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Ms. Ives/AP Lit.

Pride and Prejudice


Character List
The Bennets:
Mr. Bennet - Elizabeths ironic and often apathetic father. Unhappily married, he has failed
to provide a secure financial future for his wife and daughters. Mr. Bennets property is
entailed, meaning that it must pass to a male family member after his death and cannot be
inherited by his wife or any of his daughters.
Mrs. Bennett - Elizabeths foolish, chatty, and unrestrained, mother who is obsessed with
finding husbands for her daughters.
Ms. Jane Bennett - A gentle, beautiful, and kind-hearted young woman who is the oldest of
the Bennet daughters and Elizabeths confidante. She falls in love with Mr. Bingley, but is
cautious about revealing the depth of her feelings for him.
Ms. Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet - An intelligent and spirited young woman who possesses a
keen wit and enjoys studying peoples characters. Although she initially dislikes Darcy,
circumstances cause her to reassess her negative impression of him, and she eventually falls
in love with him.
Ms. Mary Bennett - The pretentious third Bennet daughter, who prefers reading over
socializing.
Ms. Catherine (Kitty) Bennett - The Bennets peevish fourth daughter, who joins her sister
Lydia in flirting with soldiers.
Ms. Lydia Bennett - The Bennets immature and irresponsible youngest daughter. Mrs.
Bennets favorite, she shocks the family by running away with Wickham.
Mr. Collins - Mr. Bennets ridiculous cousin, who will inherit Longbourn after Mr. Bennets
death. He is a clergyman whom the wealthy noblewoman Lady Catherine de Bourgh has
recently selected to serve her parish. When he visits the Bennets, he bores the family by
reading his sermons after dinner. Upon Lady Catherine De Bourghs recommendation,
Collins seeks a bride, first he proposes to Elizabeth, who gently refuses him, and then he
proposes to Charlotte Lucas, who accepts his hand.
Others:
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips - A country attorney and his wife. Mrs. Phillips is Mrs. Bennets
sister. The Phillips live in town of Meryton, where the militia are stationed, which gives the
Bennet girls much to talk about. Meryton is a town over, and bigger, from the country region
of Netherfield Park. Meryton is the town where the first dance ball in the story takes place.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner - Mrs. Bennets intelligent and cultivated brother and sister-in-law.

Mr. George Wickham A soldier who recently joined the militia. He is a handsome and
personable fortune hunter. Elizabeth Bennet, at first, is attracted to Wickham and initially
believes his negative gossip about Mr. Darcy, whom he clearly dislikes.
The Bingleys:
Mr. Charles Bingley - A good-natured and wealthy man who falls in love with Jane. He is
easily influenced by others, especially by his close friend Darcy.
Ms. Caroline Bingley - Bingleys shallow and haughty sister, who befriends Jane and later
snubs her. She attempts to attract Darcys attentions and is jealous when Darcy is instead
drawn to Elizabeth.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurst - Bingleys snobbish sister and brother-in-law. Mrs. Hurst spends most
of her time gossiping with Caroline, while Mr. Hurst does little more than play cards and
sleep.
The Darcys:
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy - A wealthy, proud man who falls in love with Elizabeth and reveals a
generous, thoughtful nature beneath his somewhat stiff demeanor.
Ms. Georgiana Darcy - Darcys shy but warmhearted sister.
Colonel Fitzwilliam - Darcys well-mannered and pleasant cousin, who is interested in
Elizabeth, but who needs to marry someone with money.
Others:
Lady Catherine De Bourgh Mr. Darcys arrogant, very wealthy, aunt. Lady Catherine is a
satire of a grande damea totally overbearing, domineering woman who has always gotten
her own way and can't stand to have anyone disagree with her. She dominates Mr. Collins as
she has selected him as the clergy for her parish. Lady De Bourgh entertains hopes that her
daughter will marry Mr. Darcy. (First cousins often married in this period.)
Miss De Bourgh - Lady Catherines sickly, bland daughter.

The Lucases:
Sir William and Lady Lucas The Bennets neighbors Charlottes parents. The
introduction of the Lucases allows Austen to comment on the pretensions that accompany
social rank. Recently knighted, Sir William is described as having felt his new distinction a
little too strongly and moved away from town in order to think with pleasure of his own
importance. Sir William remains a sympathetic figure despite his snobbery.
Ms. Charlotte Lucas - Elizabeths sensible and intelligent best friend and neighbor, who
disappoints Elizabeth by marrying Mr. Collins for money and security.

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