Character Analysis

Ashley Ducrepin
AP English – Mr. George
11.30.09
Character Analysis: Mr. Wickham

Mr. Wickham is a con man who uses his notable appearance to trick people into becoming acquainted with him.

When Mr. Wickham is initially introduced, he is described as “the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned” (Austen 57). It is no secret that his attractiveness appealed to pretty much all the women he met; in other words, he “had them at hello”. With enthralling physical appearance established, he used that to make women believe that he was a genuine gentleman. One of the few characters who fell for Wickham’s charm was Elizabeth, but as the novel went on, Wickham’s true character began to unveil itself. The inconsistency in his character is shown when he goes back on his words. Initially, Wickham asserted that he would attend the ball despite Darcy’s appearance, ultimately implying that Darcy is the impertinent one in their dispute. On the contrary, Wickham turns out to be the fake and is exposed: “his resentment was in proportion to the distress of his circumstances – and he was doubtless as violent in his abuse of [Mr. Darcy] to others, as in his reproaches to [Darcy]” (154). With substantial evidence, Darcy was able to demonstrate the greedy nature of Wickham and his impudent course of actions that followed as a result.

Mr. Wickham’s physical appearance that blinds people making them unable to see his fallacies is similar to shoes sold at Payless Shoesource stores. Consumers, more specifically women, are effortlessly lured in by the splendor of these shoes just as these women are easily captivated by Wickham’s good looks only to later find out that the object of their affection was a mistake. The feelings that arise when a woman sees something that is so appealing to the eye is enough to make her act on impulse – solely on emotion. After a while, she’s left to finally realize the unsatisfying quality of the shoes she has indulged herself in. In some cases, some women are not easily conned because of their prudence and remaining are those who’s reason is clouded by emotion. Very few of these irrational women are fortunate enough to encounter someone smart enough to rid them of their foolish ignorance.

In the biopic film Notorious, the film based on the life of rap superstar Notorious B.I.G, the rapper’s excessive love for women exemplified his ability to con women. While Biggie Smalls lacked the attractive nature that Wickham possessed, he appealed to women through his personality, his humor, his wealth, and his fame. That was enough to gain women’s trust and he used that to his advantage by satisfying every physical need he yearned for.


Ashley Ducrepin
AP English – Mr. George
11.30.09
Character Analysis – Mrs. Bennet

Mrs. Bennet is a foolish, simple-minded mother who serves no purpose but to cause irritation and discomfort to those around her.

Mrs. Bennet is overly and annoyingly obsessed with moving up in society based on her class. The key to achieving this is through her daughters. The potential marriage between one of her daughters and a wealthy man aroused Mrs. Bennet and it was her sole interest and objective: “‘If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield,’ said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, ‘and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for’” (Austen 5). Her obsessive nature causes her to stop at nothing to achieve a higher class, including making impertinent remarks: “‘[Charlotte] is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane’s beauty’” (33). While Mrs. Bennet’s comments proved often to be true, she is unknowingly crude, completely oblivious of those around her. Mrs. Bennet is so indulged in her pointless and absent-minded thoughts that she fails to see how irksome she is to anyone associated with her.

Mrs. Bennet’s constant officious and offensive remarks make her voice the most intolerable thing to hear. She is extremely obnoxious and is embarrassing to her family members. Her boisterous and vexatious personality is that of a rustic hinge door that constantly creates an obtrusive sound when opened. A rustic hinge door causes much humiliation. Everytime Mrs. Bennet’s crevice is ajar, the irritable sounds that arise are unbearable. It is best for everyone if her mouth remains shut.

A woman that is similar to Mrs. Bennet is Janice Dickinson. Janice Dickinson is extremely boisterous and blunt, she is inconsiderate of people around her, let alone their feelings. Her obnoxiousness is embarrassing to those who are close to her, specifically her children.

P&P 14: CH. 16-END

Mr. Darcy: "'What did you say of me, that I did not deserve? For, though your accusations were ill-founded, formed on mistaken premises, my behaviour to you at the time, had merited the severest reproof. It was unpardonable. I cannot think of it without abhorrence'" (281).

Darcy's statement owning up to his faults demonstrates that Lizzy's prejudice against him was reasonable and understandable. It seems as though Elizabeth has taken all the blame for her & Darcy's delayed engagement. While Lizzy was erroneous in her idea of Mr. Darcy, she is not to be solely blamed. Pride is of great significance in this town considering the classis structure, therefore Mr. Darcy's insult at the time came off as if he were belittling Lizzy because of her class. So we can stop looking at Lizzy as if she were unreasonable and realize how she had every reason to react the way she did. Lizzy's feelings should also be considered - with a comment like that said to her, of course she was hurt and she reacted solely on emotion. On the other hand, Darcy has acknowledged how crude he was to her and he understood why Lizzy was so impertinent towards him. And for that, I applaud him.


