Pride and Prejudice Chapter 55 Summary

Summary

A few days after Mr. Darcy leaves for London, Mr. Bingley visits Longbourn alone and quickly becomes a frequent guest. Mrs. Bennet schemes throughout the visit to get him alone with Jane, but her obvious officiousness nearly spoils the attempt. Despite maternal interference, Bingley accepts an invitation to shoot with Mr. Bennet the next morning and soon afterwards spends the day at Longbourn; his cheerful manner wins general favor and he begins visiting daily.

That evening an awkward moment reveals Jane and Bingley in earnest conversation; Jane immediately confides in Elizabeth that she is engaged and bursts with happiness, hurrying to share the news with their delighted mother. The household celebrates: Mrs. Bennet exults, Kitty hopes for her own prospects, Mary asks favors, and Mr. Bennet, with dry good humor, congratulates Jane and predicts the couple’s agreeable, if imprudent, temperaments. Jane and Elizabeth speak tenderly of each other’s happiness, and Elizabeth recognizes the match as the sensible and affectionate resolution of months of suspense and family anxiety.

Key events

1. Mr. Bingley visits Longbourn alone and accepts another invitation.
2. Mrs. Bennet repeatedly tries to separate Jane and Bingley but nearly foils it.
3. Bingley shoots with Mr. Bennet and becomes a regular visitor.
4. Jane and Bingley are discovered in earnest talk; Jane tells Elizabeth she is engaged.
5. Jane rushes to tell their mother, and the family joyfully celebrates the engagement.
6. Mr. Bennet offers a dry but affectionate congratulations and teases their future imprudences.

Analysis

This chapter resolves the long, steady tension surrounding Jane and Bingley's relationship by converting repeated social maneuvering into a decisive, mutual commitment. It advances the novel's themes of courtship, social maneuver, and the effects of temperament: Bingley's openness and Jane's gentle constancy triumph over outside interference. Mrs. Bennet's comic scheming provides both tension and release—her anxious officiousness contrasts with the sincere feelings of the young couple and yields a satirical portrait of parental meddling. Narrative technique balances free indirect discourse and third-person wit: the narrator aligns with Elizabeth's perspective enough to celebrate the match while ironizing the family's foibles, especially in Mr. Bennet's teasing remarks. The chapter also tightens social structure: Bingley's daily visits integrate him into Longbourn life, foreshadowing shifts in household dynamics and status. Symbolically, repeated references to domestic scenes—the drawing-room, hearth, supper—underscore courtship as a home-centered negotiation rather than a grand public spectacle. The episode serves as a pivot, releasing readers from prolonged suspense and allowing character interactions (Elizabeth’s ironic intelligence, Jane’s sweetness, Mrs. Bennet’s triumph) to shape subsequent developments without melodrama.

Important quotes

““Lizzy, my dear, I want to speak to you.””

Mrs. BennetMrs. Bennet repeatedly attempts to isolate Elizabeth or Jane to press her plans for promoting Jane and Bingley's attachment.

““I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!””

Jane BennetJane exclaims her joy to Elizabeth after acknowledging her engagement to Mr. Bingley.

““You are a good girl,” he replied, “and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income.””

Mr. BennetMr. Bennet congratulates Jane with ironic affection, predicting both happiness and the couple's imprudent ease with money.

Characters in Chapter 55

• Mr. Bingley
• Mr. Darcy
• Mrs. Bennet
• Jane Bennet
• Elizabeth Bennet
• Kitty Bennet
• Mary Bennet
• Mr. Bennet
• Caroline Bingley
• Lydia Bennet
• Mr. Wickham
• Mr. Collins
• Mrs. Philips