Literary Essay: Pride and Prejudice - A Novel By Jane Austen Two Victorian Friends Compared

Throughout self-respect and prejudice, Jane Austen describes several(predicate) flakes who act as foils to her main sensation, Elizabeth bennet. Charlotte Lucas is a good example. Her close friendship with Elizabeth allows us to monitor their interactions and tell a mode both similarities and contrasts between them. We ar introduced to Elizabeth Bennet in the world-class chapter of compliment and loss when her father describes her as having ?something more(prenominal) of speediness than her sisters? (pg.7). This reveals her intelligence business enterprise being only ?one and xx? (pg.162). Her intelligence is in any case revealed by the betance she is able to call for her profess when confronted by or inter playacting with the other tempera workforcets in the book. We ar given a similar nonion of Charlotte Lucas, being describe as ?a(n)...intelligent wo homo? (pg.19). Although Elizabeth is jr. than Charlotte, who is ? or so twenty-seven? (pg.19), we fuck immediately derive that they are intellectually compatible and are non surprised to arise Charlotte called ?Elizabeth?s intimate friend? (pg.19). Although Elizabeth Bennet is often visualised as socially unconventional, she neer loses her soft femininity (www.collegeresearch.us). She is expound by Darcy to be attractive and have fine eye: ?...the very great delectation which a pair of fine eyes in the impertinence of a pretty adult female can bestow? (Pg.27). He too mentions that her figure is ? coruscation and pleasing? (Pg.24). After ab initio saying she is only tolerable to look at, Darcy later describes her as ?one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance? (Pg.259). Colonel Fitzwilliam is state to be caught up by her prettiness (www.pemberley.com). Charlotte however is set forth as a sooner plain girl and the men do non search to show her much attention. This perchance contributes to her harsh view of men. Mrs. Bennet says of Charlotte and her sisters: ?sh e is very plain? and ?it is a pity they are ! not very handsome? (pg.44). Elizabeth has a ?lively, playful disposition? (pg.14). This is show by the guidance she makes period of play of Mr. Darcy?s comment about her being only tolerably good looking. Austen writes: ?she...delighted in all thing ridiculous? (pg.14). This facetiousness can also be seen in the air she admits that she ? cacoethes(s) a laugh? (pg.56). She often banters with the other characters and yet does not split up anyone ? ?there was much(prenominal) a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which make it difficult for her to affront anybody? (Pg.51). Throughout the novel, Elizabeth makes humourous comments and is even described as vivacious by Mr. collins (Pg.104). In concomitant it is her ease and articulate way of handling conversation that has do Darcy ?bewitched? by her (pg.51). Although it is never mentioned directly, it would appear as if Charlotte is more reserved and serious than Elizabeth. She is never strand joking, but prefe rably giving sound advice. For instance when Elizabeth finds fun in the way Jane expresses her feelings to Bingley, Charlotte very seriously recommends that Jane had better be more unaffixed with her affections (Pg.22/23). She inevitably exhibits the ?silence and respect? that Mr. collins is looking for in a wife. Elizabeth Bennet is also an fencesitter thinker. She does not conform to the expectations of company (Cummings, M. 2009). This is seen when she tramples through the mud to address a indisposed Jane, knowing that her appearance and actions will be criticised as unladylike. Yet, her independency is shown to be at bottom ? clean limits? (Joubert, Z. 2009:57). She is concerned with ?propriety, good tact and virtue? and she stands up for what she believes (www.gradesaver.com). Elizabeth also shows her independence by not being awed by wealth and titles. She seems to rebel against the fashionable idea of class in society (www.collegeresearch.us). This is especially seen when she refuses to cringe before Lady Catherine an! d her threats. Charlotte, on the other hand, shows how Elizabeth ?should? behave. She goes along with the customs of that time to marry for attitude and money. She does what is socially acceptable, disregarding her own feelings on the matter. She is submissive to the social order, whereas Elizabeth believes that respect should be bring in and not however given because of rank. Another striking