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Pride and Prejudice: Character introductions

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Emma Sinclair
Emma Sinclair

This document provides background information on the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It discusses Austen's life and background, an overview of the plot and characters in the novel, including Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Charlotte Lucas and others. Key quotes from characters are also included to aid in analyzing their roles and development over the course of the story.

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Pride and Prejudice: L.O: To explore the key characters in the novel.
JANE AUSTEN Jane Austen was born on 16th December 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire. The daughter of a clergyman, she was the seventh of eight children. Her formal education ended when she was just 11 years old, but her father, rather like Mr Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, had a good library and Jane used it well. Even as a teenager, her writing was lively and humorous. Although Pride & Prejudice was published in 1813, she’d written an earlier version many years before – it was refused by a London publisher in 1797.
JANE AUSTEN Her novels were published anonymously until after her death, when her authorship became known. While it was not unheard of for women to publish under their own names in Austen's lifetime, it was still a rarity. Despite the fact that her books focus on the intricate rituals of courtship and marriage among the British middle class, Austen herself remained single throughout her life, preferring the life of a writer over that of a wife and hostess. She did however (like Elizabeth) turn down at least one proposal. Her writing on the surface could be considered to be just about these rituals. However, Austen’s novels are often identified as “novels of manners” because she critiques social customs, conventions, and behaviours of her social class. Jane Austen died on the 18th July 1817.
As with Blood Brothers you need to collect quotes and notes for the most important characters, themes and symbols in the novel. Context is also assessed for this novel in the exam. QUOTE COLLECTING
CHARACTERS
— The novel's heroine and the second oldest of the five Bennet sisters, Elizabeth is smart, lively, and attractive. She prides herself on her ability to analyse other people, but she is very often mistaken in her conclusions about their motivations. Elizabeth places little value on money and social position. Instead she prizes a person's independence of character and personal virtue. Although she is drawn to Darcy, she resists him based on her own mistaken preconceptions about him (prejudice) ELIZABETH (ELIZA, LIZZY) BENNET
—Bingley's closest friend, the brother of Georgiana, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy is very wealthy and a person of great integrity, but his extreme class-consciousness makes him appear vain and proud. He finds Elizabeth attractive, even ideal, but is clumsy in expressing his feelings and disdains her sometimes crass family. Elizabeth's harsh appraisal of him compels him to reassess his behavior and attitudes. Her intelligence and her disregard for mere social rank teaches him to see people more for who they are, rather than the status in to which they were born. FITZWILLIAM DARCY
Jane Bennet— The oldest of the Bennet sisters, Jane seems almost too good to be true: beautiful, sweet-tempered, and modest. Her sole fault is that she refuses to think badly of anyone. She always looks on the bright side and is quick to defend someone when Elizabeth suspects them of having shortcomings. JANE BENNET
— Bingley is Darcy's best friend and the brother of Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Unlike Darcy, however, Bingley is down to earth. Despite his huge wealth, he is humble and modest, placing no great weight on social standing. CHARLES BINGLEY
— Wickham is an officer in the local military regiment and appears to be the very model of a gentleman. In reality, he is a liar, hypocrite, and an opportunist. He thinks nothing of ruining a young woman's reputation, and is instead much more concerned with paying off his massive gambling debts. GEORGE WICKHAM
— Mrs. Bennet is a giddy, frivolous woman whose only purpose in life seems to be gossiping and marrying off her five daughters. She lacks any awareness of her vulgar conduct and embarrasses Elizabeth and Jane to no end. Her behavior depicts what can happen to women when they lack an education and the ability to think for themselves. MRS. BENNET
— Though a discerning, well-educated man, Mr. Bennet has made a bad marriage and is resigned to endure it. He is a good-hearted person, but fails his family by remaining sarcastically detached: everything is a joke to him. This leads to poor judgment, as when he does not interfere in Lydia’s request to go to Brighton. MR. BENNET
— The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia is a vain, emptyheaded flirt who has never had to deal with the consequences of her actions. She is her mother's favourite. LYDIA BENNET
Catherine (Kitty) Bennet— The second youngest of the Bennet sisters. A bit of a whiner, she tends to follow Lydia. Mary Bennet— The middle child of the five Bennet sisters. Mary is plain looking and a recluse who enjoys lecturing others about morality, which she learns from books. THE OTHER SISTERS
—Mr. Bennet's cousin and heir to the Bennet estate (in Austen's time entailment law meant that only men could inherit certain properties). His patroness is Lady Catherine. He is a ridiculous pompous clergyman concerned only with impressing others. His language is overly ostentatious and is heavily satirised by Austen. MR. COLLINS
— A close friend of Elizabeth's. She weds Mr. Collins for security, not love, but nevertheless finds happiness in her situation. CHARLOTTE LUCAS
Sir William Lucas—Charlotte's father, foolishly obsessed with rank. Lady Lucas—Charlotte's mother. Maria Lucas – Charlotte’s younger sister, she goes with her father and Elizabeth to visit her sister and Mr. Collins
Mrs. Gardiner—Mrs. Bennet's sister-in-law. Intelligent and caring, she is the mother that Elizabeth and Jane cannot find in Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Gardiner—Mrs. Bennet's brother and a successful, warm- hearted, cultivated merchant.
