Original Text(~250 words)
VI. [Illustration] The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield. The visit was returned in due form. Miss Bennet’s pleasing manners grew on the good-will of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with _them_ was expressed towards the two eldest. By Jane this attention was received with the greatest pleasure; but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value, as arising, in all probability, from the influence of their brother’s admiration. It was generally evident, whenever they met, that he _did_ admire her; and to _her_ it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and an uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend, Miss Lucas. “It may, perhaps, be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded....
Continue reading the full chapter
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Summary
Elizabeth Bennet finds herself surprisingly drawn to Mr. Wickham, the charming soldier who tells her a shocking story about his past with Mr. Darcy. According to Wickham, Darcy ruined his life by denying him an inheritance that Darcy's father had promised him - money that would have allowed Wickham to become a clergyman. Wickham paints Darcy as proud, vindictive, and cruel, confirming everything Elizabeth already believed about the man who snubbed her at the ball. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's sister Lydia becomes obsessed with the regiment of soldiers stationed nearby, much to their parents' mixed reactions. Mrs. Bennet encourages the girls' interest in the officers, while Mr. Bennet remains characteristically detached. This chapter matters because it gives Elizabeth what feels like concrete evidence for her dislike of Darcy, but Austen is setting up a classic case of 'he said, she said.' Elizabeth wants to believe Wickham because he's handsome, charming, and tells her what she wants to hear about Darcy. She doesn't question his story or wonder why he's so willing to share such personal details with a near-stranger. The chapter explores how we choose which stories to believe based on our existing biases and attractions. It also shows how dangerous it can be to accept one person's version of events without hearing the other side. Elizabeth thinks she's being rational, but she's actually being led by her emotions and prejudices. The introduction of Wickham adds romantic intrigue while deepening the mystery around Darcy's true character.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Regiment
A military unit of soldiers, usually stationed temporarily in towns. In Austen's time, having a regiment nearby was exciting social news, especially for young women looking for romance and entertainment.
Living
A paid position as a clergyman, often including a house and income. These positions were valuable and sometimes promised as inheritances or gifts by wealthy patrons to deserving young men.
Charm offensive
When someone uses their personality and attractiveness to win people over and get what they want. Wickham is a master of this technique, making Elizabeth feel special while telling his sob story.
Confirmation bias
The tendency to believe information that confirms what we already think while ignoring evidence that contradicts our opinions. Elizabeth eagerly accepts Wickham's story because it proves Darcy is awful.
One-sided story
Hearing only one person's version of events without getting the other side. This is dangerous because the first story we hear often shapes our entire understanding of a situation.
Social gossip
Information about people's private lives shared in social settings. In small communities like Meryton, gossip travels fast and can make or break someone's reputation.
Characters in This Chapter
Elizabeth Bennet
Protagonist
Elizabeth listens eagerly to Wickham's story about Darcy, accepting it without question because it confirms her existing prejudices. This shows how even smart people can be manipulated when someone tells them what they want to hear.
Mr. Wickham
Charming manipulator
Wickham tells Elizabeth a detailed story about how Darcy ruined his life and stole his inheritance. He presents himself as a victim while painting Darcy as a villain, but his willingness to share such personal details with a stranger should raise red flags.
Mr. Darcy
Absent accused
Though not present in this chapter, Darcy becomes the subject of serious accusations from Wickham. Elizabeth accepts these accusations readily because they match her first impression of Darcy as proud and unpleasant.
Lydia Bennet
Boy-crazy younger sister
Lydia becomes obsessed with the officers and flirts shamelessly with them. Her behavior foreshadows the trouble her impulsiveness will cause later and shows how differently the Bennet sisters handle male attention.
Mrs. Bennet
Enabling mother
Mrs. Bennet encourages her daughters' interest in the officers, seeing them as potential husbands. Her lack of concern about proper behavior shows her desperation to marry off her daughters.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how manipulative people exploit our existing biases by telling us exactly what we want to hear about people we already dislike.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Mr. Darcy has not authorized me to make his communication public. On the contrary, every particular relative to his sister was meant to be kept as much as possible to myself."
Context: Wickham tells Elizabeth this while sharing supposedly private details about Darcy
This quote reveals Wickham's manipulation technique - he pretends to be discreet while actually gossiping freely. He makes Elizabeth feel like she's getting special, secret information, which makes the story seem more credible and important.
"I have no right to give my opinion as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one."
