Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

by

Jane Austen

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Pride and Prejudice: Chapter 40 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Later, Elizabeth tells Jane how Darcy proposed to her and also shares the part of Darcy's letter about Wickham. Elizabeth says that she can hardly believe how Darcy got all the goodness while Wickham got all the appearance of it.
Elizabeth now realizes the immense challenge involved in trying to know people beyond their appearances.
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Quotes
Literary Devices
Elizabeth asks for Jane's advice: should they publicize Wickham's faults? They agree not to, for the sake of Darcy and his sister. Besides, no one would believe that Darcy is actually the good guy. Anyway, they agree, he will soon leave along the regiment with no harm done.
In a social world that so values reputations, Jane and Elizabeth make the same choice that Darcy did to keep quiet about Wickham. It's ironic that their silence about past scandal will only create more scandal in the future.
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