Darcy says that one of Wickham's motivations in his attempted elopement with Georgiana was revenge. What motivations might he have had for running off with Lydia? (Besides the obvious. . .)
Wickham's motivations for running off with Lydia are stated, not as being for reasons regarding love or romantic feelings for Lydia. Rather, Mr. Wickham wants to run away with her because he is in financial debt and just to have a short relationship with a girl.. He had no intentions of marrying her. It is clear that he does not intend to marry her because he has hopes of "making his fortune by marriage, in some other country." Also the way that their relationship is described in the last chapter of the novel, sums up the lasting feelings they have for each other. "His affection for her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer."
Also, a less obvious reason that Wickham may have wanted to run off with Lydia would be to ruin Darcy's image to the Bennet family. He may have been angry at the fact that his relationship with Georgiana failed so he wanted to get back at Wickham by making up the lie about how Darcy kept him from getting the inheritance that Darcy's father left for him.
So... that would be in revenge... making Darcy's statement of his motivations true.
Well in the novel it is obvious, as Molly said that Wickham never planned on having to marry Lydia or anything of that nature. He simply needed a way to get out of town in a hurry away from his creditors. His main motive for running away with her was to escape his debts. However, I think the reason he chose Lydia to run away with out of all the other girls was for cruel reasons. I do not think that Wickham loved Lydia, I don’t even know if he actually liked her, I think he chose her simply because she was part of the Bennet family. He knew that through choosing her to run away with he would bring disgrace to not only the Bennet family, but anyone connected with the Bennet family including Darcy, his past enemy. Wickham hated Darcy and wanted to do anything to cause him harm. Because Wickham ran away with Lydia, it was only proper that they were married to save the family embarrassment. This would be costly for the Bennet family though because they would have to pay Wickham a great sum in order to get him to marry Lydia. This was not only disgraceful, but impossible for the Bennet family. They did not have the funds to support Wickham’s demands. That is when Darcy steps in and helps pay off Wickham. Darcy is forced to do the one thing that would cause him pain, help out the very man who betrayed him – Wickham. Elizabeth says that Darcy “had done it for her, [and] though she would not place herself as his principal inducement, she could, perhaps, believe that remaining partiality for her might assist his endeavours in a cause where her peace of mind must be materially concerned” (41). Now, I do not know if Wickham knew that Darcy had feelings for one of the Bennet girls, but he must have known that through hurting the Bennet family, he could also hurt Darcy, seeking revenge against him once again. I believe seeking revenge on Darcy is one of Wickham’s main motives for running away with Lydia.
As already stated, Wickham's motivations for running off with Lydia were clearly financial. He was in debt to his military post and needed to a scheme to earn some money. Why he chose Lydia is uncertain. Lydia's easily captured attention and naive mindset made her an easy target, and perhaps he thought he cold get away with it. While Wickham knew Lydia was an easy target, I am unsure if the fact that she was a Bennet had anything to do with it. Elizabeth claims, "Lydia has no brothers to step forward..and from my father's behavior, that he would do as little and think as little about, as any father could do in such a manner" (269). I agree with Sara also that Wickham sought revenge against Darcy in his elopement with Lydia, however there is no proof that Wickham even knew of the feelings between Darcy and Elizabeth. For how could Wickham possibly know that Darcy was to step forward and pay him, out of his love for Elizabeth. The whole situation is skeptical to me and I never clearly understood Wickham. What I do know, is that Wickham knew that the Bennets would rather pay him to marry Lydia than to face embarrassments about reputation, and therefore he knew he would receive compensation.
I agree with Samantha that Wickham's initial and biggest motive in running away with Lydia was to fix his financial problems. He was trying to escape and never planned on continuing the relationship once they got past the border...or whatever. I also agree that he probably wanted to make Darcy look bad to the Bennet family. If he made Darcy look bad to Elizabeth's family, then she may not be advised to marry him, making both Darcy and Elizabeth almost as unhappy as Wickham is himself.
