Jane Bennett

     I wanted to look at Jane’s character in Pride and Prejudice. She is probably the most like Elizabeth, but in a different way. Jane is the proper one who is better looking than Elizabeth. In the beginning of the novel Darsy points out that Jane, “smiles too much (ch.4 p.22),” which is a good description of the character Jane. Jane can naturally relate to everyone she meets because she tries to always do what’s right or proper. People she comes in contact with enjoy her beauty and give in to their temptations around her. Jane knows this and does what she has to do to get by. Jane and Mr. Bingley are the likely candidates to wed because Mr. Bingley is the overly nice friend of Darcy’s. The characters all contrast each other perfectly. Jane and Mr. Bingley portray the perfect relationship, which can last, but it won’t be as exciting as Darcy and Elizabeth’s. Jane has the idea in her mind that a man should be, “sensible, good-humored, lively, and well mannered (ch.4 pg. 18).” These characters make for good background characters but not worthy characters for a book because it would be boring.

    Jane gets sick from riding in the rain and has to stay at Netherfield, which is a good tactic to get the two groups of people together. Also, knowing Jane is sick and tired makes for a melancholy atmosphere and reinstates her serious character. Jane is a self-sacrificing person as well, for instance when Elizabeth and Jane are talking about Mr. Bingley not liking her anymore. Jane blames herself and Elizabeth responds, “You are too good. Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you deserve (ch.24 pg. 204).” Jane is also willing to give people the benefit of the doubt by not condemning Darcy. “What a stroke was this for poor Jane! Who would willingly have gone through the world without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind, as was here collected in one individual (ch.40 pg. 340).” This character is pretty much perfect, and is destroyed by being so.