Transformation In Pride And Prejudice

Elizabeth, after reading Darcy’s letter, has a pivotal shift in her character that is seen to be carried on throughout the rest of the novel. Although this shift in attitude can be seen to make her weak, the letter is the point in which she begins to mature into a rational young woman. Some scholars pose the argument that Elizabeth becomes a weaker character due to Darcy’s letter. Elizabeth has stood out as a strong female character in the Pride and Prejudice. One of the attributes that come along with being a typically strong character is not caring about the impressions upon which a character makes to others. A side effect of Elizabeth reading the letter is that she is now wary of what people think of her. “She wanted… to make herself agreeable …show more content…
Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth does not quickly judge people, but takes her time to speculate rationally showing how she has matured. The next person of high stature and class that Elizabeth meets is Miss Darcy. “She had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy” (Austen 221). Elizabeth is seen to have matured because she does not solely rely on the preconceived notion of Miss Darcy’s personality. Instead, she gives Miss Darcy the benefit of the doubt and kindly confirms her own assessment of the youngest Darcy. In the same conversation at Pemberly with Miss Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth wants “to make herself agreeable to all,” which can be seen as a sign of people pleasing, but it is rather showing how Elizabeth understands that politeness and being considerate are necessary in making valuable connections within society (Austen 222). Another instance of Elizabeth’s superb rational maturity is shown in her confrontation with Lady Catherine. When Lady Catherine begins an emotionally heated attack on Elizabeth for accusing her of obtaining a marriage proposal from Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth refutes her argument. “Supposing him to be attached to me, would my refusing to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on his cousin?... the arguments with which you have supported this extraordinary application have been as frivolous as the application was ill-judged” (Austen 307). Elizabeth coolly and rationally explains how Lady Catherine’s attack on Elizabeth will do nothing to help Lady Catherine's case in the issue of marriage, while all the while maintaining the fire and sass that sets her apart from the other female characters in the novel. At the end of the scene between the two women, Lady Catherine brings up the issue of Elizabeth’s family which used to be a sore spot of shame for Elizabeth. “Whatever my connections may be, if your nephew