Why did Wickham join the army in Pride and Prejudice?

If you are a fan of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, you might have wondered why one of the most intriguing characters, Mr. George Wickham, chose to join the army as his profession. Wickham is a charming and handsome officer who initially attracts the attention of Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of the story, but later proves to be a deceitful and unprincipled man who elopes with her youngest sister, Lydia.

Wickham's decision to join the army is not motivated by patriotism, honour, or duty, but rather by his lack of money, prospects, and character. Wickham grew up as the son of a steward who worked for Mr. Darcy's father at Pemberley, the Darcy estate. He was also the godson of Mr. Darcy senior, who treated him like a son and gave him a generous education and allowance. Wickham was expected to become a clergyman and inherit a valuable living (a position as a parish priest) from Mr. Darcy senior, but he refused to do so and instead squandered his money on gambling and women.

When Mr. Darcy senior died, Wickham tried to blackmail his son, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the hero of the novel, into giving him more money by claiming that he had been promised the living by his godfather. Darcy refused to comply and instead offered him a lump sum of money in exchange for renouncing his claim to the living. Wickham accepted the offer but soon wasted all his money again.

Wickham then attempted to elope with Darcy's younger sister, Georgiana, who was only fifteen years old at the time, in order to get access to her large fortune. However, Darcy discovered his plan and prevented the elopement, saving his sister from ruin.

Having failed in his schemes against the Darcys, Wickham had no choice but to join the army as a way of making a living and escaping his debts. He joined a militia regiment that was stationed in Meryton, the town near Longbourn, where the Bennet family lived. There he met Elizabeth Bennet and lied to her about his past with Darcy, portraying himself as an innocent victim of Darcy's cruelty and injustice. Elizabeth believed his story and developed a prejudice against Darcy, who had previously offended her by his pride and arrogance.

Wickham also flirted with Elizabeth and seemed to be interested in her, but when he learned that she had no fortune of her own, he quickly transferred his attentions to another young lady, Miss King, who had inherited ten thousand pounds from her grandfather. However, he did not succeed in marrying her either, as she left town with her relatives soon after.

Wickham's final and most scandalous act was to elope with Lydia Bennet, Elizabeth's youngest sister, who was only sixteen years old and very foolish and flirtatious. Wickham had no intention of marrying Lydia, but only wanted to take advantage of her for his own pleasure. He ran away with her to London, where they lived in sin for several weeks until they were found by Darcy, who secretly paid off Wickham's debts and bribed him into marrying Lydia by buying him a commission in a new regiment that was going to Newcastle.

Wickham's marriage to Lydia was a disaster for both of them, as they had no love or respect for each other and no means of supporting themselves. They depended on the charity of their relatives and friends, who often had to bail them out of their troubles. Wickham continued to be unfaithful and irresponsible, while Lydia continued to be vain and silly.

In conclusion, Wickham joined the army in Pride and Prejudice not because he had any noble or honourable motives, but because he had no other option after ruining his reputation and prospects by his immoral and dishonest behaviour. He used his charm and good looks to deceive and seduce women, but he never cared for anyone but himself. He was a contrast to Darcy, who was initially proud and aloof but later proved to be generous and loyal. Wickham was one of Austen's most memorable villains, who showed how appearances can be deceiving and how first impressions can be misleading.