I agree with what everyone else has said in Wickham's reasons for running off with Lydia. After finding out that Wickham was actually the cause of his and Mr. Darcy's bad relationship it is obvious that he would do anything without thinking about how other people would feel. Mr. Wickham's running off with Lydia were so sudden that there was no way that their relationship could have been on true feelings. Not only that, but looking back on Mr. Wickham's history he had tried the exact same thing with Georgiana Darcy. In a letter Mr. Darcy writes to Elizabeth he tells her of this, and he says that Mr. Wickham tried to marry Georgiana and that his "object was unquestionably my sister's fortune". (chptr. 35) Not only was his motive for that engagement money, but it is also implied that it was also for revenge on Darcy. By Wickham running off with Lydia, he knew he would get money to get out of his debt, and he would also give the Bennett family a bad name. Throughout the novel Wickham lies to people he should have cared about, including not only the Darcy's, but he also lies about his and Mr. Darcy's relationship to Elizabeth. When a person goes on lying such as he did it is obvious that his intentions are not good and that he is not someone to be trusted.
Obviously, the motivation to run off with Lydia was revenge and some money. By Elizabeth going with Darcy, Wickham decided to kill two birds with one stone by trying to make Darcy look bad with the Bennets and get back at Elizabeth. He wanted to make Darcy unhappy because he himself couldn't be happy. Lydia was young and influential and was on the bandwagon to go off with some guy. Wickham had no heart or intention of marrying her, he was only thinking about his lack of money.
The obvious reason Wickham ran off with Lydia is for financial reasons. He knew Lydia was young and naive so she would never question his real intentions. He was running from his debt and he knew that the Bennets would want them to marry which means they would pay him. At the same time Wickham could have done this to have a little fun with Darcy. If the Bennets had a bad name that would ruin Darcy and Elizabeth’s chances. Everyone enjoys a little revenge.
Okay now well duh, everyone gets the point that Wickham knew he was screwed, and needed to find a quick way to fix a big problem. Obviously he didn't love Lydia, he only saw her as his scapegoat.
Now the less obvious reason, Wickham and Darcy didn't exactly get along, and the reason why he picked Lydia to run away with is because it would bascially embarass and be a disgrace to anyone who was associated with the Benned family. You know he doesn't love her because in the last chapter it goes a little something like this...
"As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution from the marriage of her sisters. He bore with philosophy the conviction that Elizabeth must now become acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude and falsehood had before been unknown to her; and in spite of everything, was not wholly without hope that Darcy might yet be prevailed on to make his fortune."
Well there we have it folks, Wickham is a decieving skeez who needs to learn a lesson on a little something I'd like to call respect...
When Wickham runs off with Lydia towards the end of Pride and Prejudice, a few of his reasons are fairly obvious: (1) He wanted to escape from his creditors and (2) He wanted to make some quick dough.
But one of the reasons that is not so obvious is that he wanted to get revenge on Darcy. By ruining the Bennet's reputation, he would also be ruining Darcy's, since Darcy wanted to marry Elizabeth and therefore tie himself to their family.
In Chapter 35, Darcy writes in his letter: "but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have been complete indeed." This seems to be a subtle hint as to what Mr. Wickham's motives are when he runs away with Lydia.
When Wickham runs off with Lydia towards the end of Pride and Prejudice, a few of his reasons are fairly obvious: (1) He wanted to escape from his creditors and (2) He wanted to make some quick dough.
But one of the reasons that is not so obvious is that he wanted to get revenge on Darcy. By ruining the Bennet's reputation, he would also be ruining Darcy's, since Darcy wanted to marry Elizabeth and therefore tie himself to their family.
In Chapter 35, Darcy writes in his letter: "but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have been complete indeed." This seems to be a subtle hint as to what Mr. Wickham's motives are when he runs away with Lydia.
