Contents

Sketch the character of Mr. Bennet.

When we begin ‘Pride and Prejudice’, it appears that Mr. Bennet is a very important person, simply because he is among those who have been introduced first in the novel. He is the head of his family which is the central part in the novel. He is father of the heroine, Elizabeth. His two other daughters Jane and Lydia are the key figures in two of the three sub-plots. Mr. Collins a key figure in the third sub plot is also introduced by him. He is present in the novel from beginning to the end. So, it appears that he has an importance. But when we analyse and look at things more closely, we find that Mr. Bennet enjoy the status of an observer in the novel and, of course, he is an honoured and privileged observer. He does not play any significant role and his contribution to the development of the story is also insignificant.

Mr. Bennet is a member of the landed gentry with a modest. income. His estate in the Longbourn village of Hertfordshire is entailed, that is it will pass on to a distant cousin if he does not have a male heir. He has five daughters of marriageable age and this is the reason why his wife, Mrs. Bennet lives in a state of constant apprehension of losing her property in the event of premature death of her husband. He complains that his own wife has been unable to comprehend his character even after twenty three years of marriage. But this incomprehension on the part of Mrs. Bennet is her percepective fault and not any complexity or intricacy of Mr. Bennet’s character. He is flat and transparent for anybody to see. Her own daughter Elizabeth analyses his character objectively and realistically.

Mr. Bennet is really an odd mixture of different traits. His daughter Elizabeth seems to have inherited playfulness. He takes delight in teasing his wife and his comments are always loaded, never innocent. His conversation with Collins and is letter to him are classic examples of his perceptive insight. His remarks, comments and observations unmistakably reveal that Mr. Bennet is a man of great scholarship, intelligence and ability. One mistake of his youth of being deceived by the beauty. Youth and good humoured disposition, he committed the blunder of marrying a lady of mean understanding. It belighted his domestic peace and happiness and made him a recluse in his own home. He turned to books and confined himself most of the time to his liberary and to the beauty of Nature in the neighbourhood. It also made him cynical, detached and resigned. But he retains his sense of humour which is saroastic, but always entertaining and enjoyable and is evident in his comments and observation.

His views and opinions about Mrs. Bennet, about his daughters, about Wickham, Darcy, Collins and events and things in general are for the most part correct and characteristic of Mr. Bennet. His observation when he is called upon by Mrs. Bennet to compel Elizabeth to accept Collins’ proposal of marriage, is demonstrative of his keen insight into human nature. He supports Elizabeth in his own characteristic fashion. Despite this perceptive virtue, Mr. Bennet is not a man of action. He is detached and indifferent to the point of negligence. He fails to catch the ring of urgency and sincerity in the imploring of Elizabeth to restrain Lydia’s frivolity and stop her from visiting Brington. His inaction leads to that social stain on account of Lydia’s indiscretion.

Mr. Bennet neglected his wife and later made no effort to guide and assist his daughters. His daughters are happy due his this irresponsibility, indifference and negligence on his part especially when he had realized very early that his wife was a lady of poor understanding, vulgar tastes and no ability.

Summing up, Mr. Bennet’s sarcasm does not spare even her own daughters and he is heartless on such occasions. He does not consider what pains his remark may cause. He is on the whole, a lovable and enjoyable person, but he can be forgiven for his negligence of his family.