How Does Elizabeth Change Throughout The Novel

Elizabeth undergoes a sudden change of character after finding out and Mr. Wickham's past, leaving her distressed and unsettled that his character was not one she had previously expected him to possess.Through the internal turmoil Elizabeth experiences emotionally, she comes to terms with the idea that her judgement of others is not always correct. Finding herself torn between believing Wickham is still the kind man she met in Meryton, and seeing him as the greedy, gambling soldier that Mr. Darcy has made him out to be, Elizabeth is forced to choose not only which opinion she wants to believe, but also if she wishes to recognize the faults in her judgements. Preceding both the letter of confession written by Mr. Darcy, and Lydia's plan to
Shame, coupled with a feeling of failure and betrayal subsequently cause her to be more critical of her prejudice and view of others. Only strengthened by Wickham's proposal and engagement to Lydia, Elizabeth continually reflects on how wrong she was about Wickham's personality and continues to change thereafter, understanding that to avoid making the same mistake, she must immediately believe what she sees. Steadily, she becomes more critical of how other characters present themselves, and her own views of them, improving her ability to form opinions of others. The changes that have taken place in Elizabeth are essential in Austen's illustration of challenging circumstances changing Elizabeth's character, portraying how learning from past errors and misguided judgements can make one better suited to form later opinions of others. By granting Elizabeth knowledge of Wickham's past, Austen has strongly illustrated how reconsiderations of guilt and past judgements can alter one's