Chapter 24

Explain why Jane’s rational reaction to Charlotte’s marriage appears to be more justified than Elizabeth’s incredulity.

Jane, as the older sister, has been raised with the objective to marry. Charlotte, while marrying a fool, has achieved everything Jane has been brought up to achieve, so she can recognise the motivations for her making such a decision. Elizabeth fails to realise she is privileged; she has the luxury of concerning herself with things like love in regards to marriage instead of wealth, class, and reputation.

Comment on Mr Bennet’s use of irony. Is he warning Elizabeth about her partiality for Wickham, or is there another reason?

Bennet’s use of ‘jilt’ might suggest he doubts Wickham’s character, perhaps foreshadowing falsehood in his account of Darcy’s upbringing. At the very least he gives her the responsibility to choose her own partner, showing he trusts her judgement.

Chapter 25

Comment on the contrasting characters of Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Bennett.

Contrastingly to Mrs Bennet, Mrs Gardiner is described as an ‘amiable, intelligent, elegant’ woman, and is one of the rare characters that Elizabeth is able to confide in without the guard of civility. Up to this point in the novel, true communication only really occurs between Elizabeth and Jane, so this ranks Mrs Gardiner highly amongst the other, more familiar characters. She takes a maternal role in Elizabeth’s life while she is away from Mrs Bennet; a contrast that reflects negatively on Mrs Bennet.

How does Austen appear to view women with an obsessive interest in fashion? Evidence?

Austen doesn’t seem to cast judgement on the characters that obsess with appearance, perhaps suggesting that fashion is one of the stereotypically feminine conventions that she look down on her female characters for.

Chapter 26

Comment on the use of epistolary form.

Because handwritten letters are so constructed, the letter in Chapter 26 not only gives us an insight into Jane’s emotions, but also how she feels it’s best to convey them to Elizabeth. For example, she forgives, and makes excuses for, the actions of Miss Bingley, perhaps in an attempt to soften the blow to Elizabeth, who she knows will be furious.