Elizabeth Bennet

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  • Created by: Megan.jd
  • Created on: 21-04-18 17:35
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  • Elizabeth Bennet
    • is both pride and prejudice
      • "Determined to hate" Mr Darcy before she really knows him
      • Stubbornly ignores anyone who defends Darcy and immediately accepts Wickham's story about him
      • Prejudice makes her blind to all of Wickham's suspicious behaviour or Darcy's good points.
        • One of the first things that attract Darcy to Lizzy is her "fine eyes" which is ironic because she is blinded by her prejudice towards him
        • Initial prejudice is caused by Darcy wounding her pride by refusing to dance with her at the first ball
      • Thinks she is a good judge of character therefore sticks to original opinions of Darcy and  Wickham-  ironic as both wrong
        • "I...have prided myself on my discernment"
      • Although she has flaws, she grows and changes during the novel and eventunally realises her pride and prejudice have been a barrier to her happiness with Darcy
        • By giving Elizabeth flaws, Austen makes her more interesting and realistic
    • Austen uses her to show woman can be strong willed
      • She is playful and lively which is unusual at the time, Women expected to be gentle and quiet. Austen uses to her to express what she thinks women should be like.
      • She is strong minded and has to make hard choices to stay true to her beliefs
        • Turns down 2 proposals even though they would give her financial security because she beliefs that love is more important than "worldly advantage"
          • In a society where woman were expected to marry well for financial security. Elizabeth turns down Mr Collins and Mr Darcy - she is determined to marry for love
        • In the end she marries the man she loves and respects, supporting Austen's message that woman should act as they believe is right, rather then as society expects
      • Elizabeth stands up for herself. When Lady C tries to bully her she responds calmly and reasonably but refuses to do as told
      • Austen uses contrasting personalities to present Lizzy's as the perfect mix
        • SHE IS BOLD AND INDEPENDENT but unlike Lydia never takes it too far
        • SHE IS KIND AND POLITE but not a pushover like Jane
    • Doesn't always follow Social rule
      • Follows social rules enough that she never seems bad mannered- she's polite to Mr Collins and Darcy even though she doesn't like them
      • Ignores pointless "decorum" if they stop her doing something important - walks to Netherfield alone because she's too worried about Jane to wait for a carriage
    • Her conversations with Darcy show her best features
      • Even though she dislikes Darcy her conversations with him bring out the best of her wit and intelliegence
        • Early sign to reader they are ideally suited
      • Determined to disagree with him but instead of insulting him makes intelligent points about the flaws in him opinions - when he talks about Charlotte living an easy distance from her family she points out distance is "relative"
      • Playful and teases Darcy saying she's "convinced" that he "has no defect"
        • But her teasing never seems cruel eg when Bingly calls Darcy "awful" Elizabeth sees that he is "offended" and doesn't laugh
      • Darcy's letter (chap 35) shows Elizabeth how prejudiced she has been- calls herself "blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd". Her reaction shows she is honest enough to admit she was wrong and brave enough to admit her flaws
        • Her relationship with Darcy shows that she is willing to change her opinions - Austen uses this to show how she develops as a character
    • Often expresses her opinion playfully - she teasingly challenges Darcy to "despise me if you dare". But she can be straightforward too- she turns down Mr Collins proposal by telling him " you could not make me happy"

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CGP

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THIS IS RUBBISH, ITS ALL COPIED FROM THE CGP PRIDE AND PREJUDICE BOOK.

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