Pride and Prejudice

Themes

Pride, Vanity and Humility

Austen introduces, through the Mary character, the idea that pride is universal to the human condition; that most people are drawn to a sense of personal satisfaction in achieving those qualities they highly value. She further differentiates pride from vanity with pride being one’s opinion for one’s self, and vanity, the opinion one wants others to have of them. There are few characters in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice who are free of pride and, as prefaced in the title, pride features prominently throughout the novel, affecting the judgments characters make, how they treat others, and in the actions they take. Mr Darcy’s focus on class colours his attitudes and treatment of others, leading to him being initially labelled as arrogant, while Elizabeth, despite her professions of being a good judge of character, judgments she insists are based on her observations of human behaviour, refuses to revise her initial view of Mr Darcy even in the face of contradictory evidence. Mrs Bennet prides herself on outdoing her neighbours, gloating over Mr Bingley’s attentions towards Jane and having a larger estate than the Lucases, Sir William’s self-importance comes from his knighthood, Mr Collins’s from his association with Lady Catherine, Lady Catherine through using her rank to lord it over everyone, and Miss Bingley’s from trying to social climb by marrying Mr Darcy, and belittling rival Elizabeth in the process.

Austen advances the idea that a sense of pride can be appropriate, when tempered by a balanced and intelligent mind, and that it is only when pride is misplaced or leads to vanity that it is inappropriate. Misplaced pride can still be remedied, however, provided a person gains insight into their blind spot and is willing to humble themselves; Elizabeth and Mr Darcy challenge each other over their weaknesses and eventually overcome them, Mr Darcy by reaching out to help in the Lydia and Wickham situation, and Elizabeth by being willing to revise her initial opinion of Mr Darcy. For characters who lack insight into their prideful behaviour or are unwilling to adopt an attitude of humility and understanding, such as Lady Catherine, Mr Collins, Miss Bingley and Mrs Bennet, their pride deludes them, making them vain and depriving them of more fulfilling human interaction that could be possible were they not preoccupied with exercising their superiority over others.

Pride, Vanity and Humility Quotes

‘His pride … does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a right to be proud.’ (Charlotte Lucas about Mr Darcy) Chapter 5

‘Pride … is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary.’ (Mary) Chapter 5

‘Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.’ (Mary) Chapter 5

… Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display. Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Chapter 6

‘.. it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to ridicule.’
‘Such as vanity and pride.’
‘Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride – where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation.’ (Mr Darcy and Elizabeth) Chapter 11

‘…Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.’ (Mr Collins’ proposal to Elizabeth) Chapter 19

‘Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.’ (Mr Collins to Elizabeth) Chapter 29

Her air was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. (Lady Catherine) Chapter 29

In her own past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and in the unhappy defects of her family, a constant source of vexation and regret; … (Elizabeth) Chapter 37

He generously imputed the whole to his mistaken pride, and confessed that he had before thought it beneath him to lay his private actions open to the world. (excerpt from Mrs Gardiner’s letter to Elizabeth, about Mr Darcy’s remorse for not making known his dealings with Wickham, in light of his running away with Lydia) Chapter 52

‘You have a very small park here’ …
‘It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my lady, I dare say; but I assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas’s.’ (Lady Catherine and Mrs Bennet) Chapter 56

‘You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You shewed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.’ (Mr Darcy to Elizabeth) Chapter 58

Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage; but as she thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at Pemberley, she dropt all her resentment; was fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth. Chapter 61

Prejudice

As the title suggests, prejudice is usually a partner-in-crime with pride, which is the tendency to judge others on preconceived notions rather than on their real character and the things they do. When characters interact with each other in Pride and Prejudice they frequently do so through the lens of their individual pride, which makes them prone to incorrect assumptions about the behaviour and motives of others. As with the pride theme, Austen uses the Elizabeth and Mr Darcy case study to showcase how prejudice operates to sabotage the character’s getting to genuinely know one another. Despite Elizabeth priding herself on her ability to objectively discern character, she accepts Wickham’s unverified account of Mr Darcy on face value as it reinforces the belief she has already formed of Mr Darcy as arrogant and proud when he refused to dance with her at the Netherfield Park dance. Elizabeth’s prejudice towards Mr Darcy then colours all her interactions with Mr Darcy, so that she interprets his behaviour and motives in line with her bias, which inhibits her ability to see the genuineness in his growing feelings for her. Likewise, Mr Darcy’s strong awareness of class stands as a hurdle to his affection for Elizabeth and reaches its zenith in his offensive marriage proposal wherein he references the impropriety of Elizabeth’s family. Fortunately, the two main characters are morally developed enough so as to confront one another and accept their mutual correction, reconcile their wrongful thinking, and form new opinions.