Caroline Bingley—Charles Bingley's sister. She cares only about social status and tries to undermine Elizabeth because she wants Darcy for herself. Mrs. Hurst—Bingley's other sister. Though married, her views and temperament mirror her sister Caroline's. Mr Hurst-Bingley’s brother-in-law. Pompous and often drunk. There appears to be little affection between him and his wife BINGLEY’S FAMILY
—Darcy's younger sister. Georgiana is a shy, good-spirited person whom Elizabeth wrongly dislikes until they meet and become friends. Georgiana has her own scandalous history with Wickham. GEORGIANA DARCY
Lady Catherine de Bourgh— Domineering and rich, Lady Catherine meddles in everyone's affairs and cannot tolerate any breach of class rank. Miss de Bourgh—Lady Catherine's sickly daughter. Her mother intends for Darcy to marry her. LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH
—Darcy's cousin and Georgiana's guardian. He's a model gentleman, though as a second son he lacks any inheritance and so must seek out money through marriage. COLONEL FITZWILLIAM
Mrs. Philips—Mrs. Bennet's shallow silly sister. The gossip queen of Meryton. Colonel Forster— The leader of Wickham's regiment. Mrs. Forster—Colonel Forster's wife. She irresponsibly aids Lydia in her elopement with Wickham
FAMILY TREES
HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE AS A 19TH CENTURY WOMAN? The Game
Your father recently died, leaving your mother, you and your four other sisters with little money. You… a. immediately find your best dress and attend all the balls so that eligible bachelors can dance with you. b. take a job as a tutor for your distant aunt’s children. c. sit around all day hoping that some handsome, wealthy young man will find you.
What is your number one priority? a. being happy b. helping others c. finding a husband
You are known for your… a. lovers b. love of books c. good looks or other talent such as playing the piano
In looking for a dress for a ball, which of the following would you accentuate? a. wrists…it’ll be risky, but the men will notice me more b. waist…a slender waist is what I’m looking for c. eyes..the color of the dress must compliment my eyes and make me look mysterious
MOSTLY A’S THE RUINED MAIDEN You wasted the time you should have been using to find a suitable husband by flirting with men. You could be seen at parties batting your eyelashes at many fellows. Be careful! This seemingly innocent flirting could result into something worse so that you may never be seen as fit for a respectable marriage.
MOSTLY B’S THE GOVERNESS Maybe you’re not very handsome, maybe you just like helping others. Congratulations on your smarts and compassion. However, that won’t get you very far in the world. You may be able to make some money to send your family or even buy a new dress. But what’s the point in flashy clothing when you’re just going to watch the children all day.
MOSTLY C’S THE WIFE Congratulations! You’ve made it to the top. Well technically speaking, your husband probably has but you’ve done well marrying a rich man. Look he’s so rich you can commission a painting of yourself! Good job going to all the balls, knowing the right people and conducting yourself in a respectable manner. Now go have fun and make lots of kids- hopefully a son so there is an heir to your husband’s estate.

