Pride and Prejudice timeline
Pride and Prejudice timeline, from Netherfield to Pemberley
A quick chronological guide to the major events in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with chapter ranges instead of edition-specific page numbers.
The short answer
Pride and Prejudice begins when Netherfield is let to Mr. Bingley, turns on Elizabeth's changing judgment of Darcy, and resolves after Lydia's crisis clears the way for Jane, Bingley, Elizabeth, and Darcy.
Main timeline
Use this as a reading companion, recap, or quick way to place the major plot turns before a quiz or book-club discussion.
| Order | Event | Chapters | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherfield is let to Mr. Bingley. | Chapters 1-3 | The Bennet marriage plot begins because a wealthy single man arrives nearby. |
| 2 | The Meryton assembly introduces Bingley, Darcy, Jane, and Elizabeth. | Chapter 3 | Bingley admires Jane; Darcy insults Elizabeth and creates the first grudge. |
| 3 | Jane visits Netherfield and becomes ill. | Chapters 7-12 | Elizabeth walks to Netherfield, and Darcy begins noticing her more seriously. |
| 4 | Mr. Collins arrives at Longbourn. | Chapters 13-15 | The entail becomes personal when the cousin who will inherit the estate enters the house. |
| 5 | The Netherfield ball raises hopes and embarrassments. | Chapters 17-18 | Jane and Bingley seem promising; Elizabeth sees Darcy through Wickham's story. |
| 6 | Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, then Charlotte Lucas accepts him. | Chapters 19-22 | Romance, security, and female choice collide in one of the novel's sharpest turns. |
| 7 | Bingley leaves Netherfield. | Chapters 21-26 | Jane is hurt, and Elizabeth begins blaming Darcy and Bingley's sisters. |
| 8 | Elizabeth visits Charlotte at Hunsford. | Chapters 27-33 | Elizabeth enters Lady Catherine's world and meets Darcy under new social pressure. |
| 9 | Darcy proposes badly and gives Elizabeth his letter. | Chapters 34-36 | The first proposal fails, but the letter begins Elizabeth's moral reversal. |
| 10 | Elizabeth visits Pemberley. | Chapters 42-46 | Darcy appears changed, and Elizabeth sees his home, household, and conduct differently. |
| 11 | Lydia runs away with Wickham. | Chapters 46-49 | The family crisis threatens reputation, marriage prospects, and every comic certainty. |
| 12 | Darcy helps resolve Lydia's marriage. | Chapters 49-52 | Darcy acts privately, repairing harm without asking Elizabeth for credit. |
| 13 | Bingley returns and proposes to Jane. | Chapters 53-55 | Jane's romance resolves after outside interference is undone. |
| 14 | Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth. | Chapter 56 | Elizabeth refuses to be managed and gives Darcy hope without speaking to him directly. |
| 15 | Darcy proposes again, and Elizabeth accepts. | Chapters 58-60 | The second proposal works because both characters have changed. |
The emotional timeline
The plot timeline is also a judgment timeline. Elizabeth starts with a clever read of Darcy, learns that cleverness can be partial, and ends with a better standard for herself and others.
Darcy starts proud and guarded, fails badly, then changes through action before he asks to be heard again.
- First impression: Darcy wounds Elizabeth before he understands her.
- False confidence: Wickham tells a story Elizabeth is ready to believe.
- Correction: Darcy's letter forces Elizabeth to examine her own judgment.
- Evidence: Pemberley lets Elizabeth see Darcy through conduct, not rumor.
- Resolution: the second proposal belongs to two people who have both revised themselves.
Want to ask the characters what happened next?
Pride and Prejudice Chat is being built for the moment after the timeline ends: one more private conversation with Elizabeth, Darcy, Mary, Jane, Lydia, and the rest of the launch cast.
Launching August on iOS. One email when it's ready — that's all.
Useful companion pages
If you are using the timeline to prepare for a quiz, reread, or discussion, these pages keep the same events anchored in characters and quotes.
Pride and Prejudice quotes
Key quotes by chapter, including the proposal, the letter turn, and Elizabeth's self-recognition.
Elizabeth Bennet quotes
Elizabeth's wit, refusals, courage, and second thoughts in chapter context.
Pride and Prejudice trivia
Test whether the timeline has actually stayed in your head.
Character roster
Meet the cast behind each major turn in the plot.
Questions people ask
What is the basic timeline of Pride and Prejudice?
Bingley arrives at Netherfield, Jane and Bingley form an attachment, Elizabeth misjudges Darcy through Wickham, Darcy proposes badly, his letter changes Elizabeth's view, Pemberley reveals him differently, Lydia's crisis is resolved, and Jane, Bingley, Elizabeth, and Darcy marry.
Where does Darcy first propose?
Darcy first proposes to Elizabeth at Hunsford, during her visit to Charlotte Collins. The proposal appears in Chapter 34.
When does Elizabeth change her mind about Darcy?
The change begins after Darcy's letter in Chapter 35 and deepens when Elizabeth visits Pemberley in Chapters 43-46.