Elizabeth is one of the most admired characters in the book. Mr. Bennet, Darcy, Sir William Lucas, Collin, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Wickham all admire her. Mr. Darcy and Collins prove their admiration for Elizabeth by proposing to her, Collins says, ”…Perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying… ”. The reader can now expect that a marriage proposal to Elizabeth be on its way from Mr. Collins. Mr. Darcy’s proposal is a little different with more admiration expressed in the words, ” …you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you...”
At the beginning of the novel Elizabeth admires Wickham. Wickham is the romantic interest for her. She is attracted to his appearance, which is “greatly in his favour”. When Elizabeth and Wickham discuss Darcy, Elizabeth is left with a good impression of Wickham. Elizabeth thinks of Wickham as “handsomer than ever”. This is the effect on relationship idea of judgment and first impression. Elizabeth falls into a trap of romantic relationship, this is where Jane Austen wants us to understand that “heart rules head and all sense is lost”. Elizabeth considers that Wickham will always be “her model of amiable and pleasing”
The greatest thing about Elizabeth’s character is her independence her “self sufficiency”. Elizabeth does not use her qualities to please others. She forms her own opinions for herself, which shows her strong character. She can be sharp tongued and can stand up for herself as she does with Lady Catherine De Bourgh, “… you may ask questions, which I shall not choose to answer…”, and to her mother over Collins’ proposal. Elizabeth also sticks up for herself to Collins; she defends herself as being a “rational creature”. Elizabeth doesn’t care what other people think: she walks three miles through dirty fields just to visit her ill sister. This proves her to be a daring character as in those days it was unacceptable to societies to have a women walking all alone through three miles.
Although Elizabeth has this strikingly independent character she can also be very emotional. She loves Jane and shows warmth for her, for example when Elizabeth tells Jane everything, but when Elizabeth receives the letter from Darcy regarding the truth about himself he admitted how he and the Bingley sisters had influenced Charles Bingley upon marrying Jane because of her lower class. Elizabeth keeps this to herself so Jane could keep up her good hopes. Jane is the only character in the novel that knows Elizabeth’s real character; Elizabeth wouldn’t obviously acquaint with Lydia, Kitty and Mary all her secrets because she doesn’t trust them as she requests them as immature. Even though Kitty and Lydia are immature Elizabeth shows concern for them. Elizabeth is a good friend to Charlotte, although they have a great difference in their nature. Elizabeth is totally against Lydia’s and Wickhams marriage, but in the end, she kindly lends money to them.
Although Elizabeth is a positive character, she also has a negative side to her, other than her pleasant personality. She likes to think she is clever like her father and there is a similarity between her and Darcy. Sometimes Elizabeth likes to think she is superior to others. When Mr. Collins proposes to her she refuses, although she has other reasons for rejection, she thinks she is superior to him as well, which shows her to be a proud character. Elizabeth laughs at whatever is humerous; she even laughs at herself. Elizabeth tells Darcy she hopes she doesn’t laugh at what is “wise and good” but she does. She doesn’t look further to see Darcy’s real personality. She has too much faith in her own ability to judge people. This proves Elizabeth has a critical side that she is prejudiced. Like Darcy is proud. These two characters bring the title of the book together.
Elizabeth’s relationships with Darcy and Wickham strongly display Elizabeth’s tendency to prejudice. Elizabeth’s prejudice is because of Mr. Darcy. She admits this herself, she meant to be “uncommonly clever” in hating Darcy “without any reason”. The reason for her hatred begins with Darcy’s offending comment at the ball, when he thinks he’s too good for Elizabeth. At one point when Elizabeth is discussing Darcy with Jane she mentions she never knew Darcy to have this bad a character but then she believes Wickhams false story. Elizabeth says to Jane, “ no man who had any value for his character could be capable of it ”. Elizabeth sticks to her decision she knows “exactly what to think”.