As already stated a million times...Wickham's first motive in marrying Lydia was to save himself a little trouble with a few creditors. It's clear that Wickham had no intentions of sustaining a happy marriage with Lydia when he said he would be "making his fortune by marriage, in some other country." Aside from his first, and most obvious reason for marrying Lydia, I agree with Sara that his other reasons may have been shady and selfish. I think he ran away with Lydia just to cast a shadow on the Bennet family name. Wickham knew that if he were to run away with Lydia, whose family modeled their entire life on traditional courting and marriages, that there would be quite the dramatic effect. In eloping with Lydia, Wickham made sure that the Bennet family would have their dirty secret of disgrace...
ok everyone gets it that he ran away because he was POOR. obviously. but again like everyone said. he was not to be trusted. he didnt love her AT ALL. he didnt plan on staying with her (use and abuse haha) buut like everyone else said this jerk wanted revenge against Darcy..
Wickham obviously wanted to run away with Lydia for the little money that she had. He had so many debts that he needed the money. You kind of have to feel sorry for the guy. But I feel sorrier for Lydia because she was so gullible. If Wickham got what he actually wanted he would have gotten her out of town, taken all of her money, and left her there to find her own ways. Nothing good could have come out of what they were planning. Eventually his planned got foiled and they married. I feel bad for them because like Charlotte and Collins they will live the rest of their lives as mundane as they can. And in fact it says that "His affection for her soon sunk into indifference: hers lasted a little longer" (374). I think he did it more to hurt the Bennets because they knew so much about him. And in hurting the Bennets he would have hurt anyone associated with him. That might even be how he gets through things in life, by seeing others suffer. But yeah, so I think that another reason is revenge like everyone else.
As everyone pretty much already stated, the main reason Wickham eloped with Lydia was to escape some trouble he was in with creditors. He wanted to use Lydia for the money she had. He had no intention of staying with her, nor did he love her. Lydia, although somewhat naive, is kind of to blame as well - because she was gullible enough to fall for Wickham's deceving motives. I suppose reader can forgive her though, it's not like she's the only one that's ever fallen for a lying jerk.
Another reason that the others have already expressed for Wickham's attempted elopement with Lydia was to put some shame on the Bennet family. I think that Wickham was a little bit jealous of Darcy, and the fact that Wickham hated Darcy - who now was somewhat a part of the Bennet family. He wanted to put shame on the family by running away with one of their foolish daughters.
He had no idea Darcy was pining for Elizabeth. It's too far out of Darcy's character especially the negative aspects Wickham would have exaggerated with his jealousy and hatred being thwarted in getting more money and marrying into the family and a millionaire to boot (in today's equivalent).
I think he figured revenge on Elizabeth for calling him on his lies, subtlety and all he understood her meaning and his usual perfect mask of charismatic gentleman cracked at that dinner.
He had no expectations of Darcy coming after him. Why would he? What man in his right mind wouldn't have dropped the Bennett like the tarnished name they would become except a man who, uncharacteristically sets aside his great pride and let's love of Elizabeth make him a knight on a white Horse instead.
In fact if his plan had been revenge on Darcy or a coup to obtain another payout he wouldn't have made himself hard to find and hide from Darcy when he came to London looking for him.
He had no idea Darcy was pining for Elizabeth. It's too far out of Darcy's character especially the negative aspects Wickham would have exaggerated with his jealousy and hatred being thwarted in getting more money and marrying into the family and a millionaire to boot (in today's equivalent).
I think he figured revenge on Elizabeth for calling him on his lies, subtlety and all he understood her meaning and his usual perfect mask of charismatic gentleman cracked at that dinner.
He had no expectations of Darcy coming after him. Why would he? What man in his right mind wouldn't have dropped the Bennett like the tarnished name they would become except a man who, uncharacteristically sets aside his great pride and let's love of Elizabeth make him a knight on a white Horse instead.
In fact if his plan had been revenge on Darcy or a coup to obtain another payout he wouldn't have made himself hard to find and hide from Darcy when he came to London looking for him.
Wickham suspected there was something going on between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth said to him that Mr. Darcy 'improves upon acquaintance'. ("Oh indeed!") That was enough for Wickham. His manuever with Lydia was a Hail Mary pass that scored big time.
