Kevin McAdam
AP English 11/ Mr. George
11/29/09
P&P Character Analysis #1

Mr. Wickham was a selfish man whose hostility and bitterness towards Mr. Darcy altered society’s opinion of him from graceful and humble to stubborn and inconsiderate.
At first glance, Mr. Wickham seemed to be a respectable and sincere gentleman. His noble conduct with the Bennet family established his credibility, especially with Lizzy. Wickham used his version of the story detailing the conflict between him and Darcy to further present himself as a righteous man. However, Wickham gives the impression that he is a good man just so he could extract as much as possible from the Bennets, and then disappear. Wickham’s true qualities are revealed to the Bennets when he runs off with Lydia. Wickham’s character is also shown in his previous history in which he would take everything he could from a certain town, departing quickly, and leaving behind a massive debt which he obviously could not pay. These actions quickly change Lizzy’s view of him and destroy all positive feelings she had towards him. In reality, Wickham does not care about Lizzy’s feelings towards himself or anyone else’s opinion because he only cared about his own benefit in life.
Mr. Wickham is a bee. A bee floats around from flower to flower, sucking up all the nectar it can until there is nothing left. Its continuous scavenging for a means to survive is very similar to the way Mr. Wickham lives his life. Secondly, a bee uses its stinger to keep off those that oppose it. Mr. Wickham acts similarly in dealing with Darcy. Wickham’s explanation of the feuding between him and Darcy isolates Darcy and takes a shot at his character.
A modern day example of Mr. Wickham would be Sawyer from Lost because of their constantly selfish attitudes and self-centered actions which eventually detach them from society’s good graces and them to fend for themselves.


Kevin McAdam
AP English 11/ Mr. George
11/29/09
P&P Character Analysis #2


Mr. Darcy is a proud gentleman who, despite people’s derogatory opinions, is a kind and compassionate man that does not believe himself to be superior to others.
Mr. Darcy’s awkward attitude when associating with new acquaintances is the basis for his misunderstood character. Darcy often gave off a sense of arrogance whenever he met someone for the first time. These negative first impressions allowed people who hardly knew him to create inaccurate opinions of him which gave him a poor reputation in society. However, those closest to Darcy would stand by him until the very end because of his remarkable character and manners. As Mrs. Reynolds stated, “He [Darcy] is the best landlord, and the best master that ever lived… There is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give him a good name,” (Austen 188). Darcy’s pride and honesty towards others is what gives the impression of arrogance, but his kindness and generosity, especially coming from someone with such wealth, are Darcy’s truly admirable qualities.
Mr. Darcy is very similar to a shark. A shark gets a bad reputation because of what other people report about it. Also, its reputation comes from people who have never had a true experience with a shark. Instead, the people who believe sharks are terrible beasts have only seen a shark in movies like Jaws. In reality, professionals who work with sharks in their natural habitat know how peaceful sharks are. Sharks only attack when they are out of their comfort zone and are frightened. There are many parallels between the characteristics of Mr. Darcy and sharks. Mr. Darcy may seem arrogant and insensitive when out in public because he is out of his comfort zone. Like a shark, accurate opinions of Mr. Darcy can only be calculated while witnessing him with those he is comfortable with.
A modern day example of Mr. Darcy would be Simon Cowell. He has been given an arrogant reputation on American Idol even though he is being truthful and often telling people what they do not want to here.

P&P #14

"Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew's letter, that Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till the storm was blown over" (294)

I chose this quote because it shows how Lady Catherine is the only person who is truly outraged by the marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth. She feels the need to uphold the societal boundaries, and by one of her relatives getting married to someone of a lower class, her own reputation is lowered. People like Mr. Collins and Caroline would often criticize the Bennet family, but they were quick to reconcile with them once Darcy and Elizabeth were married.

