Pride & Prejudice - Characters
Elizabeth Bennet:
- Favourite daughter of Mr Bennet. Much closer to father than mother.
- Sensible and appealing character, often embarrassed by behaviour of her 4 sisters
and also her mother.
- Refusing to marry Collins is a big thing because saying yes would mean securing
the Longbourn estate.
- This part of the novel tells us a lot about the relationship she has with her parents:
Mrs B is distraught but Mr B cares much more about Lizzy’s love and happiness
over wealth and status etc.
- Mr B does not want to see his favourite daughter have to go through a tiresome
relationship like he has with Mrs B!
- Elizabeth is described as ‘a handsome woman’, she’s considered to be a local
beauty (but supposedly not as pretty as Jane).
- Mr Darcy and Elizabeth = main focus of the novel
- Lizzy prejudices and his pride stop them from being together for a long time.
- She refuses his first proposal, however on receival of his letter gradually starts to
realise the way in which she has acted.
- She has many Admirable Attributes. She’s honest, virtuous, witty and is able to
converse well with anyone including the rude Lady Catherine. She has the self
respect of a gentleman's daughter and has the patience with pretension. She
understands the value of propriety and good taste.
- She can rise above the silliness and spitefulness that takes place in her society.
- She is not perfect though - In this sense, Austen sort of breaks the rules of a
stereotypical heroine.
- ‘Bad’ qualities: speaks sharply, sometimes without thinking and makes hasty
judgements.
- She has to cope with: Silly mother and sisters. A loving but distant father. Snobby
females as well as her own mistaken impressions.
- She has the maturity to admit to her mistakes at the end of the novel. She
understands the importance of self reflection by the end of the story.
- Elizabeth represents a SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN FEMINIST
LITERATURE.
- She is a strong, appealing and witty female protagonist.
, Fitzwilliam Darcy:
- On appearances, Darcy comes as solemn and has little small talk which acts as a
barrier around him. He is unapproachable.
- He admits he was spoilt as a child - therefore now a proud character.
- He earns Elizabeth’s resentment at the Meryton Ball by deliberately insulting her.
- As the novel develops, we learn that Darcy is too shy & serious in his nature - this is
what causes him problems and dislike from the society around him. He is too sincere
in his feelings to charm women he isn’t attracted to.
- The reader initially sees Darcy in the same way that Elizabeth does - thanks to free
indirect discourse. But, gradually we find out more info about his true, more likeable
character. This culminates in the testimony given by Mrs Reynolds who reports of his
good nature and generosity. “The best landlord” etc.
- The surroundings at Pemberley are testament to his good taste.
- He has concern for his friends, he cares deeply.
- He resolves what is a bad situation when Wickham and Lydia elope.
- When his secret about paying off wickham etc is exposed - we, as readers, are
shown his true love for Elizabeth. Think how far he has come from first insulting her
at Meryton Ball!
- Darcy and Elizabeth learn a lot about one another but also themselves - eventually
they realise that they are equals. Towards the end they learn to see through
formalities, conventions and appearances and come to share the same moral
perspective.
- Darcy becomes most alive in dialogue when challenged by Elizabeth’s wit. The
reader hopes that Lizzy will succeed in getting Darcy to relax more and laugh at
himself once they are married.
- In summary, Darcy is a wealthy counterpart to Elizabeth. We often see Darcy’s
character developing through Elizabeth’s eyes! → This is Free Indirect Discourse.
- Darcy demonstrates a continued devotion to Elizabeth despite his original dislike
and judgement. He earns her hand in marriage.
Elizabeth Bennet:
- Favourite daughter of Mr Bennet. Much closer to father than mother.
- Sensible and appealing character, often embarrassed by behaviour of her 4 sisters
and also her mother.
- Refusing to marry Collins is a big thing because saying yes would mean securing
the Longbourn estate.
- This part of the novel tells us a lot about the relationship she has with her parents:
Mrs B is distraught but Mr B cares much more about Lizzy’s love and happiness
over wealth and status etc.
- Mr B does not want to see his favourite daughter have to go through a tiresome
relationship like he has with Mrs B!
- Elizabeth is described as ‘a handsome woman’, she’s considered to be a local
beauty (but supposedly not as pretty as Jane).
- Mr Darcy and Elizabeth = main focus of the novel
- Lizzy prejudices and his pride stop them from being together for a long time.
- She refuses his first proposal, however on receival of his letter gradually starts to
realise the way in which she has acted.
- She has many Admirable Attributes. She’s honest, virtuous, witty and is able to
converse well with anyone including the rude Lady Catherine. She has the self
respect of a gentleman's daughter and has the patience with pretension. She
understands the value of propriety and good taste.
- She can rise above the silliness and spitefulness that takes place in her society.
- She is not perfect though - In this sense, Austen sort of breaks the rules of a
stereotypical heroine.
- ‘Bad’ qualities: speaks sharply, sometimes without thinking and makes hasty
judgements.
- She has to cope with: Silly mother and sisters. A loving but distant father. Snobby
females as well as her own mistaken impressions.
- She has the maturity to admit to her mistakes at the end of the novel. She
understands the importance of self reflection by the end of the story.
- Elizabeth represents a SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN FEMINIST
LITERATURE.
- She is a strong, appealing and witty female protagonist.
, Fitzwilliam Darcy:
- On appearances, Darcy comes as solemn and has little small talk which acts as a
barrier around him. He is unapproachable.
- He admits he was spoilt as a child - therefore now a proud character.
- He earns Elizabeth’s resentment at the Meryton Ball by deliberately insulting her.
- As the novel develops, we learn that Darcy is too shy & serious in his nature - this is
what causes him problems and dislike from the society around him. He is too sincere
in his feelings to charm women he isn’t attracted to.
- The reader initially sees Darcy in the same way that Elizabeth does - thanks to free
indirect discourse. But, gradually we find out more info about his true, more likeable
character. This culminates in the testimony given by Mrs Reynolds who reports of his
good nature and generosity. “The best landlord” etc.
- The surroundings at Pemberley are testament to his good taste.
- He has concern for his friends, he cares deeply.
- He resolves what is a bad situation when Wickham and Lydia elope.
- When his secret about paying off wickham etc is exposed - we, as readers, are
shown his true love for Elizabeth. Think how far he has come from first insulting her
at Meryton Ball!
- Darcy and Elizabeth learn a lot about one another but also themselves - eventually
they realise that they are equals. Towards the end they learn to see through
formalities, conventions and appearances and come to share the same moral
perspective.
- Darcy becomes most alive in dialogue when challenged by Elizabeth’s wit. The
reader hopes that Lizzy will succeed in getting Darcy to relax more and laugh at
himself once they are married.
- In summary, Darcy is a wealthy counterpart to Elizabeth. We often see Darcy’s
character developing through Elizabeth’s eyes! → This is Free Indirect Discourse.
- Darcy demonstrates a continued devotion to Elizabeth despite his original dislike
and judgement. He earns her hand in marriage.
