Chapter VII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Status

  Elizabeth's muddy walk to Netherfield highlights the class distinctions between the Bennets and the Bingleys, as Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst view her appearance with contempt.

• Family and Duty

  Elizabeth's determination to care for Jane despite the weather and social censure underscores her sense of familial duty.

• Gender Roles and Inequality

  The entailment of the Bennet estate and Mrs. Bennet's schemes to marry off her daughters reflect the limited options for women in securing their future.

Characters to notice

• Elizabeth Bennet

  Determinedly walks three miles to Netherfield to care for Jane, showing her devotion and disregard for propriety.

• Jane Bennet

  Falls ill after riding to Netherfield in the rain, and is cared for by Elizabeth and the Bingley sisters.

• Mrs. Bennet

  Schemes to keep Jane at Netherfield by sending her on horseback in likely rain, delighted at the success of her plan.

• Mr. Bennet

  Dryly comments on his daughters' silliness and Mrs. Bennet's matchmaking, refusing to spare the carriage.

• Lydia Bennet

  Shows frivolous interest in officers, walking to Meryton with Kitty to see Captain Carter.

• Kitty Bennet

  Accompanies Lydia to Meryton, sharing her sister's fascination with the militia officers.

Key passages

• “Mr. Bennet’s property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed in default of heirs male, on a distant relation”

  Mr. Bennet's wealth was tied up in an estate worth two thousand pounds a year, but because he had no sons, it would pass to a male relative after his death, leaving his daughters without inheritance.

  Explains the financial precariousness of the Bennet sisters due to entailment.

• “If you are not so compassionate as to dine today with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day’s tête-à-tête between two women can never end without a quarrel.”

  Miss Bingley jokingly invites Jane to dine with her and Mrs. Hurst, claiming that a day alone together would lead to a quarrel.

  Shows the playful tone of the invitation that sets Jane's visit in motion.

• “I admire the activity of your benevolence, but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.”

  Mary Bennet praises Elizabeth's kindness but advises that emotions should be tempered by logic and effort matched to necessity.

  Mary's moralizing contrasts with Elizabeth's practical and affectionate decision to walk to Netherfield.