As mentioned above, the main reason for choosing Elizabeth and Darcy as the protagonists of the novel is because they either possessed pride or/and prejudice, which is the title, and therefore the main theme that Jane Austen is trying to convey. Darcy is accused of “fancying himself” by Mrs Bennet early in the novel, and is considered proud by majority of the people. On the other hand, Elizabeth realises her own prejudice towards Darcy, “Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudice, absurd” (chapter 36). These two concepts of pride and prejudice are therefore portrayed in Elizabeth and Darcy, which in my opinion, makes them the two most important characters in the novel.
Another reason why I think they are the protagonists of the novel is because Jane Austen dedicates majority of the book to their activities, implying that they are the most significant. However Jane Austen does spend time talking about the relationship between Jane and Bingley, but there is no pride or prejudice in the relationship, which puts the significance of the characters on a lower level. Again Darcy and Elizabeth affect Jane and Bingley’s relationship, “But Bingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his own” (chapter 35), this interference at first cause distress in Elizabeth, but then she learns to forgive him, and overlook this incident. Therefore the relationship between Jane and Bingley is key in the development between Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship.
If I were to choose out of Darcy or Elizabeth, as the most important character, then I would choose Elizabeth, because in my opinion she symbolises many great qualities, and themes that I feel Jane Austen is trying to convey, such as she is a very strong woman for example when she stands up to Lady Catherine, “Miss Bennet, do you know who I am?” (chapter 56). Elizabeth’s rejecting Mr. Collins is another example of her strong character, and it is also an example of her independent views, and is someone that does not follow society, as Charlotte does. Darcy on the other hand is perceived as proud, even until the end of the novel by some characters such as Mr. Bennet, “We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man” (chapter 59), and in my opinion does not symbolise as much as Elizabeth. He makes many faults, from which he learns and corrects himself, but it would seem that Elizabeth has very little wrong, apart from her own perception of herself being prejudice, but in my opinion anyone in her situation would have felt the same way about Darcy from the knowledge she had gained from Wickham early on in the novel.
Therefore in my opinion I think that Elizabeth is the protagonist of the novel, as she is mentioned throughout, and many positive qualities are portrayed through her. The other characters lack her qualities.
