How do Elizabeth's feelings for Darcy change during Chapter 43

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GCSE Literature Coursework - Pride and Prejudice Essay

Trudie Roiz de Sà

January 2005

How do Elizabeth’s feelings for Darcy change during Chapter 43?

During this chapter a lot of things occur that cause Elizabeth’s feelings to change - towards Darcy and also regarding Georgiana.

The chapter begins with Lizzy and the Gardiners visiting Pemberley Woods - Darcy’s grand home in Derbyshire. Beforehand, she believes Mr Darcy to be proud, stiff and arrogant. Once they arrive at Pemberley, she is immediately struck with a change of feeling. The beauty the place possesses shows just how much she thinks of Pemberley; she ‘had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste.’

Lizzy is nervous about meeting Darcy again, as the last time they saw each other was when he gave her his letter detailing why he had tried to stop Bingley from liking Jane, and also why he disliked Wickham so intensely. However, she has been assured that Darcy is not residing at his home at the present time.

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The first person they meet at Pemberley is Mrs Reynolds, the Housekeeper. She is very respectable and civil towards the party. At once she shows them to the dining parlour, where Lizzy is amazed at the beauty and elegance of the inside of Pemberley. She actually shows signs of regret towards not accepting Darcy’s proposal. ‘”And of this place,” thought she, “I might have been mistress.”’ She then remembers that if she were Mrs Darcy she would not have been allowed to have the Gardiners visit, as they are considered lower class. This brings her back to reality.

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