To kill a mockingbird chapter 9

Chapter 9 Jane is slightly better, and Elizabeth sends word to Longbourn for her mother to visit. Having assured herself that Jane is not very ill, Mrs Bennet will not allow her to return home, “we must not think of moving her...trespass...your kindness.”Mr.Bingley thinks highly of his family and expects his sisters to have his ideals. “My sister...will not hear of her removal.”Bingley’s conversation to Mrs.Bennet regarding Jane’s health shows that he responds as a lover rather than a host. Mrs.Bennet does not have any concern for Jane’s health. Mrs.Bennet is profuse in her acknowledgements. Mrs. Bennet’s speech is artless, tactless and boorishly imposing. Elizabeth says she understands Bingley’s character and that she likes to study character in general. Mrs.Bennet who is oblivious of where she is reminds her daughter of it. “remember where you are...do not run ...wild manner...suffered to do at home.”He replies that his personality makes him act on impulse and a discussion of character follows.
Darcy, Elizabeth and Bingley have a conversation about Bingley's character in which Darcy criticizes the ease with which he succumbs to the influence of his family and friends. Elizabeth defends Bingley, saying the yielding to the persuasion of a friend is meritorious.
Darcy thinks that country is too limited for doing this, “In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.” But Mrs. Bennet angrily argues that the country is as good as the town. His statements are offensive though they are unintentional. Mrs.Bennet has no manners to leave it. She expands on it self- righteously. She is deliberately rude to Darcy. She contradicts Darcy over the relative merits of town and country life, revealing her provincial attitude. She speaks totally misunderstanding the conversation, defends social life in the country to everyone’s amusement and Elisabeth’s shame. Elizabeth is embarrassed at her mother’s folly. Elizabeth’s attempts to compromise infuriate the mother. “You quite mistook Mr. Darcy...only meant...not ...variety of people ...must acknowledge to be true.”She does what she has warned to Elizabeth. The more the daughter pleads , the more the mother is rough.
Mrs. Bennet tries to impress Bingley, praising Jane, criticizing Charlotte Lucas and hinting that Bingley should stay on at Netherfield. She boasts about Jane’s beauty and good nature, and tells of a former suitor. Elizabeth tries to change the subject by a witty comment on love and poetry. Finally Lydia Bennet asks Bingley if he will keep his promise and organise a ball. Shameless persons ask shamelessly for favours and accuse others of shame, ‘it would be the most shameful thing in the world.’ He agrees and sets the date for after Jane’s recovery.
Austen handles the complications of this scene with consummate skill. Every comment adds to our understanding of the character’s feelings and attitudes : Mrs. Bennet’s ignorant talk, Bingley’s friendly warmth, his sisters’ disdain, Darcy’s reserve, caught as he is between growing admiration for Elizabeth and the contempt for her mother, and Elizabeth’s consciousness that her mother is making a fool of herself, tempered and confused by family loyalty.