The different characters present in "Pride and Prejudice".

In “Pride and Prejudice” many of the characters bring a different side to the life of 1700’s england. The main protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, is described as smart, lively, and prides herself on reading other people's characters. Throughout the book she is outspoken for someone of her rank and economy. She views many of the upper class characters as frivolous and conceited like the Bingley sisters and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Elizabeth doesn’t care about class rank but judges one of their virtues and characters. The other main protagonist is Fitzwilliam Darcy, who in the beginning of the book is described as prideful and  vain. He is very awkward in expressing his feelings to Elizabeth and comes off as standoffish. “...then as it spared me the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner.” (188). This quote was said of Mr.Darcy from Elizabeth after turning down his proposal. After hearing this Mr.Darcy turned his attention to people's character and how they act, despite their social rank. 

Another character that shows a different side of life is Charlotte Lucas. Miss. Lucas is Elizabeth's friend and neighbor. After Elizabeth turns down Mr.Collins in marriage, he asks Miss. Lucas who accepts. This situation shows that many women during this time didn’t have the luxury of marrying for love. Miss.Lucas wasn't as economically secure as Elizabeth's family was and much older. She also wasn't as “handsome” and by accepting this proposal she would be able to live comfortably. Her husband, Mr.Collins, who is Elizabeth’s cousin and will inherit her family estate. He is a clergyman and only lives to impress others. He is described as pompous and in search of a wife. Mrs. Bennet’s main goal for her daughters is to see them wed. She is very loud and is often seen saying the wrong things at the wrong time. She is also sometimes seen as an air head and has ridiculous morals. She is devastated when Lydia has been discovered to have run away, but once she finds she is engaged her spirits rise, even with the scandal that follows with Lydia's departure with Mr.Wickham. 

As described above Lydia causes many problems for her family. Lydia is described as acting like her mom as silly and an airhead. She is a flirt and once the militia comes into town all she can talk about is army men. Mr.Wickham fills the antagonist role and lies about his relationship with Mr.Darcy. It's Elizabeth's prejudice against Mr.Darcy that ultimately leads her to turn down his proposal. In the end she learns the truth about Mr.Wickham, and was mistaken in Mr.Darcy's motivations. Lastly, Jane is described as the perfect woman: gentle, pretty, and joyful. However she is quite shy which leads to Mr.Darcy thinking she is indifferent to Mr. Bingley. She also does not think badly about anyone and gets deceived by one of Bingley's sisters. However, in the end Mr. Bingley, who is modest and does not care about social status, proposes to Jane.

In conclusion, the many characters of Pride and Prejudice show different aspects of life during the 1700s. The upper class characters are all seen as pompous and better than everyone else. The women are shown as domestic and their only wish is to get married. Elizabeth and Jane are seen as the most level headed characters. The men are mostly described as prideful and in search of a wife. It was interesting to see the many attributes Jane Austion gave to each of the characters.