The Character of Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice Essay -- Pride and

The Character of Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen, like her most beloved heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, is a keen observer of the nature of man in society. To simplify her studies, and to give her readers a better understanding of the concept of Pride and Prejudice, Austen does not focus our attention on the larger social structure as a whole, but skilfully directs our consideration only to a small, isolated segment of the society. In Pride and Prejudice, Austen scrutinizes a microcosm, people dwelling within similar cultural and social backgrounds, but representatives of the larger human community. Austen demonstrates in Pride and Prejudice through Elizabeth and Darcy that in man's perennial pursuit of the joys in life, those who conform too strictly or not at all to the existing social norms face the danger of never finding their place in life nor ever finding personal happiness. Elizabeth Bennet is a person worthy of our imitation. She is a model because she is different from all the other characters, except Darcy, and because she does not adhere rigidly to the standards set forth by society, "where the family and the community...tend to coerce and even predetermine the volition and aspirations of the self" She is self-reliant and independent, while "contemptuous of all the conventions that restrict the individual's freedom. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. The first sentence of the novel Pride and Prejudice highlights the importance of marriage within the world of the novel. The sentence suggests that the sole purpose for marriage was to increase the characters social and financial ranking. The quote m... ...nging from "She had a lively, cheerful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous", to "hardly a good feature in her face..." We can see that different people have varying views on her. Her observations lead us through the story, meaning that we see everything through her eyes, and her intelligence and wit mean we enjoy her commentary. At first I was unsure if the title statement was accurate to Elizabeth’s personality. But, like Elizabeth, my views changed, â€Å"Till this moment I never knew myself†, Elizabeth becomes a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart. Without neither family wealth nor wisdom to aid her, Elizabeth's success is an attribute to her inner strength. She is by far the most fascinating character in the book, and I believe all the reasons mentioned prove her to be an independent, unconventional and passionate heroine.