Pride and Prejudice 8 & 9

                 As Elizabeth goes on reflecting on Mr. Darcy's revelations in his explanatory letter to her, she begins to perceive the world slightly differently. In a conversation with Mr. Wickham, she takes in the information of his scheming ways and hints of the information she has been given. When asked of Mr. Darcy, she makes note: "'When I said that he improved on acquaintance, I did not mean that either his mind or manners were in a state of improvement, but that from knowing him better, his disposition was better understood'" (200). Her statement illustrates how though he has acted favorably towards her in their latest acquaintances, she does not perceive his behavior as being improved. However she does begin to view him differently. With the explanation of the iniquity of Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth is able to correct one of her false notions of his selfishness. Following her statement, she still resists loving feelings toward Mr. Darcy, even when they manage to make a presence in her mind. For the moment, she likes him enough to trust his word against Wickham's, which is a start to a hopefully full acceptance later.