Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

by

Jane Austen

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Pride and Prejudice: Chapter 61 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
A year later, Jane and Bingley move into an estate near Elizabeth and Darcy at Pemberley. Mrs. Bennet, extremely proud, visits them often. Mr. Bennet misses Elizabeth and visits frequently, too. Kitty improves in character from spending time with her two older sisters. Mary lives with her parents.
Elizabeth fulfills her daydreams about Pemberley and, as Darcy had hoped, eased her attachment to Longbourn. Jane and Elizabeth were always the moral center of the family, and now they are rewarded.
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Lydia writes to Elizabeth with congratulations and asks if Darcy could pitch in some money for them. Elizabeth is annoyed, but sends them the money from her own savings. Lydia sometimes visits Pemberley, though always without Wickham, whose affection for her has waned.
Lydia is as opportunistic and shameless as ever. She married a useless man and spends beyond her means. Elizabeth respects Darcy's pride, so she only uses her own savings.
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Even though Caroline Bingley is disappointed by Darcy's marriage, she tries to make nice with Elizabeth. Georgiana and Elizabeth get along wonderfully, just as Darcy had hoped. Lady Catherine abuses Darcy in a letter, but Elizabeth eventually encourages him to make amends. Lady Catherine eventually accepts the marriage and occasionally visits. Elizabeth and Darcy remain on close terms with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, grateful for the Gardiner's role in bringing them together.
Marriage plots are about compromise. Elizabeth and Darcy influence each other. Their marriage also softens Lady Catherine's prejudices and Caroline's disappointment. The friendship between the upper-class Darcy and Elizabeth and the middle class Gardiners shows that virtue and affection can overcome class prejudice.
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