with Elizabeth as social commentary? Caroline was from trade, though wealthy while Elizabeth was "a gentlemen's daughter" but not of great means, and certainly no dowery to speak of. Caroline's pretensions are underscored when she looks down on aunts and uncles in Cheapside. Bingley's comparatively new wealth also serves to highlight the ridiculousness of Darcy's actions vis a vis Bingley and Jane. Jane's connections are "unsuitable" for Bingley but Darcy is willing to lower himself for Elizabeth....which ridiculousness Darcy realizes himself.