Pride And Prejudice:Why is the news of the elopement of Lydia and Wickham in Chapter 46 Essay

Why is the watchword of the elopement of Lydia and Wickham in Chapter 46 such an important flake and how does it affect what follows in the novel?A genuinely key event in the novel is when Elizabeth is informed of the elopement of Lydia and Wickham by two letters from Jane (while she is visit Pemberley in Chapter 46). The two letters instead of iodine create more(prenominal) suspense and anticipation. This chapter is actu aloney important because that single event changes e reallything and has far make matters on family relationships (such as Elizabeth and Darcy, Lydia and Wickham, Jane and Bingley, the bennet family and its distant relations), attitudes, and the development of portions in the story. It changes the perspective of gentlemans gentlemany characters and the truth behind appearances begins to emerge. Everything in the novel builds up to this decisive moment of crisis where things could go either room good or bad.The build up to this chapter is very crucial as Elizabeth and Darcy slowly catch closer and are on the virtually civil terms onwards the crudes of the elopement breaks, which makes the situation sadly ironic. Elizabeth goes from rejecting him to having her prejudices lifted when he gives the letter, correcting her misconceptions and finally to respecting him and having a deep gratitude towards him She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him. Darcy even invites her to meet his sister and she begins to start cerebration of bringing on the renewal of his address. This is wherefore its so ironic when the news arrives of Lydias scandalous elopement because just when Elizabeths feelings reach a new high point for Darcy, she is hit with the currentisation that he may never necessity to be associated with her again Never had she so candidly felt that she could work loved him, when all love must be in vain.However, Darcy does show great concern for Elizabeth when he arrives unexpectedly during her equipment failu re an ironic and dramatic moment as hes close wish well her saviour coming to rescue her. His concern for her is an important component showing the closeness of the two characters, and so the reader may be contemplating whether to agree with Elizabeth or non, on her opinion that her power was sinking. When Elizabeth gives him an bet of the situation and how nonhing can be wear downe, according to her interpretations, he shook his head in silent acquiescence and is seen to be manner of walking up and down the room in earnest meditation, his brow contracted, his aviation gloomy. Elizabeth thinks that this was evidence seemly that his feelings are changing. But in fact, she misunderstands his actions which is ironic as she thinks she instantly understood it.In fact, Darcy fires her wrong and does help the situation, showing the efficacy of Darcys love for Elizabeth which is the main reason that the elopement accelerates their love affair, instead of solely destroying it. It is ironic how Elizabeth regrets making Mr Darcy acquainted with their fears for her sister in fore going chapters, barely if he hadnt known, the situation would have deteriorated.Elizabeth had cl archaean underestimated him as instead of looking at Elizabeths status with scorn, he helps the bennets escape from disgrace. Elizabeth learns around this through Mrs Gardiners letter He left Derbyshire only one day afterwardswards ourselves, and came to town with the answer of hunting for them. Such a quick reaction meant that he had likely decided his intentions during his and Elizabeths unexpected encounter. The elopement acts as a catalyst instead of hindrance as it develops trust, understanding and gratitude between the couple. Elizabeth, of course is grateful for his new(a) mentalness to her sister exactly Darcy alike has his reasons to thank Elizabeth.Darcys character is altered by the elopement, and his need to redeem himself onward Elizabeth is a major part of how th e effects of the elopement managed to take a positive turn for several(prenominal) tribe. Darcy undergoes a huge change in his behaviour after Elizabeth rejects his proffer as he says You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased. He views the rejection as a lesson, hard and so at first, plainly most advantageous. His behaviour improves in Pemberley as hes shown as polite and unassuming opposed to the precedent comments of his disagreeable countenance in Meryton.But it is nothing compared to the test that the elopement stray his character through. He must have suffered to lower himself and negotiate with people who nearly destroyed his sisters life Mrs Younge and Wickham. Every kind of pridefulness must revolt from the connection, but he does it to prove himself to Elizabeth The wish of giving gratification to you, might add force to the opposite inducements that lead me on. He also feels responsible for the fact that bec ause