"How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions more moderate! It would have spared her from explanations and professions which it was exceddingly awkward to give" (288)

I chose this quote because it plays into the theme of first impressions. By making such a harsh judgement towards Mr. Darcy, Lizzy was forced to back up her words. After learning the truth about Darcy's character, she regrets everything she said about him. She backed herself up against a wall and continually made it harder to justify her actions to those closest to her.

P&P #13

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

I chose this quote because it shows the change in Jane's affections towards Mr. Bingley. Previously, Jane had not shown any special attention to Mr. Bingley which almost caused their relationship to separate. Now, she recognizes her faults and is making up for her mistakes. With Jane's problem solved they are now able to live happily together.

"Elizabeth really believed all his expectations of felicity, to be rationally founded, because they had for basis the excellent understanding, and super-excellent disposition of Jane, and a general similarity of feeling and taste between her and himself" (265)

I chose this quote because it shows how Lizzy is truly happy for Jane and Bingley. Lizzy approved of Jane and Bingley's marriage because there is an obvious love between the two and the marriage is occurring for the right reasons. Lizzy is happy for Jane because she is marrying a good man. This contrasts with the marriage between Charlotte and Mr. Collins because neither of them were in love and the marriage happened for the wrong reasons.

P&P #12

"'I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to have had... It would have suited me in every respect'" (250)

I chose this quote because it shows how Mr. Wickham regrets refusing the position as a preacher offered to him by Darcy's father. He recognizes that his irresponsible lifestyle has caught up with him, and he would like nothing more than to have a steady life. Since he missed his opportunity for success, he is forced to carry his problems to whomever will accept him. This unfortunately means that it is highly unlikely that Lydia and Wickham will be happy because the marriage was not based on love in the first place.

"Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with her eyes, envied every one to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anybody to coffee; and then was enraged against herself for being so silly!" (Austen 260)

I chose this quote because it is another great example of the regret Lizzy holds for rejecting Darcy's proposal so unjustly. Every time Lizzy sees Darcy she cannot help but wonder what could have been. Lizzy now knows what Darcy felt like before his proposal when he could not tell Lizzy he loved her. Now, they are both in opposite situations. Lizzy's dreams of drawing another proposal from Darcy have not been realized and Lizzy cannot stand to conceal her emotions any longer.

P&P #11

"We must endeavor to forget all that has passed on either side, I hope and trust they will yet be happy. His consenting to marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he is come to a right way of thinking" (231)

I chose this quote because it shows how, after everything that had happened in her family, Jane is still able to be optimistic about everything. Even though everyone else can see how the marriage between Lydia and Wickham is a sham, Jane still believes that it is a marriage full of love on some respect since Wickham was willing to marry her. Her kind spirit is somewhat comforting and brings some sense into the situation. Jane's belief that they will be happy together is drastically different from everyone else's view point, but Jane's personality looks at anything as possible.

"Had Lydia's marriage been concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a family, where to every other objection would now be added, an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with the man whome he so justly scorned" (236)

I chose this quote because it shows how Darcy's love for Lizzy has been blocked by so many obstacles throughout the book. Mr. Darcy had fought throught so much anguish with insults and social classes, but he pushed through with his determination until he met his biggest obstacle in Mr. Wickham. The hatred between the two seems so small, but it touches the lives of so many people in the story. Mr. Darcy's true test will be to see if his love for Lizzy is strong enough to get over his feud with Wickham.

P&P #10

"Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth's person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not join her" (205)

I chose this quote because it shows the class that runs in the Darcy family and is not present in Miss Bingley's character. Georgiana is very similar to Mr. Darcy in how they both shrug off Miss Bingley and disregard her actions because they are both well mannered and would not stoop to Miss Bingley's level. Miss Bingley's character had been diminished by her prejudice and painted her family and herself in a negative light. Georgiana, being an elegant and classy woman, was smart enough not to hurt her family by committing such a foul action.