Context: Wickham says this about Darcy while proceeding to give a very detailed negative opinion
Wickham pretends to be fair and reluctant to criticize while doing exactly that. This false modesty makes him seem more trustworthy and reasonable, which is exactly what a skilled manipulator would do.
"She was perfectly satisfied from what his manners now are that he never had any design of engaging her affection."
Context: Describing Elizabeth's thoughts about Wickham's attention to her
Elizabeth convinces herself that Wickham isn't trying to charm her, which allows her to believe his story without questioning his motives. This shows how we rationalize away red flags when we want to believe someone.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Thematic Threads
Prejudice
In This Chapter
Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy makes her accept Wickham's story without question
Development
Deepened from initial snub—now has 'evidence' to justify her dislike
In Your Life:
When has your existing dislike of someone made you immediately believe negative gossip about them without checking the facts?
Deception
In This Chapter
Wickham manipulates Elizabeth by telling her what she wants to hear about Darcy
Development
Introduced here as major plot element
In Your Life:
Have you ever found yourself telling someone exactly what they wanted to hear about a mutual acquaintance to win their favor?
Social Class
In This Chapter
Wickham claims Darcy used his superior social position to deny him opportunities
Development
Continues theme of how class differences create power imbalances
In Your Life:
Can you think of a time when someone with more power or status than you unfairly blocked an opportunity you deserved?
Judgment
In This Chapter
Elizabeth fails to apply her usual critical thinking when emotionally invested
Development
Contrasts with her earlier sharp observations—shows how bias clouds judgment
In Your Life:
When has your personal feelings about someone prevented you from thinking critically about a situation involving them?
Attraction
In This Chapter
Physical attraction to Wickham influences Elizabeth's willingness to believe him
Development
Introduced here—shows how romantic interest affects reasoning
In Your Life:
Have you ever been more willing to believe someone's story because you found them physically attractive?
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Elizabeth's story...
Elizabeth works as a marketing coordinator at a regional insurance company. When the marketing manager position opens up, she's passed over for Jake, a newer hire from the corporate office who seems arrogant and dismissive. At the company holiday party, she meets Marcus from IT—charming, funny, and eager to commiserate. Over drinks, Marcus tells her Jake got the promotion through nepotism, that he's been taking credit for other people's work, and that he even tried to get Marcus fired last year for questioning his methods. Marcus seems genuinely hurt, sharing personal details about how Jake's behavior affected his confidence and nearly cost him his job. Elizabeth feels vindicated—finally, someone else sees what she saw in Jake from day one. Marcus's story confirms every negative impression she had, and his attention feels good after Jake's coldness. She doesn't question why Marcus, who barely knows her, is sharing such sensitive workplace gossip, or wonder if there might be more to the story.
The Road
The road Elizabeth Bennet walked in 1813, Elizabeth walks today. The pattern is identical: believing the charming messenger who tells us exactly what we want to hear about someone we already dislike.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for recognizing confirmation bias in action. Elizabeth can learn to pause when information feels emotionally satisfying and ask what the messenger's motivations might be.
Amplification
Before reading this, Elizabeth might have accepted Marcus's story without question and spread it to others. Now she can NAME confirmation bias, PREDICT how it leads to workplace drama and poor decisions, and NAVIGATE it by seeking multiple perspectives before acting.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What story does Wickham tell Elizabeth about his past with Darcy, and how does she react to it?
- 2
Why is Elizabeth so quick to believe Wickham's version of events without questioning his motives or seeking Darcy's side of the story?
- 3
Think about a time when someone told you exactly what you wanted to hear about a person you already disliked. How did that affect your judgment?
- 4
When someone shares very personal information about a conflict with someone else, what questions should you ask before deciding what to believe?
- 5
What does Elizabeth's reaction to Wickham reveal about how our emotions and existing biases can override our usually good judgment?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Play Devil's Advocate
Write Darcy's version of his history with Wickham. Based on what you know about both characters so far, imagine what Darcy might say happened and why he made the choices he did. Don't worry about being right—focus on creating a plausible alternative story that explains the same facts from a different perspective.
Consider:
- •What might Wickham have done that would justify Darcy's actions?
- •Why might Darcy choose not to defend himself publicly against Wickham's accusations?
- •What details in Wickham's story seem designed to make Elizabeth sympathize with him rather than seek the truth?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 7
The coming pages reveal key events and character development in this chapter, and teach us thematic elements and literary techniques. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.