P&P #11 Chpts 3-6

“Imprudent as a marriage between Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland” (265).

In a letter Jane explains to Elizabeth what has happened with Lydia. To the audience this is no surprise because we are used to Lydia humiliating her family: “Our importance, our respectability in the world must be affected by the wild volatility, the assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia’s character” (226), but to Elizabeth this was an enormous surprise. As Elizabeth was hurriedly going out the door, she saw Mr. Darcy, and explained to him what happened. “I am grieved, indeed” (269), was Mr. Darcy’s reaction. This says a lot about his character, especially since Mr. Wickham previously eloped with his sister, which is one of the many reasons as to why they don’t get along. This is another counter example as to how Elizabeth was wrong about her first impressions with Mr. Darcy.

Miss Bingley’s cold demeanor toward Elizabeth is rooted from:
a. That is how Miss Bingley is towards everyone
b. Jealousy; Miss Bingley wants Mr. Darcy while Elizabeth has him
c. She is trying to distance herself from Elizabeth
d. She found out something about Elizabeth that made her lose respect for Lizzy