Elizabeth Bennett has been acknowledged by the author herself as one of Jane Austen’s favourite characters.  Elizabeth’s lust for life is evident in her appreciation of and participation in music, dancing and conversation.  Her courage and self-assurance, most particularly evident when dealing with Mr Bingley’s sisters, are among her strongest qualities and she is thoroughly devoted to her family, in particular her sister Jane which is often shown through her care and consideration throughout her illness early in the novel and during her courtship and eventual marriage to Mr Bingley. 

Her wit, which is largely reliant on the ridiculous or pretentous, is evidenced in her quick witted responses to Mr Darcy.

Elizabeth’s attitude towards Darcy changes frequently throughout the novel leading upto her engagment with him.  There are times when Elizabeth likes and respects him – she is often attracted to him despite her obvious and passionate dislike of him.  There are times when she cannot get over her initial prejudices against him and considers him an unpleasant and insulting man.  There encounters are often characterized by verbal jousting, usually instigagted by Elizabeth herslf.  This in itself says a lot about Elizabeth’s unconscious feelings towards him – were in not for her “breaking the ice” with him each time they met up, contact between the two would more than likely never occur at all.  Interestingly, for much of the novel Elizabeth never has anything positive to say about Darcy, yet she also will not allow anybody put forward any negative comments.

Essentially Pride and Prejudice is the story of how Elizabeth manages to come over all obstacles, including her own personal failings in order to find romantic and personal happiness.