Other instances of prejudice include Mr Collins’s assumption that Elizabeth’s small income would make her immediately accept his marriage proposal, his preconceived notions as to her status causing him to view her rejection as a coy design and to assume that she would eventually accept his proposal if he kept asking. Miss Bingley’s notion of the accomplished woman prejudices her against seeing value in women who challenge the ideal, such as Elizabeth.

The harsh and pervasive effects that prejudice can perpetrate on people at a societal level is shown through the contrasting cases of Wickham and Mr Darcy. In gossipy Hertfordshire, it did not take long for the inaccurate, positive appraisal of Wickham to form, care of his deliberately presented character, then, because of the inaction of those who learned of evidence to the contrary (which raises ethical questions around the release of private information that is in the public interest, which is discussed by Jane and Elizabeth), his false character was permitted to colour his dealings in the community until the end of the novel when his true character is revealed and he suffers a reversal of his former well-regard. Likewise, the trajectory of Mr Darcy’s reputation in the community is reversed from the initial misinterpretation at the ball to when his true character is revealed through his intervening in the Lydia and Wickham affair.

Jane’s character demonstrates that one way to subvert prejudice is to suspend judgment and choose to see no faults in others, a noble virtue that may be out of reach for many and which may also bring a level of discomfort in situations where knowing the truth could be protective. Elizabeth correctly analyses the Bingley sisters’ treatment of Jane, a truth that if Jane had accepted could have spared her the heartache of Miss Bingley’s ill-treatment when she visited London. Conversely, Elizabeth’s friendship with Miss Darcy may not have been delayed had she not accepted Miss Darcy’s excessively shyness to be excessive pride on the misinterpretation of others. Austen’s take-home message seems to be that one should only form judgments about people with reference to personal interactions with them and not on unconfirmed reports by others, and that moral maturation is shown when one is willing to overcome and discard prejudices.

Prejudice Quotes

‘She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her’. (Mrs Bennet about Mrs Long) Chapter 2

His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. (about Mr Darcy) Chapter 3

‘… You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in your life.’ (Elizabeth to Jane) Chapter 4

Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced, their behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister, and with a judgement too unassailed by any attention to herself, she was very little disposed to approve them. (Jane talking to Elizabeth about Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley) Chapter 4

‘A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the world will be but half-deserved.’ (Miss Bingley on the ‘accomplished woman’) Chapter 8

‘The country … can in general supply but a few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.’ (Mr Darcy, assuming rural people are the same) Chapter 9

‘I have no right to give my opinion … as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for me to be impartial.’ (Wickham to Elizabeth about Mr Darcy) Chapter 16

‘Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom on is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil.’ (Elizabeth to Charlotte about Mr Darcy) Chapter 18

‘Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.’ (Mr Collins’ proposal to Elizabeth) Chapter 19

‘…I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own.’ (Mr Darcy to Elizabeth) Chapter 31

‘I might as well inquire … why with so evident a desire of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil?’ (Elizabeth to Mr Darcy) Chapter 34

With a strong prejudice against everything he might say, she began his account of what had happened at Netherfield. (Elizabeth, reading Mr Darcy’s letter) Chapter 36

‘How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong expressions in speaking of Wickham to Mr Darcy, for now they do appear wholly undeserved.’
‘Certainly. But the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a most natural consequence of the prejudices I had been encouraging.’ (Jane to Elizabeth) Chapter 40

… she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. (Elizabeth, on Miss Darcy) Chapter 44

‘When my eyes were opened to his real character— Oh! had I known what I ought, what I dared to do! But I knew not— I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched mistake!’ (Elizabeth to Mr Darcy about Wickham) Chapter 46

Everybody declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world; and everybody began to find out that they had always distrusted the appearance of his goodness. (about Wickham) Chapter 48

