Contents
Abstract i
内容摘要 ii
I. Introduction 1
A. A brief introduction of Jane Austen 1
B. A brief introduction of Pride and Prejudice 2
C. Women’s social status in the 19th century England 3
II. Change in Elizabeth’s Character in Pride and Prejudice 4
A. Elizabeth’s disposition in the opening of the novel 4
B. The incidents that change Elizabeth’s character 7
1. Darcy’s letter 7
2. Her encounters in Pemberly 7
3. The elopement of Wickham and Lydia 8
4. Darcy’s generous behavior 9
III. The Impact of Change in Elizabeth’s Character on Her Marriage 10
IV. Conclusion 12
Works Cited 14
Change in Elizabeth’s Character and Its Impact on Her Marriage in Pride and Prejudice
Abstract
Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter in the Bennet family in the famous 18th-century British novelist Jane Austen’s masterpiece Pride and Prejudice. She has numerous admirable qualities — she is lovely, clever, and, in a novel defined by dialogue, she converses as brilliantly as anyone else. In some scholars’ opinions, her honesty, virtue, and lively wit enable her to rise above the nonsense and bad behavior that was prevailing in her class-bound and often spiteful society. Nevertheless, her sharp tongue and tendency to make hasty judgments often lead her astray.
In the opening of the novel, she is only concerned with others’ faults, but takes no notice of her own misjudgement. She is arrogant and self-important, judging everyone by her ideas, and does not realize that at all. After a series of incidents, including Darcy’s long letter to explain what happened between himself and Wickham, her encounters in Pemberly, the elopement of Wickham and Lydia and Darcy’s generous behavior, Elizabeth gradually grows mature and sensible, and she cannot take her pride to forget that, even for her, there is only one choice – marriage. As she gradually comes to recognize the nobility of Darcy’s character, she realizes the error of her initial prejudice against him.
This thesis is essentially about how she overcomes all obstacles — including their own personal failings — to find romantic happiness. Finally, Elizabeth harmonizes with the environment and has a deep perception of marriage. From the change of Elizabeth, we can perceive that the economic independence of women forces them to revalue the relationship among society, family and marriage, and to harmonize with the environment.
Key words: Elizabeth; character; marriage
Works Cited
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