SECTION 4
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth Bennet is the main character of the novel. She is the second oldest daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth is an intelligent, playful, classy, opinionated and confident woman who stands unique from her four sisters. She stands up for what she believes, regardless of the views of those around her. Elizabeth a.k.a. Lizzy rises above the discouragement and judgmental remarks of others and constantly appears to be the bigger person in many situations. She has admirable qualities and is able to give quick responses in the most respectable way. Near the end of the novel we see her character slowly start to fall for Darcy after realizing his true being. The Elizabeth we met in the beginning of the novel, headstrong and independant, starts to risk her emotions for the love between the man who proposed.
“I am not to be intimidated into anything wholly unreasonable... You have widely mistaken my character, if you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these.” (Austen, 392-3)
“I am only resolved to act in that matter, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.” (Austen, 393)
“He is a gentlemen; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal.” (Austen, 392)
“Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when she would rather have cried.” (Austen, 401)
Mr. Darcy
Mr. Darcy is the leading male character in Pride and Prejudice. He is a wealthy man who is reserved, and at times seen as proud as well as haughty, and has a younger sister named Georgina Darcy. He grows to love Elizabeth despite her social status. The character makes an evident growth throughout the novel as he lets go of his pride. When Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth and is denied the first time, humility is built in him and makes him realize that reputation and status do not matter if you love someone. His thoughts on status derived from his wealthy family class. Near the end of the novel, he puts his pride aside and helps the Bennet’s find Lydia and pay for their marriage, and finally end up marrying Elizabeth.
“He called it, therefore, his duty to step forward, and endeavour to remedy an evil, which had been brought on by himself.” (Austen, 353)
“...as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before.” (Austen, 404)
“As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit.” (Austen, 406)
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Mr. Darcy’s aunt. She is rich, judgemental, snobby, and haughty. Once she finds out about the relationship between Elizabeth and her nephew she does all she can to stop it even if it means disrespecting Elizabeth. She is seen as an obstacle to their relationship throughout, but especially near the end of the novel. Lady Catherine takes social status very seriously, and because she is rich, looks down upon all those who aren’t as fortunate.
“...for do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and despised, by every one connected with him. You alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.” (Austen, 391)
“I shall not go away, till you have given me the assurance I require.” (Austen, 392)
“But however insincere you may be, you shall not find me so. My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it.” (Austen, 388)
Writing in Role
Dear Diary,
Mr. Darcy proposed to me the other day and I turned him down. He asked to marry him like I was the one who was in need just because my family may not be the wealthiest! But who does that? It was the least bit romantic I would say. Darcy was full of pride even with asking me to marry him; like he was going to save me or something! I don’t know why but I’ve been regretting it daily that I had said no, to his proposal. I think he’s changed, but I’m not certain. I can’t stop thinking about him. After auntie Gardiner told me what he had done for Lydia and Wickham, and that he had found them, I feel like maybe I misjudged him... I seem to fall in love with him every day, but how could he ask me to marry him a second time? For the past few weeks, he’s arrived with Mr. Bingley who wanted to visit Jane. They’re getting married. I hope I could have said the same between me and Darcy. We’ve had walks together and I can’t tell if he still feels the same about me, but I hope he hasn’t changed his mind already. I truly regret what I had did. Now that I think about, Mr. Darcy really isn’t a bad guy after all...
Yours Truly,
Elizabeth Bennet
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