After Darcy has proposed to Elizabeth and she has refused and he then gives her the letter she realizes how “blind, partial and prejudiced” she was. Elizabeth sees how proud and prejudiced she was and she realizes that “till this moment I never knew myself”. When she receives Darcy’s letter she also realizes that her family had behaved inappropriately and she acknowledges the fact that her mother is greedy and her two youngest sisters are flirts. Through the story Elizabeth develops her character. She changes her view towards marriage to Darcy because of his improved character. She also learns her prejudice had led her astray.
Darcy is introduced in the book when he comes to Netherfield as Bingleys friend. In appearance he is a “fine, tall person” with “handsome features” and “noble mien”. Darcy has an income of £10,000 a year, he has a large, elegant country house and estate and he comes from a long established family.
In the beginning his character shows he is proud. Darcy only dances with the Bingleys sisters. His comment on the rest of the people imply that he is too good for them; he slights Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her because she’s “not handsome enough for me” he says. He even remarks Jane “smiled too much”.
Darcy is “haughty, reserved…continually giving offence”. These traits are obvious in his behavior and attitude towards Elizabeth at the ball in Netherfield, his behavior towards Wickham and his influencing of Bingley against Jane.
In chapter 7 Darcy shows signs of attraction towards Elizabeth and his unfavorable impressions of her have been replaced by approval of her appearance and “easy playfulness”, Darcy can be attracted to Elizabeth and does consider marrying below his status. Darcy also mentions in chapter 31 to Elizabeth “we neither of us perform to strangers “ meaning they both reveal themselves to those closest to them. This also reflects on Darcy’s good character.
At the end of chapter 33 Elizabeth clearly shows her feelings towards Darcy. Elizabeth hates him and has affection for Colonel Fitzwilliam because he reminds her of Wickham. Darcy clearly shows his pride and misunderstanding of Elizabeth through chapter 12, in which Darcy ignores Elizabeth because he thinks that he might “elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity”. . Darcy then proposes to Elizabeth, blind of what her true feelings are towards him, this is where Darcy contributes to the novel. The suspense mounts and when Elizabeth rejects him the reader’s interest is sustained to the end. He proposes to Elizabeth in a proud manner hinting to her that she should be aware that he is from a higher class than her. He says, “ Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? To congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?”
Other than Darcy’s weaknesses, he has some strength of character just like Elizabeth has. Darcy is very affectionate and generous towards his little sister Georgiana “…Whatever can give his sister any pleasure is sure to be done in a moment. There is nothing he would not do for her…” Here the housekeeper is describing how good Mr. Darcy is to Georgiana. Like in the way Elizabeth is affectionate towards her sister Jane. Darcy also has a firm friendship with Bingley. Elizabeth has a good friendship with Charlotte. Darcy proves his generosity in the end by lending a hand to Wickham and Lydia. He still provides money to Wickham although he had betrayed him in the past. This is in the same way Elizabeth has helped Lydia although Lydia betrayed her and her family.
Darcy’s change of heart after the first proposal is a great improvement and Darcy’s other character is being formed. Darcy’s new character isn’t clarified in the novel much but the reader has a convinced view of his character. The reason for his change of character is because he has never loved anyone as much as he as loved Elizabeth and Darcy knows Elizabeth is the right partner for him.
When the reader learns more about Darcy’s improved character after the proposal, Elizabeth and the reader change their views towards Darcy. When Elizabeth discovers Darcy’s true character and she knows Darcy is right for her she comments on his judgment, information and knowledge of the world.
Elizabeth and Darcy are the principle characters in the book. Elizabeth is from my point of view, the main character. It is because of her individual character she refused Collins’ proposal and later on Darcy’s first proposal although she changes her mind towards the second proposal because of Darcy’s change in character. At the end of the novel, Elizabeth is very happy and also the heroine, Elizabeth has matured by realizing her weaknesses and improving on her behavior and fallen in love. She has also made Darcy fall in love with her lively intelligence and attractive eyes. Darcy is the second most important character. It was because of Darcy, Elizabeth revealed her true character. Darcy is the hero of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. He is the hero because he is the only real partner for the heroine Elizabeth.
