Character description of Elizabeth from the novel book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Essay Example

Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen is a novel which deals with the story of the Bennets. The Bennet family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters. The second daughter Elizabeth, fondly called Lizzy, is the protagonist of the novel. In the beginning of the novel she is described as being 'quick' by her father. From his remarks it is also evident that she is his favorite and he believes she is more intelligent than the other young women of her station, most of whom are silly and ignorant, in his words.

More of Elizabeth's character comes to light with the arrival of a Mr.Bingely and his friend Mr.Darcy in the neighborhood. At a ball, Lizzy Bennet is insulted by Mr.Darcy, when he refuses Mr.Bingely's offer of an introduction to her. But Lizzy reports this slight to her friends in jest. Her playful and easy going nature are revealed by this incident. When Lizzy and Jane are discussing Mr.Bingely's sisters, Lizzy shows herself to be very observant. Also according to the author, her judgment is not troubled by any self absorption and her temper is also not as pliant as her sister's.

Lizzy's physical appearance is described as being light and pleasing by Mr.Darcy. Though he initially remarks that there is not one pleasing feature in her face, he admits that the intelligence in her dark eyes have a charm all their own which renders her face intelligent. Her manners are also said to be playful if not exactly fashionable.After his initial dislike, Mr.Darcy reverses his opinion and tries to get to know her better. But Lizzy sticks to her initial opinion of him and refuses to give him a chance.

She is sarcastic in conversation with him and assumes that he is continuing to judge her poorly, not being aware of the reversal in his opinion.Sometime later an invitation arrives, asking Miss Jane to come to tea at Netherfield, the residence of Mr.Bingely. Due to a mishap she falls ill and is forced to stay the night. Lizzy sets out the next morning by walk to see her sister. When she arrives at Netherfield, she makes a most favorable impression on Mr.Darcy even though she is muddy and red faced from walking three miles.

By the time Jane is fully recovered and well enough to go home, Mr.Darcy finds himself in real danger of admiring Elizabeth too much. Elizabeth too finds herself disliking Darcy a little less. But a chance meeting with a Mr.Wickham in nearby Meryton and his story of how he has been mistreated by Darcy causes Elizabeth's dislike to flare again. Mr.Bennet's cousin, Mr. Collins arrives at the family home in Longbourn at this point. The gentleman is a clergyman and arrives with the idea of availing himself of a wife from among the Bennet girls.

In this he is aided by Mrs.Bennet who hints that Jane is to be engaged soon, but that Elizabeth is a very desirable young woman. But Elizabeth turns down his proposal. In the midst of this a letter arrives for Jane from Caroline Bingely stating the intention of the Bingely's to remain in town for the remainder of the winter. A further missive also hints at Mr.Bingely's regard for Darcy's sister and the hopes of his sister that a marriage might result from this regard. The surprise arrival of the girls' aunt Mrs.

Gardiner serves to rouse them from their despondency. During her visit her aunt cautions Elizabeth to guard her heart against Mr.Wickham as he does not appear to be a gentleman. Lizzy promises to do so and soon Mr. Wickham's interest in her subsides.Later Elizabeth goes on a trip to visit her father's cousin. It is in the course of this visit that she meets Mr.Darcy again. At this meeting, he proposes marriage to Lizzy. He also explains that he is the one who advised Mr.Bingely not to pursue his regard for Jane.

He also tells Lizzy the truth about Wickham. Lizzy turns down his proposal out of loyalty to her sister, but his words have affected her and she finds herself thinking of him even after her return to Longbourn.Later Mrs. Gardiner takes Elizabeth on a tour of western counties. In the course of this tour they pass through Pemberley in Derbyshire which is Darcy's family home. It is when they are halted at Pemberley that they receive news of Lydia's, Lizzy's youngest sister, elopement with Wickham.

Darcy shows depth of character in getting the two of them married. By this action he also captures a place in Lizzy's heart.By his persistence and in spite of his aunt's efforts to prevent his marriage to a woman not of his station by birth, Darcy finally weds Lizzy and they live, like the clich, happily ever after.