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Chapter 44
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 morning, Mr. Gardiner joins Bingley and Darcy to fish, and Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner visit the women at Pemberley. Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst do not seem pleased to see Elizabeth.
Darcy's growth is highlighted by the Bingley women's lack of growth—they still look down on Elizabeth.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
When Darcy arrives, Caroline tries to embarrass Elizabeth by bringing up her connection with Wickham. The plan backfires: the name of Wickham mortifies Georgiana, and only Elizabeth's cool handling of the question saves the situation. After Elizabeth leaves, Caroline mocks Elizabeth's looks, but Darcy says he ranks her among the most beautiful women he knows.
Caroline knows that she can't compete with Elizabeth on substance, so she once again tries to drive a wedge between them by exploiting Darcy's pride. But this effort only reveals her selfish, nasty character. Like Mrs. Bennet's schemes, Caroline's backfire because they are motivated by selfishness.
Themes
Literary Devices
Quiz
Test Yourself
