Summary
Chapter 39
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Elizabeth returns home to Hertfordshire and immediately gets a reality check about her family. She's greeted by Lydia and Kitty, who are exactly as silly and boy-crazy as Darcy described in his letter. Lydia chatters non-stop about officers, bonnets, and her desperate wish that the family would follow the regiment to Brighton for the summer. She mentions Wickham constantly, calling him 'dear Wickham' and celebrating that Mary King has left town ('Wickham is safe!'). Elizabeth is horrified - she knows the truth about Wickham now, but she can't say anything without betraying Darcy's confidence about Georgiana. The chapter brilliantly captures the torture of knowing something terrible that you can't reveal. Elizabeth has to sit there listening to Lydia gush about Wickham, knowing he's a predator who tried to seduce a 15-year-old girl for money. She's also seeing her family through Darcy's eyes now, and it's painful. Lydia is loud, crude, and completely self-absorbed. Her 'fun' stories about dressing up a man in women's clothes to trick people are exactly the kind of improper behavior that made Darcy think the Bennets were unsuitable for his friend. Elizabeth realizes with growing dread that she can't protect her family from Wickham without destroying his reputation publicly - which would expose Georgiana to scandal. She's trapped between loyalty to her family and respect for Darcy's sister's privacy. The chapter matters because it shows the real-world consequences of Elizabeth's new knowledge. She can't just change her mind about Wickham and move on - she has to watch her family continue to admire and trust him, knowing he's dangerous. It's like knowing someone's house is going to flood but not being able to warn them. The dramatic irony is crushing. We see Elizabeth actively trying to prevent Lydia from walking into Meryton to see the officers, knowing she's trying to avoid Wickham. The chapter ends with Elizabeth learning that her mother is seriously pushing for the Brighton scheme, which fills her with dread. She knows what could happen if Lydia gets anywhere near a military camp with Wickham around.
Coming Up in Chapter 40
Elizabeth can no longer keep Darcy's proposal secret from Jane. She needs to confide in someone about everything that happened at Rosings, even if she can't reveal the full truth about Wickham.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
I[llustration] It was the second week in May, in which the three young ladies set out together from Gracechurch Street for the town of ----, in Hertfordshire; and, as they drew near the appointed inn where Mr. Bennet’s carriage was to meet them, they quickly perceived, in token of the coachman’s punctuality, both Kitty and Lydia looking out of a dining-room upstairs. These two girls had been above an hour in the place, happily employed in visiting an opposite milliner, watching the sentinel on guard, and dressing a salad and cucumber. After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed a table set out with such cold meat as an inn larder usually affords, exclaiming, “Is not this nice? is not this an agreeable surprise?” “And we mean to treat you all,” added Lydia; “but you must lend us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.” Then showing her purchases,--“Look here, I have bought this bonnet. I do not think it is very pretty; but I thought I might as well buy it as not. I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home, and see if I can make it up any better.” And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added, with perfect unconcern, “Oh, but there were two or three much uglier in the shop; and when I have bought some prettier-coloured satin to trim it with fresh, I think it will be very tolerable. Besides, it will not much signify what one wears this summer, after the ----shire have left Meryton, and they are going in a fortnight.” “Are they, indeed?” cried Elizabeth, with the greatest satisfaction. “They are going to be encamped near Brighton; and I do so want papa to take us all there for the summer! It would be such a delicious scheme, and I dare say would hardly cost anything at all. Mamma would like to go, too, of all things! Only think what a miserable summer else we shall have!” “Yes,” thought Elizabeth; “_that_ would be a delightful scheme, indeed, and completely do for us at once. Good Heaven! Brighton and a whole campful of soldiers, to us, who have been overset already by one poor regiment of militia, and the monthly balls of Meryton!” “Now I have got some news for you,” said Lydia, as they sat down to table. “What do you think? It is excellent news, capital news, and about a certain person that we all like.” Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the waiter was told that he need not stay. Lydia laughed, and said,-- “Ay, that is just like your formality and discretion. You thought the waiter must not hear, as if he cared! I dare say he often hears worse things said than I am going to say. But he is an ugly fellow! I am glad he is gone. I never saw such a long chin in my life. Well, but now for my...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how our pride in being good judges of character can blind us to contradictory evidence, turning intelligence into a weapon against truth.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Elopement
Running away secretly to get married, usually without parental consent. In Austen's time, this was scandalous and could ruin a woman's reputation forever. Wickham's attempt to elope with Georgiana was really about stealing her inheritance.
Fortune hunter
Someone who pursues romantic relationships primarily for money rather than love. Wickham is revealed as a classic fortune hunter who targeted both Georgiana Darcy and later Mary King for their wealth.
Guardian
A person legally responsible for someone under age, especially after parents die. Darcy became Georgiana's guardian when their father died, making him responsible for protecting her from predators like Wickham.
