Pride and Prejudice Chapters 13-20

Study Notes

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 13: Collins arrives at the Bennet household, noted for his obsequious demeanor; mentions his intention to propose a visit.
Chapter 14: Collins describes Lady Catherine de Bourgh upon his arrival; attempts to read from Fordyce's Sermons but is interrupted by Lydia.
Chapter 15: Collins initially considers Jane for marriage but switches his focus to Elizabeth after learning Jane's engagement to Bingley; Elizabeth meets Wickham, who has a prior acquaintance with Darcy.
Chapter 16: At a party hosted by the Phillipses, Collins excessively praises Mrs. Phillips; Elizabeth is fascinated by Wickham, who reveals his mistreatment by Darcy and hints at a union between Darcy and Miss de Bourgh.
Chapter 17: Anticipation builds for the Netherfield ball; Collins requests the first two dances from Elizabeth, who feels horrified by the proposition.
Chapter 18: Wickham does not attend the Netherfield ball; awkward moments include Mrs. Bennet discussing Jane's expected marriage loudly and the Bennets' poor performance in etiquette.
Chapter 19: Collins proposes to Elizabeth, who firmly rejects him; he refuses to accept her denial.
Chapter 20: After Elizabeth's refusal, Collins retracts his proposal; Mrs. Bennet threatens to disown Elizabeth, while Mr. Bennet jokes about the situation, claiming he would rather not see her again if she accepts Collins.

Key Characters

Mr. Collins: A pompous clergyman, heir to Mr. Bennet's estate; lacks social grace and is excessively servile.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh: Wealthy patroness of Mr. Collins, a significant influence in his life and marriage proposal.
Miss de Bourgh: Daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, mentioned in relation to Darcy’s estate.
Mr. Wickham: Charismatic officer, disliked by Darcy; forms a connection with Elizabeth through shared misfortunes.
Mr. Denny: Soldier affiliated with Wickham and the Bennet sisters, enhancing the social circle of the characters.
Mrs. Phillips: Sister of Mrs. Bennet; enjoys gossip, especially regarding soldiers in Meryton.
Sir William Lucas: Charlotte’s father, amiable and social; enjoys hosting people.

Key Terms and Themes

Condescension: Demonstration of a patronizing superiority, often seen in Mr. Collins' behavior.
Affability: A tone of friendliness, significant in social interactions throughout the narrative.
Obsequiousness: Collins' behavior exemplifies excessive servility toward Lady Catherine and those he desires to impress.
Jealousy: Wickham attributes Darcy’s dislike toward him to this emotion, adding to the complex dynamics.
Marriage Motivations: Collins cites various reasons for marriage, revealing his shallow understanding of love and relationships.
Societal Expectations: Collins struggles to understand Elizabeth's refusal rooted in her awareness of societal pressures and her family's financial concerns.

Description

Test your knowledge on the key events and characters from Chapters 13 to 20 of 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. This quiz includes summaries, character descriptions, and important terms present in these chapters to help deepen understanding of the novel's themes and relationships.