P&P #11

"How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence, she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture"(Austen 237).

Elizabeth is still disgusted at the idea of Lydia and Mr. Wickham being together. While it is easy to see why she would be against such a thing, it seems to me that she is hoping for the worst. It is like her contempt for Mr. Wickham and her knowledge of Lydia's idiocy makes her want to see them crash and burn. I would not be surprised, as Elizabeth has shown in the past that she has desired certain people to remain intolerable(i.e. Darcy)

"but she, who never heard nor saw any thing of which she chose to be insensible, gaily continued, 'Oh! mamma, do the people here abouts know I am married to-day? I was afraid they might not'"(240)

This quote is interesting because its shows the characteristics of Lydia. While her behavior has been mentioned various times throughtout the novel, the reader does not see enough of her intereactions with other characters, and thus cannot determine whether or not the stories about her are exaggerated. It is this quote that confirms that Lydia is air-headed and longs for the spotlight. It makes me wonder if she knows what she is doing, and does it only to get attention.