17 comments:
Wickham's motivations for running off with Lydia are stated, not as being for reasons regarding love or romantic feelings for Lydia. Rather, Mr. Wickham wants to run away with her because he is in financial debt and just to have a short relationship with a girl.. He had no intentions of marrying her. It is clear that he does not intend to marry her because he has hopes of "making his fortune by marriage, in some other country." Also the way that their relationship is described in the last chapter of the novel, sums up the lasting feelings they have for each other. "His affection for her soon sunk into indifference; hers lasted a little longer."
Also, a less obvious reason that Wickham may have wanted to run off with Lydia would be to ruin Darcy's image to the Bennet family. He may have been angry at the fact that his relationship with Georgiana failed so he wanted to get back at Wickham by making up the lie about how Darcy kept him from getting the inheritance that Darcy's father left for him.
So... that would be in revenge... making Darcy's statement of his motivations true.
Well in the novel it is obvious, as Molly said that Wickham never planned on having to marry Lydia or anything of that nature. He simply needed a way to get out of town in a hurry away from his creditors. His main motive for running away with her was to escape his debts. However, I think the reason he chose Lydia to run away with out of all the other girls was for cruel reasons.
I do not think that Wickham loved Lydia, I don’t even know if he actually liked her, I think he chose her simply because she was part of the Bennet family. He knew that through choosing her to run away with he would bring disgrace to not only the Bennet family, but anyone connected with the Bennet family including Darcy, his past enemy. Wickham hated Darcy and wanted to do anything to cause him harm.
Because Wickham ran away with Lydia, it was only proper that they were married to save the family embarrassment. This would be costly for the Bennet family though because they would have to pay Wickham a great sum in order to get him to marry Lydia. This was not only disgraceful, but impossible for the Bennet family. They did not have the funds to support Wickham’s demands. That is when Darcy steps in and helps pay off Wickham. Darcy is forced to do the one thing that would cause him pain, help out the very man who betrayed him – Wickham.
Elizabeth says that Darcy “had done it for her, [and] though she would not place herself as his principal inducement, she could, perhaps, believe that remaining partiality for her might assist his endeavours in a cause where her peace of mind must be materially concerned” (41). Now, I do not know if Wickham knew that Darcy had feelings for one of the Bennet girls, but he must have known that through hurting the Bennet family, he could also hurt Darcy, seeking revenge against him once again. I believe seeking revenge on Darcy is one of Wickham’s main motives for running away with Lydia.
As already stated, Wickham's motivations for running off with Lydia were clearly financial. He was in debt to his military post and needed to a scheme to earn some money. Why he chose Lydia is uncertain. Lydia's easily captured attention and naive mindset made her an easy target, and perhaps he thought he cold get away with it. While Wickham knew Lydia was an easy target, I am unsure if the fact that she was a Bennet had anything to do with it. Elizabeth claims, "Lydia has no brothers to step forward..and from my father's behavior, that he would do as little and think as little about, as any father could do in such a manner" (269). I agree with Sara also that Wickham sought revenge against Darcy in his elopement with Lydia, however there is no proof that Wickham even knew of the feelings between Darcy and Elizabeth. For how could Wickham possibly know that Darcy was to step forward and pay him, out of his love for Elizabeth. The whole situation is skeptical to me and I never clearly understood Wickham. What I do know, is that Wickham knew that the Bennets would rather pay him to marry Lydia than to face embarrassments about reputation, and therefore he knew he would receive compensation.
I agree with Samantha that Wickham's initial and biggest motive in running away with Lydia was to fix his financial problems. He was trying to escape and never planned on continuing the relationship once they got past the border...or whatever.
I also agree that he probably wanted to make Darcy look bad to the Bennet family. If he made Darcy look bad to Elizabeth's family, then she may not be advised to marry him, making both Darcy and Elizabeth almost as unhappy as Wickham is himself.
