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Chapter 9
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Pride and Prejudice, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Pride
Prejudice
Family
Marriage
Class
Summary
Analysis
The next day, Elizabeth joins the evening party in the drawing room. Caroline looks on as Darcy tries to write a letter. Trying to flatter him, she offers empty compliments about his writing, but only manages to interrupt him.
Whenever a character in P&P tries to scheme their way to social advantage, they invariably end up with the opposite result.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Elizabeth and Darcy get into an argument about Bingley's character. Darcy says that people should always follow their convictions. Elizabeth counters that sometimes regard for others must modify one's conduct. But Bingley, hating conflict, stops them.
Darcy reiterates his pride in his own beliefs. Elizabeth pridefully believes that she considers other people's views, but events will show that she really just follows her own prejudices.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
As Bingley's sisters sing at the piano, Elizabeth notices that she seems to fascinate Darcy. He asks her to dance and she playfully refuses. Still, Darcy is bewitched: he thinks that if it wasn't for her lowly connections, he might fall in love.
Elizabeth attracts Darcy by standing up to him. Yet class and pride are so important for Darcy that attraction alone won't suffice.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Caroline is increasingly jealous. The next day, she takes Darcy on a walk to tease him about marrying Elizabeth and about the awful family he would join.
Caroline tries to exploit Darcy's pride in the integrity of his family to protect her chances with him.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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