Chapter 12 Pride and Prejudice

Q: Why does Darcy avoid Elizabeth in Chapter 12 of Pride and Prejudice?

Darcy realizes that Elizabeth has "attracted him more than he liked" during her stay at Netherfield. He wisely resolves to suppress any sign of admiration, fearing that if Elizabeth suspected his interest, his recent behavior would carry material weight in encouraging her hopes. He deliberately avoids speaking to her — scarcely saying ten words through all of Saturday — and when left alone with her for half an hour, he "adhered most conscientiously to his book" and would not even look at her. This strategic withdrawal paradoxically reveals the depth of his feelings.

Q: How does the Bennet family react when Elizabeth and Jane return from Netherfield?

The family's reactions reveal each member's character. Mrs. Bennet is annoyed they returned early, wondering at their coming and predicting Jane will catch cold again. Mr. Bennet, though "very laconic in his expressions of pleasure," is genuinely glad to see them, having felt their absence in the family circle. Mary is deep in studying thorough-bass and human nature. Kitty and Lydia share militia gossip — officers' dinners, a private being flogged, and the rumor that Colonel Forster is to be married.

Q: What role does Mr. Bingley play in Chapter 12 of Pride and Prejudice?

Mr. Bingley demonstrates his characteristic genuine warmth and sincerity. He hears with "real sorrow" that the Bennet sisters are leaving and repeatedly tries to persuade Jane that she has not recovered sufficiently to travel. His concern contrasts sharply with his sister Miss Bingley, who only pretends to wish them to stay, and with Darcy, who welcomes their departure. Bingley's transparent goodness and lack of artifice continue to establish him as Jane's ideal match — open-hearted where the others are calculating.

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In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote the next morning to their mother, to beg that the carriage might be sent for them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet, who had calculated on her daughters remaining at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane's week, could not bring herself to receive them with pleasure before. Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to Elizabeth's wishes, for she was impatient to get home. Mrs. Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday; and in her postscript it was added, that if Mr. Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer, she could spare them very well. Against staying longer, however, Elizabeth was positively resolved-- nor did she much expect it would be asked; and fearful, on the contrary, as being considered as intruding themselves needlessly long, she urged Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately, and at length it was settled that their original design of leaving Netherfield that morning should be mentioned, and the request made.

The communication excited many professions of concern; and enough was said of wishing them to stay at least till the following day to work on Jane; and till the morrow their going was deferred. Miss Bingley was then sorry that she had proposed the delay, for her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her affection for the other.

The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were to go so soon, and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her-- that she was not enough recovered; but Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right.

To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence-- Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked-- and Miss Bingley was uncivil to her, and more teasing than usual to himself. He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity; sensible that if such an idea had been suggested, his behaviour during the last day must have material weight in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her.

On Sunday, after morning service, the separation, so agreeable to almost all, took place. Miss Bingley's civility to Elizabeth increased at last very rapidly, as well as her affection for Jane; and when they parted, after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would always give her to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield, and embracing her most tenderly, she even shook hands with the former. Elizabeth took leave of the whole party in the liveliest of spirits.

They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother. Mrs. Bennet wondered at their coming, and thought them very wrong to give so much trouble, and was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But their father, though very laconic in his expressions of pleasure, was really glad to see them; he had felt their importance in the family circle. The evening conversation, when they were all assembled, had lost much of its animation, and almost all its sense by the absence of Jane and Elizabeth.

They found Mary, as usual, deep in the study of thorough-bass and human nature; and had some extracts to admire, and some new observations of threadbare morality to listen to. Catherine and Lydia had information for them of a different sort. Much had been done and much had been said in the regiment since the preceding Wednesday; several of the officers had dined lately with their uncle, a private had been flogged, and it had actually been hinted that colonel Foster was going to be married.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chapter 12 from Pride and Prejudice

Why does Mrs. Bennet refuse to send the carriage for Elizabeth and Jane in Chapter 12?

Mrs. Bennet has calculated that keeping Jane at Netherfield through Tuesday would complete a full week's stay, maximizing her time near Mr. Bingley. She refuses to send the carriage before then and even adds in a postscript that if Bingley and his sister press them to stay longer, she can spare them "very well." This is another instance of Mrs. Bennet's relentless matchmaking, prioritizing romantic opportunity over her daughters' comfort or wishes.

Why does Darcy avoid Elizabeth in Chapter 12 of Pride and Prejudice?

Darcy realizes that Elizabeth has "attracted him more than he liked" during her stay at Netherfield. He wisely resolves to suppress any sign of admiration, fearing that if Elizabeth suspected his interest, his recent behavior would carry material weight in encouraging her hopes. He deliberately avoids speaking to her — scarcely saying ten words through all of Saturday — and when left alone with her for half an hour, he "adhered most conscientiously to his book" and would not even look at her. This strategic withdrawal paradoxically reveals the depth of his feelings.

How does Miss Bingley behave when Elizabeth and Jane leave Netherfield?

Miss Bingley's behavior is a masterclass in social hypocrisy. She initially encourages the sisters to delay their departure by one day, but then regrets proposing the delay because her jealousy and dislike of Elizabeth far exceed her affection for Jane. At the actual parting on Sunday, however, her civility toward Elizabeth "increased at last very rapidly" — she warmly embraces Jane and even shakes hands with Elizabeth. Austen uses this contrast between private resentment and public politeness to expose the performative nature of genteel manners.

How does the Bennet family react when Elizabeth and Jane return from Netherfield?

The family's reactions reveal each member's character. Mrs. Bennet is annoyed they returned early, wondering at their coming and predicting Jane will catch cold again. Mr. Bennet, though "very laconic in his expressions of pleasure," is genuinely glad to see them, having felt their absence in the family circle. Mary is deep in studying thorough-bass and human nature. Kitty and Lydia share militia gossip — officers' dinners, a private being flogged, and the rumor that Colonel Forster is to be married.

What does Darcy's behavior in Chapter 12 reveal about his feelings for Elizabeth?

Darcy's deliberate avoidance of Elizabeth reveals far more than casual indifference would. His decision that Elizabeth has been at Netherfield "long enough" and that she "attracted him more than he liked" shows he recognizes his growing attachment as a threat to his self-control. The effort required to remain silent — speaking barely ten words all Saturday and refusing to look at her even when alone together — demonstrates that suppressing his feelings demands enormous discipline. Austen shows that Darcy's rigid self-control is itself evidence of powerful emotion beneath the surface.

What role does Mr. Bingley play in Chapter 12 of Pride and Prejudice?

Mr. Bingley demonstrates his characteristic genuine warmth and sincerity. He hears with "real sorrow" that the Bennet sisters are leaving and repeatedly tries to persuade Jane that she has not recovered sufficiently to travel. His concern contrasts sharply with his sister Miss Bingley, who only pretends to wish them to stay, and with Darcy, who welcomes their departure. Bingley's transparent goodness and lack of artifice continue to establish him as Jane's ideal match — open-hearted where the others are calculating.