Story so far
After Elizabeth's marriage, Mr. Bennet misses his second daughter more than he expected. His affection draws him from Longbourn more often than any other influence, especially to Pemberley, where he delights in arriving when least expected.
His willingness to visit signals his settled approval of Mr. Darcy as well as the loss of the daughter who most shared his intelligence and humour. At Longbourn he remains with Mrs. Bennet and Mary, while his better domestic companionship has moved into the households formed by his elder daughters.
Appearance
He is an English country gentleman and father of five grown daughters. His age, face, hair, complexion, build, and clothing are not described.
Role
He is the father whose deepest attachment to Elizabeth outlasts her marriage and carries him repeatedly to Pemberley.
Relationships
Mr. Darcy — Mr. Darcy becomes a son-in-law Mr. Bennet is content to visit frequently at Pemberley.
Mary Bennet — Mary Bennet remains at Longbourn with Mr. Bennet after her sisters' marriages change the household.
Sources — 10 recorded facts, by chapter
Chapter 1
- A dryly witty country gentleman whose private amusement is often his wife's distress.
Chapter 2
- A dryly witty country gentleman who has secretly secured the Bennets' introduction to their rich new neighbour.
Chapter 13
- A dryly witty country gentleman confronting the heir who will displace his daughters, and amused by the man's pomposity.
Chapter 20
- Mr. Bennet uses dry wit to give Elizabeth the unequivocal parental support that releases her from Collins's proposal.
Chapter 39
- Mr. Bennet dismisses Elizabeth's warning and permits Lydia's Brighton visit, treating a serious family danger as a problem that will solve itself.
Chapter 45
- Shocked into action by Lydia's disappearance, Mr. Bennet has rushed to London to trace the couple through their last journey.
Chapter 46
- Mr. Bennet comes home defeated but admits to Elizabeth that Lydia's ruin is the consequence of his own failure.
Chapter 48
- Mr. Bennet confronts the financial cost of his lifelong improvidence but yields to his elder daughters' plea to receive Lydia after the wedding.
Chapter 57
- Mr. Bennet gives Darcy and Elizabeth his consent only after Elizabeth proves she truly esteems the man she once appeared to hate.
Chapter 59
- Mr. Bennet misses Elizabeth at Longbourn and becomes a frequent, delightfully unannounced visitor at Pemberley.