P&P 10: 3-6

“She had no difficulty in believing that neither her [Lydia] virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey” (212).

In other words, Lydia is a beautiful fool. She attaches and ultimately becomes infatuated by any man that gives her attention. She infers that the attention she receives is a hint to their interest in marrying her. Because she is so young, she is naïve to reality and only understands the simple-mindedness of Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth, who is well aware of Wickham’s charming abilities, strongly believes he had no difficulties captivating Lydia. Despite Elizabeth’s intelligence and independent nature, he managed to sweep her off her feet. Therefore, he probably enthralled Lydia just by paying her one compliment. Elizabeth has every reason in the world to believe Lydia has not the sufficient knowledge or comprehension to resist Wickham’s temptations.

“Invectives against the villainous conduct of Wickham, and complaints of her own sufferings and ill usage; blaming every body but the person to whose ill judging indulgence the errors of her daughter must be principally owing” (217).

FINALLY! Someone has recognized just HOW MUCH Mrs. Bennet has damaged this family. From the beginning, Mrs. Bennet has been known to play the blame game – ironically enough, the mishaps in her family were actually caused by her. Her eccentric and imposing approach towards Bingley and Jane was the reason for driving him away. But of course, Mrs. Bennet took the iniative to believe Bingley was in the wrong. Mrs. Bennet is simply blinded by her own foolishness. She is the cause for Lydia’s running away from home – her idiocy rubbed off her and onto Lydia. We see how excited Lydia becomes when she is in the presence of officers; she shares this with her mother. And then she has the nerve to blame Mr. Wickham? Mrs. Bennet has no right to point at the finger at none else but herself.