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Pride and Prejudice: Character introductions

  • 1. Pride and Prejudice: L.O: To explore the key characters in the novel.
  • 2. JANE AUSTEN Jane Austen was born on 16th December 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire. The daughter of a clergyman, she was the seventh of eight children. Her formal education ended when she was just 11 years old, but her father, rather like Mr Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, had a good library and Jane used it well. Even as a teenager, her writing was lively and humorous. Although Pride & Prejudice was published in 1813, she’d written an earlier version many years before – it was refused by a London publisher in 1797.
  • 3. JANE AUSTEN Her novels were published anonymously until after her death, when her authorship became known. While it was not unheard of for women to publish under their own names in Austen's lifetime, it was still a rarity. Despite the fact that her books focus on the intricate rituals of courtship and marriage among the British middle class, Austen herself remained single throughout her life, preferring the life of a writer over that of a wife and hostess. She did however (like Elizabeth) turn down at least one proposal. Her writing on the surface could be considered to be just about these rituals. However, Austen’s novels are often identified as “novels of manners” because she critiques social customs, conventions, and behaviours of her social class. Jane Austen died on the 18th July 1817.
  • 4. As with Blood Brothers you need to collect quotes and notes for the most important characters, themes and symbols in the novel. Context is also assessed for this novel in the exam. QUOTE COLLECTING
  • 6. — The novel's heroine and the second oldest of the five Bennet sisters, Elizabeth is smart, lively, and attractive. She prides herself on her ability to analyse other people, but she is very often mistaken in her conclusions about their motivations. Elizabeth places little value on money and social position. Instead she prizes a person's independence of character and personal virtue. Although she is drawn to Darcy, she resists him based on her own mistaken preconceptions about him (prejudice) ELIZABETH (ELIZA, LIZZY) BENNET
  • 7. —Bingley's closest friend, the brother of Georgiana, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy is very wealthy and a person of great integrity, but his extreme class-consciousness makes him appear vain and proud. He finds Elizabeth attractive, even ideal, but is clumsy in expressing his feelings and disdains her sometimes crass family. Elizabeth's harsh appraisal of him compels him to reassess his behavior and attitudes. Her intelligence and her disregard for mere social rank teaches him to see people more for who they are, rather than the status in to which they were born. FITZWILLIAM DARCY
  • 8. Jane Bennet— The oldest of the Bennet sisters, Jane seems almost too good to be true: beautiful, sweet-tempered, and modest. Her sole fault is that she refuses to think badly of anyone. She always looks on the bright side and is quick to defend someone when Elizabeth suspects them of having shortcomings. JANE BENNET
  • 9. — Bingley is Darcy's best friend and the brother of Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Unlike Darcy, however, Bingley is down to earth. Despite his huge wealth, he is humble and modest, placing no great weight on social standing. CHARLES BINGLEY
  • 10. — Wickham is an officer in the local military regiment and appears to be the very model of a gentleman. In reality, he is a liar, hypocrite, and an opportunist. He thinks nothing of ruining a young woman's reputation, and is instead much more concerned with paying off his massive gambling debts. GEORGE WICKHAM
  • 11. — Mrs. Bennet is a giddy, frivolous woman whose only purpose in life seems to be gossiping and marrying off her five daughters. She lacks any awareness of her vulgar conduct and embarrasses Elizabeth and Jane to no end. Her behavior depicts what can happen to women when they lack an education and the ability to think for themselves. MRS. BENNET
  • 12. — Though a discerning, well-educated man, Mr. Bennet has made a bad marriage and is resigned to endure it. He is a good-hearted person, but fails his family by remaining sarcastically detached: everything is a joke to him. This leads to poor judgment, as when he does not interfere in Lydia’s request to go to Brighton. MR. BENNET
  • 13. — The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia is a vain, emptyheaded flirt who has never had to deal with the consequences of her actions. She is her mother's favourite. LYDIA BENNET
  • 14. Catherine (Kitty) Bennet— The second youngest of the Bennet sisters. A bit of a whiner, she tends to follow Lydia. Mary Bennet— The middle child of the five Bennet sisters. Mary is plain looking and a recluse who enjoys lecturing others about morality, which she learns from books. THE OTHER SISTERS
  • 15. —Mr. Bennet's cousin and heir to the Bennet estate (in Austen's time entailment law meant that only men could inherit certain properties). His patroness is Lady Catherine. He is a ridiculous pompous clergyman concerned only with impressing others. His language is overly ostentatious and is heavily satirised by Austen. MR. COLLINS
  • 16. — A close friend of Elizabeth's. She weds Mr. Collins for security, not love, but nevertheless finds happiness in her situation. CHARLOTTE LUCAS
  • 17. Sir William Lucas—Charlotte's father, foolishly obsessed with rank. Lady Lucas—Charlotte's mother. Maria Lucas – Charlotte’s younger sister, she goes with her father and Elizabeth to visit her sister and Mr. Collins
  • 18. Mrs. Gardiner—Mrs. Bennet's sister-in-law. Intelligent and caring, she is the mother that Elizabeth and Jane cannot find in Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Gardiner—Mrs. Bennet's brother and a successful, warm- hearted, cultivated merchant.