Prejudice
Pre-judging someone based on incomplete information or bias rather than facts. Elizabeth realizes she's been prejudiced against Darcy while being blind to Wickham's true nature.
Self-reflection
Honestly examining your own thoughts, actions, and motivations. This chapter is Elizabeth's painful moment of looking in the mirror and realizing she's been wrong about everything.
Reserved manner
Being quiet, controlled, and not showing emotions openly. Jane's reserved behavior made Darcy think she didn't care about Bingley, when she was actually just being proper.
Characters in This Chapter
Elizabeth Bennet
Protagonist undergoing transformation
She's forced to confront the truth about her own prejudices and mistakes. This chapter marks her painful but necessary journey from thinking she knows everything to questioning her own judgment.
Mr. Darcy
Misunderstood protector
Through his letter, he's revealed as someone who was actually trying to protect both his sister and his friend. His actions weren't from pride but from genuine care and responsibility.
Mr. Wickham
Revealed villain
Exposed as a fortune hunter who tried to seduce a 15-year-old girl for money. His charm masked predatory behavior, showing how dangerous first impressions can be.
Georgiana Darcy
Vulnerable victim
Darcy's teenage sister who was nearly ruined by Wickham's scheme. Her near-miss shows the real stakes of Darcy's protective behavior and why he distrusts Wickham so deeply.
Jane Bennet
Misunderstood romantic interest
Her reserved nature was misinterpreted as lack of interest in Bingley. She becomes an example of how good people can be hurt by misunderstandings and poor communication.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"How despicably have I acted! I, who have prided myself on my discernment!"
Context: Elizabeth's horrified realization after reading Darcy's letter
This shows Elizabeth's painful recognition that her supposed good judgment was actually arrogance. She's discovering that pride in being right can make you catastrophically wrong.
"Till this moment, I never knew myself."
Context: Elizabeth reflecting on how wrong she's been about everything
A moment of brutal self-honesty that marks real growth. Elizabeth realizes that understanding yourself is harder than judging others, and that real wisdom starts with admitting what you don't know.
"I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle."
Context: Darcy explaining his past behavior and motivations
Darcy admits his faults while explaining his actions. This shows that good people can behave badly without realizing it, and that honest self-examination can lead to change.
Thematic Threads
Prejudice
In This Chapter
Elizabeth's biases against Darcy's class and manner blinded her to his true character
Development
Reaches crisis point as Elizabeth realizes her prejudices were completely wrong
In Your Life:
When have you let assumptions about someone's background or social status prevent you from seeing who they really are underneath?
Self-Knowledge
In This Chapter
Elizabeth confronts the painful truth about her own flawed judgment and pride
Development
Major breakthrough from earlier hints at her blind spots
In Your Life:
Can you think of a time when you had to admit you were completely wrong about someone or something you felt confident about?
Deception
In This Chapter
Wickham's charm masked predatory behavior while Darcy's reserve hid protective instincts
Development
Truth about Wickham's character finally revealed, completing the deception arc
In Your Life:
Have you ever been fooled by someone charming while dismissing someone who was actually looking out for you?
Protection
In This Chapter
Darcy's actions were motivated by protecting his sister and friend, not malice
Development
Reframes earlier 'interference' as protective rather than controlling
In Your Life:
When has someone's actions that initially annoyed or frustrated you turned out to be them trying to protect you or someone you care about?
Pride
In This Chapter
Elizabeth's pride in her perceptiveness prevented her from seeing clearly
Development
Reaches climax as Elizabeth recognizes her pride matches Darcy's
In Your Life:
What moments in your life have forced you to recognize that your confidence in being right was actually getting in your way?
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What new information does Darcy's letter reveal about both Wickham and the Jane-Bingley situation?
- 2
Why was Elizabeth so ready to believe Wickham's story while dismissing signs that Darcy might be honorable?
- 3
Think of a time when you misjudged someone based on first impressions. What made you stick to that judgment even when contradictory evidence appeared?
- 4
If you realized you'd been completely wrong about someone's character, how would you handle the relationships and decisions you'd made based on that misjudgment?
- 5
What does Elizabeth's experience teach us about the difference between being smart and being wise?
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Confirmation Bias Audit
Think of someone you currently dislike or distrust at work, in your family, or social circle. Write down three specific behaviors or incidents that support your negative opinion. Now, force yourself to come up with at least two alternative explanations for each behavior that would cast this person in a neutral or positive light. Finally, identify what evidence you would need to see to genuinely change your mind about them.
Consider:
- •Notice how much easier it was to list negative evidence than to imagine alternative explanations
- •Pay attention to whether you're judging their actions by different standards than you'd apply to people you like
- •Consider whether your dislike might be protecting you from something or serving another purpose in your life
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 40
In the next chapter, you'll discover key events and character development in this chapter, and learn thematic elements and literary techniques. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.