Pride and Prejudice: Characters (Edexcel IGCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Characters
It is important that you understand the characters in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as they may represent themes and ideas that were important at the time the novel was written. The story is narrated by a third-person omniscient narrator and this allows the reader to gain an insight into the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Each character contributes to the novel’s exploration of themes and they can also be symbolic, representing certain ideas or ideals, so you should consider:
how characters are established
how characters are presented via:
actions and motives
what they say and think
how they interact with others
what others say and think about them
their physical appearance or description
how far the characters conform to or subvert stereotypes
the relationships between characters
what they might represent or symbolise
Below you will find detailed character profiles for the major characters in Pride and Prejudice, along with a summary of the other significant characters.
Main characters
Elizabeth Bennet
Mr Darcy
Jane Bennet
Mr Bingley
Other characters
Lydia Bennet
Mr Wickham
Mr Collins
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Mr Bennet
Mrs Bennet
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth is the protagonist of the novel and the second daughter of Mr and Mrs Bennet
She is the most sensible and intelligent of the five sisters and she has a sharp mind:
She is an independent thinker and often challenges societal norms and expectations
She is also quick-witted and humorous, especially in conversations with Mr Darcy:
Her clever and humorous remarks contribute to the novel’s humour and irony
Her character is presented as independent and assertive, often challenging societal norms and expectations:
Her refusal to conform to conventional roles from women sets her apart from other characters, including her sisters
Her character challenges traditional gender roles by asserting her independence, refusing to marry for convenience and valuing intellectual compatibility when considering a future partner
Elizabeth possesses a strong sense of morality and is not easily swayed by societal pressures, valuing honesty and integrity in her relationships:
This is ironic as she begins to admire and sympathise with Mr Wickham and believes his story, despite his lies
Elizabeth, while intelligent, is quick to form opinions of people and this can sometimes lead her to form incorrect judgements
Her opinions of Mr Darcy and Mr Wickham change as the narrative progresses
She is initially proud and is also prejudiced toward Mr Darcy due to his perceived arrogance and his disdainful behaviour towards her:
She feels he contributed to Mr Bingley’s decision to separate from Jane
Austen uses Elizabeth’s character to critique society and question the expectations of women while also challenging the rigidity of class distinctions:
Through her marriage to Mr Darcy, Austen highlights the importance of love and affection in marriage, rather than convenience or social conformity
Elizabeth, like Darcy, eventually overcomes her prejudices through self-reflection and a willingness to reassess her initial judgements:
Her changing perceptions contribute to the novel’s romantic plot and its resolution
Elizabeth refuses to marry for convenience or because society expects her to:
This is clear when she refuses to marry Mr Collins, despite pressure from her mother
This shows a strong sense of morality and a refusal to let go of her principles
She is loyal and family-oriented:
Her anger when Jane is heartbroken is evident and this influences her opinions of people and, to an extent, her actions
She is concerned about Lydia going to Brighton and the impact of her elopement on her family’s reputation
Mr Darcy
Mr Darcy is a wealthy gentleman who is from an upper-class family
He is initially seen as reserved, aloof and unapproachable which makes other characters initially dislike him:
His reserved demeanour creates an air of mystery and intrigue
His reluctance to socialise is misjudged as arrogance
This perception contributes to the negative opinions about him in Meryton society
He snubs Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her:
This leads to the main conflict in the novel between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy
Mr Darcy holds prejudiced views against the Bennet family due to their lower social status and lack of refinement:
His prejudice influences his initial interactions with Elizabeth and his disdain for their social standing and lack of connections affects how he expresses his initial marriage proposal to Elizabeth
Throughout the novel, his character changes dramatically:
This is evident after Elizabeth rejects his marriage proposal and he recognises his flaws and tries to change
Mr Darcy develops sincere and deep feelings for Elizabeth, despite his initial reservations:
His love for Elizabeth becomes a central focus in the novel’s romantic plot
Mr Darcy takes selfless action by financially securing Lydia Bennet’s marriage to Wickham after their elopement:
His intervention demonstrates a sense of responsibility and genuine care for Elizabeth and reveals how profoundly his character has evolved
His letter to Elizabeth reveals a desire to admit his mistakes and provide explanations for his actions:
His character contrasts Wickham’s as he displays genuine integrity whereas Wickham charms only to deceive