Class

As with many of her novels, Austen displays in Pride and Prejudice an insightful critique of the class system of her day, nineteenth-century England, and often parodies it through humour and irony. Lady Catherine presents as the epitome of high-class snobbery, obsessed by a social rank she believes entitles her to criticise and interfere in the lives of others, such as when she expects Elizabeth to succumb to her request to give up any hopes of marrying Mr Darcy because he is promised to Lady Catherine’s own daughter so that their noble statuses and fortunes may be combined. The pompous Mr Collins is presented as void of any personal opinions and motivations and takes his self-importance from his position as a clergyman and his relationship with patroness Lady Catherine, a combination of which he feels equals Mr Darcy’s high status, and which deludes him into the faux pas of initiating introductions with Mr Darcy despite Elizabeth’s insightful cautioning. Caroline Bingley interferes in her brother’s relationship with Jane in the hopes he will marry Miss Darcy which, in turn, would make it easier for her to marry Mr Darcy and climb the social ladder. Jealous of Mr Darcy’s attraction to Elizabeth, her constant criticisms of Elizabeth about her family’s class-breaking improper behaviour and her teasing of Mr Darcy’s potentially marrying into the family have the inadvertent effect of drawing him closer to Elizabeth and, thus, in breaking down the social divide between them.

The precarious effect of family connection on class is shown in that although the Bennet family owned land and were thus considered upper class, their status was lowered because Mrs Bennet’s father and brother were lawyers, a working class at the time and not the profession it is today.

While Austen reveals the absurdity of characters who are highly motivated by class, she also demonstrates a respect for class structures when individuals use their positions for good. In contrast to his sister Caroline, the upper-class Mr Bingley carries his social rank with kindness and humility, while the well-respected middle-class Gardiners, by their generous support to the Bennet family in helping with the Lydia situation, demonstrate that having wealth does not have to equal being conceited. Meanwhile, after being confronted by Elizabeth for his pride and arrogance, the upper-class Mr Darcy learns humility which, when combined with the integrity and generosity he already possessed, and a motivation to win Elizabeth’s heart, leads him to act honourably in helping Lydia, showing that a person’s character and behaviour is not determined by their class.

Class Quotes

Mr Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. Chapter 3

He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offense. (about Mr Darcy) Chapter 4

‘I hope … you will give your mother-in-law a few hints … as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you can compass it, do sure the younger girls of running after officers …’
‘Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?’
‘Oh! yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Phillips get placed in the gallery at Pemberley. Put them next to your great-uncle the judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines.’ (Miss Bingley teasing Mr Darcy about marrying into Elizabeth’s family) Chapter 10

He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention. (Mr Darcy, starting to having feelings for Elizabeth) Chapter 11

‘My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world in your excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of your understanding; but … there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity, and those which regulate the clergy; … I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom…’ (Mr Collins, defending his decision to introduce himself to Mr Darcy) Chapter 18

‘But the case is this: We are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother, from the notion that when there has been one intermarriage, she may have less trouble in achieving a second: in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and I dare say it would succeed, if Miss de Bourgh were out of the way.’ (Elizabeth to Jane, about Miss Bingley) Chapter 21

‘Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.’ (Mr Collins to Elizabeth) Chapter 29

Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady’s attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others. (Lady Catherine) Chapter 29

Mrs Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire a few days longer, as the former thought her presence might be serviceable to her nieces. She shared in their attendance on Mrs. Bennet, and was a great comfort to them in their hours of freedom. (after Lydia has run away with Wickham) Chapter 48

The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never be requited. Their taking her home, and affording her their personal protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge. (Elizabeth and Jane about the high-class and kind Gardiners) Chapter 49

My daughter and my nephew are formed for each other. They are descended, on the maternal side, from the same noble line; and, on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient — though untitled — families. Their fortune on both sides is splendid. (Lady Catherine to Elizabeth about Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh) Chapter 56

Marriage and Gender

Pride and Prejudice portrays the everyday life of a different time period in which the choices of individuals were limited and inextricably linked to social status and family connections. In particular, Austen highlights the gender inequality that existed within relationships in nineteenth-century England when women had far less agency in their lives and their choices and options around marriage were affected by practical and financial considerations. Mrs Bennet’s obsession with the predicament of marrying off each of her daughters is understandable when one considers that because of the Bennet family’s upper class status, the sisters were not expected to work or commence careers themselves, and were also unable to inherit Longbourn due to the practice of entailing, whereby estates could only pass to male heirs. In the case of the Bennet sisters, this meant the pompous Mr Collins would inherit their family home. The low family connections of the Bennet family, on Mrs Bennet side, further impeded the sisters marrying well. Such closed doors made the task of attaining a prosperous marriage a full-time pursuit, and the only avenue for acquiring financial security and maintaining or increasing social position.

