Pride and Prejudice: Week 3

[Gem , Moderator]

Pride and Prejudice
Week 3: Volume II, Chapters 1 - 8
Discussion Questions


1. Charlotte’s decision to marry Mr. Collins is practical rather than romantic. Do you find Charlotte’s reasoning empowering, cynical, or simply realistic for her circumstances? Does Elizabeth judge her too harshly, or is Elizabeth’s perspective justified?

2. Mr. Collins’ self-importance becomes even more pronounced once he is settled at Hunsford. Do you see him as merely comedic, or is Austen using him to critique certain social institutions or personalities? How does living in his own home make him better or worse?

3. Lady Catherine is introduced as a caricature of aristocratic entitlement. How does Austen use Lady Catherine to expose the absurdities of class hierarchy? Do you view her as intimidating, ridiculous, or a mix of both?

4. At Rosings, Elizabeth is in an environment where she does not have social power. How does she handle the imbalance between her status and Lady Catherine’s authority? Does her behavior in these chapters change your perception of her confidence?

5. Everyone assumes Darcy will marry his sickly cousin, Anne. How does this assumption shape Elizabeth’s views of Darcy in these chapters? How does it contribute to the tension once Darcy begins acting strangely around her?

6. Darcy’s behavior during his visits to Rosings becomes increasingly awkward and inconsistent. What clues does Austen provide here that Darcy’s feelings for Elizabeth have deepened? Why might Elizabeth misinterpret or dismiss those clues?

7. These chapters highlight marriages as economic and social arrangements (Charlotte & Collins, the presumed Darcy–Anne match). How does Austen critique the transactional nature of marriage? Where do you see her endorsing or challenging the norms of her society?

8. Austen uses humor—especially in Mr. Collins’ speeches and Lady Catherine’s interrogations. How does the humor achieve more than simple entertainment? Which moments in these chapters strike you as the sharpest or most revealing satire?

9. Elizabeth and Charlotte make very different choices with the limited agency they possess. Which of them is navigating the constraints of their society more effectively? Is Elizabeth’s refusal to compromise ultimately privileged, idealistic, or admirable?

10. The atmosphere at Rosings is simultaneously stifling and absurd. How does Austen’s depiction of the setting itself heighten the themes of pride, class, and self-importance? How does the setting shape Elizabeth’s reactions and the development of Darcy’s feelings?