A Character Analysis of Elizabeth Bennet

Throughout Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice , there are many references to the
unusual character of Elizabeth Bennet ; she is seen to be an atypical female during those
times. Wit , bravery , independence , and feminist views all describe a most extraordinary
model
for
women.
Pride and Prejudice is a humorous novel about the trials of marrying well in the early
eighteenth century. It focuses mainly on the actions of two couples Elizabeth Bennet and
Mr. Darcy and Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth Bennet is a vibrant, headstrong
young woman who is not too keen on the idea of marriage , whereas Mr. Darcy is an
egotistical and proud man who improves on closer acquaintance. Mr. Bingley is Mr. Darcy's
closest confidante and is a very good man who is easily persuaded. Jane Bennet is the
eldest of the Bennet daughters who is closest to Elizabeth and is also a very good-natured
person. All of these characteristics play off of one another throughout the course of events
to
create
many
interesting
situations.
Jane Austen was the daughter of a minister in a small English town. Her observations about
irony and hypocrisy in English society drove her to write many stories of such things
especially marriage as that was a prime example of such traits. She herself never married.
Elizabeth Bennet's wit is both humorous and intelligent. There are repeated instances within
the
story
in
which
she
proves
her
cleverness
and
liveliness.
Joel Weinsheimer believes that " Elizabeth demonstrates her intelligence by acknowledging
that marriage does not always bring happiness" ( 16 ) . This would have been a big step for
a woman living in a society in which the sole purpose of that particular gender was to marry
well. She also had daily proof of how marriage might not bring happiness in her own
parent's relationship. She sees their shortcomings as husband and wife and sees the
shortcomings of not being able to respect your life's partner and vows that only the deepest
of love would ever induce her to matrimony ( Austen 68 ) . This kind of decision would have
had to invoke a lot of thought towards the future and shows a mind that is able to grasp
larger
concepts
and
does
not
just
follow
the
crowd.
Norman Sherry takes the approach of basing the intellect on the dialogue and speech of the
characters and not just their behavior in certain circumstances. She is under the impression
that " The dialogue between Elizabeth and Darcy reveals effectively . . . the intelligence of
both. Their forcefully expressed opinions provide us with ample indication of the strength of
their
personalities"
(
123
)
.
She seems to convey the underlining message that they are both sharp but that they bring
out the quickness in one another with their intense , quick discussions. Elizabeth is apt
enough that she is able to push Darcy into awkward positions and he is quick-witted enough
that
he
can
reverse
the
situation
right
back
on
her.
Elizabeth Bennet is also very brave for the position in life that she is in. To not marry would
put one in a very precarious situation financially and to be able to denounce tradition for the
sake
of
one's
principles
is
foolhardy
but
brave.
Again Norman Sherry points out that " The sterling worth of the heroine's character is often
revealed in relation to some simple incident or event. The nature of Elizabeth Bennet is
shown on the first visit to Rosings . She alone is unafraid" ( 122 ).
Rosings Park is the manor of the Lady Catherine De Bourgh who is a most unpleasant and
bossy woman. She is of great importance in society and is the aunt of Mr. Darcy . When
Elizabeth's best friend invites her to visit her a visit to Rosings is most definite as Lady
Catherine is the noble patroness to her best friend's husband. Everyone is intimidated by
this woman except for Elizabeth who is strong enough in her own mind and character that

