Elizabeth Bennet’s revolutionary character in Pride and Prejudice Essay Sample

though he is non affluent like the others. appears to be peculiarly agreeable ( Austen 1966:123 ).

A changeless fright that non all of her girls will happen hubbies. motivates most of Mrs. Bennet’s actions. After Elizabeth rejects her first matrimony proposal. she threatens.

I am certain I do non cognize who is to keep you when your male parent is dead. I shall non be able to maintain you and so I warn you. I have done with you from this really twenty-four hours ( Austen 1966:102 ). Mr. Collins. the adult male to hold made the offer of matrimony besides expresses great incredulity when Elizabeth turns him down. Even after Elizabeth tries everything in her power to carry him that she is non interested. he can non look to accept that she truly means it ( Austen 1966:97-9 ). It was merely non conventional to decline a matrimony offer that would procure one’s wellbeing.

Within the Lucas household excessively. there is a fright that the eldest girl will decease an old amah ( Austen 1966:110 ). So it is that the 27 twelvemonth old Charlotte Lucas accepts Mr. Collins’ proposal of matrimony a Tabitha Mee 4217 522 4 ENN203J – Assignment 1. p2 of 4day after he is rejected by Elizabeth although it becomes clear that she does non keep him in high respect: Mr Collins. to be certain.

was neither reasonable nor agreeable: his society was irksome. and his fond regard to her must be fanciful. But still he would be her hubby. Without believing extremely either of work forces or of marriage. matrimony had ever been her object: it was the lone honest proviso for

knowing immature adult females of little luck.

and. nevertheless unsure of giving felicity. must be their pleasantest preservative from privation ( Austen 1966:110 ). It seems by these words. that it was normally believed impossible to be both individual and fulfilled.

In conversation with her beloved sister Jane. Elizabeth openly opposes this attitude when she states that. if I was every bit happy as you dot point ( pg. ? ).

She communicates holding perfectly no involvement in get marrieding for any motive other than love. When she is proposed to for a 2nd clip. this clip by the really comfortable and extremely respected Mr. Darcy she once more declines the offer without vacillation. A sense of honor that Mr. Darcy should take her of all people is to a great extent overshadowed by her feelings of disgust towards his detestable pride and his bias towards her household ( Austen 1966:172 ). Prior to the proposal Elizabeth had shown nil but abomination towards Mr. Darcy’s character and therefore he has perfectly no ground to believe that she might hold been partial towards him.However. he assumes that she will react to his offer favorably and is shocked when she in fact turns him down ( Austen 1966:168- 9 ). Elizabeth admits that in position of the conventions of their clip this is a just premise to do in her answer to Mr Darcy’s offer: In such instances as this. it is. I believe the established manner to show a sense of duty for the sentiments avowed. nevertheless unevenly they may be returned. It is natural that duty should be felt and if I could experience gratitude. I would now

thank you.

But I can non ( Austen 1966:169 ). Another case where Elizabeth’s ignorance of societal limitations is illustrated is her attitude towards Lady Catherine Du Bourg. Elizabeth is the lone 1 who does non demo her incontrovertible regard. Due to her high place in society. she is treated with great ( and slightly pathetic ) esteem and fear by merely about all the characters in pride and bias.

though it becomes clear that there is nil in her personality to be genuinely respected. Lady Catherine is greatly aghast and insulted by Elizabeth’s blatant disdain ( Austen 1966: 315 ). Tabitha Mee 4217 522 4 ENN203J – Assignment 1. p3 of 4A terrible alteration in Elizabeth’s attitude toward Mr. Darcy steadily takes topographic point over clip. When Jane asks her when this alteration began. she replies in stating that. It has been coming on so bit by bit that I barely know when it began, but I believe I must day of the month it from my first seeing his beautiful evidences at Pemberley ( Austen 1966:332 ). This serves as a confession that there is after all a certain entreaty in the typically coveted properties of wealth and security.

It seems society has managed to root this value into her despite her original resistance to it.Though this entirely would non hold been adequate ground to do Elizabeth re-consider Mr. Darcy’s proposal. It was the disclosure of his true character that made her seriously fall in love with him. Therefore when she is asked for her manus in matrimony for a 2nd clip. she answers favorably.

Love is after all the make up one's minding standards in taking

her ain hubby. This stands out as a contrast to the matrimony between Mr. Collins and Ms. Lucas. which was prompted by the temptingness of security. and that of Mr. Wikham and Lydia ( Elizabeth’s youngest sister ) where physical attractive force seems to hold been the biggest incentive.Even Jane. though she feels echt esteem for Mr. Bingley shows her credence of social limitations when she makes the resoluteness to accept that he may hold been to good for her when their possible hereafter together is threatened. It is of small surprise that out of all of Jane Austen’s heroines. Elizabeth Bennet is said to hold used the word love more than anyone else ( Kane 2002:30 ) It is apparent that Elizabeth Bennet’s character deviates rather to a great extent from the norm in her undeviating committedness to happening a hubby with whom she will portion common love. Both her sentiment and action reflect this attitude. Not one of her coevalss allows their inquiring of social conventions if they have any. to actively impact their picks. Though there are still accepted attitudes created by society that seem to hold an affect on her. they do non supply adequate support to alter the averment that Elizabeth Bennet’s character was genuinely radical in her clip.

Mentions

1. Austen. J. 1966. Pride and Prejudice. London: Nelson.
2. Kane. G. 2002. Pride and Prejudice. In Merely analyze usher for ENN203-J. Capital of south africa: University of South Africa.