Pride and Prejudice – GCSE revision
Characters
Elizabeth Bennet
From her point of view
The novel focuses on her changing relationship with Darcy
Playful and lively which was unusual at the time as women were expected
to be quiet and gentle so Austen uses the character to express her views
of what a women should be like
Her actions
Meets Darcy at a local ball and immediately takes dislike to him
Rejects Mr Collins proposal of marriage, even though acceptance would
guarantee financial security for herself
She is immediately charmed by the handsome Mr Wickham and believes
his account of ill treatment is Darcy
Refuses Darcy’s first offer of marriage and accuses him of not being
“gentleman – like”
Begins to revise her opinions on reading Darcy’s letter of explanation and
later visits Pemberley, Darcy’s estate and finds she has been completely
mistaken about him
Resists Lady Catherines attempts to bully her and marries Darcy on the
same day as her sister Jane marries Darcy’s friend Bingley
Her importance
Most the novel is through her eyes and she is capable of making mistakes and
wrong judgements but is intelligent, self critical and capable of development.
She is restricted by her family and her neighbourhood and by the absence of
opportunities for a young lady of her class. Elizabeth and the narrator often seem
close in their attitudes and Austen presents her sympathetically even when she
is wrong.
Her language
Often expresses her opinion playfully – she teasingly challenges Darcy to
“despise me if you dare” but she can be straightforward too as she turns
down his proposal
Her Characteristics
Doesn’t follow social rules
She follows them enough to not appear bad mannered as she is polite
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