"Whether she [Mrs. Bennet] were violently set against the match, or violently delighted with it, it was certain that her manner would be equally ill adapted to do credit to her sense; and she could no more bear that Mr. Darcy should hear the first raptures of her joy, than the first vehemence of her disapprobation" (287).

Because Mrs. Bennet detests Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth did not know what to expect from her mother. Would she disapprove or would she rejoice in Elizabeth's potential wealth. Knowing Mrs. Bennet's shallow and "money-hungry" mentality, I was certain that Mrs. Bennet would look past Mr. Darcy's deficiencies and rejoice in his wealth. You would think Elizabeth would prefer that reaction rather than her mother's disapprobation but Elizabeth actually prefers neither. It is perfectly reasonable as to why she wouldn't want her mother's approval nor disapproval. Nobody wants their mother to disapprove of their future nuptials, however in this particular situation, Elizabeth does not want her mother's congratulations. We've seen how Mrs. Bennet's exuberance can hurt her daughter's happiness (Jane) and Elizabeth does not want the something to happen to her. I mean, Mrs. Bennet has embarrassed her enough!

P&P 13: CH 13-15

"Elizabeth had now but little time for conversation with her sister; for while he [Mr. Bingley] was present, Jane had no attention to bestow on anyone else" (266).

It seems that Jane has learned her lesson. She has been giving Bingley the affection she failed to display previously. It is also evident that her undivided attention directed toward Bingley is solely because of her strong feelings for him. After finding out Bingley left her, Jane was devasted and was ultimately in a state of depression. While she attempted to cover up these emotions with optimism, it was clear just how much Jane cared for Bingley. I think through that experience, she discovered how much she really cared for Bingley.Initially she was simply happy to be in Bingley's presence, but now that their flame has rekindled, she is happier: "the satisfaction of Miss Bennet's mind gave a glow of such sweet animation to her face, as made her look handsomer than ever" (265). In the end, Darcy also helped Jane to realize just how much she loves Bingley. Because she has a new found knowledge of her overwhelming regard for Bingley, it is much easier for her to express it.

Elizabeth: "'The arguments with which you [Lady Catherine] have supported this extraordinary application, have been as frivolous as the application was ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character" (273).

This quote specifically ties into the major theme of this book: pride & prejudice. Lady Catherine somewhat shares the same fallacy Elizabeth possessed in the commencement of the novel. The concept of pride made Elizabeth prejudice and makes Lady Catherine prejudice. In Lady Catherine's case, she allows her hierarchy status to misjudge other people's characters - like she does Elizabeth. Becasue Lady Catherine is so stuck on this imprudent idea of her prosperous nephew marrying with someone less fortunate like Elizabeth, she fails to see Elizabeth for who she truly is. She doesn't believe Darcy would "'forget what he owes to himself and to all his family'" (270). Because she doubts the possibility of her nephew bringing shame to him and his family's name, Lady Catherine insinuates that Elizabeth allured him.

P&P 12: CH. 10-12

Mrs. Gardiner: "'I talked to her [Lydia] repeatedly in the most serious manner, representing to her all the wickedness of what she had done, and all the unhappiness she had brought on her family'" (247).

Mrs. Gardiner represents the exact opposite character of Mrs. Bennet. While Mrs. Bennet praises Lydia for landing a man like Wickham, Mrs. Gardiner reprimands her for it. She essentially told Lydia everything that everybody has been biting their tongue about. From the beginning, Mrs. Gardiner has been giving Elizabeth counsel and she ultimately is wise. Elizabeth and Jane are her most prized possessions since they think more like her rather than Mrs. Bennet who favors Lydia solely because of her marriage. Mrs. Gardiner ultimately is just like Mr. Bennet but much more outspoken. She observes and comments on whatever she interprets and most of the time she is right. Mr. Bennet, on the other hand is not so outspoken however we are starting to see him stand up to his wife's ridiculousness.

"He [Mr. Darcy] had taken on himself all the trouble and mortification attendant on such a research ... and where he was reduced to meet, frequently meet, reason with, persuade, and finally bribe, the man whom he always wished to avoid" (248).

If this is not enough for Elizabeth to realize that Darcy has strong feelings for her, then she doesn't even deserve him. Throughout the text, we see the major obstacles Darcy has overcome in attempts to appeal to Elizabeth. This obstacle, however, proves to be the biggest barrier he's had to face thus far. While Elizabeth is still trying to come up with excuses as if Darcy detests her, it is the exact opposite. He continues to show just how much he loves her by being put in certain situations that don't necessarily make him happy. This circumstance in particular exemplifies Darcy's determination and endurance. Elizabeth brings out the best in him.

P&P 11: CH. 7-9

"She [Mrs. Bennet] was more alive to the disgrace, which the want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter's nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping and living with Wickham" (236).

