Pride and Prejudice Study Guide Questions – Flashcards
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The first sentence of the novel is one of the most famous lines of literature. From what you already know about the novel, and from what you have read, what is the significance of the first sentence? What do you think it means?
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It shows the culture and decorum of 19th century England and what was proper then; It implies that if you were rich and didn't have/want a wife, you were probably really weird or something.
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How des Mr. Bennet reveal to his wife and daughters that he has visited Mr. Bingley? How do the Bennet ladies react?
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He teases them for a little and stalls, then reveals that he talked to Bingley; They're stunned and then freak out about what to do, what to wear, etc.
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What insight do you gain about the character of Mr. Bennet? Mrs. Bennet?
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He's a savage and he hates his wife. She doesn't really have a purpose in life other than to marry her daughters; she's not very smart.
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At the ball, in Ch. 3, what does Darcy do that causes a problem? How does everyone react to his actions? What does this action/or reaction tell you about Darcy?
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He acts high and mighty, like he's better than everyone and tells Bingley that Lizzy isn't good enough for him; They hate him and never want him to come back to their town again; He is conceited and insecure about himself.
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In Ch. 5, we are introduced to the Lucas family. The ladies discuss Darcy in regards to his pride. What are the various opinions of Darcy's pride and pride in general?
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Mrs. Bennet hates him; Charlotte Lucas doesn't like him but doesn't hate him like Bennet; Jane heard he's nice once you get to know him.
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In the beginning of Ch. 6, the Bennet girls and Charlotte are discussing marriage, while each girl has a different view. What are the various views of marriage each character holds?
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Jane insists on acting like she doesn't like Bingley when she loves him, and Charlotte is convinced that this is the wrong way to go about things; she should in fact act like she likes him more that what she really does. Elizabeth thinks Jane should spend more time with Bingley and get to know him.
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In Ch. 6, Who does Darcy claim to have found pleasure with at the dance? How has this particular character treated him? Why is this ironic?
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Elizabeth Bennet; She was mean and cold to him; Because he was mean when he said bad stuff about her.
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In Ch. 7, Jane receives a letter from the Bingley sisters asking her to dine at Netherfield. How does Mrs. Bennet insist Jane travel to Netherfield? Why?
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By horseback; So if it rains, she can stay overnight.
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What does Elizabeth decide to do when she learns Jane is ill?
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Walk the three miles to Netherfield to be with her in case she dies.
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How do Elizabeth & Darcy interact in Ch. 10?
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They have a conversation about what should happen if a friend tries to convince you to change your mind; Darcy asks Elizabeth to dance but she rejects him.
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In the end of Ch. 11, Darcy points out that everyone has a defect in character which makes a person blind to qualities of others. How does this deal with Pride? Prejudice?
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Pride is okay as long as it's not too overbearing; It is difficult to truly know someone if there is prejudice in the way.
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In Ch. 12, what are Darcy's feelings toward Elizabeth? How does he show them? Is Elizabeth aware of them? Why is this significant?
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He is starting to like her more and more; He doesn't- he ignores them; No; She still thinks that he hates her.
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How are we introduced to Mr. Collins? Who is he? What is he preparing to do?
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He is introduced by Mr. Bennett, but not in person, he received a letter from him; Mr. Bennett's cousin; Kick Mrs. Bennet and her daughters out of their house when Mr. Bennet dies.
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In Ch. 15, the Bennet daughters walk to Meryton and meet some military men. Who is Mr. Wickham? What do we know about him thus far?
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A soldier; He's friends with Mr. Denny; enemies with Darcy.
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What do Wickham & Elizabeth talk about in Ch. 16?
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How Darcy didn't keep his promise to Wickham in giving him an estate.
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Why does Jane have mixed feelings over Wickham's opinions of Darcy? What does this reveal about Jane's character?
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She believes that it has to be a misunderstanding, but she didn't want to question Mr. Wickham's character because he is so 'agreeable'; She tries her best to see the good in all people.
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In Ch. 18, the Bennets attend another ball. Cite at least 2 instances in which the Bennets are seen in an unfavorable way.
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Mrs. Bennet brags about how Jane is going to marry Bingley soon in the hearing range of Darcy and Bingley's sisters; Mary sings two songs and she's bad.
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While Elizabeth & Darcy dance, they discuss Wickham. What do we learn of Wickham?