He represents genuine honour and character in contrast to Wickham’s mercenary values and superficiality
Mr Darcy’s character evolution symbolises a shift in societal expectations and the possibility of change in attitudes toward social class and personal growth
His love for Elizabeth redeems him, enabling him to overcome his prejudices
Jane Bennet
Jane is the elder daughter of the Bennet family:
She is also reputed to be the most beautiful of the Bennet sisters, as well as the kindest and most sweet-natured
Her kindness and warmth make her loved by those around her
Her character represents traditional feminine virtues of beauty, gentleness and resilience:
Her character embodies societal expectations for women in the early 19th century
Her physical attributes and elegance contribute Mr Bingley’s initial attraction to her
She is optimistic and positive but can be reserved in sharing her feelings:
Her inability to express her feelings openly creates a barrier in her relationship with Mr Bingley
Her feelings for Bingley become a central aspect of the novel’s romantic plot
Jane sees the best in others even when her sister, Elizabeth, is more critical:
She trusts others very quickly and this can sometimes result in her being disappointed and humiliated by people like Miss Bingley
Austen deliberately contrasts Jane’s personality with Elizabeth’s
She adapts to her separation from Mr Bingley with grace and resilience:
Her calm demeanour contrasts with the more dramatic moments involving her sisters including Lydia’s elopement with Wickham
Mr Bingley
Mr Bingley’s purchase of the Netherfield estate is the catalyst of the novel
He is a wealthy and eligible bachelor, which attracts the attention of local society:
His wealth and status make him an ideal match for the Bennet sisters
He is friendly and sociable and impresses everyone he meets
He is good-natured and lacks the pride that Mr Darcy possesses:
His character is a contrast to the more reserved and proud nature of Darcy
Mr Bingley falls in love with Jane quickly, which shows he is impulsive and romantic
However, he is easily influenced by others, especially by his best friend Mr Darcy and his sisters:
This complicates his relationship with Jane and leads him to distance himself from her for a time
Darcy and his sister are the reason why he initially leaves Netherfield and stops pursuing Jane
Despite being influenced by his loved ones, he ultimately makes a decisive choice and proposes to Jane:
His evolving relationship with Jane symbolises the changing nature of love and the importance of overcoming barriers for a genuine connection
His return to Netherfield and his proposal to Jane contribute to the resolution of the narrative
Mr Bingley’s character highlights the influence of social class and societal expectations on romantic decisions:
His relationship with Jane encounters obstacles due to differences in social status
Other characters
Lydia Bennet
Lydia is the youngest Bennet sister
She is flirtatious and impulsive:
As a character, she constantly craves attention and excitement
Her character contrasts with the more reserved behaviour that was expected of young ladies in the society depicted in the novel
Lydia does not conform to the social expectations of behaviour for young women:
She does consider the consequences of her speech or behaviour
She pursues pleasure and excitement without regard for the potential consequences, as seen in her elopement with Wickham
She is fixated with the military officers garrisoned in Meryton, which leads to her involvement with Mr Wickham:
This results in the dramatic climax towards the end of the novel when Lydia elopes with Mr Wickham
She is self-centred and prioritises her own desires over the reputation of her family:
Her elopement influences the events surrounding Jane and Elizabeth’s future, which creates narrative tension and complications that Austen has to resolve
Lydia’s character serves as a warning of the risks and the consequences young ladies face if they behave the way she does:
As a result, she has the least successful marriage out of the sisters
Her behaviour contrasts sharply with that of her sisters Elizabeth and Jane, who are more principled, sensible and mindful of societal expectations
Mr Wickham
Mr Wickham arrives in the village as part of the militia
He is initially presented as charming, warm and likeable:
He is flirtatious and this creates an initial attraction between him and Elizabeth Bennet
However, Austen reveals he is manipulative and self-interested, using his charms to deceive:
Wickham’s true character is gradually revealed to be less virtuous than initially presented
He possesses the ability to craft convincing narratives that present him as a victim and others as villains:
He spreads lies about Mr Darcy to win the sympathy of people around him
However, he is proven to be unreliable and deceptive and his account of his dealings with Mr Darcy is proven to be untrue
Wickham is driven by a desire for wealth and status:
This is evident when he begins to pay attention to Miss King, who inherited a large sum of money
He does not wish to improve his circumstances through honourable means and chooses to marry for money instead
Ironically, he is forced to marry Lydia Bennet and does not end up as wealthy as he had hoped
Wickham plays a significant role in the conflict of the story as he initially tries to elope with Mr Darcy’s sister but then succeeds in eloping with Lydia
Mr Collins
Mr Collins is a distant cousin of the Bennets and heir to Mr Bennet’s estate:
