Chapter 53

Summary

Mrs. Bennet is crestfallen after the departure of Lydia, her favorite daughter. The only thing that excites her is Mr. BingleyÂ’s arrival with Darcy at Netherfield. Elizabeth fears that her motherÂ’s incorrigible behavior will surface again to embarrass her further. During the first visit, Mrs. Bennet, as always, talks foolishly, humiliating Elizabeth. She also gushes over Mr. Bingley, while being cold and ceremoniously polite to Darcy. Elizabeth is particularly pained by her motherÂ’s icy treatment of Darcy, who has been LydiaÂ’s savior. DarcyÂ’s behavior, which is solemn and reserved, aggravates ElizabethÂ’s misery further. The only positive thing in the visit is BingleyÂ’s marked attention towards Jane, whom he finds as pretty as ever, though not so communicative.

Notes

The plot comes almost full circle with Bingley and Darcy returning to Netherfield, and Mrs. Bennet again dreaming of finding a husband for Jane. She also makes a fool of herself once more with her grotesque behavior. Ironically, she is totally cold towards Darcy; she has no idea that it is Darcy who has found Lydia and paid Wickham. At the same time, she gushes over Bingley to the point of embarrassment for Elizabeth and Jane.

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