Monday, 31 October 2011

Impressions of Liz

Elizabeth is the main character in Pride and Prejudice. I think this is because she is the most dissimilar and independant of all the frequently appearing characters, as well as her sisters. One factor which causes Elizabeth to stand out in such a way is that she feels that couples should marry for love in a time when marriage was more often used to improve one's social status, i.e, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possetion of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife". You can see this is Elizabeth's view in chapter 6 when her and Charlotte are discussing the relationship between Bingley and Jane. Charlotte is describing how once Jane is "secure" with Bingley, then she should "love as much as she chooses". Liz then commends Jane for "not acting by design", in that she is marrying Bingley for love not status.

Elizabeth's independance is also seen later on when she rejects the marriage proposal from Mr.Collins, which is ironic as it is her, (uncommon) "lively, playful disposition", brought on by her independance, which attracts Mr.Collins as well as Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Liutenant Wickham. Later on in chapter six, Elizabeth and her younger sister, Mary, take turns playing the piano. It is described by free independant thought that Elizabeth was "listened to with much greater pleasure" despite playing "half as well" as Mary. This also shows Elizabeth's free personality and intelligence are what make her more admirable. This personality trait of Elizabeths seperates her from her sisters, who are more influenced by their mother, Mrs.Bennet, when regarding possible suitors.

I think Elizabeth is the most admirable character in Pride and Prejudice as she is a character who lives fee and independantly in a time when most of her actions would usually be decided by her superiors. its this personality which allows her to "lead a happy marriage of the convention" at the end of the novel 

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