Plot Summary
Chapter 8 of Pride and Prejudice takes place at Netherfield Park, where Elizabeth has come to nurse her ill sister Jane. At dinner, Elizabeth reports that Jane is no better. The Bingley sisters express superficial concern but quickly forget the matter, while Mr. Bingley shows genuine anxiety for Jane's health. Elizabeth finds herself largely ignored at dinner except by Bingley, whose attentions prevent her from feeling entirely unwelcome. Mr. Hurst, an indolent man interested only in eating, drinking, and cards, dismisses Elizabeth when he discovers she prefers plain dishes to French cuisine.
After dinner, the Bingley sisters cruelly gossip about Elizabeth behind her back, mocking her muddy petticoat, her wild appearance from walking, and her family's low connections. Bingley consistently defends Elizabeth, declaring she looked "remarkably well" and that her relatives would not make her less agreeable. Darcy surprises the group by admitting Elizabeth's eyes were "brightened by the exercise," though he agrees that the Bennets' low connections would materially reduce their chances of advantageous marriages.
The Drawing Room Scene
Later that evening, Elizabeth joins the party in the drawing room, where they are playing loo. She declines the card game and chooses a book instead, provoking astonishment from Mr. Hurst and pointed commentary from Miss Bingley. Bingley offers her the run of his library, modestly admitting he has few books and has read fewer still. Miss Bingley uses this as an opportunity to flatter Darcy about Pemberley's magnificent library, steering the conversation toward his estate and his sister Georgiana.
The Accomplishments Debate
The chapter's centerpiece is the spirited debate about what constitutes an "accomplished" woman. When Bingley casually praises young ladies' accomplishments, Darcy counters that he knows scarcely half a dozen truly accomplished women. Miss Bingley eagerly supports him, listing music, singing, drawing, dancing, modern languages, and a certain elegance of manner. Darcy adds that a woman must also improve her mind through "extensive reading." Elizabeth tartly responds that she is no longer surprised he knows only six such women, but rather wonders that he knows any at all. She declares she has never seen such perfection united in one person, then exits the room.
Themes
After Elizabeth leaves, Miss Bingley accuses her of deliberately undervaluing her own sex to impress men. Darcy agrees that all forms of cunning used for "captivation" are despicable, but his response is ambiguous enough to leave Miss Bingley unsatisfied. The chapter ends with Jane's condition worsening; Bingley insists on sending for Mr. Jones, while his sisters prefer a London physician. The sisters declare themselves miserable but console themselves with duets after supper, while Bingley instructs his housekeeper to attend to the sick lady and her sister with every possible care.