"No officer is ever to enter my house again, nor even pass through the village. Balls will absolutely be prohibited, unless you stand up with one of your sisters. And you are never to stir out of doors, till you can prove, that you have spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner'" (228)

I chose this quote because it shows Mr. Bennet's serious side that has yet to be displayed in the book. He is fed up with his daughters' foolish attitudes and finally puts his foot down. Previously, we had seen Mr. Bennet just use sarcasm to cover his emotions and to keep himself out of serious situations. Here, he has finally had enough and I am relieved that someone finally stopped the girls' immaturity. Mr. Bennet is tired of his family being disgraced, and Lydia's actions have pushed him over the edge.

P&P #9

"The possiblity of meeting Mr. Darcy, while viewing the place, instantly occurred" (184)

I chose this quote because it is another example of Elizabeth's true feelings that are starting to come out. Now that Elizabeth has realized Mr. Darcy is not as terrible as she thought he was, her feelings towards him have changed and are being displayed constantly. Her infatuation with Mr. Darcy continues to grow as he is always on her mind.

"It was gratitude.- Gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough, to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection" (201)

I chose this quote because it shows Mr. Darcy's immense love for Elizabeth as well as his terrific character which helped him fight through the criticism given to him by Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy, through his own noble actions and honest descriptions by people who truly know him, has morphed Elizabeth's opinion from bad to good. Elizabeth was blinded by her first impression of Mr. Darcy at first, but Mr. Darcy's love aided him in fighting through Elizabeth's criticism until she saw the truth.

P&P #8

"She grew absolutely ashamed of herself.-Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd" (159)

I chose this quote because it shows how Elizabeth had been wrong in her judgments about Mr. Dacry and Mr. Wickham. Her prejudice towards Mr. Darcy inabled Elizabeth to see the truth in the two men, instead, she listened to what she wanted to hear and this the first time that Elizabeth realizes the truth about them. This is difficult for Lizzy to accept because she had always been such a level-headed person, and now that she sees the variation in her character, her credibilty in the story takes a hit.

"'There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it'" (172)

I chose this quote because, even though it is comparing Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, I feel it can be placed on many other characters in the story. First, I think that the quote is very true because Mr. Darcy is the quiet man who tells the truth even if it hurts himself, while Mr. Wickham tells noble stories about the feud between him and Mr. Darcy when, in fact, they are not true. Also, I think there are many other characters who have the appearance of goodness such as Jane. Jane is definitely a nice person who thinks well of everyone, but there is no substance behind her feelings which make it hard for her to be a respectable character. Mr. Collins also has the appearance of goodness because he tries to act like he belongs with the Bennets and Mr. Darcy when, in actuality, his is far out of his league.

P&P #7

" 'But perhaps...these offenses might have been over looked, had not your pride been hurt by honest confession of the scruples that had long prevented my forming any serious design' " (147).

I chose this quote because it shows how Mr. Darcy is finally somewhat apologizing for his comments to Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy's has such immense pride that it is difficult for him to admit his wrongdoing because he stands by what he said. Elizabeth's pride also takes place takes a hit in the story as well. She had sworn to detest Mr. Darcy at the beginning of the book, and now she recognizes her subtle feelings for him and cannot admit that her first impression of Mr. Darcy was incorrect.

"The tumult of her mind was now painfully great" (148).

I chose this quote because I think the term used to describe Elizabeth at that moment is perfect. On one hand, Elizabeth was shocked to receive a proposal from a man that she thought hated her, and she had sworn to hate also. However on the other hand, Elizabeth deep down had feelings of affection towards Mr. Darcy and she was thrilled to be asked such a question. We see these feelings at times when the two of them are together. They both try to hide their feelings, but it is impossible in the end.

P&P #6

"He paid her not the smallest attention, till her grandfather's death made her mistress of this fortune" (118)

I chose this quote because it shows Mr. Wickham's true motives. Mr. Wickham is not looking to get married because of love as we see when he is suddenly attracted to Miss King once she claims her inheritence. However, I believe Mr. Wickham is acting under prudent motives because before he was attracted to Miss King, he was attracted to Elizabeth. This shows that Mr. Wickham is more interested in just getting married to someone than gaining immense wealth.

