Discussion Questions for Group 3: AC, KG, and AT
1. When Elizabeth gets the letter from Jane revealing that Lydia has run away with Wickham, she is very distraught and unexpectedly lets herself get upset in front of Darcy. Darcy takes the blame for it, stating, “What I consider…is that I might have prevented it! I who knew what he was…But it is all, all too late now” (Vol. III CH 4).
What might this confrontation reveal about Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship now compared to what it was before his marriage proposal?
2. In Volume III Chapter 6, Mr. Collins has wrote Mr. Bennet a letter after hearing news about Lydia and Wickham running away. In the letter he states, “The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison to this” (Vol. III CH 6).
Why does Mr. Collins firmly believe that if Lydia were to die, it would be better than her running away with a military man and eloping? What might Mr. Collins be saying about the Bennet family’s reputation, as well as his own?
3. At the beginning of Chapter 10, Elizabeth receives a letter back from her aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, explaining why and how Darcy was involved in Lydia and Wickham’s wedding. She reveals to Elizabeth that Darcy left Pemberley only one day after she and her husband did and had intentions of finding Wickham and Lydia himself. Mrs. Gardiner states, “He called it , therefore, his duty to step forward, and endeavour to remedy an evil which had been brought on by himself” (Vol. III CH 10).
Why do you think Darcy has stepped up and taken Elizabeth’s personal family matters upon himself?
ENGH 202: Why Women Read Romance 
I believe Mr. Collins suggested that the death of one of Lydia would have been more preferable because she has now tainted her sisters reputations as well. It is not the fact that Lydia and Wickham have run away to elope, but the fact they are not yet married. She has destroyed any proposals of marriage for her sisters because no gentleman would desire to marry into such negative connections. This leaves the Bennet’s with no hope of a financial future and destitution. Mr. Darcy’s motive to help cover up such a scandal could not only be for feeling blame at not revealing Wickham earlier, but also to keep Elizabeth’s record clear. If he has any hope of still marrying her he could not marry into a family with such a reputation.
In response to question 1, when Elizabeth received Jane’s letter she was also surprised by an unexpected visit from Mr. Darcy. She was so distraught that she broke down in front of Mr. Darcy. His response, in short, was that he could have prevented it. His comment in front of Elizabeth may reveal that their relationship has become closer and has allowed Darcy to reveal that he isn’t always so proud and maybe he feels comfortable enough in front of Elizabeth to open himself and say what he really feels. Also, Mr. Darcy could be trying to take focus of Lydia’s mistake by blaming it on himself and trying to make Elizabeth feel better about her family and the situation.
In response to question 3, I think it sort of reflect backs to question 1 where Mr. Darcy really feels that if he had openly discussed what Wickham did to Miss. Darcy then maybe this would have been avoided because Lydia would have been openly aware of his true personality. Therefore, he felt that it was his position and duty to take on Elizabeth’s family matters and at the same time I am sure because of their progressive relationship he felt bad that Elizabeth felt ill of the situation and wanted to make that better as well. He is ‘killing two birds with one stone’.
In response to question 1, this situation shows how Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship has progressed. In the beginning of the book and even in the middle when Darcy proposed, their relationship was very cordial. Their conversations consisted on very basic things and did not get into feelings. They focused very hard on making sure the other person did not know their feelings to each other. At this point in the novel it is clear that there are feelings going both ways. It is also clear of this fact when Lady Catherine approaches Elizabeth about Darcy’s future proposal and Elizabeth sticks up for herself. In the past, anytime that someone mentioned that Darcy might have feelings for her she quickly dismissed and said that it was not true. Now Elizabeth admitted that a proposal was possible and that she would accept it. It shows how both of their feelings have grown from disgust, to admire, to like, and finally to love.