I hope that I am not being overly proud or prejudiced when I say that Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet and I share several strong similarities of character. We both take great pleasure in reading and the accumulation of knowledge, unlike Catherine, another Austen heroine, whose mind is said to be “about as ignorant and uninformed as the female mind at seventeen usually is”. I am quite certain that such a declaration could not be made about Lizzy or me, as I have always longed to become versed in a diverse range of topics that interest me. Lizzy, to be sure, has none of the traits of the silly, ignorant girls that surround her; she contrasts distinctly with these young women as she is well-informed and is ever eager to gain more knowledge. Although she has left school she remains fascinated by new information and continues her self-education. Lizzy and I actually derive great pleasure from reading, a trait which continues to be considered quite odd for young women our age. My peers, more often than not, have found that the fact that I read and listen to books for fun rather puzzling. Lizzy, too, is thought to be unusual by people such as Miss Bingley, who reads only out of necessity.

Elizabeth, unlike most of her sex during this period, is disinclined to be dependent upon anyone solely for the purpose of security. When she is confronted by a proposal from Mr. Collins, her cousin, Lizzy immediately assures him that she will not enter into a marriage simply to ease her mind about her future prospects. Like Lizzy I could not welcome any friendship that was based on material or practical gain, especially with a person as conceited and intolerant as Mr. Collins. Elizabeth is decidedly independent in her manner, and yet she most assuredly does not isolate herself from those that she admires. I, too, hesitate to be overly dependent on others; however I should not hesitate to request aid when such assistance is required, particularly from those I love. Lizzy demonstrates that her loyalty is boundless with regards to her friends and family. Although Lizzy fails to appreciate her best friend, Charlotte’s decision to accept Mr. Collins as her husband, Lizzy remains her fast friend and does not sway in her allegiance to her. I hope that I may presume to say that my friends are quite aware that I will listen to any difficulty they are having and do my utmost to help them even if I do not necessarily agree with them or understand their situation.

Frankly, I am of the opinion that “it is a truth universally acknowledged” that Elizabeth Bennet has a decidedly strong character and traits that recommend her to all those who are receptive to an educated women. Would that I may be able to be as extraordinary a woman as Lizzy, with such admirable characteristics. I do not suppose that I would have any objection to a Mr. Darcy either!


 This essay was written by Isabelle Lemly, Holy Names Class of 2007, Whitman College Class of 2011.