I agree with what everyone else has said in Wickham's reasons for running off with Lydia. After finding out that Wickham was actually the cause of his and Mr. Darcy's bad relationship it is obvious that he would do anything without thinking about how other people would feel. Mr. Wickham's running off with Lydia were so sudden that there was no way that their relationship could have been on true feelings. Not only that, but looking back on Mr. Wickham's history he had tried the exact same thing with Georgiana Darcy. In a letter Mr. Darcy writes to Elizabeth he tells her of this, and he says that Mr. Wickham tried to marry Georgiana and that his
"object was unquestionably my sister's fortune". (chptr. 35) Not only was his motive for that engagement money, but it is also implied that it was also for revenge on Darcy. By Wickham running off with Lydia, he knew he would get money to get out of his debt, and he would also give the Bennett family a bad name. Throughout the novel Wickham lies to people he should have cared about, including not only the Darcy's, but he also lies about his and Mr. Darcy's relationship to Elizabeth. When a person goes on lying such as he did it is obvious that his intentions are not good and that he is not someone to be trusted.
Obviously, the motivation to run off with Lydia was revenge and some money. By Elizabeth going with Darcy, Wickham decided to kill two birds with one stone by trying to make Darcy look bad with the Bennets and get back at Elizabeth. He wanted to make Darcy unhappy because he himself couldn't be happy. Lydia was young and influential and was on the bandwagon to go off with some guy. Wickham had no heart or intention of marrying her, he was only thinking about his lack of money.
The obvious reason Wickham ran off with Lydia is for financial reasons. He knew Lydia was young and naive so she would never question his real intentions. He was running from his debt and he knew that the Bennets would want them to marry which means they would pay him. At the same time Wickham could have done this to have a little fun with Darcy. If the Bennets had a bad name that would ruin Darcy and Elizabeth’s chances. Everyone enjoys a little revenge.
Okay now well duh, everyone gets the point that Wickham knew he was screwed, and needed to find a quick way to fix a big problem. Obviously he didn't love Lydia, he only saw her as his scapegoat.
Now the less obvious reason, Wickham and Darcy didn't exactly get along, and the reason why he picked Lydia to run away with is because it would bascially embarass and be a disgrace to anyone who was associated with the Benned family. You know he doesn't love her because in the last chapter it goes a little something like this...
"As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution from the marriage of her sisters. He bore with philosophy the conviction that Elizabeth must now become acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude and falsehood had before been unknown to her; and in spite of everything, was not wholly without hope that Darcy might yet be prevailed on to make his fortune."
Well there we have it folks, Wickham is a decieving skeez who needs to learn a lesson on a little something I'd like to call respect...
When Wickham runs off with Lydia towards the end of Pride and Prejudice, a few of his reasons are fairly obvious: (1) He wanted to escape from his creditors and (2) He wanted to make some quick dough.
But one of the reasons that is not so obvious is that he wanted to get revenge on Darcy. By ruining the Bennet's reputation, he would also be ruining Darcy's, since Darcy wanted to marry Elizabeth and therefore tie himself to their family.
In Chapter 35, Darcy writes in his letter: "but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have been complete indeed." This seems to be a subtle hint as to what Mr. Wickham's motives are when he runs away with Lydia.
When Wickham runs off with Lydia towards the end of Pride and Prejudice, a few of his reasons are fairly obvious: (1) He wanted to escape from his creditors and (2) He wanted to make some quick dough.
But one of the reasons that is not so obvious is that he wanted to get revenge on Darcy. By ruining the Bennet's reputation, he would also be ruining Darcy's, since Darcy wanted to marry Elizabeth and therefore tie himself to their family.
In Chapter 35, Darcy writes in his letter: "but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge would have been complete indeed." This seems to be a subtle hint as to what Mr. Wickham's motives are when he runs away with Lydia.
