Pride and Prejudice Essay: The Character of Elizabeth

       In any literary work the title and introduction make at least some allusion to the important events of the novel. With Pride and Prejudice, Austen takes this convention to the extreme, designing all of the first and some of the second half of the novel after the title and the first sentence. The concepts of pride, prejudice, and "universally acknowledged truth" (51), as well as the interpretation of those concepts, are the central focus of the novel. They dictate the actions of almost all the major characters (not just Darcy and Elizabeth), and foreshadow all of the major events in the novel, especially in the first few chapters, involving the first ball at Netherfield. While Darcy

Elizabeth may be compared to someone you see in the military because of her ability to keep a confident composure. She says, “Elizabeth, with a smile, to keep her dignity: John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now? I think not.(54)” She is standing up to John who is angry. She is able to keep her confident composure she has the audacity to accuse him of being ashamed. “Elizabeth, Conceding: I think you be somewhat ashamed, far I am there, and she so close.(62)” Elizabeth’s is strong composure help her when questioning John, even when he is yelling she does not back

Many of her subjects disapproved of Elizabeth not having a husband to control her decisions. Elizabeth indirectly responded to this in a speech made to Parliament in 1559 (Doc. #11). She made the argument that she was already married to the Kingdom of England and she did not plan on marrying anyone else. One reason for her opposition to marriage is believed to be because of her father’s trouble that came with his multiple marriages. Henry VIII had six different wives, none of which contributed in a pleasant way to his health or reign. Elizabeth, seeing her father struggle with juggling marriage and power, most likely decided marriage was not a good option for a political figure. Another speech Elizabeth made in 1588 responded to the doubts of her strength as a queen because of her being a woman (Doc. #12). In 1588, the Spanish Armada was about to invade England, so Elizabeth’s speech was made to the troops that were about to have to fight for their country. She said, “I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king….” Elizabeth knew that people did not believe she could lead them through the war, so she wrote this speech to convince them of her capability of doing so. She informed them that she was ready to fight alongside them, even if they did not

His sense of her inferiority–of its being a degradation of–the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclinations were dwelt on...” (Austen 12). These words reflect Mr. Darcy’s excessive pride and heightened awareness of social status, while inducing him to recount all the ways in which he and Elizabeth are an illogical union, rather than relaying anything complimentary. In response to this insult-ridden proposal, Elizabeth proclaims that if he had acted in a more “gentlemanlike manner,” she would have been more inclined to express sympathy following her rejection of his advances. Despite Elizabeth’s clear message that she will not observe his insensitive words in submission, Mr. Darcy endures in the conviction that his prideful manners toward Elizabeth are well-justified and merely detail the truthful, adverse nature of her inferior social standing with the utmost sincerity.

Elizabeth’s strength, independence, and her intense willpower to assure that her marriage is coordinated only by love demonstrate the feminist portrayal of Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s desire for

Darcy realizes that his pride is keeping he and Elizabeth apart. Mr. Darcy earns Elizabeth’s love by fixing all the wrongs he has committed to her and her family. He brings Elizabeth’s sister and Mr. Bingley back together, saying, “ I told him, moreover, that I believed myself mistaken in supposing, as I had done, that your sister was indifferent to him; and as I could easily perceive that his attachment to her was unabated, I felt no doubt of their happiness together” (Chapter 58 ). Elizabeth is also grateful when Mr. Darcy persuades Wickham to marry Lydia as shown in this quote: “ The vague and unsettled suspicions which uncertainty had produced of what Mr. Darcy might have been doing to forward her sister’s match, which she had feared to encourage as an exertion of goodness too great to be probable, and at the same time dreaded to be just, from the pain of obligation, were proved beyond their greatest extent to be true!” Elizabeth sees that Mr. Darcy is good at heart (Chapter 52). With this new information, she accepts his second marriage

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen creates a unique environment which allows her characters to evolve and to transform. One of the characters, Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, faces challenges that impact her decisive demeanor. Likewise, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth’s love interest, confronts many obstacles which come against his character as well. Through several key experiences, both Elizabeth and Darcy undergo internal transformations – Elizabeth’s quick judgments become humbleness while Darcy’s arrogance is replaced with humility.

or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so little expense

The progress between Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s relationship, in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice (1813) illustrates and explores several the key themes in the novel. Their relationship highlights class expectations, pride and prejudice, and marriage, and how they play a major role in determining the course of their association. These are outlined through their first prejudiced dislike of each other when they first meet, the stronger feelings for Elizabeth that develop on Darcy’s side, her rejection in Darcy’s first proposal, then her change of opinion and lastly the mutual love they form for one another. Pride and Prejudice is set up as a satire, commenting on human idiocy, and Jane Austen

First Impressions First impressions are very important. In the Victorian age, people based their whole opinion of someone on first impressions. Most times the first impression of someone is not the way they truly are. Sometimes a first impression can cause you to think negative of someone but later you find out that they are very nice and a very positive person. One example is when Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth in the book ,Pride and Prejudice.

Elizabeth realises the importance of appropriate etiquette, and displays this during her vain attempts to apologise for her mother's rude remarks towards Darcy. Though unsuccessful, she takes great responsibility in upholding her family name in the presence of those who think otherwise. Elizabeth is also keen about nature, using her perceptive eye to marvel at its beauty. Her fondness for reading is great, and she is always able to "amuse herself…with a book". Her ability to sing and play the piano is most "pleasing", as the "entreaties" of "several" would suggest.

highly in my favour … it is by no means certain that another offer of

Beginning with Mr. Darcy's failed proposal and his later letter of explanation, Elizabeth's proud and judgemental nature is altered by the pressure placed on her to decide if she wishes to marry Mr. Darcy or not. Introspection and her eventual acceptance of her romantic feelings for Mr. Darcy demonstrate that strenuous emotional situations can lead to a change in character, by allowing her to open up her prejudiced mind and see that the opinions she has are not always correct. Prior to her relations with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth is a young woman who sees little point in marrying if she does not find a man whom will bring her happiness in life. This provides a foundation from which she can change, placing her in an ideal position to change in response to the

The long, lasting conflict between Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots was the fight over the throne. Elizabeth and Mary we second cousins and Mary thought she deserve the crown. The conflict between Elizabeth and Mary ended up leading to Mary’s death.

Elizabeth continually allows for mishaps to happen, even rejecting the incredibly wealthy and handsome Mr. Darcy. This seems to be Elizabeth’s way of showing that she, as a woman, has a form of power that men cannot take away; the power of saying no. Austen reveals this in chapter 34 when Darcy declares his love for Elizabeth. How he does it, though, is peculiar. He proclaims his love boisterously, yet in private with Elizabeth. Darcy tactfully reveals his feelings for her, hoping that she will be moved and not falter now that they are alone. “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” (Austen ch. 34) Here, Darcy vocally forces himself on her, believing that his passion will invoke a flare within Elizabeth to say yes. Much to Darcy’s disappointment, Elizabeth rejects him, only to accept him later. I view her actions as being suitable for her circumstance. She rejects his offer, because she does not passionately have feelings for him. She, later, accepts Darcy when she does in fact have feelings for him. This is an empowering story for the women of Austen’s time. Many readers would ask why Austen would do this. I believe that Austen I empowering young women to stand for what they want and what they believe. When this novel was written, women’s rights were abysmal; often leading to men taking