Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen in 1813. The novel has two main characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. It tells the story of their romance, as they overcome their initial pride and prejudice towards each other. The characters are fictional, although some of the events and settings are based on Jane Austen's personal experiences.
Secondary characters include Elizabeth's extended family, such as her sisters and parents, as well as Darcy's friends and socially prominent individuals, including Charles Bingley. Understanding the characters reveals the main themes and ideas of the novel. The actions and conversations of each character reveal pride, prejudice, first impressions and social pressure.
This article explores the main and supporting characters. Key quotes and plot examples are provided for each character. It is suitable for students preparing for their GCSE English Literature exam. If you need further support, TeachTutti has qualified GCSE English Literature tutors who can teach you in person or online.
Character map
- Elizabeth Bennet - witty and independent. She learns to question her initial impressions.
- Mr Darcy - reserved and proud. He changes through self-knowledge and action.
- Jane Bennet - she is kind and modest. Jane is patient, in sharp contrast with society’s haste.
- Mr Bingley - friendly and pliable. His affection for Jane is tested by the reputation of her family and the accompanying social pressure.
- Lydia Bennet - Lydia is impulsive. She elopes with George Wickham, which threatens her family's fragile reputation.
- George Wickham - charismatic and charming, but a liar. He exploits trust, vanity and gaps in oversight.
- William Collins - a pompous clergyman. He worships his status and is furious when Elizabeth rejects his marriage proposal.
- Lady Catherine de Bourgh - a domineering aristocrat. She polices class and marriage choices, unsuccessfully trying to keep Elizabeth away from Mr Darcy.
- Mr Bennet - the witty patriarch of the Bennet family. He is fond of his two oldest daughters, but rejects societal expectations of marriage. He allows problems to grow.
- Mrs Bennet - the mother of Elizabeth. She is an anxious matchmaker, presented comically, yet representing the harsh social pressures.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth is sharp and independent. She is quick to judge, which is nearly her undoing. She warms to Wickham's charm early in the novel and mocks Darcy's stiffness when he declines to dance with her:
"I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."
Elizabeth wants to be treated as an equal in marriage and rejects Mr Collins' proposal. This is despite the monetary worries it would alleviate for her family. She also rejects Darcy's offensive proposal at Hunsford - he is arrogant and critiques her family's social standing:
"You are the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."
Her opinion of Darcy dramatically changes after reading his letter. This explains that Wickham had previously refused the life Darcy's father had intended for him, squandered the money, and eloped with Darcy's young sister, Georgiana, for her dowry. Elizabeth realises that Darcy is justified in his actions towards Bingley and her sister, Jane. She acknowledges her prejudice:
"Till this moment, I never knew myself"
At Pemberley, the housekeeper praises the kindness of Darcy towards his sister and servants. He also works in secret to arrange the marriage of Lydia and Wickham when they elope, to avoid the family's embarrassment. Elizabeth comes to respect him and accepts his second proposal:
"She had been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd"
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Darcy is a bachelor who is reportedly twice as wealthy as Mr Bingley. As such, he is an appealing suitor for the five daughters of Mr and Mrs Bennet. However, Fitzwilliam is introduced as guarded and proud. He refused to dance with Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly, as she is "not handsome enough".
Despite this cold and superior attitude, he develops strong feelings for Elizabeth, growing to respect her intellect and frankness. He also has a strict code of behaviour, though his actions are misinterpreted as he often speaks without tact and misreads how others see him.
His proposal at Hunsford is disastrous. He couples his affection for Elizabeth with an attack on the standing of her family. He is shocked when Elizabeth refuses his proposal, which makes him realise that pride has shaped both his actions and his manners:
"I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle."
His letter is a turning point. He explains the truth about Wickham and that his actions towards Jane and Bingley were because he doubts Jane's feelings:
"I did not believe her to be indifferent because I wished it; I believed it on impartial conviction."
