P&P Ch. 7-9

1) "What a triumph for [Mr. Darcy], as [Elizabeth] often thought, could he know that the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago, would now have been gladly and gratefully received!...She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man, who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance" (Austen 237).

Here is the first instance Elizabeth ouright says she would marry Mr. Darcy, rather than hinting at it. She thinks of Darcy not being able to marry her because Wickham will now be a member of her family, an obstacle his love cannot endure (so she thinks). As she is thinking about him, she thinks upon all of his good qualities. These, to Elizabeth, seem like the perfect match for herself. Elizabeth has not, however, mentioned any feelings of love toward Darcy yet. So far, this is turning out to be a prudent marriage. She benefits from him, and he benefits from her. They both get along, everyone is happy. In my opinion, I do not think prudent marriages will ever stay prudent marriages. If you are compatible with someone in every way, shape, and form, and get married, you will find something you love about that person. Whether it is a small, trivial thing, or a monumental epiphany, compatibility breeds love of some kind. Thusly, if Darcy and elizabeth do marry because of Prudence, I believe it will eventually evolve into a Love Marriage.

2) "Wickham's affection for Lydia, was just what Elizabeth had expected to find it; not equal to Lydia's for him. She had scarcely needed her present observation to be satisfied, from the reason of things, that their elopement had been brought on by the strength of her love, rather than by his; and she would have wondered why, without violently caring for her, he chose to elope with her at all, had she not felt certain that his flight was rendered necessary by distress of circumstances; and if that were the case, he was not the young man to resist an opportunity of having a companion" (241).

The beginning of this quote struck me as odd. Elizabeth is doing exactly what Darcy did, in the same sense. Darcy thought that Jane's affections for Bingley were not equal to his own towards her. In the same way, Elizabeth is judging Wickham's affections towards Lydia. I am not saing that maybe Wickham really does love her, merely that the one thing that Elizabeth had reason to hate Darcy for, she is doing herself all over again. Elizabeth is also, in this qoute, pointing out that Lydia is merely an excuse to leave the militia in ---shire to Wickham. She also thinks that Wickham will not stay with Lydia. He seems to be the type of person who would not 'resist an opportunity of having a companion'. Once his debts are to be repaid, he will leave Lydia for the next best thing.