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Pride and Prejudice: the characters
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Austen's characters range from wise and witty to ridiculous. Her irony helps us judge them.
Elizabeth and Darcy
Elizabeth: lively, witty and intelligent, but too quick to judge. She learns humility.
Darcy: rich (ten thousand a year), proud and reserved. He learns to respect people below his rank. Both must overcome pride and prejudice.
Darcy: rich (ten thousand a year), proud and reserved. He learns to respect people below his rank. Both must overcome pride and prejudice.
The Bennet family
Jane: kind and gentle, always sees the best in others.
Mr Bennet: clever and sarcastic but lazy as a father. When Mrs Bennet insists Elizabeth marry Collins, he says: "Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."
Mrs Bennet: silly, nervous and obsessed with marrying off her daughters.
Lydia: reckless and flirtatious.
Mr Bennet: clever and sarcastic but lazy as a father. When Mrs Bennet insists Elizabeth marry Collins, he says: "Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."
Mrs Bennet: silly, nervous and obsessed with marrying off her daughters.
Lydia: reckless and flirtatious.
Others
Mr Collins: pompous, flattering clergyman.
Charlotte Lucas: practical; marries for security.
Wickham: charming liar.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh: arrogant aunt of Darcy who believes rank is everything.
Bingley: friendly and easily led.
Charlotte Lucas: practical; marries for security.
Wickham: charming liar.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh: arrogant aunt of Darcy who believes rank is everything.
Bingley: friendly and easily led.
What does Mr Bennet's reply about Mr Collins show?
- Mrs Bennet wants Elizabeth to marry Collins.
- Mr Bennet's witty reversal sides with Elizabeth.
- It shows his humour and his respect for Elizabeth, but also his habit of mocking his wife.
Answer: His wit, his support for Elizabeth and his mocking attitude to his wife.
Elizabeth: witty, too quick to judge. Darcy: proud, learns humility. Jane: kind. Mr Bennet: witty but lazy. Mrs Bennet: silly, marriage-obsessed. Lydia: reckless. Collins: pompous. Lady Catherine: arrogant. Wickham: liar.
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