Referring of course to Lydia and Wickham, in Pride and Prejudice.
Category Archives: Wickham
With such an husband…
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Such amiable appearance
. . . it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham.
Of Jane Bennet
Pride and Prejudice, Vol. 1, Ch. 17
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Whatever he said . . .
Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth went away with her head full of him.
Of Wickham
Pride and Prejudice, Vol. 1, Ch. 16
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Lady Catherine
“She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride of her nephew, who chuses that every one connected with him should have an understanding of the first class.”
Wickham to Elizabeth, about Lady Catherine
Pride and Prejudice, Vol. 1, Ch. 16
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He does not want abilities
“Mr. Darcy can please where he chuses. He does not want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His pride never deserts him; but with the rich, he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable, — allowing something for fortune and figure.”
Mr. Wickham to Elizabeth
Pride and Prejudice, Vol. 1, Ch. 16
Pride, his best friend
“I wonder that the very pride of this Mr. Darcy has not made him just to you! — If from no better motive, that he should not have been too proud to be dishonest, — for dishonesty I must call it.”
“It is wonderful,” — replied Wickham, — “for almost all his actions may be traced to pride; — and pride has often been his best friend. It has connected him nearer with virtue than any other feeling. But we are none of us consistent; and in his behaviour to me, there were stronger impulses even than pride.”
“Can such abominable pride as his, have ever done him good?”
“Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous, — to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the poor. Family pride, and filial pride, for he is very proud of what his father was, have done this. Not to appear to disgrace his family, to degenerate from the popular qualities, or lose the influence of the Pemberley House, is a powerful motive.”
Elizabeth and Wickham, at her Aunt Phillips’ house
Pride and Prejudice, Vol. 1, Ch. 16
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Blinded by fortune and consequence
“I cannot pretend to be sorry,” said Wickham, after a short interruption, “that he or that any man should not be estimated beyond their deserts; but with him I believe it does not often happen. The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chuses to be seen.”
Pride and Prejudice, Vol. 1, Ch. 16
Passion and virtue
“How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence, she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture.”
Lizzy reflecting on Lydia and Wickham’s hasty marriage
Pride and Prejudice, volume 3, chapter 8
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Christian forgiveness, a la Mr. Collins
“‘You ought certainly to forgive them as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing.’ That is his notion of Christian forgiveness!”
Mr. Bennet, reading a letter from Mr. Collins on the scandal of Lydia and Wickham, who were finally forced to marry
Pride & Prejudice, Volume 3, Chapter 15
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The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman (May, 2012)