Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 16: Wickham Tells Elizabeth His Story

At a gathering with the Phillips family, Elizabeth has another opportunity to speak with the charming Mr. Wickham. Their conversation soon turns to Mr. Darcy, and Wickham reveals a troubling account of their shared history.In Chapter 16 of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Wickham claims that Darcy denied him the position and inheritance intended for him by Darcy’s late father. Elizabeth, already inclined to dislike Darcy, readily sympathizes with Wickham and begins to see Darcy in an even harsher light.Key topics:Elizabeth spends more time with Mr. WickhamWickham reveals his history with DarcyThe dispute over a promised church livingElizabeth’s growing distrust of DarcyFirst impressions, prejudice, and unreliable appearances