of his mistaken pride, Elizabeths sister was going through something that his sister had been saved of which is why he felt it his duty to metre forward and endeavour to indemnify an evil which had been brought upon by himself. It shows how he is interpreting to make up for his prehistorical mistakes which brings light to his good nature.However, for characters like Wickham and Lydia, the elopement does quite the opposite as their real images are finally revealed to the public. For Lydia, although her disgraceful behaviour really accentuates her flaws and the effective issue of her shameless nature is shown, the elopement doesnt tell us anything new about her character. withal previously, as Elizabeth notes, Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybodyher affections had been continually fluctuating, but never without an object.Not many people had high expectations for her as Mr bennet says, when Elizabeth is pleading to forbid Lydia to go to Brighton Lydia will never be easy till she has exposed herself in some public come out or another. Its ironic as Mr white avenss predictions actually take place in Brighton. With Wickham, its a completely contrastive matter as he always had a very gentlemanlike appearance and an agreeable manner but after the news of the elopement everyone realises, as Colonel Forster says, W. was not a man to be trusted. A few people, like Elizabeth, Jane and Darcy were already aware of Wickhams true character but most were not. Later on, when the town captures out about his debts to every tradesman in the place, they declare him to be the wickedest young man in the world.The elopement itself is a shocking development as there was no symptom of affection on either side, as Elizabeth mentions, before Lydia goes to Brighton. From this, we can make an assumption that uncomplete of the couple has strong feelings for one another as it seems a very rushed decision make in the heat of the moment rather than a well fancy out conglutination plan. In fact, in Janes letter, Denny says that Wickham never intend to go there, or to marry Lydia at all (there in this context meaning Gretna Green a place where young couples got conjoin).Lydia did remember she was going to get married, as Elizabeth thinks She did not suppose Lydia to be on purpose engaging in an elopement, without the intention of spousal. But there was overflowing evidence to suggest that her little understanding would be her downfall neither her virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey. She unimpeachably didnt understand the repercussions of this scandalous affair and doesnt seem to full grasp the meaning of a womans honour something that was very important in the 19th century. As Mary says in her reflections way out of virtue in a female is irretrievable- that one false step involves her in endless ruin.Thankfully, the couple end up acquire married due to a payment of considerably mor e than a thousand pounds by Darcy but their characters seem the least affected by the full-length incident. Lydia was Lydia still untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy and fearless. Lydia undergoes no change and thinks that my sisters must all envy me. She has absolutely no shame for her behaviour and instead, she continuously flaunts her married status around at every opportunity available Ah Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman. But, she doesnt take the responsibilities that come with her married status very seriously. Although she seems to have an immense liking for Wickham, he was her dear, she still seems to be engaged with other men, Tell him I will dance with him at the next ball we meet, with great pleasure.Wickham is unchanged too, still keeping up appearances His manners were always so pleasinghis smiles and his easy address scorn this, Elizabeth is able to tell that Wickhams affection for Lydia, was just what Elizabeth had expected to find it not equal to Lydias for him. He simply married her for the money. It seems like the beginnings of a terrible marriage Small as their chance of gratification and So imprudent a match on both sides. Their marriage has an uncanny resemblance to that of Mr and Mrs Bennet characters of opposite natures and views, uncomplimentary personalities and a marriage that happened due to uncontrollable passion, not love How little of permanent happiness could be large to a couple who were only brought together because their virtue.Mr and Mrs Bennet, part due to their unsuccessful marriage, prove to be terrible parents by the elopement. Janes letter gives us an insight in to the state at Longbourn. Mrs Bennet is described as quite unhelpful in the situation My poor people mother is really ill and keeps her room. A good mother would try to at least provide comfort to her family and remain calm, steady and strong. Something Mrs Bennet does quite the opposite of, which is quite typical o f her Could she exert herself it would be better, but this is