Chapter Analysis - chapter 43 Pride and Prejudice.

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Donna Sales                                                                                                                         29/04/07

CHAPTER ANALYSIS

In chapter 43 Elizabeth and Mr and Mrs Gardiner go for a visit to Pemberley. Jane Austen describes Pemberley Park as being “very large and contained great variety of ground” meaning Mr Darcy has acres of land with lots of different variety e.g. a lake, flower beds, woods etc. all this has been kept in very good condition. Pemberley also has a bridge before you come to the house.

As Elizabeth enters Pemberley she becomes overwhelmed by the view  

“Elizabeth’s mind was too full for conversation”.  She couldn’t think of any thing to say to Mr and Mrs Gardiner because she was too busy admiring the grounds of Pemberley. As they drew near to Pemberley house they crossed over a bridge that led them to the front of Pemberley house. Austen has described the house as being “a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground” at this point ‘she felt, that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!’ Elizabeth starts to think that who ever marries Darcy will be a very lucky woman, having all the grounds and the house. The grounds of an estate could be an index to the owner's taste and personality and I think Elizabeth likes Darcy’s taste.

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 As they reached the door they were met by Darcy’s housekeeper “Mrs Reynolds”. Austen describes the housekeeper as being “a respectable looking, elderly woman much less fine and more civil” They are shown around by Darcy’s housekeeper who is very complimentary about her master, describing him as ‘the best landlord, and master… that ever lived’. The ‘respectable-looking’ housekeeper’s’ description of Darcy is designed to be taken at face value and gives an objective view of Darcy’s many hidden attributes, which prior to this point have been largely concealed.

Pemberley house has lots of fine rooms; Austen describes the dining ...

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