Wickham+pd.+6

George Wickham
Mr. Wickham enters the story as a militia officer who has recently returned to town. He is portrayed of having "fine countenance, good figure and a pleasing address." At the first sighting of him, Mr. Wickham is also described as having a "gentleman-like appearance." Elizabeth is completely mesmerized by Mr. Wickham. His charm and good looks seem to brainwash many of the women he encounters. “Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned.” – vol.1 pg.69

Upon Elizabeth’s first meeting with Mr. Wickham, she is led to believe that he is cunning and quite the charmer. He knows how to bring upon a woman’s attention. Though, his deception is unseen due to this charm. During the conversation between Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham about Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham pushes the belief that Mr. Darcy broke a promise for no reason other than that he was jealous. Elizabeth immediately agrees that Mr. Darcy is a cruel man. Mr. Wickham is trying to turn everyone to be on his side of the story. Later, Mr. Wickham begins to see a woman named Miss King. According to Elizabeth, the only attractive part of her is her wealth. Mr. Wickham is not too rich considering his low paying job as a militia officer. He may just be using Miss King as financial stability. This also contributes to him being deceptive and manipulative.

A major moment in the story involving Mr. Wickham is the conversation he has with Elizabeth on page 72. Mr. Wickham explains to Elizabeth the reason for Mr. Darcy giving him the cold shoulder. According to Mr. Wickham, his god father, late Mr. Darcy, had promised Mr. Wickham a few things in his will. First, he had promised some money to Mr. Wickham’s name, and he was promised a job as a clergyman on the Darcy’s estate. Mr. Darcy refused to pass along those wishes to Mr. Wickham after his father had passed. Mr. Wickham claims that it was out of pure jealousy. Mr. Wickham makes it known that even though he was betrayed, he will never spoil the Darcy name out of respect for his god father.

Elizabeth- “What can have induced him to behave so cruelly?” Wickham- “A thorough, determined dislike of me—a dislike which cannot but attribute in some measure to jealousy” – vol.1 pg.73

Elizabeth- “He deserves to be publicly disgraced.” Wickham- “Some time or another he //will// be—but it shall not be by //me//. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose //him//.” - vol.1 pg. 73

Abbey Harris 12-5-11 Period 6 Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy's letter-pd.6,