This summary provides an overview of chapters 47-61 of Pride and Prejudice: 1. Lydia elopes with Wickham, causing a scandal. Mr. Darcy secretly works to ensure they marry, negotiating a settlement from Wickham. 2. After Lydia and Wickham's marriage, Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield without the ladies. He proposes to Jane, who accepts. 3. Mr. Darcy confesses to Elizabeth that he was responsible for Lydia and Wickham's marriage. He proposes again to Elizabeth, who accepts after realizing her misjudgment of him.

1. Pride and Prejudice
Chapter 47-61
Instructor: Bibi Halima
Bibi.halima@uow.edu.pk

2. Highlights
Chapter 47-61

3. Chapter 47
After receiving the news of Lydia’s elopement with Wickham, Elizabeth leaves from
Lambton and now are at Longbourn; there happens a discussion between Lizzy, Jane
and Gardiners about where both Lydia and Wickham would have eloped.
Jane is hopeful that Mr Wickham will marry Lydia but Elizabeth have a different
opinion about both of them. She is of the view that:
• Wickham never intends to marry Lydia
• Lydia is very young and not serious at all
She says,
“But she is very young; she has never been taught to think on serious subjects;
and for the last half-year, nay, for a twelvemonth—she has been given up to
nothing but amusement and vanity”
This discussion reveal Elizabeth’s sharp sense of judgment and extraordinary
intelligence. She portrays a very penetrating yet realistic picture of this accident;
she also blames her parents for negligence. Unlike Jane, Elizabeth is utterly
hopeless of their getting married.

4. Chapter 47
Mr Bennet is off to London to find runaways whereas Mrs Bennet is seen isolated and
grieved over the matter
After reaching Longbourn, Jane makes Elizabeth read the letter of Lydia that she
writes to Harriet (Mrs Forster) as follow:
MY DEAR HARRIET, ‘You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-
morrow morning, as soon as I am missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a
simpleton, for there 358 Pride and Prejudice is but one man in the world I love, and he is an angel. I should never be happy
without him, so think it no harm to be off. You need not send them word at Longbourn of my going, if you do not like it, for it
will make the surprise the greater, when I write to them and sign my name ‘Lydia Wickham.’ What a good joke it will be! I can
hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to Pratt for not keeping my engagement, and dancing with him to-night. Tell
him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all; and tell him I will dance with him at the next ball we meet, with great
pleasure. I shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn; but I wish you would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my
worked muslin gown before they are packed up. Good-bye. Give my love to Colonel Forster. I hope you will drink to our good
journey. ‘Your affectionate friend, ‘LYDIA BENNET.’
This shows how thoughtlessly Lydia decided to elope with Wickham and how
Wikcham has trapped her for seduction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-wE0zugMlE

5. Chapter 48
MR Gardiner goes to London to find
Mr Bennet and after reaching and
finding him, writes a letter to Bennets
while his wife and children stays at
Longbourn.
Meanwhile, Bennets receive an angry
letter from Mr Collins in which he
writes,
“The death of your daughter would
have been a blessing in comparison
to this.”
He blames and shows his resentment
towards the matter.
This chapters documents the ill-
reputation of Mr Wickham as a
“Gamester”. Mr Forster tells them
that:
(1) Wickham has been formerly
involved in many relationships (2)
He does not have any close
relatives (3) He was living in
wretched finances (4) He is in debt
and almost more than a thousand
pounds are required to clear his
debts.
Later, Mr Bennet returns to
Longbourn and admits his
negligence towards family. He is
now found generating strict rules as
he says to Kitty,
“No, Kitty, I have at last learnt to be cautious, and
you will feel the effects of it. No officer is ever to
enter my house again, nor even to
pass through the village. Balls will be absolutely
prohibited, unless you stand up with one of
your sisters.”
https://youtu.be/a44eqtkWqQw

6. Chapter 49 & 50
Bennets finally receives a letter from Mr Gardiner in which he tells he has found
runaways who are currently living in London and infrorms Mr Bennet about Wickham’s
terms for marrying Lydia
Wickham’s terms:
He demands that:
(1) Mr Bennet should give her equal share of five thousand pounds which Bennet girls
are to receive after the death of their parents. Which makes one-fifth (1/5 ) of total five-
thousands (5000) and hence Lydia’s share is equal to one-thousand (1000) pounds.
(2) Mr Bennet is supposed to pay one-hundred (100) pounds a year during his lifetime to
Lydia.
Mr Gardiner also tells Mr Bennet that he has agreed to pay Wickham
from his pocket in order to save their family reputation. Later, Gardiners
write a one more letter to inform them that Mr Wickham has decided to
quit Militia and has joined regular army as an commissioned officer.
As per laws of then-England demanded parents to provide some sort of settlement or dowry for daughters at the time of
marriage. The purpose was to compensate future husband for his future wife’s maintenance for lifetime. Since Lydia
eloped so by law she cannot claim for dowry but it was Wickham who put forth these terms otherwise he will not marry
Lydia. Not marrying Lydia was a big loss to Bennets hence Wickham being an opportunist threats them.