Miss Bingley’s characterisation of the ‘accomplished woman’, to which Mr Darcy makes even further additions, details the degree of refinement the nineteenth-century woman needed to achieve in order to be considered by a suitor. Lady Catherine’s criticism that not all of Elizabeth’s sisters were raised to play an instrument, and that they were all ‘out’ in society and seeking marriages at the same time, demonstrates that pressure on women to conform was reinforced by women as well as men. The loss of virtue for women who deviated from the idea of a model woman is hinted at through Lydia’s predicament, which, if it had not been for Mr Darcy’s intervention, would have secured her ruin and attached a scandalous reputation to the rest of the Bennet sisters, impeding their chances of marrying well.

Austen disparages the realist view of her day through the Charlotte character, who marries Mr Collins on the grounds of social pressure and practicality rather than for compatibility and love, and surrenders her chance at happiness to chance. The forecast for such a mismatched couple is seen in the unhappy marriage of Mr and Mrs Bennet, the disharmony and detachment of which not only results in their unfulfilled marriage but in the negative effects to their children. Austen’s ideal for marriage seems to be represented in Elizabeth, who values her independence and an equality of minds above financial security and, in a fairy-tale ending, gets both. Elizabeth favours getting to know someone’s character before revealing romantic feelings but is challenged in this view by Charlotte and Mr Darcy, who represent the view of the day that women should display their feelings towards a suitor. Unfortunately, this approach backfires for Jane when she inhibits an expression of her feelings towards Mr Bingley, which stunts their early courtship.

The gender imbalance of social structures in Austen’s time, and that of the novel, meant that men had greater agency in improving their lives, either by personal effort or chance, when compared with women. Mr Collins inherits Longbourn because Mr Bennet has no sons. His disbelief at Elizabeth’s rejection of his marriage proposal, which he offers in consolation of the loss of Longbourn, serves to reinforce the expectation that women should accept any suitable offer of marriage. Mr Gardiner gains respectability through starting his own business, a pursuit that was unacceptable for the Bennet sisters given their class. Even the double-dealing Wickham, who tries to advance his financial comfort by first trying to elope with the wealthy Miss Darcy, lands fortuitously on his feet in a prosperous marriage with Lydia that was only made possible by Mr Darcy’s motivation in saving Elizabeth’s reputation.

Marriage and Gender Quotes

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife. Chapter 1

Mr Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Chapter 1

Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. (about Mrs Bennet) Chapter 1

The business of her [Mrs Bennet] life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news. (about Mrs Bennet) Chapter 1

‘Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.’ (Charlotte Lucas) Chapter 6

‘But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world …’ (Mr Darcy, on the low family connections of the Bennet sisters) Chapter 8

‘All this she must possess … and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading’. (Mr Darcy, adding to Miss Bingley’s assessment of the accomplished woman) Chapter 8

‘An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.’ (Mr Bennet) Chapter 20

Mr Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. (Charlotte) Chapter 22

‘I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he offended two or three young ladies, by not asking them to dance; and I spoke to him twice myself, without receiving an answer. Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?’ (Elizabeth to Mrs Gardiner about Mr Bingley’s love for Jane) Chapter 25

‘…handsome young men must have something to live on as well as the plain.’ (Elizabeth to Mrs Gardiner, about Wickham) Chapter 26

‘Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?’
‘Yes, ma’am, all.’
‘All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second. The younger ones out before the elder ones are married!’ (Lady Catherine to Elizabeth) Chapter 29

‘In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.’ (Mr Darcy to Elizabeth) Chapter 34

Poor Charlotte! it was melancholy to leave her to such society! But she had chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms. Chapter 38

But she had never felt so strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of so unsuitable a marriage, nor ever been so fully aware of the evils arising from so ill-judged a direction of talents; talents, which, rightly used, might at least have preserved the respectability of his daughters, even if incapable of enlarging the mind of his wife. (Elizabeth, about her parents) Chapter 42

