Hi everyone, I'm writing a type of compare and contrast paper and stumbled upon comparing the first encounter between Elizabeth and Wickham and Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The two characters are very similar in that they have a gentlemenlike appeal, they're good at initiating conversation (very agreeable), they're both interested in Elizabeth and they both lack fortune.
Elizabeth is or was partial to both of them at one point. After having met Colonel Fitzwilliam, she even compares him to George Wickham, her "former favourite."
I find these the similarities between the two guys very interesting. From my point of view, it shows the criteria she uses as a foundation for her affection. As in there are certain things she looks for (appeal, ability to converse, confidence) and certain things she looks over (money).
Especially in this quote:
"If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise -- if the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been exchanged -- nothing can be said in her defence, except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham."
I'm not sure what it means exactly, but I think she realizes that her foundations for affection might not be a good judge of character.
Anyway, what do you guys think of Elizabeth's relationship with Wickham and Colonel Fitzwilliam? Is there a more important connection between the two, or a more profound reason to even compare them at all? Why are they so similar and what is the importance of Colonel Fitzwilliam's character (besides revealing Mr. Darcy's little schemes).