# Mr. Bennet — Pride and Prejudice character guide > Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** II Mr. Bennet, VII Mr. Bennet, L Mr. Bennet **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A sharp-tongued country gentleman who retreats to his library and his irony, amusing himself with his family's follies rather than correcting them. ## Who they are Mr. Bennet governs Longbourn with sarcasm and caprice, teasing his wife, deflating pretension, and reserving his real affection for Elizabeth. His detachment is both his charm and his failure: he sees the absurdity of the marriage market but declines to protect his daughters from its dangers. His dry asides and his quiet favoritism shape how readers judge the Bennet household and its chances. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/i) Responds with sarcastic humor and reserve, teasing his wife about her matchmaking schemes. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/ii) Reveals he has already visited Mr. Bingley, teasing his wife and daughters. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/iii) Stays up late reading; listens impatiently to Mrs. Bennet's account of the ball; protests against descriptions of finery and wishes Bingley had sprained his ankle. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/vii) Dryly comments on his daughters' silliness and Mrs. Bennet's matchmaking, refusing to spare the carriage. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xiii) Reveals Mr. Collins's letter and anticipates his visit with amusement. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xiv) Scarcely speaks during dinner but later initiates conversation with Mr. Collins, enjoying his absurdity and maintaining composure. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xx) Supports Elizabeth's decision to refuse Mr. Collins, humorously telling her he would never see her again if she accepted. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xxiii) Finds amusement in Charlotte's engagement, considering her as foolish as his wife; responds with dry humor to Mrs. Bennet's complaints about the entail. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xxiv) Treats Jane's crossed love with ironic humor, teasing Elizabeth about her turn to be disappointed and suggesting Wickham as a potential suitor. ### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xli) Refuses to forbid Lydia's trip, treating Elizabeth's warnings with ironic humor. ### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xlii) His imprudent marriage and neglect of his wife are critically examined by Elizabeth. ### [Chapter XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xlviii) Returns from London after an unsuccessful search, expressing self-blame for Lydia's elopement. ### [Chapter XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/xlix) Receives the express from Mr. Gardiner, reads the letter with dry humor, and reluctantly agrees to write back. He speculates that Wickham must have been bribed with a large sum, likely ten thousand pounds. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/l) Reflects on his past financial imprudence and reluctantly agrees to the marriage arrangements, though he refuses to welcome Wickham and Lydia at Longbourn or provide new clothes. ### [Chapter LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/li) Receives the couple with grave austerity, scarcely speaking, his countenance showing displeasure. ### [Chapter LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/lii) Mentioned as having been in London but not consulted by Darcy; returns to Longbourn. ### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/lv) Gives his blessing to Jane, expressing happiness at her future. ### [Chapter LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/lvii) Amused by Mr. Collins's letter and the absurd rumor of Elizabeth's engagement to Darcy, unaware of her true feelings. ### [Chapter LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/lix) Initially skeptical, he gives his consent after Elizabeth affirms her love for Darcy. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/chapters/lxi) Misses Elizabeth exceedingly and delights in visiting Pemberley. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/characters/mr_bennet - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pride_and_prejudice_se/characters