  • 19. Caroline Bingley—Charles Bingley's sister. She cares only about social status and tries to undermine Elizabeth because she wants Darcy for herself. Mrs. Hurst—Bingley's other sister. Though married, her views and temperament mirror her sister Caroline's. Mr Hurst-Bingley’s brother-in-law. Pompous and often drunk. There appears to be little affection between him and his wife BINGLEY’S FAMILY
  • 20. —Darcy's younger sister. Georgiana is a shy, good-spirited person whom Elizabeth wrongly dislikes until they meet and become friends. Georgiana has her own scandalous history with Wickham. GEORGIANA DARCY
  • 21. Lady Catherine de Bourgh— Domineering and rich, Lady Catherine meddles in everyone's affairs and cannot tolerate any breach of class rank. Miss de Bourgh—Lady Catherine's sickly daughter. Her mother intends for Darcy to marry her. LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH
  • 22. —Darcy's cousin and Georgiana's guardian. He's a model gentleman, though as a second son he lacks any inheritance and so must seek out money through marriage. COLONEL FITZWILLIAM
  • 23. Mrs. Philips—Mrs. Bennet's shallow silly sister. The gossip queen of Meryton. Colonel Forster— The leader of Wickham's regiment. Mrs. Forster—Colonel Forster's wife. She irresponsibly aids Lydia in her elopement with Wickham
  • 25. HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE AS A 19TH CENTURY WOMAN? The Game
  • 26. Your father recently died, leaving your mother, you and your four other sisters with little money. You… a. immediately find your best dress and attend all the balls so that eligible bachelors can dance with you. b. take a job as a tutor for your distant aunt’s children. c. sit around all day hoping that some handsome, wealthy young man will find you.
  • 27. What is your number one priority? a. being happy b. helping others c. finding a husband
  • 28. You are known for your… a. lovers b. love of books c. good looks or other talent such as playing the piano
  • 29. In looking for a dress for a ball, which of the following would you accentuate? a. wrists…it’ll be risky, but the men will notice me more b. waist…a slender waist is what I’m looking for c. eyes..the color of the dress must compliment my eyes and make me look mysterious
  • 30. MOSTLY A’S THE RUINED MAIDEN You wasted the time you should have been using to find a suitable husband by flirting with men. You could be seen at parties batting your eyelashes at many fellows. Be careful! This seemingly innocent flirting could result into something worse so that you may never be seen as fit for a respectable marriage.
  • 31. MOSTLY B’S THE GOVERNESS Maybe you’re not very handsome, maybe you just like helping others. Congratulations on your smarts and compassion. However, that won’t get you very far in the world. You may be able to make some money to send your family or even buy a new dress. But what’s the point in flashy clothing when you’re just going to watch the children all day.
  • 32. MOSTLY C’S THE WIFE Congratulations! You’ve made it to the top. Well technically speaking, your husband probably has but you’ve done well marrying a rich man. Look he’s so rich you can commission a painting of yourself! Good job going to all the balls, knowing the right people and conducting yourself in a respectable manner. Now go have fun and make lots of kids- hopefully a son so there is an heir to your husband’s estate.