18. “…loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin – that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful – and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behavior towards the undeserving of the other sex.” (Page 187-188):
Mary Bennet is speaking about Lydia and Wickham. This passage demonstrates many of the themes in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. First and foremost, Austen addresses the importance of reputation. Lydia is not only jeopardizing her own reputation but also the reputations of her sisters by running away with Wickham. Furthermore, we are shown how society will judge the family if this matter is found out. During this time, Elizabeth is concerned about Mr. Darcy and how he will think of the family. She believes this situation will ruin any slim chance she had left with him. Austen is showing us that respect plays a role in social standing. The reader gets a sense of the injustice of the situation for Lydia because she doesn’t recognize Wickham as a villain but also the injustice of being judged not for who you are but by the actions of others.
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