How Does Elizabeth Bennet Change In Pride And Prejudice

Improved Essays
Pride and Prejudice introduces the character Elizabeth Bennet in the beginning of the book. Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet has four sisters. From the onset of the story, Elizabeth stands out from the rest of her family, as the family member who adapts to the world around her. Throughout the novel, Elizabeth encounters many different characters which allow her to change in both positive and negative ways. Elizabeth first meets Mr. Darcy at a the Meryton Ball, a local assembly held by the Bingley Family. The Bingley family recently moved to town and Elizabeth and her older sister Jane run into Mr. Bingley and his good friend Mr. Darcy. Jane and Mr. Bingley immediately connect, which leaves Elizabeth alone with Mr. Darcy. After conversing with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth quickly realizes he thinks very highly of himself, although very reserved. He acted very superior. Mr. Darcy only interacted with the Bingley family and showed no interest in meeting new or getting to know new people. …show more content…
Darcy and Elizabeth go head to head with each. Nonetheless, even though it seems as if they can not stand each other they both wind up developing feelings for each other. Elizabeth’s outspoken attitude, her willingness to stand up for herself, and her witty remarks cause Mr. Darcy to fall in love. On the other hand, Elizabeth can not get past her impression of Mr. Darcy due to his title and class. Neither of them want to admit their feelings. Towards the end of the novel their relationship takes a turn, when Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth and she rejects him. Mr. Darcy writes her a letter explaining what happened with Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth changes in a positive way as this causes her to overcome her own pride and prejudice and see a different side of Mr.

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    He thought there was no good in marrying her, because of her family’s unimportance, while his own family was the top and one of the wealthiest. However, as time progresses, Darcy’s feelings overwhelm him, and he realizes that love comes before social reputation. His proposal to her symbolizes his change of character from boastful and proud to somewhat humble and charming, completely different from Elizabeth’s view of him. Even after the rejection of the proposal, Darcy proves his loyalty and worthiness by continuing to pursue Elizabeth and finally cracking the barrier between them to reveal true love. Shown clearly in the plotline of Jane Austen’s novel, Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s relationship grows into something completely unexpected for all the characters and readers.…

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Despite Mr. Darcy having come from a dignified family with both status and wealth, Elizabeth's focus on her outward's impressions of Mr. Darcy defined her character through her refusal to give him a second chance, and denial that he could be a genuinely compassionate person. Stigmatized by the Elizabeth and the majority of her neighbourhood, Mr. Darcy was not given a chance by Miss Bennet, as a chance to prove he is not the man she believed him to be. Although Mr. Darcy's first proposal went terribly, Elizabeth's character could be seen changing immediately after Mr. Darcy proposed, crying about turning him down, instead of brushing it off like she did to Mr. Collins. The letter Mr. Darcy later sent to Elizabeth was a symbol of the change she had undergone, and was yet to see in herself. Without such an event happening as Mr. Darcy being the first to divulge he was in love, Elizabeth would have continued being judgemental to others who got swept away by the feelings of admiration for another person.…

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In her novel, “Pride and Prejudice”, Jane Austen narrates a story of love between a middle class Elizabeth Bennet, and an upper-class Fitzwilliam Darcy. However, their marriage was no consequence of love at first sight, nor an easy journey. It was an uneven road throughout most of the novel—a road with numerous obstacles. Such obstacles that initially prevented a relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy include the latter’s pride, and the former’s prejudice, and the actions of those around them. Darcy’s pride throughout much of the novel was the first factor that prevented an earlier relationship between himself and Elizabeth.…

    • 1009 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    As a protagonist, in the beginning, Elizabeth believes in the concept of acting in a prejudiced manner. She develops a merciless first impression of Darcy, but continues to give him poor attitude after the first day they meet. Although she continues to see Darcy’s poor qualities at first, she begins to realize she has affections for him after giving him chances to redeem himself since their horrible first impression. This is when she regrets having judged him by his cover in the beginning, and “gr[ows] absolutely ashamed of herself” (Austen 178). In addition, she admits that “she [was] blind, partial, prejudiced [and] absurd” (Austen 178).…

