Lizzy is headstrong, quick to judge, readily states her opinion as with Lady Catherine De Bourgh, and is unaffected by Darcy’s comments, to which other women may have taken offence, particularly, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me”
She is warm-hearted and caring and has become a much-loved character by both readers and critics alike. Elizabeth Jenkins, biographer, claims that “Elizabeth Bennett has perhaps received more admiration than any other heroine in English literature” because of this.2
Jane and Lizzy are very close to each other and this intimate relationship is lacking within the other three girls. Kitty and Lydia are close in that they stay with each other and share the same views and interests, for example the officers and regiment. Lydia is the most independent of all the sisters and I believe that if she were to have a more intimate relationship with one or all of her sisters, similar to that of Jane and Lizzy’s, she would not have brought such shame on them. This is because she would have had the advice and care of the other girls and at the least would have confided in them. However in Jane’s letter to Elizabeth relating the events, it is said that ‘To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected’ suggesting that Lydia had confided in Kitty her plans to elope. As it is, she shows her independence and the need to prove herself better than her sisters, by running away in secret and she has nobody to help and advise her. She is therefore thinking of herself at all times and does not consider the consequences, in terms of her actions, on her sisters as she feels no connection with them.
Both Jane and Lizzy are considered to be some of the prettiest girls in the county but the former to be the more beautiful of the two. She has the more positive outlook on life, tries to find the good in everyone and every situation and is modest and reserved. At times therefore, the two have very different views on an issue. For example Lizzy quickly judges Darcy when hearing Wickham's alleged past but Jane remains passive, claiming they may have been deceived in their information of either character. After Darcy’s letter in which he informs Lizzy of his past, she decides there is “only enough good in both of them to make one very good man” but Jane still remains neutral and endeavours to find the good in both characters.
Darcy and Georgiana have a loving and caring relationship like that of the two Bennett sisters but it is a fatherly affection and love that Darcy shows for his younger sister. He protects, cares for and dotes on her, buys many gifts and endeavours to find her the best schooling in the form of a private tutor. He is “more than 10 years her senior” and as their father died while they were still relatively young, he has taken on the role of not only an older brother but a father figure.
Georgiana, who is about 16 at the time of the novel, looks up to and respects her brother, thinking very highly of him and his opinions. We hear from more than one source during the novel that she is very accomplished, sings and plays well. When plans were made to elope with Mr. Wickham, she was “unable to support the idea of grieving and offending a brother” and therefore acknowledged everything to him.
Darcy rescued his sister from this elopement and is so eager to protect his sister from humiliation and ridicule from society that Darcy decides to conceal Wickham’s true character. The situation is of course further complicated by the joint upbringing of Darcy and Wickham making them have a sibling relationship close to that of brothers. Georgiana’s reputation would be ruined if society were to find out, much like Lydia Bennet and her sisters. When Lydia runs away with Wickham, Mr. Collins mentions in a letter that their reputations and chances of marriage have been severely compromised by Lydia’s elopement. “…this false step in one daughter, will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others…”. It was probable, in the period, that due to Lydia’s behaviour, the still unmarried sisters would be considered to have a much lower status and therefore would lessen their chances of marrying well in society, as Lady Catherine is quoted as saying, “for who…will connect themselves with such a family.”
According to Darcy it is his pride that prevents him from saying anything about his sister and the circumstances with Wickham. However I believe this illustrates the love and respect he has for his sister, both of which were recurring themes in Austen’s own sibling relationships.
There are not many occasions where Darcy and Georgiana are together in the novel compared to the number of times we can compare the other two sibling relationships. However there are many references to Georgiana, their relationship and their natures, for example when Lizzy tours Pemberley and the housekeeper talks of her master and mistress in the fondest terms: “She plays and sings all day long” and “He was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted, boy in the world”.
Both Darcy and Bingley support their sisters with money and accommodation and, in the case of Georgiana, schooling also. This was the social custom of the 19th century and brothers were expected to support their sisters financially, in the absence of parents.
This relationship contrasts starkly with the relationship between Bingley and his sister is very different to that of the other two central sibling relationships. It shows a different perspective altogether as none of the qualities of a loving relationship already perceived, are represented here.
Caroline and Bingley are not close or affectionate and there is no indication of a strong love for one another as with the Bennet sisters, or respect and loyalty as with Georgina and Darcy. This is especially shown in their polite and formal way of acting towards each other and that neither tells the other their emotions and feelings, all of which indicates they are rather distant.
The two are very different in character and nature, contributing to their lack of affection. Bingley is easy going, easily pleased and endeavours to see the good in situations and people, as Darcy describes that he has “great natural modesty with stronger dependence on my judgement than on his own”. Bingley even places greater reliance on Darcy’s opinion than that of his own sister. Caroline however is “better pleased with herself than what she sees”. She is also supercilious, formal, “proud and conceited” and voices her opinions readily, being quick to judge people on situation and status. There is no sibling support and Caroline is certainly the more dominant of the two, controlling their status, affairs and even her brothers affections.
However different, they have a relationship because of Bingley’s good nature to house and provide for his sister and her ability to use this to her advantage.
Caroline lies and manipulates her brother into doing what she wants and what she feels is the best course of action. This is demonstrated when she persuades Bingley, with the help of Darcy and Mrs Hurst, that he should remain in London, that Jane’s connections are far below theirs and that Jane does not reciprocate his feelings. This shows the lack of loyalty within the relationship but illustrates Bingley's faith and trust towards her.
Caroline is clearly closer to her sister Mrs. Hurst, although she is married but Bingley's relationship with this sister seems to be just as distant.
The three central relationships show the three main differences in character and nature of both the siblings and their relationships. They highlight also the connection between how each character acts towards others, for instance if Lizzy was not so close to Jane it is possible she would not be so protective and therefore dislike Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst so readily. Austen's relationships with her own siblings I believe influenced certain aspects of her depiction of each sibling relationship. Her closeness to her own sister strongly affects the two Bennett sisters and her many older brothers whom she looked up to and respected, is shown within Darcy and Georgiana's relationship. The relationship between Bingley and Caroline shows a distinction between the sort of relationships that siblings have and to provide a different perspective on them.
one of the main reasons for refusing Darcy's proposal
