Pride and Prejudice · Chapter
Chapter XVIII explained
At the Netherfield Ball, Elizabeth Bennet grapples with family embarrassment as her mother loudly boasts about Jane's prospects with Mr.
What happens
At the Netherfield Ball, Elizabeth Bennet grapples with family embarrassment as her mother loudly boasts about Jane's prospects with Mr. Bingley, Mary performs poorly at the piano, and Mr. Collins awkwardly introduces himself to Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth also discusses Mr. Wickham's character with Jane, who relays Mr. Bingley's defense of Mr. Darcy, leaving Elizabeth unconvinced.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Status
Mr. Collins's obsequious pursuit of Mr. Darcy due to his connection to Lady Catherine de Bourgh underscores the rigid class hierarchy.
Reputation and Appearance
Elizabeth's acute embarrassment at her family's public behavior reflects the tension between personal conduct and social reputation.
Family and Duty
Elizabeth feels burdened by her family's actions, particularly her mother's indiscreet comments and Mary's poor performance.
Characters to notice
- Elizabeth Bennet
Feels shame and vexation at her family's behavior; remains skeptical of Mr. Darcy's account of Mr. Wickham.
- Jane Bennet
Shares hopeful feelings about Mr. Bingley and relays his defense of Mr. Darcy regarding Mr. Wickham.
- Mr. Collins
Insists on introducing himself to Mr. Darcy as a relative of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, despite Elizabeth's objections.
- Mrs. Bennet
Loudly boasts about Jane's future marriage to Mr. Bingley, causing Elizabeth great embarrassment.
- Mr. Darcy
Remains silent and observant; his expression shifts from contempt to gravity as he overhears Mrs. Bennet.
- Mr. Bingley
Engages warmly with Jane and agrees to visit Longbourn after his return from London.
Key passages
“Elizabeth instantly read her feelings, and at that moment solicitude for Wickham, resentment against his enemies, and everything else gave way before the hope of Jane's being in the fairest way for happiness.”
Elizabeth immediately understood Jane's happiness and set aside her worries about Wickham and her anger at his enemies, focusing instead on Jane's promising prospects for joy.
Elizabeth prioritizes her sister's happiness over her own concerns.
“To Elizabeth it appeared, that had her family made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit, or finer success.”
Elizabeth felt that if her family had deliberately planned to embarrass themselves, they could not have done so more effectively.
Elizabeth's mortification at her family's public behavior is palpable.
“Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation. She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy, though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded; for though he was not always looking at her mother, she was convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her.”
Elizabeth blushed repeatedly from shame and irritation, and kept glancing at Mr. Darcy, fearing that he was intently listening to her mother's loud remarks.
Elizabeth's anxiety about Mr. Darcy's perception of her family is evident.