residuum between these characters is their integrity. The way in which Charlotte plots to marry Mr. collins afterward Elizabeth has rejected him, shows us that she is cunning. She has hidden motives when she spends more time with collins under the largeness of being useful. Contrary to this, Elizabeth is open and does not scheme. Darcy says ?whatever bears analogy to cunning is despicable? (pg.40). We notice that Elizabeth is forever morally upright, not deceiving for the sake of advancement. Charlotte, however, is not. Elizabeth?s strength of character is shown by the way she rejects both the proposals of Mr. Collins and Darcy. Unlike Charlotte, Elizabeth does not make her decisions on the basis of financial security. She exhibits great character by acting on principle and following her conscience, in spite of the dictates and pressures of Victorian society (Cummings, Michael. 2009). The biggest contrast between these two friends is their different approach to do it and espousal. Elizabeth emphasises the importance of love and emotion within marriage. She has witnessed the unhappy marriage of her parents and ?she would not consider marrying a man if she is not in love with him and did not think that they could be happy? (www.collegeresearch.us). For her, love is a principle and she does not allow the easy way by accepting the hand of Collins or Darcy when she does not love them (Anderson, Walter. 1975). Elizabeth pursues happiness whereas Charlotte pursues comfort.

Charlotte sees marriage as just some other stage in life; ?without view highly every of men or of matrimony, marriage had forever and a daylight been her objective? (pg.122). Her motive for marriage is unemotional and practical. To Charlotte, ?happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance? (pg.24). She marries Collins ?solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment? (pg.120). coalition in this case would provide her with a comfortable planetary house and the status of being a married woman. To Elizabeth ?money is no recompense for feeling? (www.bibliomania.com). She is shocked by Charlotte?s kindling indifference towards love and romance. Their differing view in this area about causes the loss of their friendship. Elizabet h feels that all the comfort of intimacy? is over because Charlotte has ?sacrificed either better feeling to worldly advantage? (Pg.123).At the end of reserve and Prejudice, we see that Elizabeth has come to terms with Charlotte?s decisions and their friendship continues despite their differing views regarding love and marriage. Charlotte Lucas is portrayed as a character that is instead contrary to the protagonist Elizabeth Bennet. By creating a character such as Charlotte, who has a typical Victorian outlook, alongside Elizabeth, who has a more modern outlook, Austen manages to highlight Elizabeth?s good and gruesome qualities. During an age of strict stereotypes, Austen has managed to create a female protagonist that epitomises strength, intelligence and femininity (www.collegeresearch.us). Bibliography:1. Austen, J. (2003). Pride and Prejudice. London: Penguin Books, Ltd. 2. Joubert, Z. (2009). English 1B ? front Manual. SA: ICP3. Anderson, Walter. (1975). Plot, Charact er, Speech, and Place in Pride and Prejudice. Ninteen! th Century Fiction, Vol.30, No.3. pg. 372. Retrieved August 6, 2008 from hypertext channel protocol://www.jstor.org/stable/29330754. Pride and Prejudice withdraw Guide. Retrieved folks 8, 2009 from hypertext transfer protocol://www.gradesaver.com/pride-and-prejudice/study-guide/character-list/5. Pride and Prejudice Hypertext. Retrieved kinfolk 9, 2009 from http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/ppdrmtis.html#ElizabethBennet6. Cummings, Michael. (2009). Pride and Prejudice: A Study Guide. Retrieved September 8, 2009 fromhttp://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides7/PrideandPrej.html7. Pride and Prejudice Study Guide. Retrieved September 8, 2009 from http://www.bibliomania.com/1/7/6/2017/frameset.html8. How Does Jane Austen abide for the Themes of Love and Marriage in Pride and Prejudice? Retrieved September 8, 2009 from http://www.collegeresearch.us/show_essay/45809.html9. Pride and Prejudice - Charlotte Lucas and Elizabeth Bennet. Retrieved September 8, 2009 from http://www.collegere search.us/show_essay/36688.html If you neediness to get a practiced essay, order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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