7. Chapter 51
Lydia and Wickham are finally married and afterwards visits Longbourn.
Mrs Bennet is overjoyed to receive them and Lydia is still Lydia. She
asks her mother,
‘Well, mamma,’ said she, when they were all returned to the breakfast room, ‘and what do
you think of my husband? 390 Pride and Prejudice Is not he a charming man? I am sure my
sisters must all envy me. I only hope they may have half my good luck. They must all go to
Brighton. That is the place to get husbands. What a pity it is, mamma, we did not all go.”
Lydia while out with sisters unintentionally and accdiently reveals something very secret
that Mr Darcy was present at the time of her wedding which surprises Elizabeth the
most. This information arouses her curiosity and she writes a letter Mrs Gardiner asking
her to tell the reason of Mr Darcy attending Lydia’s wedding.
You may readily comprehend,’ she added, ‘what my curiosity must be to know how a person unconnected with
any of us, and (comparatively speaking) a stranger to our family, should have been amongst you at such a time.
Pray write instantly, and let me understand it

8. Chapter 52
(page 246)
Letter of Mr Gardiner is at the heart of novel for it reveals everything about the
character of Mr Darcy. She replies Elizabeth and reveals followings:
1. This loveless marriage of Lydia and Wickham was the result of Darcy’s
efforts and endeavors that Mr Wickham agreed to marry Lydia
2. Initially, Mr Darcy met Mrs Younge for she was in contact with Wickham and
told Darcy about where they both are staying so it was Mr Darcy who found
them not Mr Gardiner
3. After finding them, Mr Darcy urged Lydia to give up on Wickham but she did
not listen and determined to marry the same man
4. Mr Darcy also met Wickham and he demanded some money and told Mr
Darcy that he does not have any intention to marry Lydia. Moreover, he will
marry her only if Mr Darcy agrees to his terms to pay him desired-money
5. It was Mr Darcy’s plan that he made Mr Gardiner to write letter to Mr Bennet
6. Mr Darcy asked Gardiners not to reveal his (Darcy’s) name to Bennets
https://youtu.be/QtifuA0uCho

9. Chapter 53-57
Story is almost resolved after Mrs Gardiner’s letter but the sub-plot of Darcy-Elizabeth
and Bingley-Jane is still unresolved so Jane Austen ends it up by devoting nine
chapters.
Lydia and Wickham have departed to Newcastle and Mrs Philips comes with a news that Mr
Bingley is coming to Netherfield without ladies to stay for several weeks. On the third of his arrival,
he visits Longbourn along with Mr Darcy and everyone is found so delighted.
There happens a discussion between Elizabeth and Jane; Jane is hopeful and Elizabeth
isn’t. Mr Bingley proposes Jane afterwards and she is overjoyed and family is all
delighted but Elizabeth is found recollecting past.
Meanwhile, Lady Catherine de Bourgh visits Longbourn to see Elizabeth and inquires her about Mr
Darcy. She tells Eliza about her intentions of marrying her daughter with Mr Darcy; she threats and
curses Elizabeth
Afterwards, Mr Bennet receives a letter from Mr Collins in which he warns him for Elizabeth’s
getting married to Darcy. Here, Jane Austen uses her famous “unconscious irony” when Mr Bennet
shares the content of letter with Elizabeth; Mr Bennet is unaware of Lizzy’s changed transformed
feelings for Darcy but readers and Elizabeth are all familiar.

10. Chapter 58
One day, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy visit Longbourn and Elizabeth gets a chance to
have a private talk with Mr Darcy. She tells her how grateful she is for his
considerate and kind behavior in the matter of Lydia. In this chapter, Mr Darcy
again proposes Elizabeth for the second time and says,
“You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell
me so at once. MY affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me
on this subject for ever.”
Later they both admits their flaws and acknowledge the transform occurs as the
result of pride and prejudice towards each other. Afterwards, Elizabeth
communicates this happy news to Jane and Mr Dacry also talks to Mr Bennet for
seeking his consent in marrying Elizabeth. Mr Bennet though shocked but agrees to
it.
‘I have given him my consent. He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare
refuse anything, which he condescended to ask. I now give it to YOU, if you are resolved on
having him. But let me advise you to think better of it

11. Chapter 60 and 61
In chapter 60, there is a discussion between Elizabeth and Darcy; She asks him
what makes him fall in love with her and he gives two reasons as follow:
I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long
ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I HAD begun.
1. For the liveliness of your mind, I did.
2. ‘Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was ill at Netherfield?’
Later, Mr Darcy writes a letter to his aunt Lady Catherine and Elizabeth to Mrs
Gardiner about their marriage. Mrs Bennet is extremely happy to think that she will
get rid of three daughter in such short time. Both Bingley-Jane and Darcy-Elizabeth
marry on the same day and lives happily afterwards.
https://youtu.be/jHAAUgMgafs

12. Discussion Questions
 How much Darcy did pay to convince
Wickham to marry Lydia?
 What makes Mr Darcy, Darcy?
 What happens to other characters at the end
of novel?
 Discuss with reference to couple in novel that
how the choice of the partner can affect one’s
life.