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He makes a lot of friends, but he can't keep them.
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How does Mr. Collins propose to Elizabeth? How does she respond? How does he react to her answer?
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He has everyone clear out of the room and he proposes to her in a buisinesslike manner; She says no; He thinks she wants him to ask her later.
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How does Mrs. Bennet react to Elizabeth's answer?
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She freaks out and threatens to never see Elizabeth again if she doesn't accept Mr. Collins.
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How does Mr. Bennet react to Elizabeth's decision?
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He threatens to never see Elizabeth again if she does accept Mr. Collins.
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Elizabeth agrees with Wickham's reasoning for not attending the ball. What is it? How do Elizabeth's beliefs portray her prejudices?
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He can't bear to be in the same rooms as Darcy; She hates Darcy based on what she's seen and heard so much that she will believe anything anyone has to say about him that is negative.
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What takes place between Charlotte Lucas & Mr. Collins? What is Mrs. Bennet's reaction? What is Elizabeth's reaction?
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They talk and get to know each other, and he proposes to her; She's pissed. It takes her many months to forgive the Lucases stop being rude to them; She is surprised that Charlotte would give up all hope of an emotional love so quickly for safety and financial security.
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Mrs. Bennet has talked much of Jane & Bingley marrying. In Ch. 23, we learn Bingley and friends have left for London. What threat does this offer Jane & Bingley? With whom does Darcy & Miss Bingley hope to interest Bingley?
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They probably won't get to marry; Darcy's sister.
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Who are Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner? What type of advice does Mrs. Gardiner give Jane & Elizabeth, in Ch. 25? How is she connected with Wickham?
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Mrs. Bennet's brother and his wife; She asks Jane to come live with them in London to have a change of scenery, and she tells Lizzy that Wickham probably isn't the guy for her; She used to live in his part of town and they were "acquainted."
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Jane writes to Elizabeth from London. What does she explain in her letter?
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She finally understands that Caroline Bingley does not like her, and how Mr. Bingley is very engrossed in Ms. Darcy.
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What is suspicious about Wickham's engagement?
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He with Lizzy a lot, but as soon as someone who just inherited a lot of money shows up, he goes after her.
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Describe how Mr. Collins treats Elizabeth when she visits Mr. & Mrs. Collins.
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He points out all of the nice furniture to his guests, particularly to Elizabeth, as to show Elizabeth what she was missing.
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How does Lady Catherine demean Elizabeth during her visit with the Collins?
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She just kind of roasts on Elizabeth the entire time, criticizing how she was raised and the way she lives her life.
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Why does Charlotte think Mr. Darcy is in love with Elizabeth?
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She doesn't understand why he would come to their house unless he liked Elizabeth.
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What information does Colonel Fitzwilliam give Elizabeth regarding Darcy's involvement with Bingley's detachment from Jane?
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Darcy convinced Bingley to not marry Jane because of "objections" he had against her.
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In Chapter 34, describe the conversation between Elizabeth & Darcy. What feelings do they seem to have towards each other at the end of the chapter?
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Elizabeth hates Darcy even more and Darcy feels ashamed for liking Elizabeth.
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What does Darcy write to Elizabeth in his letter regarding Jane & Mr. Bingley?
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He was wrong about Jane not loving Bingley, he was just worried about how embarrassing the family was. He feels bad about not telling Bingley that Jane was in London. He gave Wickham the 1000 pounds that his father promised and promised him living quarters eventually, but instead Wickham wanted to study law so he gave up the living for 3000 pounds. A few years later, Wickham showed up with no money, no law degree, a really bad reputation, and a burning desire to become a clergyman—which Darcy refused. Then he wormed his way into the heart of Darcy's 15-year-old little sister Georgiana and tried to elope with her. Darcy found out just in time.
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How does Elizabeth feel after reading Darcy's letter?
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She was really mad at first, but then she started to think about how she might have been wrong, and then she finally resolved that Darcy had almost not fault and she had been blinded by prejudice to see the real him.
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What does Elizabeth choose to tell Jane about Darcy's letter & what does she keep to herself?
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She tells Jane about Wickham but doesn't tell her about Bingley.
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In Ch. 41, where is Lydia going to travel & with whom? How do the various family members feel about this?