Darcy acknowledges that his good actions have not been paired with grace:
"I was given good principles"
His kindness appears when Elizabeth visits Pemberley. He welcomes her relatively politely and is affectionate towards his sister, Georgiana. He acts in secret to marry Lydia to Wickham after their elopement, all to spare the Bennets from social ruin. When he proposes to Elizabeth for a second time, Elizabeth has learned to respect him through humility and consistent action.
The Bennet family
Jane Bennet
Jane Bennet is the eldest daughter. She is kind, gentle, and slow to judge. However, her quiet manner is misinterpreted by Darcy, who believes she doesn't truly care for Bingley. He encourages Bingley to leave for London and not return to Netherfield.
When they reunite, her affection is clear, and she accepts his proposal. Her calm demeanour challenges the perception of Darcy and challenges the importance of "first impressions":
"Jane was the only creature who could suppose there might be any extenuating circumstances"
Lydia Bennet
Lydia Bennet reflects the dangers of being impulsive. She is flattered by Wickham's attention and elopes to London without considering money or the effect on her reputation. Her actions threaten the entire family, as no respectable marriage could follow if the elopement became known to the wider public.
Darcy works behind the scenes to pay off Wickham's debts and secure the wedding. Despite his efforts, Lydia's nature remains unchanged after marriage:
"Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy"
Mrs Bennet
Mrs Bennet is determined to marry her daughters to wealthy suitors. Her anxious and hysterical actions are almost comical. They point to the harsh rules around inheritance and class.
She is in a precarious position, and her husband shows outright contempt for the social expectation to marry. The Longbourn estate is entailed away, and a good match is essential. Elizabeth is embarrassed by her nerves and schemes. Despite this, the actions of Lydia show that a single mistake can ruin everyone:
"You have no compassion for my poor nerves"
Mr Bennet
Mr Bennet is intelligent and detached from the concerns of his family and the wider social expectations. He loves his children, particularly Elizabeth, but neglects the upbringing of his younger daughters. He withdraws to his library and ignores issues until they explode.
He laughs at foolish people, but he's unable to prevent it with Lydia. When she runs away with Wickham, he recognises his failings and unsuccessfully tries to take control:
"I have been a selfish being all my life"
Charles Bingley
Charles Bingley arrives at Netherfield as a rich bachelor who rents the estate. He has easy manners and genuine warmth. Bingley dances, listens and includes everyone. He treats the Bennets with respect and pays sincere attention to Jane. It is not a mask and represents the core of his character. As such, he is popular with everyone:
"sure of being liked wherever he appeared"
This openness makes him vulnerable. When Darcy suggests Jane is not truly affectionate towards him, he leaves for London. This shows Bingley's main character flaw: he avoids conflict and defers to the opinions of stronger voices:
"But Bingley has great natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgment than on his own."
In this event, Darcy was not being malicious and told Bingley the truth when he realised he had mistaken Jane's affections. Bingley returns without pride and reconciles with Jane. He proposes to her and she accepts. His character arc talks to the importance of good nature, learning to be firm when required. He is charming when introduced, but truly grows when he learns to trust his heart over social pressure. He keeps his friendships and gains resolve. In contrast to Darcy's early pride, Bingley rarely lets his standing affect his actions:
"If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside, it would not make them one jot less agreeable."
George Wickham
At first, George Wickham comes across as the perfect gentleman. He is a militia officer who is handsome, relaxed and makes good conversation. The narrator describes his "very pleasing address" and "such happy manners… at once recommend him". He flatters and avoids details that can be challenged. He appears kind to the people he meets, such as when he tries to involve Elizabeth's younger sisters in games. Elizabeth is attracted to him and believes his tale about Darcy cheating him out of the inheritance left by Darcy's father:
"I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this… I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this."
There are suggestions that George Wickham is not what he appears to be. Despite his tale to Elizabeth at the Netherfield ball, he avoids Darcy rather than confronting him over his "stolen inheritance". He also pursues Mary King, who lives in Meryton, after she inherits £10,000 from her grandfather. This shows that fortune guides his actions:
"Pray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end, and avarice begin? … because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary."