His character highlights the problematic nature of the entail system and the consequences of it for the Bennet family
He provides comic relief in the novel as his manners and speech are deliberately exaggerated by Austen to make him an absurd caricature
He is oblivious to how his behaviour and self-importance are perceived by others
His lack of self-awareness contributes to the comedic elements surrounding his character
He is excessively deferential and subservient, especially towards those he perceives as socially superior, such as his patron Lady Catherine de Bourgh:
He constantly boasts about his connections with Lady Catherine and his own clerical position, presenting himself as more important than he actually is
Mr Collins is also pompous and self-important, believing his connections to the nobility are socially advantageous
Mr Collins is motivated by a desire for social advancement and is eager to align himself with higher social classes:
His proposal to Elizabeth Bennet is driven more by societal expectations and Lady Catherine’s advice than genuine affection
Mr Collins often misinterprets social cues and misunderstands the feelings of those around him:
His proposal to Elizabeth, despite her clear lack of regard for him, is a notable example of his lack of insight
Austen uses Mr Collins as a source of humour in the novel, highlighting the absurdities of social conventions and the consequences of blindly adhering to societal expectations
Mr Collins serves to illuminate the quality of Elizabeth’s character to the reader; her principles and integrity are contrasted with his self-aggrandising behaviour
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the aunt of Mr Darcy and Mr Collins’ patron
She is from an upper-class, noble family and believes she is naturally superior:
She embodies the class prejudices of the time and believes in a rigid social hierarchy
She is arrogant and condescending, especially to those who she feels are socially inferior
She interferes in the lives of others and forces her strong opinions on others:
She tries to persuade Elizabeth to reject Mr Darcy’s proposal
Her character lacks self-awareness and she genuinely seems to believe that her opinions and advice are always correct:
She has an exaggerated sense of entitlement and expects others to bow to her wishes and conform to her expectations
She exhibits a disdain for individuals who do not meet her standards of refinement:
Lady Catherine dismisses the Bennet family due to their lack of wealth and connections
Her character serves as a target of Austen’s satire, highlighting the absurdities of aristocratic entitlement
Lady Catherine adheres strictly to traditional gender roles and societal expectations, insisting on maintaining standards:
Her demeanour reflects the haughty attitude of the aristocracy
Mr Bennet
Mr Bennet is the patriarch of the Bennet household
He is known for his sharp wit and sarcastic humour:
He often uses irony to comment on society around him
Mr Bennet is emotionally detached from his family, particularly his wife and younger daughters:
He shares a special bond with his second daughter Elizabeth, as he appreciates her intelligence and humour, often engaging in witty banter with her
Mr Bennet neglects his role as a responsible father by failing to guide and assume his familial responsibilities
Mr Bennet often seeks refuge in his library, using books as a means of escaping the realities of family life:
His preference for solitude reflects his desire to distance himself from domestic concerns
Towards the end of the novel, Mr Bennet becomes more reflective and acknowledges the consequences of his earlier decisions:
He expresses regret about not guiding his daughters better, particularly in matters of marriage
Mr Bennet’s calm and rational demeanour contrast sharply with the excitable and frivolous nature of his wife, Mrs Bennet:
Their differing personalities contribute to the overall humour and comic elements in the novel
Mr Bennet’s marriage, marked by disappointment and detachment, reflects the consequences of marrying without a true understanding of one’s partner
Mrs Bennet
Mrs Bennet is married to Mr Bennet and has five daughters, including Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia
Mrs Bennet and her husband have contrasting personalities, which contributes to the dysfunction within the Bennet family
She lacks tact and refinement, frequently embarrassing her daughters with her behaviour and outspokenness:
Elizabeth Bennet attempts to resist her mother’s influence and is often embarrassed by Mrs Bennet’s behaviour
Her character is presented as highly materialistic, valuing wealth and social status over personal compatibility:
Her focus on securing wealthy husbands for her daughters reflects the societal pressures of that time
Mrs Bennet’s main goal is to marry off her daughters to wealthy and eligible suitors:
Her obsession with this goal often leads to irrational behaviour and decisions. An example of this is when she makes Jane travel by horseback so she falls ill and stays at Mr Bingley’s house
Austen presents Mrs Bennet as a caricature:
Her exaggerated reactions provide comic relief in the novel
She reacts strongly to Lydia’s scandalous elopement with Mr Wickham, which highlights her fear of social disgrace:
However, she also quickly recovers from the scandal once Lydia is married and forgives the couple
This emphasises the superficial and materialistic nature of her character
Mrs Bennet serves as a caricature of maternal concern and portrays the extremes of a mother’s anxiety
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