Pride and Prejudice: Characters

Elizabeth Bennet

• Second of the five Bennet daughters, and the novel's witty heroine.
• Darcy slights her at the Meryton ball, and that settles her prejudice. She then believes Wickham's lies against him.
• His letter, written after she refused his proposal, exposes Wickham and forces her to admit how she misjudged both men.
• She is as proud of her own judgement as she is prejudiced.

Mr Darcy

• Wealthy, reserved master of Pemberley, who first reads as proud and disagreeable.
• His first proposal insults Elizabeth's family and she refuses him outright.
• Stung by rejection, he changes: he clears up Wickham's lies and secretly pays to make Lydia's marriage happen.
• His prejudice against her lower rank falls away just as hers against him does.

Jane Bennet

• The eldest and gentlest sister.
• Contrasts Elizabeth, as she thinks ill of no one.
• She and Bingley fall for each other, but she is too modest to show her feelings openly.
• Bingley's sisters and Darcy separate them, thinking that Jane does not really care for Bingley.
• Once Darcy admits his mistake and steps back, Bingley returns and they are engaged.

Mr Bingley

• A rich, good-natured newcomer who rents Netherfield.
• Darcy's easygoing friend; he contrasts Darcy's uptight character.
• Immediately falls for Jane, but is easily led and talked out of the match.
• Never quite his own man: he only returns and proposes once Darcy stops objecting to the match.

Charlotte Lucas

• Elizabeth's sensible friend, 27, plain, with little money and few prospects.
• She marries the ridiculous Mr Collins for security and a home of her own, not for love.
• Austen does not condemn her: she stands for the compromise that women of her time were forced into.

Mr Collins

• A pompous clergyman and Bennet cousin who will inherit Longbourn under the entail.
• He grovels to Lady Catherine, his patroness, and treats marriage as a duty.
• Proposes to Elizabeth, refuses to believe her refusal, then proposes to Charlotte days later.
• Comic in himself, but the entail he represents is a real threat.

Lydia Bennet

• The reckless, flirtatious 15-year-old sister.
• Indulged by Mrs Bennet, ignored by Mr Bennet.
• Runs off with Wickham, nearly ruining the reputation of her sisters, and returns married and shameless.
• Her match is pure lust and folly, held together only because Darcy secretly pays for it.

Mr Wickham

• A charming militia officer whose easy manner hides a liar and fortune-hunter.
• Darcy's mirror, whose coldness hides worth.
• Wins Elizabeth's trust by slandering Darcy, having already schemed to elope with Darcy's sister for her fortune.
• Elopes with Lydia and only agrees to marry her once Darcy quietly paid off his debts.

Mr and Mrs Bennet

• Married for youth and beauty without real respect.
• 20 years on, their mismatch is what the novel warns against.
• They fail to control Lydia. He retreats into sarcasm and his library; she lives to get her daughters married.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

• Darcy's haughty aunt.
• Sees marriage as a way of keeping rank and wealth inside the family.
• She forbids the match between Darcy and Elizabeth, but her bullying only pushes Darcy to propose to Elizabeth again.