My favourite passage from P&P- Kamal 08S417.

PASSAGE:
``How can you be so silly,'' cried her mother, ``as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.''

``I shall be very fit to see Jane -- which is all I want.''

``Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,'' said her father, ``to send for the horses?''

``No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner.''

``I admire the activity of your benevolence,'' observed Mary, ``but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required.''

``We will go as far as Meryton with you,'' said Catherine and Lydia. -- Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off together.

``If we make haste,'' said Lydia, as they walked along, ``perhaps we may see something of Captain Carter before he goes.''

In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired to the lodgings of one of the officers' wives, and Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ancles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.
She was shewn into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Jane were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise. -- That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness. -- Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to the occasion's justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast.

Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience, from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her.

When breakfast was over, they were joined by the sisters, and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they shewed for Jane. The apothecary came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment, nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had in fact nothing to do elsewhere.

ANALYSIS:
This excerpt is one of my favourite passages in the text as it highlights the very close bond that binds Elizabeth and Jane together. The love they have for one another surmounts the love that Mrs Bennet showers upon them and their other sisters. Not only does this passage highlights their sisterly love, the idea of appearance and reality in the text is emphasized.
Love between the two sisters, Jane and Elizabeth have always been considered very strong and undying. Elizabeth will do anything for Jane and thus, that is what she had done. The fact that she would walk “ three miles “ just to see her sister, “which is all (she) wants”, amplifies her love for her sister. Even though she knows very well that she’ll arrive “six inches deep in mud”, she still continued going along with her plan; just to visit her ailing sister. Hence, this trait of Elizabeth’s evokes in us a sense of admiration.

Moreover, the idea of appearance and reality is emphasized in this excerpt particularly due to Elizabeth’s arrival at Netherfield. She had arrived very early in the morning only to be greeted by those at the breakfast table and this caused mixed reactions among those dining. For instance, Ms Bingley and Mrs Hurst were appalled at Elizabeth and the latter was amazed at how she could have walked all the way from Longbourn at such a time. One would expect a lady to be arriving in a chaise or the very least, on horseback but Elizabeth walked instead. This highlights Elizabeth’s true nature which sets her apart from her counterparts. Although she appeared somewhat dirty and “not fit to be seen”, her “motive” of seeing Jane takes precedence of how she looked. This is clearly amplified when “her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered”, she was happy to be taken to her instantaneously. Despite her appearance being very “unfit”, her true intentions were what mattered more. However, in those times, appearance itself takes precedence over anything else due to society being very judgemental.

Apart from Ms Bingley’s and Mrs Hurst’s reactions, Mr Darcy also formed an opinion about Elizabeth. He admired “the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion” and this inevitably suggests that he has feelings for Elizabeth. Not only that, he was somewhat worried about her walking so far all by herself. This further implies Mr Darcy’s affection for Elizabeth which has started to take a more concrete shape. Thus, Mr Darcy’s cold ways during the ball was not a sign of animosity or dislike but in fact one of admiration.