P + P Characters.

How does Austen create her characters in chapter 11?

In chapter 11 Austen uses a variety of techniques to create her characters. For example, at the very start of the chapter, Elizabeth’s opinions are merged with the narrator’s, which gives them authority. This creates Elizabeth as a character whose opinion is very important in the novel, and because she could be seen as the main character, this makes sense.

Elizabeth’s opinions also shows the behaviour of some of the other characters, namely Miss Bingley. Elizabeth says she has “never seen them so agreeable as they were during the hour...before the gentlemen appeared” but when the gentlemen do appear “Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy”. This shows that Miss Bingley is attracted to Darcy, and so much so that she quickly changes her focus to him, completely ignoring the other characters. This could also show that she is a fickle character, as her interest changed so quickly. Also, the fact that this happens right at the start of the chapter sets up the rest of the chapter as we can assume her primary focus will be to get Darcy to pay her attention.

The way the men introduce themselves also gives us a small insight into their characters. Darcy introduces himself with “polite congratulation” which shows him to be a formal character. Austen then uses the word “but” to show contrast between Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, as Mr Bingley is “full of joy and attention” which is the direct opposite of what Mr Darcy is.

The omniscient narrator gives us extra information on the characters, allowing the reader to see the subtle behaviour of the characters that would have otherwise been missed. For example, “Darcy took up a book, Miss Bingley did the same”. This shows that Miss Bingley followed Darcy’s example and mimicked him, which in turn shows her attraction to him as she may be trying to show him that she has similar interests. We then discover she is “quite exhausted by the attempt to be amused with her own book” which shows her to be a deceitful and inconsistent character as she feigned interest in her book so as to appear appealing to Mr Darcy. Also, later on when Elizabeth stands up, “Mr Darcy looked up”. This subtle movement shows his attraction to her and we would not have known about it if the narrator had not informed us of it.

Dialogue in the chapter shows the character’s opinions of one another. For example, when Elizabeth and Mr Darcy engage in a relatively long conversation, the word “said” is removed, so that their speech directly follows on from what the other person has said. This makes the conversation seem more intimate. Also, Elizabeth causes Darcy to change his mind, “But pride – where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will always be under good regulation” which shows she has an affect over his opinion, which causes us to think that he is attracted to her. Miss Bingley is shown to be a jealous character through her speech, “Your examination of Mr Darcy is over, I presume”. This line shows her resentment at the fact that she is not included in their conversation and her eagerness to end it, which also shows her to be quite a rude character.

Elizibeth Bennet

Elizibeth Bennet.

Elizibeth Bennet is the main protagonist in Pride and Prejudice, it is through her eyes we view most of the events that occur throughout the novel and it is her whose travels we usually follow. She is the second oldest of the Bennet sisters and is presented as an intelligent, witty, good humoured girl. She is considered good looking, although Mr Darcy at first rejects her as "not handsome enough" but is later drawn to her "fine eyes" and "light and pleasing" figure.

She has a "playful disposition which delights in anything ridiculous" which we find out when Darcy insults her, as she proceeds to retell the story to her friends with great amusement.

We find out she is strong in her opinions which we see when she debates about marriage with Charlotte, showing she is an intelligent, opinionated girl and not frightened of sharing her views. This is also shown when the imposing character of Lady de bourgh argues with her, but

Elizibeth holds her own.

Although she is intelligent and quick-witted, she is not without fault. She has a tendency to make rash, hasty judgements which lead her astray. She is quick to believe Wickham's allegations about Darcy without knowing both sides or much about either person. Her willingness to accept Wickham's lies probably stemmed from her previous brief encounters with Darcy, at which he came across as proud and rude.

She is not the most feminine of the Bennet's. We see this when rather than taking the carriage to Netherfield, she walks across the fields, arriving dirty and red in the face. She does not care about other's opinions of her character, strengthening this idea of her being a strong character.

When Darcy first proposes, Elizibeth rejects him. This would be quite shocking in those times, given Darcy's wealth and social superiority. The fact Elizibeth rejects him shows her to be a proud character, as when he proposes, he also insults her. This shows she holds strong ideas and values that she lives to, one of them being she must be in love with the man she marries, or at least feel some affection towards them. Elizibeth later changes her views on Darcy, showing that although she is strong in her opinions, she is not unable to change and also shows she is able to accept her mistakes and move on.

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