not be expected. Mrs Bennet influences Lydia to be flirty and exuberant from early on and it has a terrible effect.Mr Bennet, on the other hand, actually tries to allot the situation although he is grieved by the incident I never in my life saw him so affected. He tries to retrieve Lydia My father is going to London. But, it seems like an anger induced decision, his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, which is not the way a good, responsible parent should react. Especially, because Mr Bennet was partly to blame for the whole incident as he never gives enough parental attention to Lydia and agrees to send her to Brighton even after Elizabeths pleas to repossess the offer, simply because We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. This shows that he was lazy and couldnt be bothered to deal with Lydia in the house, so it was easier just to send h er away at that point.In the long run, of course, it made things much more difficult but both parents dont seem to learn from this terrible incident at all. Mrs Bennet is delighted and happy as soon as the marriage between Lydia and Wickham is almost confirmed and is completely ignorant of past grievances caused by Lydia She was insane by no fear for her felicity, nor humbled by any anamnesis of her misconduct. It was almost as if there had been no scandal in the whole affair No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her triumph. Even the want of new clothes trumped the ignominy of the elopement She was more alive to the disgrace, which the want of new clothes must reflect on her daughters nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping and living with Wickham, a fortnight before they took place.The effect on Mr Bennet is a little variant as in the beginning, he is extremely guilty Who should suffer but myself? It has been my own doing, and I ought to feel it. But after being rend ered unenthusiastic by the ill-success of all their endeavours, in London, he gives up and leaves Mr Gardiner to continue the seek for Lydia, going back to his indifferent shell he naturally returned to all his former indolence. Although he feels no guilt doing that, one should think he would feel it after Mr Gardiners hard work pays off and he fixes a marriage between Lydia and Wickham, while he just lazed around. This does not happen though, instead, he feels pleasure That it would be done with such piddle exertion on his side, too, was another very welcome surprise.Finally, another look the elopement has an effect on, is the distant relations such as Mr Collins and doll Catherine de Bourgh. Mr Collins writes a letter to the Bennet family about the elopement, portraying his acerb characteristics. The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison to this, he writes selfishly, because at least that wouldnt disgrace his household. He also mentions that all re lations of the Bennet family will be disgraced, including skirt Catherines agreement to add more power This false step in one daughter, will be injurious to the fortunes of all others, for who, as skirt Catherine herself condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family.As a solution, he writes in a very unforgiving and non-Christian manner to toss out Lydia throw off your unworthy child from your affection for ever, and leave her to suck up the fruits of her own heinous offence. He doesnt change his views even after Lydia and Wickhams marriage You ought to certainly forgive them as a Christian, but never admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing. For Lady Catherine, however, the Bennets disgrace is a artillery as she tries to use it against Elizabeth, in warning her to keep off Mr Darcy since she hears of their relationship I am no stranger to the particulars of your youngest sisters disreputable elopementAre the shades of P emberley to be thus polluted? Ironically, it has the inverse effect and her visit becomes the means of uniting Elizabeth and Darcy, as Elizabeths reluctance to rejecting him, gives him new encouragement It taught me to hopehad you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and openly.In conclusion, the importance of the elopement is only truly understood after experiencing the aftermath, as the immediate effects and late effects of the elopement vary greatly for most people. It also has a different effect on different characters. For Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Bingley, it is like a blessing in disguise but for Mr and Mrs Bennet, and Lydia and Wickham, it fails to have any good effect on the situation or characters. Instead, it reveals their flaws to others. This is the very(prenominal) for Mr Collins as he is shown as unforgiving of the disgrace all-encompassing to his household, and Lady Catherines insolent si de is unveiled. The elopement changes the whole story and most characters revel in the change, thanks to Mr Darcy, with exceptions such as Lady Catherine and fille Bingley.