Who it is for
Readers following character development, social satire, and the changing relationships around Chapter 40 will find this chapter especially useful.
English reader · Project Gutenberg #1342
Chapter 40
Pride and Prejudice. English-only reading by default; switch among English, Chinese, and Spanish, or compare languages side by side.
Chapter summary
This chapter advances the novel’s social and emotional action around Chapter 40, using dialogue, family expectations, and manners to reveal character motives and relationships. Its opening movement begins: Elizabeth’s impatience to acquaint Jane with what had happened could no longer be overcome; and at length resolving to suppress every particular in which her sister was concerned, and preparing her to be surprised, she related to her the next morning the chief of the scene between Mr. Miss Bennet’s astonishment was soon lessened by the strong sisterly partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth appear perfectly
Modern reader note
Read this chapter in its Regency social context. Courtship, inheritance, gender expectations, class manners, and family authority around Chapter 40 reflect the novel’s historical world rather than present-day norms.
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