Pride and Prejudice Chapter 38 Summary
The elevation of his feelings
Elizabeth leaves Hunsford after farewells to Charlotte and Mr. Collins, returns to the Gardiners, and wrestles with whether to tell Jane about Darcy.
Summary
On a Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins breakfast together so he can perform the obligatory parting civilities before her departure. Mr. Collins thanks her for visiting, praises his and Mrs. Collins's connection with Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Rosings, and boasts of the comforts of his humble parsonage and his marital harmony with Charlotte. Elizabeth politely accepts his congratulatory assurances and endures his pompous self-satisfaction as Charlotte herself enters and joins in the farewells.
The chaise is readied, trunks are packed, and Maria Lucas boards with Elizabeth; Mr. Collins insists on delivering their respects to the ladies of Rosings before the carriage departs. The women remark on how many events their short stay has contained — Elizabeth privately notes how much she must conceal. Their journey to the Gardiners is uneventful and they arrive within four hours. Jane appears well, but Elizabeth has little chance to probe her spirits amid the Gardiners' engagements. Elizabeth longs to tell Jane about Mr. Darcy's proposal and her refusal, tempted by the pleasure of surprising and consoling her sister, but she restrains herself, uncertain how much to disclose and fearful of unintentionally mentioning Bingley and causing Jane further pain.
Key events
- Mr. Collins gives formal parting compliments and praises Rosings and Lady Catherine.
- Charlotte joins the farewell; Elizabeth shows concern for her friend's choice of society.
- Carriage is packed; Mr. Collins insists on sending respects to the ladies of Rosings.
- Elizabeth and Maria travel to the Gardiners; journey is quiet.
- They arrive at the Gardiners; Elizabeth debates telling Jane about Darcy's proposal but delays.
Analysis
This chapter functions as a transitional bridge: it closes Elizabeth's stay at Hunsford and restores her to the social world of her family and the Gardiners while consolidating the comic portrait of Mr. Collins. Austen uses free indirect discourse to let readers perceive Elizabeth's inward restraint and ironic view of Collins's pomp, reinforcing Elizabeth's intelligence and moral independence. Mr. Collins's inflated gratitude toward Lady Catherine and his repeated assertions of shared views with Charlotte underline themes of social ambition, obsequiousness, and the compromises of marriage. The domestic details (trunks, chaise, parsonage, poultry) contrast ordinary life with the artificial ceremony of deference, reducing Collins's grand talk to comic banality.
Narratively, the chapter deliberately withholds full disclosure: Elizabeth's decision to postpone telling Jane what happened with Darcy prolongs emotional suspense and foregrounds her protective instincts toward her sister. The chapter also subtly foreshadows continuing tensions with Lady Catherine by emphasizing Collins's dependency on her favor. Austen's tone — polite on the surface, satirical underneath — continues to align reader sympathy with Elizabeth while exposing characters whose social success depends on flattery and submission.
Important quotes
“It gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not disagreeably.”
Mr. CollinsCollins responds to Elizabeth's thanks by expressing his self-satisfied delight at having provided agreeable hospitality.
“You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin.”
Mr. CollinsHe urges Elizabeth to praise the Collins household and their advantageous ties to Lady Catherine and Rosings.
“And how much I shall have to conceal!”
Narrator (Elizabeth's thought)Elizabeth privately acknowledges that her experience at Hunsford included events she cannot reveal, hinting at her rejected proposal from Darcy.
Characters in Chapter 38
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