[Darcy's] actions may be traced to pride; and pride has often been his best friend" (Austen 71). Wickham continues his conversation and eventually tells Elizabeth that Darcy threw him from his household into a life of poverty. "Most important, of course, is Elizabeth's misjudgement of Darcy's character: the overreaction to his pride and reserve that makes her unable to see what lies beneath it" (Moler, 26). Wickham's actions and words lead Elizabeth to a harsh perception of Darcy and a kind perception of himself. This same perception of Darcy eventually leads her to confront him about his abuse of Wickham. "He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship, and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life" (Austen 80). At this point Elizabeth's original perceptions of both Darcy and Wickham reach their climax, and slowly begin to decline.Now, the second perception of Darcy and Wickham begins to alter the first. A letter written to Elizabeth by Darcy reveals the real intentions of Wickham. "Mr. Wickham's chief object was unquestioningly my sister's fortune, but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement" (Austen 172). After discovering this information Elizabeth slowly ceases her relationship with Wickham. "The major action' of the story, concerns her recognition of her wrong- headness regarding [Wickham] and her reevaluation of the man, Darcy, she has Drake 3scorned" (Moler, 28). While traveling the country she receives a letter from Jane saying that Lydia ran off with Wickham. They understood "that his belief that Wickham never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all" (Austen 229). Elizabeth, after getting over the initial shock, also learns that Darcy helps to force Wickham into a marriage with Lydia. This action not only alters Wickham's influence over Elizabeth, but alters Elizabeth's perception of Darcy. "How much I like him. His behavior to us has ...
