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Chapter 49
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
As Mrs. Bennet makes plans for Lydia's wedding, Elizabeth regrets having told Darcy about the scandal. She expects him to distance himself from her now that Wickham will be joining the Bennet family. Elizabeth realizes that she and Darcy would have been perfect together, each capable of improving the other.
Lydia and Wickham reinforce each other's bad qualities. Elizabeth and Darcy, on the other hand, would have complemented each other. Elizabeth's realization of this shows that she has really changed.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Mr. Gardiner sends a letter saying that Wickham has changed regiments to one in Northern England and that Lydia hopes they can visit Longbourn on their way. Elizabeth and Jane convince Mr. Bennet, who wants nothing to do with Lydia or Wickham, to let the new couple come visit.
Refusing to allow Lydia and Wickham to visit would only advertise the scandal surrounding their marriage. Once again, Elizabeth and Jane must intervene to ensure that their parents act in a socially respectable way.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
