Introduction:
Pride and Prejudice has a well-knit, coherent plot where all events and characters are integrated and exemplify the same theme. The Lydia - Wickham episode is one of the sub - plots of the novel and contributes much to the main plot of the Elizabeth - Darcy courtship and marriage.
 |
| The Significance of the Lydia - Wickham Episode in Pride and Prejudice |
Wickham as a Foil to Darcy:
Wickham's first importance is to deepen Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy. Darcy appears proud and forbidding when he mortifies Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her for she is not sufficiently beautiful to tempt him. His haughtiness and general demeanour make him unlikeable to Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, the whole of Meryton and in fact even to the reader, who all wish to see this proud man from Derbyshire receive a set down. And Wickham in the early chapters seems to be just the person to do it.
Wickham's Fascinating Elizabeth by his Charming Personality and Refined Manners:
When Wickham first meets Elizabeth, he tempts her towards him. Elizabeth enamoured by his grace, charm and attentiveness. She is highly impressed by her by his polished manners. She, under his great influence, believes his false tale adorned by false words against Darcy. Thus Wickham deepens prejudice in Elizabeth against Darcy. Significantly Darcy's supposed villainy towards Wickham is one of Elizabeth's reasons for refusing Darcy's first proposal at Hunsford. Wickham is therefore, integral to the main plot of the Elizabeth - Darcy affair.
The Elopement Playing a Vital Role for Darcy to Win Elizabeth Trust:
By the elopement of Lydia and Wickham, Darcy gets opportunity to prove to Elizabeth that he has shed his earlier pride and reveals his real and inherent nobility. His love for Elizabeth is deep enough for him to overcome his disgust for Wickham and associate himself with the Bennet family's disgrace by marrying Elizabeth. His gallantry and nobility are revealed when he pays off Wickham's debts, buys him a new commission in the army and forces him to marry Lydia. Thus, the Lydia - Wickham sub - plot is integral to the main plot of Elizabeth and Darcy and is instrument in providing the initial conflict. It also finally paves the way for the Elizabeth - Darcy marriage.
Lydia - Wickham Marriage Based on Passion and Economic Consideration:
Lydia - Wickham marriage is based only on passion on the part of Lydia and economic consideration on the part of Wickham. Such a marriage is bound to be failure and sink into indifference. The marriages based on infatuation and money greediness bring great disasters in the lives of couples. Sometimes they also bring bloody consequences.
Showing complete Neglection of Parents towards Children:
Mrs. Bennet is a woman of mean understanding and Mr. Bennet has cynically withdrawn himself from any moral responsibility towards his family. Their unhappy marriage affects the daughters who are flighty and immature except for Jane and Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet is morally culpable in allowing Lydia to go to Brighton in spite of Elizabeth's warning regarding Lydia's exuberant spirits. He is wrong in being willing to buy personal peace at the cost of family honour and the result is Lydia's elopement with Wickham and the disgrace it brings to the entire family even jeopardizing the marital prospects of the two Elder Bennet sisters.
Thus it can be cleared that the Lydia - Wickham episode is relevant and integral to the novel both thematically and structurally.
