for Wickham. That is, when I thought Mr. Bennet was being serious about his statement about Wickham, I found his leniency with Lydia and Wickham as a weakness.

When I read Susan L's posting, I saw the sarcasm. Having said that, I still believe he showed weakness in character. For example, when he allowed Lydia to go to Brighton. He knew perfectly well that Lydia was not to be trusted. Being the parent of older teenagers, I know how difficult it can be to stick to your guns, especially when they try their best to wear you down. They do seem to have more stamina at times, but it is exactly at those moments that you have to stick to your guns.

On this account, I think Lizzy showed more fortitude than her father.

I also find his relentless teasing to be a weakness. It's all good and well when you tease those who appreciate the teasing and can defend themselves, but his teasing of his wife and daughters bordered on rudeness (and meanness) sometimes. The lack of respect was blatant... Disagree with me if you will, but these aspects of Mr. Bennet's character strike me as weak. So in this context when I read his "praise" of Wickham, I felt like maybe he wasn't being sarcastic.

But as I said, this is the third time I have read this book, and both of the other times I took it as sarcasm.. Just this time, I felt a bit different.

Your point about being moved by evidence is a good one. I don't mean to imply that one has to be single-minded about a decision against all evidence... Though I think perhaps Mr. Bennet was a bit too quick to give in.. Wickham and Lydia never felt they did any wrong...