"In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that could rest on nothing, she walked on" (Chapt. 36, page 149).
The women in Pride and Prejudice are continuously walking both accompanied and solitarily. Women do not have a great amount of freedom or responsibility in Austin's fiction. Their walks are symbolic for their right to move about freely, away from the confinements of four walls. Walking allows characters to converse or either reflect on thoughts in solitude. Significant plot changes occur during walks, which is proven by this quote. While Elizabeth is on a walk she receives a letter from Mr. Darcy that alters her opinion of his nature. Its overwhelming contents are read when she is on a walk alone, during which she is able to calm herself considerably.
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interesting idea about walking -- an interesting thesis could be constructed about Austen's use of 'the walk'
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