Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Detailed Summary

• Mr. Collins decides to marry one of the Bennet sisters and quickly fixes his attention on Elizabeth.

• He first intends to propose to Jane but is redirected by Mrs. Bennet to Elizabeth, as Jane is expected to marry Bingley.

• The family meets Mr. Wickham, who charms everyone with his manners and stories about Mr. Darcy’s supposed mistreatment.

• Elizabeth readily believes Wickham’s tale, deepening her prejudice against Darcy.

• The chapter blends romance, deception, and social satire, foreshadowing future conflict.

Character Development

Elizabeth Bennet

• Shows naivety in trusting Wickham’s charm.

• Her quick judgment reveals emotional bias and growing prejudice.

Mr. Wickham

• Introduced as attractive and amiable but deceptive; uses charm to manipulate.

Mr. Darcy

• His reserved reaction to Wickham suggests hidden complexity and restraint.

Mr. Collins

• Continues to act absurdly, reducing marriage to a practical duty.

Writing Techniques

• Foreshadowing: Wickham’s story sets up future revelations about truth and deceit.

• Irony: Elizabeth’s insight fails her, exposing her prejudice.

• Contrast: Wickham’s charm vs. Darcy’s reserve reflects surface vs. substance.

• Satire: Mr. Collins’s pursuit of Elizabeth mocks the marriage market’s absurdity.

Themes

Pride and Prejudice

• Both Elizabeth and Darcy act on mistaken impressions.

Quotes:

• “His countenance, voice, and manner had established him at once in the possession of every virtue.”

  • Highlights Elizabeth’s hasty judgment.

• “One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.”

  • Foreshadows her later self-awareness.

• “Elizabeth listened, roused and interested.”

  • Shows emotional bias influencing perception.

Love and Marriage

• Collins’s and Wickham’s differing approaches reflect the theme’s diversity — one sees marriage as duty, the other as charm.

Quotes:

• “My reasons for marrying are… that it is the duty of a clergyman.”

  • Collins’s pragmatic view contrasts true affection.

• “He bore with philosophy the evil of losing his friend’s regard.”

  • Wickham’s deceit wrapped in emotional manipulation.

• “Elizabeth was captivated by Wickham’s easy manners.”

  • Demonstrates love as illusion when based on appearance.

Social Class and Etiquette

• Wickham manipulates class sympathy to win Elizabeth’s favour.

Quotes:

• “He had the manners of a gentleman.”

  • Suggests class disguise and deception.

• “Mr. Darcy’s pride never forgave it.”

  • Reinforces social division and misunderstanding.

• “Every civility was speedily offered him.”

  • Shows social quickness to accept attractive manners over moral truth.