Contents

Sketch the character of Jane Bennet.

Jane Bennet is the eldest daughter among the five daughters of Mrs. and Mr. Bennet. She is the most beautiful girl. She has an acknowledged beauty. When Mr. Bennet shows his preference for his second daughter, her mother remarks.

“Lizzy is not a bit better than the others, and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane … …”

Not only by her mother alone, but also she is an acknowledged beauty of neighbourhood. At the Meryton, Ball, Charles Bingley is immediately drawn towards her and dances twice with her. Even the proud and fastidious Darcy has to acknowledge that Jane is the most beautiful girl. When Bingley asks him to dance with Elizabeth, Darcy objects and says that –

“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room……” and he looks Jane Bennet.

Besides her physical charm, which are captivating indeed, Jane Bennet’s nature and temperament is also equally exquisite. She has a very sweet disposition which endears to her even strangers.

Even the haught and hypocritical, though outwardly polished and agreeable, Bingley sisters, who are so averse and adversely critical of Mrs. Bennet and her daughters for their indiscreet conduct and speech make an exception in the case of Jane, and to some extent to Elizabeth.

Jane’s nature is truly angelic. She thicks well of everybody. Elizabeth has reason to be prejudiced against Darcy but Jane does not share her sister’s opinion. Elizabeth penetrates through deceptive exterior of culture and refinement of the fashionable. Bingle sisters and suspects them to be hypocrites, but Jane thinks them to be extremely fine ladies. Similarly when the other field party follows Bingley to London and Jane receives Caroline’s letter informing of the intention of staying at London for the whole winter and also about her brother’s amorous inclination towards Miss Darcy Elizabeth smells a plot against Jane to Bingley away from her. But Jane does not convince of such a thing until she painfully gets the confirmation whicle she stays with the Gardiners in London. Jane is simple-hearted and noble whereas her sister Elizabeth is wise and intelligent.

Jane is neither demonstrative nor dashing. Charlotte’s observation that Jane’s nature of keeping her feelings to herself may not be to her own advantage, is very true. Jane’s love for Bingley is not expressed by her and so Darcy also concludes that Jane is indifferent to Bingley’s love and succeeds in keeping Bingley away from Jane for quite some time.

Similarly, she does not believe that Wickham can be so villainous and wicked. She knows the failings and foolishness of her mother but she continues to look after her. When her mother keeps to her own room after Lydia’s elopement with Wickham, she takes all care of her. Her uncle and aunt have great faith in her goodness and affectionate nature and safety leave their children to her care when they go out on pleasure trip with Elizabeth..

Summing up, Jane is calm, equable, sweet and noble. She does not have Elizabeth’s spirits, with intelligence and insight, but at the same time Elizabeth also does not have Jane’s simplicity, nobility and sweetness which makes Jane a universal favourite. Jane never makes show of her love for Bingley. She suffers in silence but keeps up an exterior which does not betray the agony of her heart. Perhaps, for reason of her simplicity and nobility, she is rewarded with the fulfillment of her heart’s cherished desire which was her union with Bingley.