ENG-216 HW#3 Pride and Prejudice (*Page numbers from Dover Thrift Edition) Fitzwilliam Darcy is a wealthy bachelor

who is intent on mingling only with others of his social class. He is concerned with maintaining his own reputation and the reputations of those around him. He tends to regard anyone with a social standing lower than his with disgust. He intends to get married only when he can find someone worthy of his stature. His attitude is tolerated by his friend Charles Bingley, but almost everyone else sees him as a snob. This is evident in the following quote: The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend (6). Elizabeth Bennet is a witty, intelligent, strong-willed, and outspoken young lady. She is also a little stubborn and arrogant. Her family admires her for these qualities, and others respect her, except for Mr. Darcy, at first, who sees her as less than perfect physically, of a lower social standing, coming from an apparently boorish family, and too assertive. She tends to see through people, she is well-mannered, but also capable of dissecting someones character and bluntly pointing out flaws. She is not necessarily looking to get married, but is willing to oblige her mother, because of the need for one other daughters to marry. Her ability to analyze people and her high level of intelligence make her a bit of a pessimist and a misanthrope as shown in the quote:

The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense (92). Jane Bennet is Elizabeths sister and as pessimistic and suspect of peoples character as Elizabeth is Jane is optimistic and hopeful. She cares deeply for her family and friends and tends to see the best in everyone. Everyone sees her pretty much as she is: an angel. She is eager to get married and desperately hopes that Charles Bingley will ask her. Her character is summed up in Elizabeths observation: Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in your life. With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others! Affectation of candour is common enough; one meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design to take the good of every body's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad belongs to you alone (9). Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeths close friend. She is clever and insightful like Elizabeth. While Elizabeth is critical of peoples shortcomings, Charlotte is more accepting and realistic. She is more practical less emotional about marriage and tries to attract Mr. Collins when she finds out he is in search of a wife. Elizabeth cant believe she would marry someone as stupid and slimy as Mr. Collins. While she is respected by the Bennets, they, Elizabeth especially, are surprised at the way she throws herself at Mr. Collins and at how quickly she accepts his proposal. Charlotte believes in being outwardly expressive of ones desires, and is perceived as somewhat bold and immodest. She is also an instigative towards Elizabeth, pushing her into certain situations. Her character can be best understood by her assessment of marriage: Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life (14).