"I pity, though I cannot help blaming her... But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it" (115)

I chose this quote because it is another example of Jane's optimistic views. Her optimism is a good things at times. However, a lot of the times it is a bad thing because it blinds her from the truth about the people around her. She believes that all people are good and cannot see their motives which, in Caroline's case, are sometimes selfish and wreckless.

P&P #5
"To Elizabeth, however, he voluntarily acknowledged that the necessity of his absence had been self-imposed" (88)

I chose this quote because it shows Mr. Wickham's true qualities and Lizzy's inablity to recognize those flaws. Elizabeth likes Mr. Wickham and so she believes he is a perfect man, but we see how Mr. Wickham has some serious character flaws. However, Lizzy is blind to these things because of her infatuation with Mr. Wickham. Also, Lizzy blocks out all the bad things about Mr. Wickham because of her prejudice against Darcy.

“‘I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair, as most people can boast on entering the marriage state’”(96).

I chose this quote because it is an example of a mercenary marriage. Charlotte is not in love with Mr. Collins at all and is not looking to fall in love with someone. All Charlotte wants is financial security so that she knows she never has to worry about anything. Although I believe that this motive for getting married is outrageous, I can understand the reasoning behind it in those days. However, I am always surprised that they care about it so much to even think about marrying Mr. Collins.

P&P #4
"I have done with you from this very day- I told you in the library, you know, I should never speak to you again, and you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful daughters" (87)

I chose this quote because it shows how Mrs. Bennet values wealth and success for her daughters much more than their happiness. Mrs. Bennet's reaction to Elizabeth's denial of Mr. Collins' proposal was very selfish and proved her motives. This situation also displayed more of Mr. Bennet's sarcasm making fun of his wife's insane behavior. While Mrs. Bennet is deconstructive with her actions, Mr. Bennet's sarcasm is a subtle way to show that he is on Elizabeth's side.

"'And you may be that when I have the honour of seeing her again I shall speak in the highest terms of your modesty, economy, and amiable qulifications'" (82)

I chose this quote because it shows how socially awkward Mr. Collins is and how he lacks any element of love in his proposal. Mr. Collins attempted to propose to his cousin, Elizabeth, even though he had spent very little time with her and he failed to establish a relationship which hurt his character.

P&P 3
"Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth- and it was soon done" (53)

I chose this quote because it shows the role love has in the novel as an obligation to the characters instead of true passionate feelings. Characters like Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet do not treat marriage like the sacred ceremony as it should be, but they view it as a job that must be commpleted in order to firmly establish their place in society.

"He was a tall, heavy looking man of five and twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal" (49)

Our first impression of Mr. Collins is very positive and he seems like a respectable man. Mr. Collins is able to present himself as a dignified character. However, all his positive actions will, as we know, end in disaster for him with his ridiculous proposal which vanquishes all of his credibility.

P&P #2
"I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it" (26)

I chose this quote because it shows Miss Bingley's plot to claim Mr. Darcy for herself. Miss Bingley notices that Mr. Darcy likes Elizabeth. In response, Miss Bingley must do all she can to drag Mr. Darcy's attentions away from Elizabeth by either doing something to make herself look pleasing, or saying negative things about the Bennets. By making the comments about Jane, Miss Bingley is indirectly stating the same things about Elizabeth, and lowering Elizabeth in order to help herself.

"If your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in the pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders" (23)

I chose this quote because it is yet another example of Mrs. Bennet's blindness to Mr. Bennet's sarcasm because of her desire for her daughters to marry wealthy men. Mrs. Bennet is so blinded by her goal for her children that she takes Mr. Bennet's sarcasm seriously in order to find a logical solution to ultimately help reach her goal.