Pride And Prejudice Characters wjec-eduqas 19th-Century-Prose

Characters

It is important that you understand the characters in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as they may represent themes and ideas that were important at the time the novel was written. The story is narrated by a third-person omniscient narrator and this allows the reader to gain an insight into the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Each character contributes to the novel’s exploration of themes and they can also be symbolic, representing certain ideas or ideals, so you should consider:

• how characters are established

• how characters are presented via:

  • actions and motives

  • what they say and think

  • how they interact with others

  • what others say and think about them

  • their physical appearance or description

• how far the characters conform to or subvert stereotypes

• the relationships between characters

• what they might represent or symbolise

Below you will find detailed character profiles for the major characters in Pride and Prejudice, along with a summary of the other significant characters.

Main characters

• Elizabeth Bennet

• Mr Darcy

• Jane Bennet

• Mr Bingley

Other characters

• Lydia Bennet

• Mr Wickham

• Mr Collins

• Lady Catherine de Bourgh

• Mr Bennet

• Mrs Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet

• Elizabeth is the protagonist of the novel and the second daughter of Mr and Mrs Bennet

• She is the most sensible and intelligent of the five sisters and she has a sharp mind:

  • She is an independent thinker and often challenges societal norms and expectations

• She is also quick-witted and humorous, especially in conversations with Mr Darcy:

  • Her clever and humorous remarks contribute to the novel’s humour and irony

• Her character is presented as independent and assertive, often challenging societal norms and expectations:

  • Her refusal to conform to conventional roles from women sets her apart from other characters, including her sisters

  • Her character challenges traditional gender roles by asserting her independence, refusing to marry for convenience and valuing intellectual compatibility when considering a future partner

• Elizabeth possesses a strong sense of morality and is not easily swayed by societal pressures, valuing honesty and integrity in her relationships:

  • This is ironic as she begins to admire and sympathise with Mr Wickham and believes his story, despite his lies 

  • Elizabeth, while intelligent, is quick to form opinions of people and this can sometimes lead her to form incorrect judgements

  • Her opinions of Mr Darcy and Mr Wickham change as the narrative progresses 

• She is initially proud and is also prejudiced toward Mr Darcy due to his perceived arrogance and his disdainful behaviour towards her:

  • She feels he contributed to Mr Bingley’s decision to separate from Jane

• Austen uses Elizabeth’s character to critique society and question the expectations of women while also challenging the rigidity of class distinctions:

  • Through her marriage to Mr Darcy, Austen highlights the importance of love and affection in marriage, rather than convenience or social conformity

• Elizabeth, like Darcy, eventually overcomes her prejudices through self-reflection and a willingness to reassess her initial judgements:

  • Her changing perceptions contribute to the novel’s romantic plot and its resolution 

• Elizabeth refuses to marry for convenience or because society expects her to:

  • This is clear when she refuses to marry Mr Collins, despite pressure from her mother 

  • This shows a strong sense of morality and a refusal to let go of her principles

• She is loyal and family-oriented:

  • Her anger when Jane is heartbroken is evident and this influences her opinions of people and, to an extent, her actions

  • She is concerned about Lydia going to Brighton and the impact of her elopement on her family’s reputation 

Mr Darcy

• Mr Darcy is a wealthy gentleman who is from an upper-class family

• He is initially seen as reserved, aloof and unapproachable which makes other characters initially dislike him:

  • His reserved demeanour creates an air of mystery and intrigue

  • His reluctance to socialise is misjudged as arrogance

  • This perception contributes to the negative opinions about him in Meryton society 

• He snubs Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her: 

  • This leads to the main conflict in the novel between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy

• Mr Darcy holds prejudiced views against the Bennet family due to their lower social status and lack of refinement:

  • His prejudice influences his initial interactions with Elizabeth and his disdain for their social standing and lack of connections affects how he expresses his initial marriage proposal to Elizabeth

• Throughout the novel, his character changes dramatically:

  • This is evident after Elizabeth rejects his marriage proposal and he recognises his flaws and tries to change

• Mr Darcy develops sincere and deep feelings for Elizabeth, despite his initial reservations:

  • His love for Elizabeth becomes a central focus in the novel’s romantic plot

• Mr Darcy takes selfless action by financially securing Lydia Bennet’s marriage to Wickham after their elopement:

  • His intervention demonstrates a sense of responsibility and genuine care for Elizabeth and reveals how profoundly his character has evolved

• His letter to Elizabeth reveals a desire to admit his mistakes and provide explanations for his actions:

  • His character contrasts Wickham’s as he displays genuine integrity whereas Wickham charms only to deceive

  • He represents genuine honour and character in contrast to Wickham’s mercenary values and superficiality 

• Mr Darcy’s character evolution symbolises a shift in societal expectations and the possibility of change in attitudes toward social class and personal growth

• His love for Elizabeth redeems him, enabling him to overcome his prejudices

Jane Bennet

• Jane is the elder daughter of the Bennet family:

  • She is also reputed to be the most beautiful of the Bennet sisters, as well as the kindest and most sweet-natured

  • Her kindness and warmth make her loved by those around her

• Her character represents traditional feminine virtues of beauty, gentleness and resilience:

  • Her character embodies societal expectations for women in the early 19th century

• Her physical attributes and elegance contribute Mr Bingley’s initial attraction to her

• She is optimistic and positive but can be reserved in sharing her feelings:

  • Her inability to express her feelings openly creates a barrier in her relationship with Mr Bingley

• Her feelings for Bingley become a central aspect of the novel’s romantic plot

• Jane sees the best in others even when her sister, Elizabeth, is more critical:

  • She trusts others very quickly and this can sometimes result in her being disappointed and humiliated by people like Miss Bingley

  • Austen deliberately contrasts Jane’s personality with Elizabeth’s 

• She adapts to her separation from Mr Bingley with grace and resilience:

  • Her calm demeanour contrasts with the more dramatic moments involving her sisters including Lydia’s elopement with Wickham

Mr Bingley

• Mr Bingley’s purchase of the Netherfield estate is the catalyst of the novel

• He is a wealthy and eligible bachelor, which attracts the attention of local society: 

  • His wealth and status make him an ideal match for the Bennet sisters

• He is friendly and sociable and impresses everyone he meets

• He is good-natured and lacks the pride that Mr Darcy possesses:

  • His character is a contrast to the more reserved and proud nature of Darcy

• Mr Bingley falls in love with Jane quickly, which shows he is impulsive and romantic

• However, he is easily influenced by others, especially by his best friend Mr Darcy and his sisters:

  • This complicates his relationship with Jane and leads him to distance himself from her for a time

  • Darcy and his sister are the reason why he initially leaves Netherfield and stops pursuing Jane

• Despite being influenced by his loved ones, he ultimately makes a decisive choice and proposes to Jane:

  • His evolving relationship with Jane symbolises the changing nature of love and the importance of overcoming barriers for a genuine connection

  • His return to Netherfield and his proposal to Jane contribute to the resolution of the narrative

• Mr Bingley’s character highlights the influence of social class and societal expectations on romantic decisions:

  • His relationship with Jane encounters obstacles due to differences in social status

Other characters