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Chapter 24
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
Mr. Collins leaves again and Mrs. Bennet's brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, arrive for a visit. Mr. Gardiner is a tradesman in London. Mrs. Gardiner is intelligent and extremely well-liked by Jane and Elizabeth.
The Gardiners represent the established middle class. They are a "lowly" family connection that might hurt the Bennet sisters' prospects of marrying well.
Themes
Quiz
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After listening sympathetically to Mrs. Bennet's outpouring of complaints, Mrs. Gardiner speaks with Elizabeth about Jane's situation. Elizabeth confirms that Jane was very much in love and swears that Bingley's departure was no accident.
Mrs. Gardiner takes the place of Mrs. Bennet in soothing and restoring the family. She represents a stronger, sympathetic, and more sensible mother figure for the girls.
Themes
Quiz
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Mrs. Gardiner proposes that Jane come stay with them in London to help her recovery. While Mrs. Gardiner promises that Jane and Bingley are not likely to meet, Elizabeth secretly hopes that Jane's presence nearby will rekindle Bingley's affections.
Because of their class, the Gardiners live in a very different part of town and travel in different social circles than Bingley and his family and friends.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