‘…loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex.’ (Mary to Elizabeth, about Lydia) Chapter 47

It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both: by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance. (Elizabeth and Mr Darcy) Chapter 50

But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue … (Elizabeth, about Lydia and Wickham) Chapter 50

‘I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable, unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape discredit and misery.’ (Mr Bennet) Chapter 59

The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking, and looking, and thinking for your approbation alone. I roused, and interested you, because I was so unlike them.’ (Elizabeth to Mr Darcy) Chapter 60

Family

As was the case in Austen’s time, the family is the principle unit for social and emotional life in Pride and Prejudice and, as with many women at the turn of nineteenth century England who did not receive a formal education or have a governess, the Bennet sisters were educated and taught manners in the home. Together with the social status of their family and their connections, this then determined the future success of women. Unfortunately for the Bennet sisters, they lacked certain skills considered essential for the procurement of husbands, including musical talent, as pointed out by Lady Catherine.

Further unfortunate for the Bennets was the disharmony in the marriage between Mr and Mrs Bennet, which lead to negative effects on the children. Mr and Mrs Bennet’s relaxed approach to parenting Lydia and Kitty meant this responsibility fell to the older sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, who feared for their own prospects of marrying well due to the scandalous reputation their sisters’ flirtatious behaviour around town threatened to bring upon the family. This shows that traditional roles within families may be adopted by other family members in response to need or changed circumstances, such as the Gardiners acting as defacto parents for the Bennet sisters, particularly Jane and Elizabeth, and Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam being guardians for Miss Darcy. The care and understanding role-modeled by the Gardiners in providing emotional support to Jane and Elizabeth at crucial times, in spite of the contrary behaviour of their own parents, no doubt served to protect Jane and Elizabeth from learning the behaviours of their parents and contributed to their maturation into responsible and intelligent women. The sisters’ other aunt, Mrs Phillips, despite enjoying the company of her nieces, was less of a support and often left them more dispirited due to her insensitivity and tendency towards gossip, showing that family are often made up of diverse and often quite opposing figures.

Austen reveals how the family environment shapes individual character through the well-drawn Bennet family members. Jane and Elizabeth are portrayed as mature and intelligent, Lydia as reckless and foolish like her mother, Kitty as easily influenced by Lydia, and Mary as trying to distinguish herself as apart from her siblings in knowledge and accomplishments. The favouritism of Mrs Bennet towards Jane and Lydia, Elizabeth’s and Mr Bennet’s mutual understanding and Mr Bennet’s general sarcasm illustrate the nuances of the family’s interactions.

Family Quotes

‘… but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.’ (Mr Bennet) Chapter 1

‘…What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection … and read great books and make extracts.’
Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how. (Mr Bennet to Mary) Chapter 2

‘… You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in your life.’ (Elizabeth to Jane) Chapter 4

‘From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but I am now convinced.’ (Mr Bennet on Kitty and Lydia) Chapter 7

‘But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world …’ (Mr Darcy, on the low family connections of the Bennet sisters) Chapter 8

Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces … Chapter 15

Her father, contented with laughing at them, would never exert himself to restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters; and her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was entirely insensible of the evil. Chapter 37

Elizabeth had frequently united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia; but while they were supported by their mother’s indulgence, what chance could there be of improvement? Chapter 37

Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Lydia’s guidance, had been always affronted by their advice; Lydia, self-willed and careless, would scarcely give them a hearing. (Jane and Elizabeth) Chapter 37

How grievous then was the thought that, of a situation so desirable in every respect, so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family! Chapter 37

In her own past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and in the unhappy defects of her family, a constant source of vexation and regret; … (Elizabeth) Chapter 37

‘If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment.’ (Elizabeth about Lydia) Chapter 41

Their other aunt also visited them frequently, and always, as she said, with the design of cheering and heartening them up— though, as she never came without reporting some fresh instance of Wickham’s extravagance or irregularity, she seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found them. (about Mrs Phillips, after Lydia has run away with Wickham) Chapter 48

The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world, though only a few weeks before, when Lydia had first run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune. (on Jane’s marriage to Mr Bingley) Chapter 55