Reading through the section immediately after Jane is invited to Netherfield (
pt 5), I am slightly confused. Who wants Jane to ride a horse (Mrs. Bennet), and who wants Jane to take the carriage (Jane)?
Mrs. Bennet is rather obvious, because the scheme was contrived by her to strand Jane at Netherfield until the weather should clear. Jane is also obvious ("I had much rather go in the coach.")
Mr. Bennet seems to distance himself from the whole matter. He does not eagerly participate in Mrs. Bennet's scheme, and yet at the same time, he does not seem to need much persuasion.
What brings me to a point of confusion is the remaining prominent character in this scene. I am somewhat confused about Elizabeth Bennet; I could not imagine her being in favor of this idea at all. My thoughts seem to be confirmed by how she at first responds to her mother's plan: "That would be a good scheme... if you were sure that they would not offer to send (Jane) home." (That is to say, the plan to strand Jane at Netherfield might work, if one could guarantee that the Bingleys would not send Jane back in their own carriage.) Then, after Mr. Bennet makes a joke out of his wife's rationale for the unavailability of the horses for the carriage ("They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them"), Elizabeth responds:
"But if you have got them to-day... my mother's purpose will be answered."
She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged. Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback, etc.
As I read it, Elizabeth would seem to be the one who finally presses the matter, so that Jane ends up riding (in the rain) on horseback to Netherfield. Am I following this correctly?
