Mrs. Bennet: The Anti-hero of Jane Austen's and Prejudice

In today 's society, marriage is a significant bond that must be on the basis of love and understanding. Marriage is a relationship described as more for love and emotion rather than convenience or money. Through the experience of Lydia and Wickham, Charlotte and Collins, and Elizabeth and Darcy, Austen criticizes marriages based on infatuation, convenience and money, and emphasizes that marriage can only be successful if they are founded on mutual love.

Thesis: Throughout the text of Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen challenges gender and social norms in the Georgian Era through the development of Elizabeth Bennet as she interacts with characters in the novel.

In the movie “Divergent” directed by Neil Burger, the central character Beatrice, shows many different characteristics of being an anti-hero. Beatrice Prior otherwise known as Tris is the main protagonist character and the narrator of the film. She is a strong willed 16 year old who lives in a society divided into groups called factions, based on individual human virtues. With her coming of age, she must now choose one of the factions to live in for the rest of her life, Abnegation (selfless), Erudite (intelligent), Candor (honest), Amity (peaceful) or Dauntless (brave). The definition of an anti-hero would be the main or central character in a story, movie or play who does not

The bicycle, the tin can, the steam locomotive, exercise, and the Bennet sisters; all of these were creations that came from Regency England. All of these things have had a lasting effect on modern day society. While the Bennet sisters seem the least important, the story of their lives provides modern society with insight into how the upper class in Regency England lived. The Bennet sisters themselves are an eclectic group of girls; each one has her own distinct personality. In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the minor characters: Mary, Lydia, and Kitty, serve as literary foils to glorify the good traits of the major characters: Jane and Lizzy.

The roles of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice are contrasted between a father who cares about what’s inside of people and a mother who only worries about vanity and appearance. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s parental guidance is unique to their personalities. Because of their two opposing personas, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s ideas of marriage are contradictory for their daughters; Mr. Bennet believes in a loving respectful marriage whereas Mrs. Bennet values a marriage which concerns wealth and social status. Their aspirations for Lydia, Jane, Mary, Kitty and Elizabeth mirror their conflicting ideologies. Mr. Bennet seems to have a quiet deep love

An anti-hero is a protagonist or other notable figure who lacks heroic qualities. The flaws in the character of the anti-hero is what helps him or her achieve victory and even redemption. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D.Salinger is coming of age novel which follows the story of Holden Caulfield after he gets expelled from a prestigious prep school. Although Holden is the protagonist of the novel, he is seen to be an anti-hero.

A hero is someone admired for their courage, achievements, and/or idealized qualities, however; a movie can also portray an anti-hero. An anti-hero is a central character in which lacks conventional heroic characteristics. In every movie, book, or in reality every hero has their ups and downs. Many people undergo many hardships to become a hero. There are many stages a hero has to overcome such as: Separation, Initiation, and Return.

The anti-hero the protagonist with an unjust cause that happens to benefit the greater good. An anti-hero is not a role model or someone to look up to; often they are just the opposite. Rough, tough, filled with rage, seeking only revenge or other similar disturbed moral justices. However, through all of this they are the best choice for a victor. An example of

An idealist is someone who follows and is influenced by ideals and standards as opposed to considering the practicalities of a situation. In other words, an idealist does not carefully think every situation through, but rather responds to the norm instead. In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet, the novel’s protagonist, is an intelligent and sharp individual, who is profoundly interested in romantic relationships and getting married, as her mother wants her to do. Elizabeth, willing to marry anyone for the sake of romance, becomes easily distracted and, in turn, does not consider every aspect of the situations she entangles herself in before fastening conclusions. Because she so easily succumbs to the powers of romance and often leaves her better judgement at home, Elizabeth Bennet can be considered an idealist.

A confidante is a character whose role is to be there when the hero or heroine of the story needs them most. They normally make grand companions for the hero and are mostly always found together. In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Elizabeth and Jane Bennet are excellent examples of the heroine and confidante pair by being foil characters, confiding in each other, and giving advice.

Despite the radical behaviour of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen would not be consider a feminist by today’s standards. Viewing what meant to be a feminist in Austen’s time, how the main character of the novel illustrated that feminism, what feminism is today we can see how Austen would not be consider a feminist.

is like no other woman in the book or indeed of her time and by

In Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet, the mother of the protagonist, Elizabeth, is generally portrayed as a buffoon who is an adversary for he daughter that is trying to force her into a marriage she does not want. One may wonder how she can be justified in any way, considering that she is known to embarrass her family members and behave idiotically. However, in the time period they live in, a marriage is necessary for all of the family to avoid a terrible fate. Mrs. Bennet, while often behaving improperly, does try to do the best for her daughters based on the world she lives in.

The original hero archetype greatly contrasts the modern anti-hero archetype. A hero is someone who displays little to no flaws and is widely liked by the majority. This character presents its storyline with exceptional traits. The anti-hero archetype is completely opposite of the hero archetype. “Unlike the traditional hero who is morally upright and steadfast, the anti-hero usually has a flawed moral character” (Michael). Modern anti-heroes lack in grace, power, and social success (Neimneh). They deal with issues and insecurities such as alcoholism and infidelity (Michael). Anti-heroes make unpleasant moral compromises, in contrast to the desired, in order to reach something. They want to create order where it is impossible and put the protagonist to ‘justice’. Traditional hero characters often succeed when trying to complete their quests, which contrasts the extremely grimm success rate of anti-hero victory. Anti-heroes also do not let their inner thoughts influence their actions while original or traditional heroes seek self-definition (Teleky). Traditional hero characters often succeed when trying to complete their quests, which contrasts the extremely grimm success rate of anti-hero victory. The faultless ways of the hero archetype sets it apart from people in society, making it extremely unrelatable to the mass amount of humans today, allowing the anti-hero archetype to prevail through.

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.