Mrs. Bennet is a self-centered woman
with the attitude that what is good enough for her is good enough for her
children. She married for financial security and showed her true
personality only afterwards. She does not believe in educating her
children beyond the information they need to find a husband, but is very
single minded in trying to make her children achieve this goal.
She is obsessive about it, in fact,
and refuses to come out of her room or even dress when Lydia and Wickham
run off together because she is afraid Lydia may have ruined her chance
to be married and disgraced the family with her tainted reputation.
She is much relieved and happy with the connection when Lydia and Wickham
agree to marry even though they do not love each other.