As already stated a million times...Wickham's first motive in marrying Lydia was to save himself a little trouble with a few creditors. It's clear that Wickham had no intentions of sustaining a happy marriage with Lydia when he said he would be "making his fortune by marriage, in some other country." Aside from his first, and most obvious reason for marrying Lydia, I agree with Sara that his other reasons may have been shady and selfish. I think he ran away with Lydia just to cast a shadow on the Bennet family name. Wickham knew that if he were to run away with Lydia, whose family modeled their entire life on traditional courting and marriages, that there would be quite the dramatic effect. In eloping with Lydia, Wickham made sure that the Bennet family would have their dirty secret of disgrace...
ok everyone gets it that he ran away because he was POOR. obviously. but again like everyone said. he was not to be trusted. he didnt love her AT ALL. he didnt plan on staying with her (use and abuse haha) buut like everyone else said this jerk wanted revenge against Darcy..
Wickham obviously wanted to run away with Lydia for the little money that she had. He had so many debts that he needed the money. You kind of have to feel sorry for the guy. But I feel sorrier for Lydia because she was so gullible. If Wickham got what he actually wanted he would have gotten her out of town, taken all of her money, and left her there to find her own ways. Nothing good could have come out of what they were planning. Eventually his planned got foiled and they married. I feel bad for them because like Charlotte and Collins they will live the rest of their lives as mundane as they can. And in fact it says that "His affection for her soon sunk into indifference: hers lasted a little longer" (374). I think he did it more to hurt the Bennets because they knew so much about him. And in hurting the Bennets he would have hurt anyone associated with him. That might even be how he gets through things in life, by seeing others suffer. But yeah, so I think that another reason is revenge like everyone else.
As everyone pretty much already stated, the main reason Wickham eloped with Lydia was to escape some trouble he was in with creditors. He wanted to use Lydia for the money she had. He had no intention of staying with her, nor did he love her. Lydia, although somewhat naive, is kind of to blame as well - because she was gullible enough to fall for Wickham's deceving motives. I suppose reader can forgive her though, it's not like she's the only one that's ever fallen for a lying jerk.
Another reason that the others have already expressed for Wickham's attempted elopement with Lydia was to put some shame on the Bennet family. I think that Wickham was a little bit jealous of Darcy, and the fact that Wickham hated Darcy - who now was somewhat a part of the Bennet family. He wanted to put shame on the family by running away with one of their foolish daughters.
Gosh. I seriously hate Wickham.
He had no idea Darcy was pining for Elizabeth. It's too far out of Darcy's character especially the negative aspects Wickham would have exaggerated with his jealousy and hatred being thwarted in getting more money and marrying into the family and a millionaire to boot (in today's equivalent).
I think he figured revenge on Elizabeth for calling him on his lies, subtlety and all he understood her meaning and his usual perfect mask of charismatic gentleman cracked at that dinner.
He had no expectations of Darcy coming after him. Why would he? What man in his right mind wouldn't have dropped the Bennett like the tarnished name they would become except a man who, uncharacteristically sets aside his great pride and let's love of Elizabeth make him a knight on a white Horse instead.
In fact if his plan had been revenge on Darcy or a coup to obtain another payout he wouldn't have made himself hard to find and hide from Darcy when he came to London looking for him.
He had no idea Darcy was pining for Elizabeth. It's too far out of Darcy's character especially the negative aspects Wickham would have exaggerated with his jealousy and hatred being thwarted in getting more money and marrying into the family and a millionaire to boot (in today's equivalent).
I think he figured revenge on Elizabeth for calling him on his lies, subtlety and all he understood her meaning and his usual perfect mask of charismatic gentleman cracked at that dinner.
He had no expectations of Darcy coming after him. Why would he? What man in his right mind wouldn't have dropped the Bennett like the tarnished name they would become except a man who, uncharacteristically sets aside his great pride and let's love of Elizabeth make him a knight on a white Horse instead.
In fact if his plan had been revenge on Darcy or a coup to obtain another payout he wouldn't have made himself hard to find and hide from Darcy when he came to London looking for him.
Wickham suspected there was something going on between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth said to him that Mr. Darcy 'improves upon acquaintance'. ("Oh indeed!") That was enough for Wickham. His manuever with Lydia was a Hail Mary pass that scored big time.
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