. You see how continually we are engaged there. In truth, I must acknowledge, that, with all the disadvantages of this humble parsonage, I should not think anyone abiding in it an object of compassion, while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings.” Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to unite civility and truth in a few short sentences. “You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself, at least, that you will be able to do so. Lady Catherine’s great attentions to Mrs. Collins you have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate--but on this point it will be as well to be silent. Only let me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that I can from my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of thinking. There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to systematically challenge your initial judgments by actively seeking evidence that contradicts your first impression of someone's character or motives.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Entailment
A legal arrangement where property must be inherited by the nearest male relative, not daughters. This is why the Bennet family will lose their home when Mr. Bennet dies. It explains much of the financial pressure driving marriages in this world.
Living
A position as a church minister that comes with a house and income, usually given by wealthy landowners. When Darcy mentions giving Wickham a living, he's talking about providing him with a career and financial security.
Elopement
Running away to get married secretly, usually to avoid family disapproval. In this era, it was scandalous and could ruin a woman's reputation forever. Wickham's attempt with Georgiana would have destroyed her socially.
Guardian
Someone legally responsible for a minor's welfare and decisions. Darcy became Georgiana's guardian when their father died, making him responsible for protecting her from predators like Wickham.
Fortune hunter
Someone who pursues marriage primarily for money rather than love. Wickham targeting the wealthy but naive Georgiana shows his true character as someone who preys on vulnerable women for financial gain.
Self-reflection
The painful but necessary process of honestly examining your own behavior and motivations. Elizabeth's moment of recognizing her prejudices mirrors what we all must do when forced to admit we were wrong about someone or something.
Characters in This Chapter
Elizabeth Bennet
Protagonist undergoing revelation
She reads Darcy's letter and experiences a complete shift in understanding. Her comfortable certainties about people and situations crumble as she's forced to confront her own prejudices and mistakes in judgment.
Mr. Darcy
Misunderstood truth-teller
Through his letter, he reveals his true character and motivations. Rather than the proud, cruel man Elizabeth thought he was, he emerges as someone who has been quietly protecting and supporting others.
George Wickham
Exposed manipulator
Darcy's letter reveals Wickham's true nature as a fortune hunter who attempted to seduce a 15-year-old girl for money. His charm and victim narrative are exposed as calculated manipulation.
Georgiana Darcy
Innocent victim
Darcy's teenage sister who was nearly seduced by Wickham for her inheritance. Her vulnerability shows why Darcy has been so protective and suspicious of Wickham's motives with other women.
Jane Bennet
Misunderstood romantic interest
Darcy explains why he separated her from Bingley, believing her reserved nature meant she didn't truly care. This reveals how our assumptions about others can lead to harmful interventions.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"How despicably have I acted! I, who have prided myself on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities!"
Context: Elizabeth's internal reaction after reading Darcy's letter
This moment of brutal self-awareness shows Elizabeth recognizing that her 'good judgment' was actually prejudice. It's the painful but necessary moment when we realize our confidence was built on wrong assumptions.
"Till this moment, I never knew myself."
Context: Elizabeth's realization about her own character flaws
One of literature's most powerful statements about self-discovery. Elizabeth realizes that true self-knowledge requires facing uncomfortable truths about our own biases and mistakes.
"I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle."
Context: Darcy's admission in his letter about his past behavior
Darcy acknowledges the gap between his moral beliefs and his actual actions. This kind of honest self-assessment shows real character growth and the difference between having good intentions and acting on them.
Thematic Threads
Prejudice
In This Chapter
Elizabeth's complete reversal about Darcy's character shows how prejudice isn't just dislike—it's a filter that distorts all incoming information
Development
Evolved from simple first impressions to revealing the dangerous mechanics of how bias operates in the mind
In Your Life:
When have you realized that your strong dislike of someone was actually preventing you from seeing who they really are?
Truth
In This Chapter
Darcy's letter forces Elizabeth to confront objective facts versus her interpreted version of events
Development
Developed from social appearances to personal accountability for seeing reality clearly
In Your Life:
Can you think of a time when you had to admit that the 'facts' you believed about a situation were actually just your own interpretation?
Self-Knowledge
In This Chapter
Elizabeth's painful recognition that her 'good judgment' was actually blind prejudice represents true self-awareness
Development
Culmination of growing theme—moving from external judgments to internal examination
In Your Life:
What's the most difficult truth you've had to accept about your own character or behavior?
Class
In This Chapter
Elizabeth finally sees how her family's behavior genuinely affects their social standing and others' perceptions
Development
Shifted from defending against class prejudice to acknowledging class realities and personal responsibility
In Your Life:
How do you balance standing up for your values while also acknowledging when your background or circumstances might be affecting how others see you?
Pride
In This Chapter
Elizabeth discovers her pride in her judgment was actually the source of her blindness
Development
Evolved from seeing pride as Darcy's flaw to recognizing it as her own barrier to truth
In Your Life:
When has your confidence in being right about something actually been the very thing that kept you from seeing the truth?
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific information in Darcy's letter completely changed how Elizabeth saw him, and why was she so shocked by these revelations?
- 2
Why did Elizabeth's brain automatically sort Darcy's actions into the 'arrogant snob' category while giving Wickham the benefit of the doubt - what made her trust one over the other?
- 3
Think about your workplace, family, or social media - where do you see people (including yourself) deciding someone is 'that type of person' and then filtering everything through that lens?
- 4
When you realize you've completely misjudged someone's character or motives, what's your strategy for rebuilding that relationship and preventing the same mistake?
- 5
Elizabeth had to admit her 'quick wit' was actually prejudice in disguise - what does this suggest about the difference between being smart and being wise?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Flip the Script on Your Judgments
Think of someone you've labeled negatively - maybe a coworker who seems lazy, a family member who appears selfish, or even a public figure you dislike. Write down three specific behaviors that led to your judgment. Now rewrite each behavior from a completely different perspective, imagining alternative explanations for their actions. What context might you be missing?
Consider:
- •Look for evidence you might have ignored because it didn't fit your initial impression
- •Consider what pressures, fears, or circumstances might drive their behavior that you can't see
- •Ask yourself what you'd want others to consider about your own actions before judging you
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 39
Moving forward, we'll examine key events and character development in this chapter, and understand thematic elements and literary techniques. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.