Darcy's letter reveals the truth. Elizabeth discovers that he frittered away his inheritance, tried to elope with Darcy's young sister for her fortune, and lives on his charm and other people's credit. He runs off with Lydia, risking the reputation of the Bennet family for his own comfort. Wickham only agrees to marry Lydia when Darcy has paid his debts and secured him a promotion:
"His debts are to be paid, amounting, I believe, to considerably more than a thousand pounds… and his commission purchased."
Wickham is a warning against first impressions. He speaks and dresses well, but his choices reveal his true character. His initial charming manner descends into pursuing money and feeling responsibility. Meanwhile, Darcy's pride gives way to humility. Jane Austen suggests that judgment of a person should rest on their actions, rather than their appearance.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Lady Catherine represents inherited power. She is considered a foil to Elizabeth Bennet. She talks with her guests at Rosings as if it were an inspection. She asks about their income, accomplishments, and education. She lectures Elizabeth about the importance of music, drawing and languages to the training of young ladies. Mr Collins has a very high regard for her, and his worshipful reports of her "advice" show that people tend to conform to authority:
"She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion … and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself,—some shelves in the closets up stairs."
Lady Catherine finds out that Elizabeth and Mr Darcy intend to marry, after Mr Collins shares a confidential letter. The confrontation at Longbourn represents the decline of her powers. She visits Elizabeth and commands her to decline Darcy's proposal, calling the match a "disgrace". She insists on family duty and tries to trap Elizabeth into a promise. Elizabeth refuses calmly, and Lady Catherine storms out. She is also unsuccessful later with Darcy. This exchange is a contest between entitlement and independent judgment:
"Obstinate, headstrong girl!"
"I am most seriously displeased."
"Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?"
These quotes suggest that Lady Catherine views marriage as a means of control from above. She rejects the idea that consent and affection can outrank lineage. Despite her belief, the separate visits to Elizabeth and Darcy have the opposite effect. Elizabeth shows she won't marry for status and lose her self-respect. Through Lady Catherine's intervention, Darcy learns that Elizabeth’s answer depends on him alone. There will be no external pressure that will sway Elizabeth's mind and block their engagement:
"It taught me to hope … I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that, had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and openly."
Her character doesn't change during the novel. Lady Catherine represents a system that confuses authority with wisdom. Austen turns social hierarchy into comedy and critique: commands are ridiculous when confronted with clear reason, while entitlement is worthless in contrast with quiet integrity.
William Collins
Mr Collins is a clergyman. He is also the holder of a valuable living at the Hunsford parsonage near Rosings Park, which is the estate of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bough. He treats rank almost as a virtue. His compliments sound like form letters. For example, he admires the "elegant" shelves and "prettyish" features of the Bennet house, rather than its warmth or character. His speeches are often thick with borrowed grandeur, and he frequently mentions his patroness to prove his importance.
His proposal to Elizabeth is almost comical. When he explains his "reasons for marrying", it sounds more like reading the minutes at a meeting than a marriage proposal. He believes rejection is a ritual and that a second request will be accepted:
"It is usual with young ladies to reject"
Collins is shocked when Elizabeth firmly rejects him. He can't comprehend that respect matters more than convenience, especially considering the position of Elizabeth's family. The scene highlights the emptiness of his understanding of marriage. He sees it simply as an arrangement to please his patroness and secure a household. He certainly does not see it as a partnership of equals:
"My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman… to set the example of matrimony in his parish."
Charlotte Lucas accepts Collins' proposal. She is intelligent, sensible and practical. Charlotte needs security and a husband she can manage, which Collins provides. She arranges their house to keep his pomp out of the way. He delivers his gratitude and rehearsed compliments, reporting the advice of Lady Catherine as law:
"The particular advice… of my patroness"
Austen treats this engagement with humour. She is gentle towards Charlotte, but sharp in her critique of Collins. He mistakes stakes deference for goodness and performance for piety.
Collins sends a letter to Mr Bennet after Lydia elopes. He moralises and suggests that the Bennet family is ruined, recommending distance. There is no sense of compassion in his writing, only the fear of being tainted by association. He acts as a foil to Darcy: while Darcy learn to be humble and act accordingly, Collins protects his reputation by words alone:
"The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this."
