Character Analysis of Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Elizabeth Bennet, also known as Lizzy and Eliza, is the main character of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, the younger sister of Jane Bennet and the older sister of Mary, Catherine and Lydia Bennet. The story revolves around her as she seeks to find answers to life's difficult questions regarding love, morality, manners, upbringing, social status and more.

*Mild spoilers ahead.

Elizabeth lives with her parents and all of her sisters in the family home, Longbourn. Her father is a country gentlemen of no great wealth who enjoys reading and teasing his wife and three youngest daughters. Her mother is a silly woman who is an unabashed social climber. Elizabeth appears to love them both, but favors her father, who favors her in return. Mrs. Bennet seems to resent Lizzy for being less inclined to find a rich husband then she is to lead a happy life.

Elizabeth is a headstrong, intelligent, sarcastic and enjoyable young woman. She is described as enjoying long walks, dancing, laughing at things that are ridiculous, which typically turns out to be her younger sisters, mother, Mr. Darcy and her cousin Mr. Collins. She forms rather strong opinions of people and can be a little harsh in her judgments. However, she seems to see the error of her ways on many occasions in the novel and freely admits to it.

Elizabeth's closest confidantes are her sister Jane and her best friend Charlotte. She does not confide in her younger sisters at all. Though she cares for their well being she is often frustrated and embarrassed by their and her mother's behavior. She is fiercely loyal and protective of Jane. She seems to love Charlotte, but is rather cruel to her over her choice of husband (Mr. Collins). The pair remains friends, despite Lizzy's lapse in understanding.

Pride and Prejudice focuses on the developing relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy and Lizzy are very much alike. Both are proud to a fault and both can be judgmental. In fact, they mark each other erroneously when they first meet because of this "pride" and "prejudice." However, as the novel wears on, both become more forgiving of each other and take the time to get to know one another.