Over two centuries after Jane Austen published her novel Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet is still arguably the most well-loved heroine in all English literature. In the course of the novel, she becomes the reader’s best friend: she is clever, quick-witted, intelligent, independent, loyal, and proud. What’s not to love? So whether you prefer the classic BBC miniseries or the beautiful 2005 film, let’s dive into exploring one of the most well-loved female characters ever written.
true friendship
“Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.”
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
Elizabeth’s friendship with her sister Jane is possibly one of the most beautiful and important elements of Pride and Prejudice. Over the course of the novel, Elizabeth and Jane support each other emotionally and socially, offer each other advice and encouragement, laugh together, work to help their family’s difficulties, and share each other’s deepest secrets. They are devoted to each other. After every important scene, Austen uses their intimate, honest conversations as a way of sharing Elizabeth’s innermost thoughts with the reader.
Another reason I love their friendship is that, until this point in English literature, women’s friendships were rarely portrayed (or even acknowledged). Sisterly friendship simply was too “mysterious” to be depicted in a novel. Jane Austen opened the door on feminine interaction—in fact, she never once wrote a conversation exclusively between two men in any of her novels, because she didn’t feel herself to be an authority on their social dynamics.
So in the spirit of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet’s friendship, take a leaf out of their book (metaphorically, of course—for the love of all that’s good in the world, please don’t rip out pages of Pride and Prejudice) and invest in your friendships. I promise your soul will feel much lighter after a shared conversation and a pot of tea.
intelligence
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!”
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
In the context of her family, Elizabeth stands out like a diamond. She is intelligent and kind, unlike her younger sisters—“the silliest girls in England”—and her docile sister, Jane. Thanks to her father’s extensive library, Elizabeth is also very well-read. From later conversations in the novel, we know she also plays piano and sings.
In essence, Elizabeth Bennet cultivates her knowledge of the world and of literature, allowing her to discuss important things beyond the fluffery and gossip that her mother and younger sisters indulge in.
My takeaway? Don’t be ashamed of learning—in fact, devour as many books as you can get your hands on. Your imagination, knowledge of the world, and self-knowledge with grow from it.
self-respect
“My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.”
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
One of the reasons I love Elizabeth Bennet is that she refuses to take nonsense from anyone. She is so certain of herself that her confidence shines through in every conversation she has. Watch the way she encounters each ballroom scene with poise, ready to laugh at the irony of any situation. Elizabeth is unashamed to be herself in any conversation, whether with the high and mighty Lady Catherine de Bourgh or her dear friend Charlotte Lucas.
In fact, some of the most fun scenes in the novel occur as a result of Elizabeth’s strong self-assurance; case in point: her refusal of Mr. Collins’s marriage proposal, any of her earlier conversations with Mr. Darcy, and her climactic standoff with Lady Catherine de Bourgh near the end of the novel (which is quite possibly among the best literary arguments of all time).
Now before we go further, we ought to make an obligatory note that self-confidence should never be confused with rudeness and arrogance. Because Elizabeth trusts herself and relies on her own judgement (perhaps a little too much), we see her make snapshot judgements of people that aren’t always accurate—thus resulting in her role as the “prejudice” of the book’s title.
All the same, self-respect is a valuable thing to cultivate in our own lives. Like Elizabeth, we can make space in our lives to keep grounded and rooted in faith. Solitude (like a walk through the countryside at dawn with pretty piano music playing in the background) allows us to calm our souls and find clarity in our circumstances. If you ever feel yourself overwhelmed by the noise of life, make a cup of tea, go on a long walk out in nature, or take some time to smell pretty flowers on the roadside.
humility
“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.”
Jane Austen, Emma
The critical turning point of Pride and Prejudice occurs soon after Elizabeth scorns Darcy’s initial profession of love. Until this point, we’ve seen her make some rather inaccurate snapshot judgements—of Wickham and Darcy in particular—and she has accepted the stories that supported her preconceived opinions.
After receiving Darcy’s letter and recognizing his side of the story, Elizabeth quickly recognizes how wrong she was. The best part? We get to take this character development journey with her. As readers, we wholeheartedly believe her side of the story—until later, when we join her in recognizing that Darcy isn’t as bad as she first thought he was. She never sacrifices her self-respect or quick wit, but she makes every effort to reconcile and change for the better.
Well, there you have it! We could go on and on about Elizabeth Bennet for years (after all, there are many reasons the novel is a classic), but I wanted to highlight the elements of her character that I admire the most. Let’s keep up the discussion in the comments—what do you love about Elizabeth Bennet?
Until next time,
<3 Olivia Grace
