Chapters 60 and 61

Summary

Elizabeth writes to Mrs. Gardiner informing her about her engagement and thanking her for giving the details about LydiaÂ’s affair. Mr. Bennet writes to Mr. Collins asking him to console Lady Catherine since Elizabeth is going to marry Darcy; the woman is outraged at the news. Miss Bingley writes a phony letter to Jane on how elated she is at the news of the engagements of both Jane and Elizabeth. In contrast, DarcyÂ’s sister writes a long loving letter to Elizabeth; her happiness is heartfelt.

Even though Mrs. Bennett is delighted to have her oldest three daughters married, she still does not become sensible. Jane and Bingley decide to live in Derbyshire, rather than Netherfield, in order to avoid being too close to Mrs. Bennet. Kitty spends time a lot of time with her two oldest sisters and their husbands. Mary is content to sit at home. Elizabeth and Georgiana get along very well, and the latter improves under the care of her devoted and sensible sister-in-law.

Wickham and Lydia are incorrigible; they beg Elizabeth for favors, but she politely refuses. Miss Bingley is totally crushed that Darcy has not married her; in order not to lose contact with him, she visits Pemberley and dons a pseudo-affection for the couple. Lady Catherine is bitter about the marriage and writes an abusive letter to Darcy. For some time after this there is no communication between them, until Elizabeth prevails on Darcy to forgive his aunt. They are on very intimate terms with the Gardiners. Both Darcy and Elizabeth are fond of the couple who were accidentally instrumental in uniting them.

Notes

The final chapter shows ties up the plot with Jane Austen making sure that there are no loose ends in the novel. The reader is provided with information about all the key characters, with the relationship of Elizabeth and Darcy being highlighted. Elizabeth, established at Pemberley, gets along well with her sister-in-law. Kitty is delighted to visit with her older two married sisters; it is a welcome break from the Bennet household. Even though Mrs. Bennet wish has come true, with her three oldest daughters married, she is still the crude and insensible character she was at the beginning of the novel. In contrast, Elizabeth is greatly changed, having lost her pride and her prejudice.

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