Pride and Prejudice · Character

Lydia Bennet

The youngest Bennet, all noise and nerve, who chases officers and excitement with a heedlessness that her family cannot restrain and that will cost them dearly.

supporting

Also known as Lydia, Miss Lydia, Miss Lydia Bennet, Poor Lydia, Lydia Wickham

First appearance: vi

As a supporting figure in Pride and Prejudice, Lydia Bennet is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Lydia Bennet in vi Book page

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Lydia lives for balls, redcoats, and being the first to know everything, her mother's indulgent favorite and her father's despair. She flirts indiscriminately with the militia, especially Wickham, without the slightest awareness of consequence. Her untamed assurance—she returns from her wedding 'Lydia still'—exposes the family's failure of discipline and drives the novel's most dangerous turn.

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Character Web

24 connections

A slice of how Lydia Bennet sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Major Characters and Key Allies
Minor Characters and Background Figures
Protagonist

+19 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, Elizabeth reaches the emotional peak of her internal conflict as she transitions from agitation…

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Relationships

Elizabeth Bennet
family · ambivalent
Elizabeth is often exasperated by Lydia's reckless, flirtatious behavior but remains her… How this plays out →
Mrs. Bennet
family · positive
Jane Bennet
family · ambivalent
Elizabeth Bennet
family · ambivalent
Elizabeth is often exasperated by Lydia's reckless, flirtatious behavior but remains her… How this plays out →
Elizabeth Bennet
family · ambivalent
Elizabeth is often exasperated by Lydia's reckless, flirtatious behavior but remains her… How this plays out →
Mrs. Bennet
family · positive
Jane Bennet
family · ambivalent
Mrs. Bennet
family · positive
Jane Bennet
family · ambivalent

Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth is often exasperated by Lydia's reckless, flirtatious behavior but remains her sister.
Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet indulges Lydia's wild behavior, and Lydia is her favorite, sharing a love of gossip and flirting.
Jane Bennet
Jane is kind and forgiving toward Lydia's reckless elopement, while Lydia is thoughtless and self-centered.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth is often exasperated by Lydia's reckless, flirtatious behavior but remains her sister.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth is often exasperated by Lydia's reckless, flirtatious behavior but remains her sister.
Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet indulges Lydia's wild behavior, and Lydia is her favorite, sharing a love of gossip and flirting.
Jane Bennet
Jane is kind and forgiving toward Lydia's reckless elopement, while Lydia is thoughtless and self-centered.
Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet indulges Lydia's wild behavior, and Lydia is her favorite, sharing a love of gossip and flirting.
Jane Bennet
Jane is kind and forgiving toward Lydia's reckless elopement, while Lydia is thoughtless and self-centered.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

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In the story

Lydia Bennet appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter I
Mentioned by Mrs. Bennet as good-humored, though not directly involved in the scene.
Chapter II
Boldly declares she expects Mr. Bingley to dance with her at the ball.
Chapter VII
Shows frivolous interest in officers, walking to Meryton with Kitty to see Captain Carter.
Chapter IX
Boldly reminds Bingley of his promise to give a ball, showing her forward and self-assured nature.
Chapter XIII
Uninterested in Mr. Collins because he does not wear a scarlet coat.
Chapter XIV
Interrupts Mr. Collins's reading with a remark about her uncle Philips and Colonel Forster, causing offense.
Chapter XV
Eager to walk to Meryton to see the officers; presses Mr. Wickham to come inside.
Chapter XVI
Talks incessantly about lottery tickets and her winnings during the carriage ride home, overshadowing Elizabeth's thoughts.
Chapter XXIII
Boisterously exclaims that Mr. Collins wanted to marry Lizzy; views the match only as news to spread at Meryton.
Chapter XXXVII
Mentioned as self-willed and careless, contributing to Elizabeth's chagrin about her family.
Chapter XXXIX
Boisterously recounts her fun at the inn and Colonel Forster's; urges the Brighton scheme; announces Wickham is free from Mary King.
Chapter XLI
Exuberant over her invitation to Brighton with Mrs. Forster; shows no concern for her family's reputation.
Chapter XLII
Writes short, frivolous letters from Brighton; her absence brings some peace to Longbourn.
Chapter XLVI
Has eloped with Mr. Wickham, causing family distress.
Chapter XLVII
The subject of the chapter; her elopement with Wickham is revealed through her frivolous letter.
Chapter XLIX
Mentioned as the subject of the letter; she is to be married from Mr. Gardiner's house, though Elizabeth and Jane recognize the precariousness of her future.
Chapter L
Her marriage to Wickham is arranged; she wishes to visit Longbourn before moving north with his regiment.
Chapter LI
Returns as Mrs. Wickham, unabashed and boastful, eagerly showing off her ring and recounting her wedding.
Chapter LII
Her elopement and marriage to Wickham are the subject of the letter; her behavior remains frivolous and unrepentant.
LXI
Married to Wickham; continues extravagant and heedless; writes to Elizabeth hoping for a place at court.

Chapter companion notes

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