The character of Elizabeth Bennet

Assignment 1
Character Sketch in Pride & Prejudice
Elizbeth Bennet The character of Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of the most important female characters in the Victorian age. In this essay I am going to discuss and analyze Elizabeth's personality in order to show how wonderfully Jane Austen created that special character in a way that the nature of changing human attitudes and emotions are all brilliantly illustrated. Initially, Elizabeth Bennet is a twenty years old young lady, the second of the Bennet's daughters, and the hero of Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. She is an intelligent and spirited person who possesses a keen wit. Her family calls her "Lizzy", her friends and neighbors call her "Eliza", and the narrator usually calls her "Elizabeth". She "is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half humored as Lydia". However, according to Darcy's description, she is pretty and has "a pair of fine eyes". Moreover, Elizabeth has a "lively playful disposition". She is admired by her father who thinks she has the "quickest" wit. She is also admired by Mr. Darcy although she is abused by Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for having "pride and impertinent", and for getting muddy walking two miles to visit her sick sister. Elizabeth enjoys studying people's characters. Yet, she is, however, not always very good at judging people. She is influenced by Wickham and is being prejudiced against Mr. Darcy. And, of course, comes to realize her misjudgment of both's nature at the end. Another good point in the character of Elizabeth is her bravery. Her courage does not fail her on being about to meet Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Besides, her courage is also shown in her admitting her own faults and weaknesses. She does not hesitate to acknowledge these shortcomings and is prepared to change because she is not the kind of person who forms an idea and sticks on it forever. Last but not least, the character of Elizabeth Bennet is considered a round one. The development of her character, feelings and attitude is clearly achieved throughout the novel. When they first meet, Mr. Darcy considers Elizabeth "tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt" him. Gradually, he finds her more attractive. Her intelligence, wit, and independence appeal to him; indeed she attracts him 'more than he liked', as the author says. On the other hand, Elizabeth determines to hate Mr. Darcy, as she was influenced by Wickham then. Mr. Darcy keeps meeting her when she is on her walks, and proposes to her, expecting to be accepted. She is prejudiced against Mr. Darcy and explains her prejudices to him, and accused him for not behaving in a "more gentleman-like manner". Here Elizabeth is still misunderstanding Darcy's basic character.
Yet we witness how her prejudices against him diminish on reading his letter which he delivers personally next day. As it shows Darcy's beginning to overcome his pride, she sees that her own vanity has made her "blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd;" She feels ashamed of her misjudgments of Darcy and Wickham, "Till this moment, I never knew myself." She regrets her unjust accusations of Darcy and begins to feel differently towards him.
The visit Elizabeth makes to Pemberley in the company of her uncle and aunt (thinking Darcy is not there) is another turning point of Elizabeth's emotions. His housekeeper's praise of him throws an unexpected light on his character and makes Elizabeth softens in her feelings toward him.
Eventually, Mr. Darcy's generosity and good manners in bringing about the marriage of Wickham and Lydia makes Elizabeth totally realizes that she is, finally, attracted to Mr. Darcy and, indeed, in love with him. That's how, gradually, the author reveals the change and development of Elizabeth's emotions, attitude, and round character. In addition, Elizabeth is quite determined and independent in her actions and opinions. She is ready to refuse the marriages that could provide her with comfortable life and a high standing in the society just because she finds that man does not suit her in terms of intellect and personality. In this way, Jane Austen uses Elizabeth Bennet as a literary device to represent her values and attitudes on the importance of marrying for love. The heroine dares to go against the social conventions that women should marry for their economic benefits. Elizabeth only weds the man she really loves and respects. This makes the young free-spirited woman differ substantially from the other female characters of the novel. In conclusion, Elizabeth is the soul of the novel. The prestige qualities that she owns make her become one of the top beloved characters in the English literature in particular and the whole world literature in general.