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Brighton; the officers/militia. Mrs. Forester invites her to go; Elizabeth doesn't want her to go because she thinks Lydia will embarrass the family by flirting too much; Kitty is jealous that she didn't get invited; Mrs. Bennet is excited/happy for her to go; Mr. Bennet thinks that she'll embarrass herself and her family wherever she goes, so he doesn't care if she goes.
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What weaknesses does Elizabeth find in her father?
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He makes fun of his wife too much; he could have hired a governess to make sure that the kids grew up properly, but instead he spends all of his time avoiding his wife in the library.
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What estate do the Gardiners & Elizabeth plan on visiting? Why is Elizabeth at first unsure & then alright with the visit?
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Pemberley; She doesn't want to run into Mr. Darcy, but the she is assured by a chambermaid that the family isn't there for the summer.
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How do the servants at Pemberley speak of Darcy? How does he act at Pemberley when he runs into Elizabeth and Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner?
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They love him and they think he's the best landlord/master ever; It's awkward- but he's super nice about it. He asks to be introduced to the Gardiner's, and even invites Mr. Gardiner to fish with him.
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What comment does Miss Bingley make towards Elizabeth that causes a stir at Pemberley? How does Elizabeth react to this comment?
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She tries to bring up Wickham without saying his name; Knowing that Georgiana is in the room, Elizabeth answers composedly and acts disinterested.
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What information does Jane give Elizabeth in her two letters?
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Wickham and Lydia are going to go off to Scotland to elope, but then they don't go because Wickham is planning a hit and run on Lydia.
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At the end of Ch. 46, how does Elizabeth feel towards Darcy?
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She thinks she loves him, but she knows that she can't marry him because of the embarrassment that her family causes, especially now that Lydia has done this.
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Mr. Collins writes a letter to the Bennets in Ch. 48. Describe it.
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It's a horrible letter that basically tells the Bennett's that it's their fault that Lydia did this, they should remove her from their family, all the other daughters will never find husbands now, and he's glad he didn't marry Elizabeth.
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What do we find out about Wickham's financial state in Ch. 48?
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He has huge gambling debts.
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Describe the marriage agreement between Wickham, Mr. Gardiner, and Mr. Bennet. Why is Mr. Bennet skeptical of the agreement?
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Wickham wants a certain amount of money each year in agreement of marrying Lydia. Mr. Gardiner will pay the money in Mr. Bennet's name; He thinks that Mr. Gardiner had to have paid a lot of money initially to Wickham because Wickham would never have married Lydia and only take the small sum of money each year. ($6,000, approx).
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How do Lydia's actions seem to affect Elizabeth's future with Darcy?
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Negatively- he wouldn't want to be married to someone whose family is connected to Wickham- once of his worst enemies.
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In Ch. 51, how do the Bennets receive Lydia & Wickham?
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Mrs. Bennet was so happy but everyone else in the family was very angry and unhappy.
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How was Mr. Darcy involved in Lydia & Wickham's marriage?
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He tried to convince Lydia to marry Wickham, but when she wouldn't, he offered Wickham a small fortune to marry Lydia.
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How does Mrs. Bennet act towards Mr. Bingley when he visits Longbourn? How does she act towards Mr. Darcy?
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She's nice to him and is kind of pushy about them coming back to dine- she brags about Lydia and Wickham; She is forcefully polite, but cold.
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What goes on between Jane & Mr. Bingley in Ch. 55?
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Bingley is left alone in a room with Jane twice, and he proposes the second time.
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Who visits the Bennets in Ch. 56? What is the purpose of this visit?
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Lady Catherine de Bourgh; She's trying to convince Elizabeth to not marry Mr. Darcy because he needs to marry her daughter.
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What does Mr. Bennet find peculiar about Mr. Collins's letter?
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It says that Lizzy will soon be engaged to Mr. Darcy which doesn't make sense to him because he thinks that they hate each other.
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Why did Darcy do what he did in regards to Wickham & Lydia's marriage?
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He only did it to show Lizzy that he cared for her and that he had changed.
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Describe the conversation between Lizzy & Darcy in Ch. 58 regarding their feelings towards each other.
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Darcy talks about how he still likes her and that he got hope for their love when Mrs. Gardiner talked about their conversation about him; Elizabeth talks about how she loves him noe bec ause she got rid of all of the prejudices that he had for her.