This is SERIOUSLY Mrs. Bennet's BIGGEST fallacy. She is a complete airhead and her ignorance further impairs the family. Initially, Mrs. Bennet was in a state of depression when Lydia ran away, however she continued to hope for a potential marriage between the two. You would think Mrs. Bennet would be elated to hear that her daughter's been found - but no, she is ecstatic solely because her daughter is getting married. Mrs. Bennet's reaction is sending the wrong message, she "embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture" (239). Mrs. Bennet's attitude towards her lets her know that it is okay to do what she did - it's not a big deal. Thus Lydia does not even realize how misguided she is: "'I thought it would be very good fun if I was'" (240). Until Mrs. Bennet gets some sense, Lydia is pretty much doomed.

"By her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance" (237).

Finally, Elizabeth is getting in touch with how she really feels about Mr. Darcy. After receiving the letter, Elizabeth was overrun with copious overwhelming emotions that she attempted to disregard. Here, she is actually thinking about a possible relationship with Darcy. She realizes that there are the perfect match despite their differences. She acknowledges that she is more emotional and Darcy's more rational (Women are emotional; men are rational). However, as the novel continues, we see Elizabeth is capable of using her reasoning and we've also seen Darcy's attempts to be a bit more personable expressing more emotion. Thus, they balance each other out because they bring out what both of them lack in one another.

P&P 10: 3-6

“She had no difficulty in believing that neither her [Lydia] virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey” (212).

In other words, Lydia is a beautiful fool. She attaches and ultimately becomes infatuated by any man that gives her attention. She infers that the attention she receives is a hint to their interest in marrying her. Because she is so young, she is naïve to reality and only understands the simple-mindedness of Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth, who is well aware of Wickham’s charming abilities, strongly believes he had no difficulties captivating Lydia. Despite Elizabeth’s intelligence and independent nature, he managed to sweep her off her feet. Therefore, he probably enthralled Lydia just by paying her one compliment. Elizabeth has every reason in the world to believe Lydia has not the sufficient knowledge or comprehension to resist Wickham’s temptations.

“Invectives against the villainous conduct of Wickham, and complaints of her own sufferings and ill usage; blaming every body but the person to whose ill judging indulgence the errors of her daughter must be principally owing” (217).

FINALLY! Someone has recognized just HOW MUCH Mrs. Bennet has damaged this family. From the beginning, Mrs. Bennet has been known to play the blame game – ironically enough, the mishaps in her family were actually caused by her. Her eccentric and imposing approach towards Bingley and Jane was the reason for driving him away. But of course, Mrs. Bennet took the iniative to believe Bingley was in the wrong. Mrs. Bennet is simply blinded by her own foolishness. She is the cause for Lydia’s running away from home – her idiocy rubbed off her and onto Lydia. We see how excited Lydia becomes when she is in the presence of officers; she shares this with her mother. And then she has the nerve to blame Mr. Wickham? Mrs. Bennet has no right to point at the finger at none else but herself.

P&P #9: 19-2

“[Mr. Darcy] asked if she would do him the honor of introducing him to her friends … with fortitude, and so far from going away, turned back with them, and entered conversation with Mr. Gardiner” (193).

Mr. Darcy? Starting up conversations with others? It seems unreal considering his lack of communication skills: “‘I am ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers’” (135). Primarily, Darcy acknowledged one of his biggest fallacies, ultimately explaining the reasons behind all his actions. Thus, his effort towards becoming acquainted with Elizabeth’s family demonstrates his attempt to eradicate that flaw. The word “fortitude”, meaning courage & determination, is the ideal word in this context as it exemplifies how difficult this was for Darcy. Mr. Darcy even takes this a step further by inviting Mr. Gardiner to fish around his estate as much as he would like. Darcy’s new behavior not only makes Elizabeth happy but it also confuses her. She hints at the possibly that he is acting like this solely because of her, but she does not want to get carried away with false hope. However, it is evident that Darcy has made a full 360, because of Elizabeth to show that he can be whatever she desires.

“Since her [Elizabeth] being at Lambton, 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” (197).

Now that Elizabeth is no longer prejudice, she possesses the ability to recognize the flaw within Miss Darcy. Miss Darcy is often misunderstood by others because of her timidity. She obviously is uncomfortable having conversations with others and because of the judgmental nature of so many; people automatically assume that she is simply haughty. The way people misconstrue her personality is similar to how Mr. Darcy was misjudged (including by Elizabeth). Because of Darcy’s inability to simply converse with others, he came off as haughty and crude. With this first impression instilled in her, Elizabeth continued to show her odious feelings towards him. Thus, she was unable to see his true personality. Now, after Darcy’s letter, Elizabeth’s prejudice is gone and she avoids judging others. Specifically in Miss Darcy’s case, Elizabeth immediately identifies the fallacy in Miss Darcy and is able to look past that.