Chapter I.]
Chapter I opens with the celebrated declaration about wealthy single men and wives, then moves into the Bennet household. Mrs. Bennet excitedly reports that Netherfield Park has been let to the wealthy Mr. Bingley, sparking her marital designs for their daughters. Mr.…
A Truth Universally Acknowledged
The chapter opens with the famous assertion that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.…
News of Netherfield Park
Mrs. Bennet informs Mr. Bennet that Netherfield Park is let at last. Mr. Bennet replies that he had not heard, and Mrs. Bennet explains that Mrs.…
Mr. Bingley’s Arrival
Mrs. Long’s news is that Netherfield has been taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England.…
Mrs. Bennet’s Marital Designs
When Mr. Bennet asks how the news affects them, Mrs. Bennet declares that she is thinking of Bingley’s marrying one of them.…
Mr. Bennet’s Reluctance to Visit
Mr. Bennet sees no occasion to call and suggests that his wife and the girls go without him, or send the daughters by themselves—perhaps better still, since she is as handsome as…
The Debate Over the Daughters
Mrs. Bennet argues that the family cannot visit Bingley if Mr. Bennet does not, since Sir William and Lady Lucas mean to call. Mr.…
The Character of Mr. Bennet
The narrator characterizes Mr. Bennet as so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice that the experience of three-and-twenty years has been insufficien…
The Character of Mrs. Bennet
The narrator notes that Mrs. Bennet’s mind was less difficult to develope. She is a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.…
CHAPTER II.
Chapter II opens with the revelation that Mr. Bennet has already paid a visit to Mr. Bingley at Netherfield, despite repeatedly assuring his wife that he had no intention of going. Through a playful disclosure to his family, he uncovers the truth, sparking astonishment, Mrs.…
Mr. Bennet’s Visit to Mr. Bingley
Mr. Bennet’s Visit to Mr. Bingley Mr. Bennet was among the earliest callers on Mr. Bingley, though he had constantly told his wife he would not go.…
The Discussion About Mrs. Long
The Discussion About Mrs. Long Observing Elizabeth trim a hat, Mr. Bennet teases his wife by hoping Bingley will like it. Mrs.…
Kitty’s Cough
Kitty’s Cough Unable to contain her irritation, Mrs. Bennet scolds Kitty for coughing and tearing her nerves to pieces. Mr.…
Mary’s Silence
Mary’s Silence Turning to Mary, Mr. Bennet calls upon her, whom he jests is a young lady of deep reflection, to share her view.…
The Reveal of the Visit
The Reveal of the Visit Mrs. Bennet declares she is sick of Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bennet feigns dismay, replying that had he known her feelings that morning he would not have called on…
Mr. Bennet Departs
Mr. Bennet Departs Fatigued by his wife’s raptures, Mr. Bennet leaves the room and shuts the door behind him.
Lydia’s Confidence
Lydia’s Confidence Left alone with her daughters, Mrs. Bennet praises her husband as an excellent father and predicts that Mr.…
Conjectures About the Return Visit
Conjectures About the Return Visit The remainder of the evening is spent in conjecturing how soon Mr. Bingley will return Mr.…
CHAPTER III.
Chapter III of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, covering the Bennet family’s efforts to learn about Mr. Bingley, his visit to Longbourn, the assembly ball, and Elizabeth’s first impressions of Mr. Darcy, concluding with the family’s return home and Mrs. Bennet’s indignation.
Mrs. Bennet’s Inquiries About Mr. Bingley
Mrs. Bennet and her five daughters attempt to extract information about Mr. Bingley from Mr. Bennet, but he deflects all their questioning.
Lady Lucas’s Favourable Report
Lady Lucas provides secondhand intelligence about Mr. Bingley, reporting that Sir William found him handsome, agreeable, and intending to attend the next assembly with a large par…
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page offers a compressed quick-read summary for educational purposes.