The April A to Z Blogging Challenge is a month long event where I, and more than 2000 other bloggers, will post every day of the month (except Sundays) using a different letter of the alphabet. The theme of my posts will be “What I Love About Pride and Prejudice.” Click the link above or the A to Z badge in my sidebar to visit other participants.
E is for Elizabeth
“Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing fields at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.” Jane Austen Pride & Prejudice
Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet from BBC 1995 Pride & Prejucice mini-series
Elizabeth Bennet is the character I love most in Pride and Prejudice. “Lizzie” is funny, clever, independent and loyal. Austen describes her early on in the story as having “a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in any thing ridiculous.” And that’s so true. When Darcy puts her down as “tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me,” she is quick to retell the story and make him the butt of the joke.
Not one to back down, she will always speak her mind. Teasing Mr. Darcy she says, “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with ever attempt to intimidate me.” Elizabeth will stand her ground and slay anyone with her words. She takes no censorship from anyone. Not the Bingleys, not Mr. Collins, not Darcy and not even Darcy’s bully of an aunt.
I also find it admirable that Elizabeth is so devoted to the people she loves. When her dearest sister Jane is heartbroken by Mr. Bingley, it is Elizabeth that comforts her. She suffers when Jane suffers. After her good friend Charlotte Lucas marries the buffoon (yes, I said buffoon) Mr. Collins, she could have just washed her hands of them. Instead, Elizabeth stands by her friend. She even spends weeks at their home suffering exposure to the silly man because she cares so much for Charlotte.
To me, Elizabeth Bennet is the perfect protagonist. She a strong female in the male dominated world of Regency England. Fitzwilliam Darcy may be the man we want to be with, but Elizabeht Bennet is the kind of girl we want to be (or at least have as a best friend).
What do you think about Elizabeth Bennet?
Follow me on Twitter and Google+
Leanne Ross Read Faced 
Elizabeth is one the great heroines I think. She is tough, independent and just a really strong female lead, but still a great character for romance. Love her so much.
Another great post! 🙂
You’re so kind. Thanks for coming back!
Great choice for the excerpt to describe Elizabeth!
That’s the quote that made me realize we had much in common.
Elizabeth is awesome, for the very reasons you described. Even her first refusal of Darcy is evidence of her strength and loyalty to her family’s honor. And I love that D and E are next to each other in the alphabet so we could read about Darcy and Elizabeth together 🙂
I know. It couldn’t have worked out better (I almost wrote about Collins for C, but couldn’t bring myself to put him before Lizzie & Darcy).
I love Elizabeth, Darcy, sign me up! P&P is a good theme idea!
We have to love them, right? It’s a requirement.
You score points with me for using buffoon. Elizabeth sounds like a lovely character. 🙂
HaHaHaHa! Thanks Sara!
Gotta love the miniseries for its thoroughness. I liked Kiera’s version, but the miniseries has so much depth. I like that Elizabeth is thoughtful and acts on it. We see her hesitation in some circumstances, and it’s fun to see whether she chooses the polite society response or she says what she wants.
Elizabeth is my absolute favorite character. I also agree that the 1995 mini-series is the best adaptation, though I also LOVE the Lost In Austen take. I found myself laughing out loud. If you haven’t yet, you should check it out.