Like his patroness, Mr Collins does not change. He reflects the societal belief of the time that rank equals right. His language is shallow when it speaks of duty and gratitude, while ignoring the need for kindness, judgment and love.
Supporting characters
Charlotte Lucas
Charlotte is a friend of Elizabeth. She is 27 years old and has little fortune. Charlotte decides to accept the marriage proposal of Mr Collins, opting for security over idealism. This challenges Elizabeth's early views and highlights the economic pressure in many marriages of the time.
Charlotte arranges the household at Hunsford to keep her husband's pomp out of the way. This shows calm management, rather than resentment:
"I am not a romantic, you know… I ask only a comfortable home."
Georgiana Darcy
Georgiana is Darcy's younger sister. She had nearly eloped with Wickham when she was 15 years old, showing how innocence can easily be swayed by charm. She is sweet, shy, naive, and very accomplished:
"Miss Darcy was exceedingly shy."
Her character is used to show Darcy's kindness, as he looks after her at Pemberley. The siblings have an easy affection, which challenges Elizabeth's perception of Darcy as cold.
Caroline Bingley
Caroline is the younger sister of Elizabeth. She is infatuated with Darcy and is a minor antagonist in the novel.
She flatters Darcy at Nethfield, mocks the Bennets, and parades her "accomplishments". She tries to separate Bingley from Jane by hinting at indifference, suggesting Georgiana as a better match. Her compliments to Elizabeth are barbed, revealing her as a gatekeeper of class:
"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!"
Colonel Fitzwilliam
Fitzwilliam is Mr Darcy's cousin. He is courteous, sociable, and eligible. Unfortunately, he is also too frank, such as when he confirms that Darcy "saved" a friend from an unsuitable match. Elizabeth realises this is Bingley and Jane, which makes her angry before she receives Darcy's letter.
Fitzwilliam displays good manners without pride, and his clumsy honesty helps the truth to surface:
"I may have been supposed to have meant more than I did."
Mary Bennet
Mary is 18 years old and the middle sister in the family. She has a serious manner and likes to read, play music and moralise to her family. Her actions are often out of place, and her showy performance at the Netherfield ball embarrasses the family. She realises she isn't considered as beautiful as her sisters, and is defeated by the end of the novel, accepting her fate "without much reluctance".
She is a useful character for analysis as she reflects the title’s concerns about self-judgment and public image:
"Pride relates to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us."
Kitty Bennet
Catherine Bennet, more commonly known as Kitty, is pretty but delicate. Her parents often complain about her coughing, and walking beyond a certain distance is too much for her.
She is similar to Lydia in flirtation and gossip. When Lydia marries, she is steadied by her time with Jane and Elizabeth. The improvement is small but notable: in Austen's books, changes often follow associating with better company and firmer boundaries:
"Kitty has improved; she does not cough for attention now."
Conclusion - Characters in Pride and Prejudice
When considering each character in Pride and Prejudice, consider what they want, if anything stops them, and their next step. Elizabeth misjudges Wickham on her first impression, reads the letter from Darcy, and changes. Darcy snubs Elizabeth, reflects on his actions, and acts to change his manner and show his affection for Elizabeth, including by protecting her family. Bingley defers to Darcy, learns the need for firmness, and returns with greater resolve.
Keep your quotes short and to the point. For example, "Till this moment, I never knew myself" shows Elizabeth's shift. Meanwhile, "You must allow me..." shows Darcy's tone before he learns. Another example is Lady Catherine's entitled command: "Obstinate, headstrong girl!".
For further reading, you can learn about the historical context of Pride and Prejudice by the Chicago Public Library. You can also memorise key quotes in Pride and Prejudice by SaveMyExams on the main themes in the novel.
If you need support with your revision, TeachTutti has experienced GCSE English Literature tutors. Every tutor has an enhanced DBS check and will tailor lessons to your specific needs, such as preparing key quotes to memorise or revision plans.
