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Chapter 15
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Pride and Prejudice, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Pride
Prejudice
Family
Marriage
Class
Summary
Analysis
At dinner the next evening, Elizabeth is fascinated by Wickham's pleasant demeanor. The two of them easily fall into conversation and Wickham soon asks about Darcy. Elizabeth says he is widely disliked for his pride. Wickham withholds an opinion out of respect for Darcy's father, who Wickham reveals was his godfather and dear friend.
On the surface, Wickham is pleasant and well-mannered. Elizabeth will remember later that while Wickham says he withholds an opinion on Darcy, he soon goes ahead and gives one. But Elizabeth is under his spell and does not notice now.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Wickham explains that he was the son of one of Darcy's father's employees, and that he and Darcy grew up together. Darcy's father died and left Wickham money to pursue a career in the ministry, but Darcy, who was jealous of his father's love for Wickham, found a loophole and refused to give Wickham the money. Elizabeth is shocked and appalled.
With close relations to her own siblings and a keen sense of justice, Elizabeth is predisposed to believe Wickham's story. The story also fits perfectly with her own existing prejudices about Darcy.
Themes
Quiz
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Elizabeth asks about Darcy's sister, Georgiana. Wickham says that she is an accomplished young woman living in London but that she is, like her brother, distastefully proud.
This is a lie, but Wickham is on a roll. He's trying to separate himself from his former victim and degrade her, too.
Themes
Quiz
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Wickham, hearing Mr. Collins go on about Lady Catherine, informs Elizabeth that Lady Catherine is actually Darcy's aunt. He adds that Lady Catherine apparently hopes to marry Darcy to her daughter.
Such an arranged marriage would have been no surprise to Elizabeth. Lady Catherine seems to share Darcy's pride in their extreme high class status.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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