Pride and Prejudice | Chapter 27 Summary & Analysis | Jane Austen

Summary

In Chapter 27 of *Pride and Prejudice*, Elizabeth visits her friend Charlotte and Mr. Collins in Hunsford, stopping in London to see her sister at the Gardiners' home. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner discuss the Wickham affair—Mrs. Gardiner disapproves of Wickham's behavior, while Elizabeth finds his actions sensible. The Gardiners invite Elizabeth to travel to northern England in the summer, which she happily accepts as a distraction. A conversation about Wickham's pursuit of Miss King touches on familiar themes of marriage, as Elizabeth wrestles with the line between practicality and greed, forgiving Wickham but feeling betrayed by Charlotte’s marriage for security.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Music plays in the background during the scene.
• 🚗 Elizabeth travels to Hunsford to visit her friend Charlotte and Mr. Collins.
• 🏙️ On the way, they stop in London to visit her sister at the Gardiner's home.
• 💬 Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth discuss the Wickham affair.
• 🤔 Mrs. Gardiner believes Wickham behaved badly, while Elizabeth thinks he acted sensibly.
• 🛤️ The Gardiners invite Elizabeth to travel with them to northern England in the summer.
• 😊 Elizabeth agrees to the trip, excited for a distraction.
• ⛰️ Elizabeth playfully expresses excitement about seeing mountains and rocks.
• 💍 The discussion touches on Wickham's sudden pursuit of Miss King and themes of marriage.
• 🧐 Elizabeth distinguishes between good sense and greed in marriage, yet her judgment of Wickham seems unusually forgiving.

Q & A

What is the main event described in Chapter 27 of *Pride and Prejudice*?

Elizabeth travels to Hunsford to visit her friend Charlotte and Mr. Collins.

Who does Elizabeth visit on the way to Hunsford?

Elizabeth stops in London to visit her sister at the Gardiner's home.

What do Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth discuss during her visit?

They discuss the Wickham affair, with Mrs. Gardiner expressing disapproval of Wickham's behavior.

What is Mrs. Gardiner’s opinion of Wickham?

Mrs. Gardiner thinks Wickham behaved badly.

How does Elizabeth feel about Wickham's actions?

Elizabeth believes that Wickham was being sensible in his actions, although she seems uncharacteristically generous in her judgment.

What do the Gardiners invite Elizabeth to do?

The Gardiners invite Elizabeth to travel with them to northern England in the summer.

How does Elizabeth respond to the invitation from the Gardiners?

Elizabeth happily agrees to join them on the trip, seeing it as a welcome distraction.

What playful comment does Elizabeth make about the trip?

Elizabeth playfully exclaims, 'What are men to rocks and mountains?' indicating her excitement for the adventure.

What familiar theme about marriage is explored during the discussion of Wickham?

The theme of motives for marriage is explored, particularly through Elizabeth's consideration of good sense, discretion, and greed.

How does Elizabeth view Wickham's pursuit of Miss King?

Elizabeth forgives Wickham's fortune-hunting behavior, contrasting with her feelings of betrayal over Charlotte’s choice to marry for security.