Relationship Differences in Pride and Prejudice

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his true intentions of a "one-night stand." Lydia's parents are shocked that she slept around. In fact, her mother says, "this is the most unfortunate affair; and will probably be much talked of" (p.274) Lydia's entire family knows of her actions and the expectation of Lydia and Wickham's marriage was forced by social norms. Wickham did not expect to marry her but was paid by Darcy to cover up the sandal. Without Darcy's money and connection with the army, Wickham would still be fooling around with women until he could manipulate a rich woman to be his wife. I believe Lydia was too head over heels for Wickham to realize his proposal was not out of love but purely a financial gain. The expectation to marry and the shame if they did not forces this couple to be seen as fake; the social shunning and devastation of the other daughters forced their vows. Expectation to marry quickly is nothing more or less than a cover up to what would have been a disaster for the family.
Because ...

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and looking for love. From what we know of Wickham; him trying to convince Elizabeth of his terrible relationship with Darcy- making himself out to be the victim, readers assume Wickham to view women as stepping stones or toys. Wickham can manipulate people to get what he wants. Lydia, who is, "untamed, wild, noisy, and fearless" walks right into Wickham's charms like a fool (p. 298). I believe Austen made Lydia and Wickham's characters to be similar in that their encounter would have been less of a shock. Because the two act the same, readers see their marriage not only as an expectation but also as a literary device that mirrors two minor characters into one. Lydia and Wickham, ...

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