P&P 12: CH. 10-12

Mrs. Gardiner: "'I talked to her [Lydia] repeatedly in the most serious manner, representing to her all the wickedness of what she had done, and all the unhappiness she had brought on her family'" (247).

Mrs. Gardiner represents the exact opposite character of Mrs. Bennet. While Mrs. Bennet praises Lydia for landing a man like Wickham, Mrs. Gardiner reprimands her for it. She essentially told Lydia everything that everybody has been biting their tongue about. From the beginning, Mrs. Gardiner has been giving Elizabeth counsel and she ultimately is wise. Elizabeth and Jane are her most prized possessions since they think more like her rather than Mrs. Bennet who favors Lydia solely because of her marriage. Mrs. Gardiner ultimately is just like Mr. Bennet but much more outspoken. She observes and comments on whatever she interprets and most of the time she is right. Mr. Bennet, on the other hand is not so outspoken however we are starting to see him stand up to his wife's ridiculousness.

"He [Mr. Darcy] had taken on himself all the trouble and mortification attendant on such a research ... and where he was reduced to meet, frequently meet, reason with, persuade, and finally bribe, the man whom he always wished to avoid" (248).

If this is not enough for Elizabeth to realize that Darcy has strong feelings for her, then she doesn't even deserve him. Throughout the text, we see the major obstacles Darcy has overcome in attempts to appeal to Elizabeth. This obstacle, however, proves to be the biggest barrier he's had to face thus far. While Elizabeth is still trying to come up with excuses as if Darcy detests her, it is the exact opposite. He continues to show just how much he loves her by being put in certain situations that don't necessarily make him happy. This circumstance in particular exemplifies Darcy's determination and endurance. Elizabeth brings out the best in him.