    • 2233 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Darcy, not for his wealth and title, but out of her love for him. This might seem contradictory to the previous example of Elizabeth’s rebelliousness, but what makes Elizabeth a non-conformist is that she does not marry Mr. Darcy until she discovers a kinder, more genuine side of him. When Mr.Darcy first proposes, Elizabeth refuses him because she believes him to be an arrogant man who is the reason for her sister’s unhappiness. When Mr. Darcy expresses his love for her while at the same time deeply offending her whole family, Elizabeth retorts: “Why with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?... Had not my own feelings decided against you, had they been indifferent, or had they even been favorable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man, who has the means of ruining, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most beloved sister”(186).…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Darcy later proposes to Elizabeth for a second time, and on this occasion Elizabeth accepts his offer, seeing her perception of him was flawed. Elizabeth view Darcy very harshly in terms of love. Citic Andrew Wright says of Elizabeth’s treatment of Darcy, “Elizabeth does not give Darcy a chance–or rather she does not give herself the chance to know how she really feels about him.” This quotation supports the description of Elizabeth by the Narrator, “Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings toward [Darcy]” (Austen 23). These two statements show Elizabeth’s radically stern interpretations.…

    • 1420 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the beginning of the book Elizabeth is very stubborn and quick to make judgements. In the beginning of the book she disliked Mr. Darcy immediately because of a remark he made about her. Which do you mean?'' and turning around, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, `She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are…

    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Although Darcy later ends up with Elizabeth Bennett, he is very unsure of himself at first. He claims to have no interest in Elizabeth, but this changes later in the novel. Through…

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Darcy the first time she met him. She thinks he is very arrogant and she would never marry a man like that. As Elizabeth is around Mr. Darcy more she realizes he is not a terrible man and she starts to change her mind about him. Elizabeth contributes to Mr. Darcy 's change because she is the one that makes him open up and find love.…

    • 1081 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In her book "Pride and Prejudice", Jane Austen illustrates the female protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet as a strong advocate of feminism and female independence. She manages to do so by drawing a stark contrast between Elizabeth and the other female characters, Charlotte, Jane and Caroline. Each of these women conforms to the socially imposed gender conventions of Regency England, while Elizabeth artfully challenges gender discrimination. Contrary to her female foils, she remains steadfast to her feminist intent, persistently refusing to concede to the highly mainstream views of the society that women should elevate their chances of marriage with a man of good fortune. This, along with her determination to alter the societal bounds that…

    • 1107 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    With seeing Elizabeth while Jane is sick, Darcy admits he has admiration for Elizabeth. For Elizabeth, at Hunsford, Darcy is able to give her the letter that is the turning point for Elizabeth. The consistent sight of each other is a major help in changing their character. For example, Darcy eventually becomes affectionate…

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Elizabeth’s pride caused her to mistake Darcy’s compliments for taunting, shyness for arrogance, and flirtation for mockery. She allowed her surface view of Darcy, her first impression, to determine her entire opinion of him. This recognition of her faulty perception drives Elizabeth to second guess her own…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Elizabeth Bennet Marriage

    • 1460 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Elizabeth is considered as a representative of the new woman who can decide her own fate. She has her own judgments and attitudes on marriage that is not influenced by others. She bases her marriage on mutual respect and love, thus she rejects Mr. Collins and Darcy’s proposals even though she knows both of them can promise her a comfortable life with infinite wealth and higher social status. The reason that Elizabeth agrees to marry Darcy because she is in love with Darcy and they worked through obstacles. Elizabeth does not regard marriage to a rich husband as the main goal of life like majority women in that time period, but she is longing for true love.…

    • 1460 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Joshua Bozzacco English IV Honors Mrs. Schroeder 13 February 2018 Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy: P & P Essay The relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy throughout this story, goes through many obstacles and controversies. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy started of disliking each other tremendously, they basically did not have one single good thing to say about one another. Throughout the book their relationship evolves into something a reader would not have thought of or even expected in the beginning of this story. The author of Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen, did an extremely great job of giving the readers multiple hints and clues throughout the book about Elizabeth's and Mr. Darcy's relationship.…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    In response to the letter, Elizabeth felt completely out of shock, since she has always seen Mr.Darcy as a snob and Mr.Wickham as a companion. She always thought that Mr.Darcy was the cause who severed his former relationship of Mr.Wickham, not Mr.Wickham himself. Elizabeth’s misjudgement is later capitalized when she decides to take a tour of Pemberley with her relatives, Mr. and Mrs.Gardiner. While touring the mansion, she comes across Mr.Darcy, who in which treats her and her family like guests themselves, trying to keep in touch and treating them with utter kindness. This leaves all of the members of visiting company completely in shock, with Mrs.Gardiner stating, “I can now say with the housekeeper,that though some people may call him proud, I have seen nothing of it,” (Austen 278).…

    • 1079 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays