Essay on Elizabeths Strength of Character in Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeths Strength of Character in arrogance and Prejudice In her novel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen used the reference work of Elizabeth Bennet to epitomize the harmonious balance between reason and emotion in a woman, making her a truly admirable and attractive character. Elizabeths strength of character is emphasized by its contrast with the weak, naive acceptance of Janes, the instability and tautologic of Mrs. Bennets and the blind, weak-willed following of Kittys. Her strength is also shown in her rejections of the proposals of Mr. Collins and Darcy. Unlike her mother, she does non base her choice of lovers on the financial security they will fertilize her, and has the strength to reject them. This is especially evident in her rejection of Darcys initial proposal, when she displays a passionate strength in her anger due to her belief that he has willfully prevented Jane and Bingleys marriage and wronged Wickham by refusing to grant him the property that the old Mr. Darcy bequeathed him. In both cases, the suitor is self-assured that his suit will be accepted, and as a result Elizabeths rejections are amplified by the size of the blows that their egos receive. In Rosings, she does non let noblewoman Catherine tyrannize her as the mere satellites of money and rank, she archetype she could witness without trepidation. The Lucases and Collinses are submissive to Lady Catherine, with Maria being frighten almost out of her senses, and it is probable that society as a solely behaves likewise, as Elizabeth suspects she is the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with such self-respecting impertinence. She is again presented as a rebel against ideas of class when Lady Catherine pays a visit to her to ensure that ... ...Chrie, D., (ed.), Nineteenth Century Literature Criticism. Detroit, MI Gale Research Company, 1986. Vo. 13, pp. 53-111. Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York Airmont Books, 1962. Jane Austen, Discovering Authors Modules, http//galenet.gale.com/a/acp/netacgi/nph-brs?d=DAMA&s1=bio&s2=Austen,+Jane&1=50&pg1=DT&pg2=NM&p=1& Moler, Kenneth. Pride and Prejudice A Study in Artistic Economy. Boston, MA Twayne Publishers, 1989. Novels Pride and Prejudice. in The British Critic. Vol. XLI, Feb., 1813 189-90. Southam, B.C., (ed.), Jane Austen The sarcastic Heritage. Landon, NY Routledge & Kegan Paul - Barres & Nobel Inc., 1968. Weldon, Fay. From Letters to Alice On First Reading Jane Austen. Taplinger Publishing Co. Inc, 1984 in Readings on Jane Austen. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego, CA Green Haven Press, 1997 34-41.