Elizabeth Bennet Confidante
In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Jane Bennet fulfills the role of a confidante for her younger sister and heroine of the novel, Elizabeth Bennet. She is the compassionate friend in a family full of drama and mishaps. Aside from being the shoulder in the family, Jane’s role serves to contrast that of Elizabeth; she is more of a conformist while Elizabeth plays the rebellious role in the family. She succeeds in displaying the part of a gentle, sweet girl to further prove Jane Austen’s satirical point of how women’s lives are mundane and weak in society. Jane’s role of being a confidante for Elizabeth comes naturally as she is a part of the family and understands the strenuous expectations that Elizabeth is put under on a day to day basis.
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Just a few days after Elizabeth denied Mr. Collins’s proposal, she is shaken to hear that her close friend has agreed to be engaged to this same man. However, Elizabeth’s bewilderment in Charlotte only turns into a closer relationship with Jane. Jane’s impeccable role of playing confidante is only strengthened as Elizabeth’s “disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard to her sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her opinion could never be shaken” (Austen …show more content…
Aside from her levelheadedness, Jane plays the role of a simple pure soul. Elizabeth explains that is comes naturally to her sister, “All the world is good and agreeable in her eyes” (Austen 12). Elizabeth, however, is quicker to make harsh judgements. Mr. Darcy does not hesitate to point out her flaw when he states, “and your defect, is willfully to misunderstand them” (Austen 48). When it comes to perceiving people, the two sisters are complete opposites. Elizabeth says that Jane “never sees a fault in anybody” (Austen 12). This plays a larger role into how women behaved at the time. During the period of the early 1800s, women were expected to be the epitome of cleanliness and politeness in the family. Jane exceeds in this role by obeying her parents and opening her heart to everyone she crosses. On the other hand, Elizabeth continually challenges this role and believes that she should be more than a mild-mannered doll on a shelf whose sole purpose is to be idolized. Through the contrast of the two sisters and the emotional, unstable mother, Austen is able to satirize the common culture of the British Regency
Just a few days after Elizabeth denied Mr. Collins’s proposal, she is shaken to hear that her close friend has agreed to be engaged to this same man. However, Elizabeth’s bewilderment in Charlotte only turns into a closer relationship with Jane. Jane’s impeccable role of playing confidante is only strengthened as Elizabeth’s “disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with fonder regard to her sister, of whose rectitude and delicacy she was sure her opinion could never be shaken” (Austen …show more content…
Aside from her levelheadedness, Jane plays the role of a simple pure soul. Elizabeth explains that is comes naturally to her sister, “All the world is good and agreeable in her eyes” (Austen 12). Elizabeth, however, is quicker to make harsh judgements. Mr. Darcy does not hesitate to point out her flaw when he states, “and your defect, is willfully to misunderstand them” (Austen 48). When it comes to perceiving people, the two sisters are complete opposites. Elizabeth says that Jane “never sees a fault in anybody” (Austen 12). This plays a larger role into how women behaved at the time. During the period of the early 1800s, women were expected to be the epitome of cleanliness and politeness in the family. Jane exceeds in this role by obeying her parents and opening her heart to everyone she crosses. On the other hand, Elizabeth continually challenges this role and believes that she should be more than a mild-mannered doll on a shelf whose sole purpose is to be idolized. Through the contrast of the two sisters and the emotional, unstable mother, Austen is able to satirize the common culture of the British Regency