Weekly Response Six

“The dynamic, asymmetrical balance between different characters – and between different modes of characterization – is not simply a thematic concern of Austen’s novels, nor a moral or political question that we impost on the finished text, but rather a narrative process that is intertwined with, and unfurls out of, the novels’ basic internal structure. This is most clear in Pride and Prejudice, because the tension between a protagonist who is interesting in-and-of herself and minor characters who function only in relation to a central protagonist is dramatized through two competing registers of narrative attention: the five Bennet sisters in general, as a family unit faced with the same problem and attracting the same narrative interest, and Elizabeth Bennet in particular, the protagonist of the novel, who transcends the social context in which she has been placed to become the center of the narrative in-and-of herself.”

-         Woloch The One vs. The Many Page 45

“ ‘I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference.’

‘They have none of them much to recommend them,’ replied he; ‘they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.’ "

            - Pride and Prejudice page 44-45 (Mr. and Mrs. Bennet discussing their daughters)

Question: What exactly about Elizabeth causes her to be the protagonist in the novel, while her sisters, each having their own specific and important characteristics, play minor characters?

Elizabeth, throughout Pride and Prejudice stands out as the daughter who is somewhat different from the others. Jane sees the world optimistically, Mary focuses on being studious, and Kitty and Lydia have their eyes set on marriage with a handsome man. Elizabeth, on the other hand, isn’t as concerned with the things her sisters are. As Mr. Bennet said, she has “something more of quickness.” She thinks of things as realistically and isn’t opposed to forming ill opinions of others if she thinks they are justified.

I think the most important aspect of Elizabeth’s character that qualifies her to be the protagonist, however, is her hesitation towards marriage. Upon Mr. Collins’ proposal, she immediately refuses. Any other girl in this time period would have done the “proper” thing and accepted, especially with Mr. Collins’ good status and entailment to their household. It is clear Elizabeth does not intend to marry for purposes such as money and stability. Her father evidently approves, when, in a conversation with Elizabeth and her parents, Mr. Bennet says, “‘Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon your accepting it. Is not it so, Mrs. Bennet?’ ‘Yes, or I will never see her again.’‘An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. – Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do’” (142). This almost nonconformist aspect of Elizabeth works in favor of her as protagonist of the novel.