P & P #11: Ch. 7- 9

Quote 1: "She [Elizabeth] began now to comprehend that he [Mr. Darcy] was exactly the man, who in disposition and talents, would most suit her" (237).

Elizabeth finally realizes that Mr. Darcy is very compatible for her. This unfortunately occurs after she hears of Lydia's elopement with Mr. Wickham. Now, if anything were to happen between Mr. Darcy and herself, Mr. Darcy would be binded with Mr. Wickham forever. Considering that Mr. Wickham is the last person Mr. Darcy wants to associate with, this challenges Mr. Darcy's love for Elizabeth. It is a decision that needs to be made on his part; whether he wants to go forth with loving Elizabeth or back off now that Mr. Wickham is in the picture. Elizabeth also recognizes this: "Had Lydia's marriage been concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a family, where [...] an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned" (236). The marriage between Lydia and Mr. Wickham could harm a new blossoming relationship between Mr. Darcy and herself. Elizabeth cannot possibly see why Mr. Darcy would want to be with her after the events that have just taken place.

Quote 2: "Good gracious! when I went away, I am sure I had no more idea of being married till I came back again! though I thought it would be very good fun if I was" (240).

Lydia is taking her marriage with Mr. Wickham as a joke. It would not have mattered who the man was that she marrying. She thinks being married makes her better than everybody else: "Ah, Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman [...] I am sure all my sisters must all envy me. I only hope they have half of my good luck [in finding suitable husbands]" (240-241). Lydia does not realize what disgrace it brings to her family, not only because she is married before her older sisters, but also because Mr. Wickham is below their class and a very dishonorable man. Mrs. Bennet is even worse. She is more concerned about finding the right wedding clothes for Lydia rather than feeling "any sense of shame at her [Lydia] eloping and living with Mr. Wickham, a fortnight before [the marriage] took place" (236). We see a major contrast between Elizabeth and Lydia on terms of marriage. Elizabeth, referring back to the first quote, came to the conclusion that Mr. Darcy was right for her after the many interactions they shared with one another and her own reasoning whereas, Lydia, considers marriage a joy ride and would have felt the same way she feels for Mr. Wickham with any other militia man as her husband.