Elizabeth is the second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and the main protagonist in Pride and Prejudice.

There are several traits, both positive and negative, that describe her character, the most important being prejudice.

Intelligence and Wit:

Elizabeth's intelligence is a trait that makes her Mr. Bennet's favourite child and Mrs. Bennet's least favourite.

Mr. Bennet often describes Elizabeth as having ""something more of quickness than her sisters".

She takes great pleasure in reading and learning; "'Miss Eliza Bennet,' said Miss Bingley, 'despises cards. She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.'"

While Elizabeth has "a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous", she understands that being playful must also be balanced with intellect and competence, unlike Kitty and Lydia.

Elizabeth is usually quick to respond to others with a witty comment and is often one to win an argument, even if she is wrong.

Independence:

Throughout the novel, Elizabeth displays an independent mind. She is not easily swayed by others (adding to her prejudice) and is headstrong in her opinions.

Elizabeth's independence makes her stand out from her sisters and Charlotte Lucas, a trait which Caroline Bingley deems "a most country-town indifference to decorum".

Elizabeth doesn't believe in the social construct of marrying for money and security, but instead believes in marrying for love. This is shown in her rejection of Mr. Collins' and Mr. Darcy's proposals.

She doesn't hesitate to correct others, especially Mr. Darcy's belief that women should be talented, intelligent, and beautiful; “I never saw such a woman, I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united”.

When she wants to visit Jane, she doesn't delay and refuses to wait for a carriage. Instead, she walks by herself to see her sister, leaving her dirty and red-faced; "Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within the view of the house, with weary ancles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise".

Prejudice:

Elizabeth carries the theme of prejudice throughout the novel. Throughout the story, Elizabeth remains blind to Mr. Darcy's affections, purely because of her dislike towards him.

It can be seen that she takes a dislike to Mr. Darcy from the moment he is introduced into the story. Like many of the other characters, she finds his pride to be irritable, and judges his entire character on that one characteristic. After overhearing Mr. Darcy talking to Mr. Bingley during the ball in Meryton, Elizabeth has made up her mind about his character; " Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him".

Elizabeth lets her poor judgement of Mr. Darcy's character to be confirmed by Mr. Wickham when he speaks ill of Mr. Darcy. Her admiration towards Mr. Wickham grows upon hearing his story surrounding his connection with Mr. Darcy. He claims that Mr. Darcy robbed him of his inheritance, leaving him poor and alone, to which Elizabeth replies; "I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this ... I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this!".

Elizabeth's feelings towards Mr. Darcy are heightened again when he proposes. In this scene he demonstrates his pride again, giving Elizabeth the satisfaction of denying his hand. These negative opinions towards him only begin to sway when she reads his letter and learns the truth about his relations with Mr. Wickham. After reading the letter "she grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think without feeling she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd".

However, we only see her opinions truely change upon her seeing his estate and grounds. Elizabeth is shocked to see the beauty of the estate and imagines herself living there; "At that moment she felt, that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!". Of course, Elizabeth falls in love with Mr. Darcy for his actions towards the end of the novel, but this superficial change of mind is shocking considering her emphasis of wanting love, rather than wealth, in a marriage.

	Created by Antonia Blankenberg over 7 years ago

Discover more about all the main characters in Pride and Prejudice with this study note. Learn about Elizabeth Bennet's traits, Mr Darcy's character and all the other protagonists that shape the novel.

Pride and Prejudice Character Analysis