Pride & Prejudice Chapters 52-54

Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen

Mr. Bingley is returned to Netherfield! Though all may be pleased to see a man so polite, perhaps nobody's delight can compare to that of Mrs. Bennet who sees a chance to marry off Jane.  However, to others, the possibility of such a union seems unlikely as Mr. Bingley had essentially abandoned the village indefinitely.  Mrs. Bennet's confidence in Mr. Bingley's unwavering dedication to Jane demonstrates dramatic irony on several counts from several perspectives.

First of all, Mrs. Bennet's glee resulting from Bingley's return contrasts starkly with the girls' understanding of the situation.  Mostly, this incongruity is due to the fact that she is unaware that Darcy had convinced Bingley to abandon his hopes of marrying Jane because of the family's status.  If she had known that her own lack of connections and her siblings'(-in-law?) acquired wealth posed a threat, she would not have been so instrumental in the processions between her daughter and prospective son.  Since the issue of worthiness begetting marriage went largely unperceived by Mrs. Bennet, the dramatic irony of her encounter with it reveals that such pride is so meaningless that it is hardly noticed by those without great degrees of vanity.

Additionally, Jane's own reaction to Bingley displays dramatic irony.  After Bingley first left Netherfield, Jane had refused to accept that he was so modest as to take orders from his relations and friends pertaining to his future.  Instead, she accepted that he no longer fancied her: "I assure you that I have now learned to enjoy his conversation as an agreeable and sensible young man, without having a wish beyond it.  I am perfectly satisfied from what his manners now are that he never had any design of engaging my affection," (Austen, 270).  The reader, however, gleans from Elizabeth's insights.  She maintains that his flight into the city was caused by Darcy's influence rather than by personal indifference.  Moreover, Darcy's love for Elizabeth suggests that he has reversed his influence on Bingley to please Jane and, by extension, Elizabeth.  Once again, prejudice (this time Jane's) seems to give way to reason and love.