she is not the least bit worried. This shows immense courage for someone of less breeding
not to be worried about the opinion of a lady with greater consequence who could , if in ill
favor
of
her
,
vex
any
hope
of
a
good
marriage.
Elizabeth is also brave in other ways as Robert Heilman so pointedly notes : "Elizabeth
approaches the letter with ' a strong prejudice against everything he might say ,' but in a
little while begins to perceive that ' she had been blind , partial , prejudiced , and absurd' "
(
126
)
.
The letter he refers to is one that Darcy had written to her in reply to her biting accusations
that he had behaved in an ungentlemanly-like manner ( Austen 178 ) . To be able to realize
that one had founded an unjust opinion of someone and to be able to try to make amends
for the wrong doings takes an incredible type of courage that can be hard to find in a person
.
Elizabeth also shows incredible amounts of independence for one that was raised in a
society that was bent on making women dependent on their husbands and families. Bluntly
put " Elizabeth Bennet is fearless and independent" ( Butler 199 ) .
Elizabeth shows this independence in two different circumstances. The first would be her
dealings with Mr. Collins who is a revolting , pompous , moron. The family first comes into
contact with him when it is made known that the estate is entailed on to him , their cousin ,
because there is no male to inherit it. Mr. Collins soon becomes infatuated with Elizabeth
and asks her hand in marriage. Elizabeth is both independent and smart enough to realize
that he is far from a suitable mate as she poignantly addresses the subject. Her views on
this relationship are extremely humorous and true : " You could not make me happy , and I
am convinced I am the last woman in the world who would make you so" ( Austen 102 ) . To
be able to turn down a suitable offer of marriage was highly unheard of back then. Elizabeth
would
have
had
to
be
extremely
independent
to
do
so.
She also illustrated her self-reliance in her dealings with Lady Catherine. She stood up for
herself in a manner that commands respect and praise. Her exact words left no doubt in
one's mind of her independence : "I am only resolved to act in that manner , which will , in
my own opinion , constitute my happiness , without reference to you , or to any person so
wholly unconnected with me" ( Austen 322 ) . This statement, which was made to a lady of
high society , proves that Elizabeth definitely has a will of her own.
Elizabeth seems to have very feminist views which is odd for a woman to have such views
at that time in history. Alice Chandler is of the opinion that " Elizabeth acts out a traditionally
defensive female role" ( 37 ) . Elizabeth is far from defensive however. One should find her
outgoing and far from traditional. She was a feminist for those times and should be praised
for her accomplishments and achievements of making the female gender seem more equal
towards
that
of
men.
Elizabeth' s character is not very hard to determine based on her actions , speeches, and
general
behavior
.
Norman
Sherry
is
under
the
impression
that
" Elizabeth Bennet , Jane Austen's most striking heroine , is not given a character sketch.
We form our opinion of her entirely from her speech and actions , and the remarks of such
people as Mr. Darcy , her father , and Miss Bingley" ( 116 ) .
True that a formal identification was not given of the novel's main character , but one is
probably better off forming one's own opinion of the type of character of Elizabeth Bennet.
One might question Sherry's use of Miss Bingley as a source one could gather information
about Elizabeth. It was quite clear that Miss Bingley was quite jealous of Elizabeth's ability
to enthrall Mr. Darcy. It could be assumed that through Miss Bingley , Elizabeth's character
might
be
enhanced
through
an
astute
reader's
observations.
It is quite clear that throughout this novel there are many references to the remarkable
character of Elizabeth Bennet ; who is seen to be quite clearly an atypical female during

those times. It is through her intelligence , bravery , independence , and feminist views that
one
can
make
the
outline
of
her
character.
Elizabeth Bennet can be seen as both an inspiration and a lesson . She should inspire all to
have confidence and courage , but should also bring one's attention to the fault of assuming
too much and developing a prejudice towards someone in which their full story has not been
revealed.
Bibliography:
Works Cited Austen , Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Philadelphia : Running Press , 1992 .
Bloom , Harold , ed. Jane Austen : Modern Critical Views. New York : Chelsea House
Publishers , 1986 . Brower , Reuben . Light and Bright and Sparkling : Irony and Fiction
in Pride and Prejudice . Jane Austen : A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs :
Prentice-Hall Inc. , 1964. Butler , Marilyn . Jane Austen and the War of Ideas. Oxford :
Clarendon Press , 1975. Chandler , Alice. Jane Austen : Modern Critical Views. New York :
Chelsea House Publishers , 1986. Halperin , John , ed. Jane Austen : Bicentenary Essays.
Cambridge UP , 1975. Heilman , Robert. E Pluribus Unum : Parts and Whole in Pride and
Prejudice . Jane Austen : Bicentenary Essays. Cambridge UP , 1975. Rubinstein , E. , ed.
Pride and Prejudice : A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall Inc. ,
1969. Sherry , Norman. Jane Austen. New York : Arco Publishing Co. , 1969. Watt , Ian , ed.
Jane Austen : A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs : Prentice- Hall Inc. , 1964.
Weinsheimer , Joel . Jane Austen : Modern Critical Views. New York : Chelsea House
Publishers , 1986.

Elizabeth Bennet
The second daughter in the Bennet family, and the most intelligent and quick-witted, Elizabeth is the protagonist
of Pride and Prejudice and one of the most well-known female characters in English literature. Her admirable
qualities are numerousshe is lovely, clever, and, in a novel defined by dialogue, she converses as brilliantly as
anyone. Her honesty, virtue, and lively wit enable her to rise above the nonsense and bad behavior that pervade
her class-bound and often spiteful society. Nevertheless, her sharp tongue and tendency to make hasty
judgments often lead her astray; Pride and Prejudiceis essentially the story of how she (and her true love, Darcy)
overcome all obstaclesincluding their own personal failingsto find romantic happiness. Elizabeth must not
only cope with a hopeless mother, a distant father, two badly behaved younger siblings, and several snobbish,
antagonizing females, she must also overcome her own mistaken impressions of Darcy, which initially lead her to
reject his proposals of marriage. Her charms are sufficient to keep him interested, fortunately, while she
navigates familial and social turmoil. As she gradually comes to recognize the nobility of Darcys character, she
realizes the error of her initial prejudice against him.