Pride and Prejudice Character Analysis

Elizabeth (Eliza, Lizzy) Bennet

The novel's heroine and the second oldest of the five Bennet sisters, Elizabeth is smart, lively, and attractive. She prides herself on her ability to analyze other people, but she is very often mistaken in… read analysis of Elizabeth (Eliza, Lizzy) Bennet

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Bingley's closest friend, the brother of Georgiana, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy is very wealthy and a person of great integrity, but his extreme class-consciousness makes him appear… read analysis of Fitzwilliam Darcy

Jane Bennet

The oldest of the Bennet sisters, Jane seems almost too good to be true: beautiful, sweet-tempered, and modest. Her sole fault is that she refuses to think badly of anyone. She always looks on the… read analysis of Jane Bennet

George Wickham

Wickham is an officer in the local military regiment and appears to be the very model of a gentleman. In reality, he is a liar, hypocrite, and an opportunist. He thinks nothing of ruining a… read analysis of George Wickham

Mrs. Bennet

Mrs. Bennet is a giddy, frivolous woman whose only purpose in life seems to be gossiping and marrying off her five daughters. She lacks any awareness of her vulgar conduct and embarrasses Elizabeth and Jane… read analysis of Mrs. Bennet

Mr. Bennet

Though a discerning, well-educated man, Mr. Bennet has made a bad marriage and is resigned to endure it. He is a good-hearted person, but fails his family by remaining sarcastically detached: everything is a joke… read analysis of Mr. Bennet

Minor Characters

Charles Bingley

Bingley is Darcy's best friend and the brother of Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Unlike Darcy, however, Bingley is down to earth. Despite his huge wealth, he is humble and modest, placing no great weight on social standing.

Lydia Bennet

The youngest of the Bennet sisters, Lydia is a vain, empty-headed flirt who has never had to deal with the consequences of her actions. She is her mother's favorite.

Catherine (Kitty) Bennet

The second youngest of the Bennet sisters. A bit of a whiner, she tends to follow Lydia.

Mary Bennet

The middle child of the five Bennet sisters. Mary is plain looking and a recluse who enjoys lecturing others about morality, which she learns from books.

Mr. Collins

Mr. Bennet's cousin and heir to the Bennet estate. His patroness is Lady Catherine. He is a ridiculous pompous clergyman concerned only with impressing others.

Charlotte Lucas

A close friend of Elizabeth's. She weds Mr. Collins for security, not love, but nevertheless finds happiness in her situation.

Sir William Lucas

Charlotte's father, foolishly obsessed with rank.

Lady Lucas

Charlotte's mother.

Mrs. Gardiner

Mrs. Bennet's sister-in-law. Intelligent and caring, she is the mother that Elizabeth and Jane cannot find in Mrs. Bennet.

Mr. Gardiner

Mrs. Bennet's brother and a successful, warm-hearted, cultivated merchant.

Caroline Bingley

Charles Bingley's sister. She cares only about social status and tries to undermine Elizabeth because she wants Darcy for herself.

Mrs. Hurst

Bingley's other sister. Though married, her views and temperament mirror her sister Caroline's.

Georgiana Darcy

Darcy's younger sister. Georgiana is a shy, good-spirited person whom Elizabeth wrongly dislikes until they meet and become friends. Georgiana has her own scandalous history with Wickham.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Domineering and rich, Lady Catherine meddles in everyone's affairs and cannot tolerate any breach of class rank.

Miss de Bourgh

Lady Catherine's sickly daughter. Her mother intends for Darcy to marry her.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

Darcy's cousin and Georgiana's guardian. He's a model gentleman, though as a second son he lacks any inheritance and so must seek out money through marriage.

Mrs. Philips

Mrs. Bennet's shallow silly sister. The gossip queen of Meryton.

Colonel Forster

The leader of Wickham's regiment.

Mrs. Forster

Colonel Forster's wife. She irresponsibly aids Lydia in her elopement with Wickham.