Elizabeth Bennett
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Elizabeth Bennett
Born the second of five daughters, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennett is the heroine of Jane Austens famous novel Pride and Prejudice. Born into a time when beauty and accomplishment were valued beyond wit in a woman, Elizabeth is a rare jewel in that she possesses all three of these qualities.
Declared by her mother as being the second loveliest behind her oldest sister Jane, Elizabeth Bennett is one of those rare women whose beauty grows as you become more acquainted with her. This can be clearly seen through Mr. Darcys opinions on the subject. Though at first Mr. Darcy declares, “She is tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me (Austen 13)”, his appreciation of Lizzys beautiful features, especially her eyes, swiftly grows. Eventually, he becomes so enamored that he declares Elizabeth to be “one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance (Austen 247).” Elizabeths beauty however, is not simply a product of her physical characteristics but rather a combination of these along with her witty tongue and sharp mind.
“She had a lively, playful disposition which delighted in anything ridiculous (Austen 13).” This wit seen throughout her dealings with friend and foe endears Elizabeth to her readers. In a family of silly, senseless, and naive women, Lizzy is somewhat of an oddity. Throughout this tale, Elizabeths witticisms gain her a place of worth and respect; especially in the eyes of her father. “They have none of them so much to recommend them,” says Mr. Bennett of his daughters, “they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of a quickness than her sisters.” As well, this sharp tongue gets Miss Elizabeth into plenty of trouble with those in the upper class. One vivid example is an encounter between our heroine and the indomitable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the aunt to Mr. Darcy who has fallen in love with Elizabeth. In this exchange, Lady de Bourgh attacks Elizabeth credibility as a wifely candidate for her nephew and then insists that she never enter into “such an agreement.” In reply, Lizzy vows never to do anything but that which will ensure her own happiness; thus earning her the wrath of the influential Lady Katherine.
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