She is not half as handsome as
Jane, nor half so good
humoured as Lydia'.
Elizabeth is less immediately attractive
or less fun loving than some of her
sisters, though she does have a strong
sense of humour.
'I dearly love
a laugh'.
'Elizabeth continued her walk
alone, crossing field after field at a
quick pace, jumping over stiles.'
When necessary, she is prepared to be
unladylike and unconvential.
Her face 'was rendered uncommonly
intelligent by the beautiful expression
of her dark eyes.'
Darcy recognises that her
expressive face reveals a
lively mind.
'You taught me a lesson...By
you I was properly humbled'.
She has the intelligence
and wisdom to gain
Darcy's respect.
At the Netherfield Ball 'had her family made an
agreement to expose themselves as much as they
could...it would have ben impossible for them to play
their parts with...finer success'.
Elizabeth is observant.
The reader often
watches her watching
others and shares her
feelings.
ROLE IN THE NOVEL
Elizabeth Bennet is the second eldest
of the five Bennet sisters, who at the
beginning of the novel are all
unmarried. She is the heroine of the
story, and events are frequently
viewed from her perspective.
She meets Darcy at a local ball and
immediately takes a dislike to him.
She rejects Mr Collins' proposal of
marriage, even though acceptance
would guarantee financial security
for herself and a future home for
others in her family
She is immediately charmed by the
handsome Wickham and believes his
account of treatment by Darcy.
She refuses Darcy's first offer of
marriage and accuses him of not being
'gentlemen-like'
She begins to revise her opinions of Darcy
after reading his letter of explanation. She
later visits Pemberly, and finds she has been
completely mistaken about him.
She resists Lady Catherine's
attempts to bully her and marries
Darcy on the same day as Jane,
when she marries Bingley.