Chapter 24

Summary Miss Bingley’s sister has sent a letter indicating that Mr Bingley will marry Miss Darcy. “Miss Bingley’s letter arrived and put an end to doubt” Jane is sad as her hopes of marriage are gone and her mother is reflecting on him to her annoyance, but Elizabeth wants to keep jane hopeful. “an error of fancy on my side” Elizabeth reflects on relationships, especially those she doesn’t understand. “Were I persuaded that Charlotte had any regard for him” Mr Bennet wants Elizabeth to go out with Mr Wickham. “When is your turn to come?”

Extract It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.'' ``And men take care that they should.'' ``If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified; but I have no idea of there being so much design in the world as some persons imagine.'' ``I am far from attributing any part of Mr. Bingley's conduct to design,'' said Elizabeth; ``but without scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness, want of attention to other people's feelings, and want of resolution, will do the business,'' ``And do you impute it to either of those?'' ``Yes; to the last. But if I go on, I shall displease you by saying what I think of persons you esteem. Stop me whilst you can.'' ``You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him.'' ``Yes, in conjunction with his friend.'' ``I cannot believe it. Why should they try to influence him? They can only wish his happiness, and if he is attached to me, no other woman can secure it.'' ``Your first position is false. They may wish many things besides his happiness; they may wish his increase of wealth and consequence; they may wish him to marry a girl who has all the importance of money, great connections, and pride.''

How are relationships presented in this extract in chapter 24? Austen presents relationships in regency England as a social decision. The revealing phrase “women fancy admiration” expresses the emotional connotations of marriage linked stereotypically to women in this contemporary society. The verb ‘fancy’ portrays a negative view on marriage juxtaposing the modern day readers values of a relationship. Austen represents the male decision of marriage with the phrase “men take care that they should” implying a more business-like agreement in which they must not be distracted by feelings when more important matter such as wealth and status are at stake. Moreover the impact of society’s influence is expressed, “they may wish to increase his wealth” revealing marriage as a family agreement, not individual. This mirrors Mrs Bennet’s earlier reflections on the qualities Mr Bingley did not agree with in Jane. Modern day readers may find this more formal presentation of love as uncomfortable as it is divided by status and not an individual’s decision.

Men must not consider love in their decision Jane cannot think only about admiration because that is not considering wealth. Men must not consider love in their decision It is also relevant for family to have an input Reflects on the attitudes of society AO1 AO2 AO3 Female need for love in a marriage even through the Bennet sisters’ eyes it is fickle. Austen exposes the oppression of women, that they haven’t got the choice of marriage for love as it is a family decision so wealth must be taken into account. The male view of marriage is portrayed as pragmatic and the standards are set high, hence love is also not a factor. Gives the impression women are to be chosen from. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does.'' ``And men take care that they should.'' ``If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified; but I have no idea of there being so much design in the world as some persons imagine.'' ``I am far from attributing any part of Mr. Bingley's conduct to design,'' said Elizabeth; ``but without scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness, want of attention to other people's feelings, and want of resolution, will do the business,'' ``And do you impute it to either of those?'' ``Yes; to the last. But if I go on, I shall displease you by saying what I think of persons you esteem. Stop me whilst you can.'' ``You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him.'' ``Yes, in conjunction with his friend.'' ``I cannot believe it. Why should they try to influence him? They can only wish his happiness, and if he is attached to me, no other woman can secure it.'' ``Your first position is false. They may wish many things besides his happiness; they may wish his increase of wealth and consequence; they may wish him to marry a girl who has all the importance of money, great connections, and pride.'' Austen exposes her own reflection on marriage through the dialogue between Lizzie and Jane Vocaliser for the 3rd person narrative (Austen’s mouthpiece) Emotive verbs

Austen’s Intention: To convey male and female values in marriage and relationships Show society’s influence on individuals decisions How wealth and hierarchy are more important in making decisions than emotions The importance if this extract: How the Bennet sisters reflect on relationships Reveals complications of love Pivotal moment – Lizzie understands Mr Darcy’s influence on this decision of Mr Bingley Expresses the families reaction, revealing marriage as something their survival relies on Contemporary and Modern reader response: Contemporary audience understand that marriage isn’t all about love Modern reader may be confused at why Elizabeth would keep the secret of Mr Darcy's influence towards bingley from her sister