Jane and Elizabeth are sisters who have different views of Mr. Bingley and his sisters in Pride and Prejudice, a novel by Jane Austen. Jane is the eldest and most beautiful of the Bennet sisters, and she falls in love with Mr. Bingley, a wealthy and amiable gentleman who rents a nearby estate. Elizabeth is the second eldest and the most intelligent and witty of the sisters, and she dislikes Mr. Bingley's sisters, who are proud and snobbish, and his friend Mr. Darcy, who is also rich and arrogant.
Jane is very kind and gentle, and she always sees the best in people. She does not judge Mr. Bingley's sisters harshly, even though they look down on her family and try to separate her from Mr. Bingley. She also does not resent Mr. Darcy for his interference in her relationship with Mr. Bingley, or for his insulting remark about her at their first meeting. She believes that Mr. Bingley loves her sincerely, and she hopes that he will return to her after he leaves for London.
Elizabeth is more lively and outspoken than Jane, and she has a keen sense of humor and irony. She is not easily impressed by wealth or rank, and she values honesty and integrity above all. She does not like Mr. Bingley's sisters, who are superficial and insincere, and she often mocks them in her conversations with her friend Charlotte Lucas. She also detests Mr. Darcy for his pride and prejudice, and for his role in separating Jane and Mr. Bingley. She rejects his first proposal of marriage, and only changes her mind after she learns more about his true character and his actions to help her family.
The contrasting views of Jane and Elizabeth about Mr. Bingley and his sisters are illustrated by several quotes from the novel:
- "Bingley's sisters exchange visits with the Bennets and attempt to befriend Elizabeth and Jane. Meanwhile, Bingley continues to pay attention to Jane, **and Elizabeth decides that her sister is 'in a way to be very much in love' with him but is concealing it very well**." (Chapter 6)
- "She discusses this with Charlotte Lucas, who comments that if Jane conceals it too well, Bingley may lose interest. **Elizabeth says it is better for a young woman to be patient until she is sure of her feelings**; Charlotte disagrees, saying that it is best not to know too much about the faults of one’s future husband." (Chapter 6)
- "Elizabeth goes to visit her [Jane], hiking over on foot. When she arrives with soaked and dirty stockings she causes quite a stir **and is certain that the Bingleys hold her in contempt for her soiled clothes**." (Chapter 7)
- "That night, while Elizabeth visits Jane, **the Bingley sisters poke fun at the Bennets**." (Chapter 7)
- "Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst thought the same, **and added: 'She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker**.'" (Chapter 8)
- "'Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,' said Bingley; 'but this was all lost upon me. **I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning**.'" (Chapter 8)
- "'It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,' said Bingley." (Chapter 8)
- "'I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,' observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, 'that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.'" (Chapter 8)
- "'I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody else will; **and after all,** Mrs Long **and** her nieces must stand their chance; **and therefore,** as she will think it an act of kindness,** if you decline the office,** I will take it on myself.'" (Chapter 3)
- "'You are too hasty,** sir,'** she cried.'You forget that I have made no answer.Let me do it without further loss of time.Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me.I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals,but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than to decline them.'" (Chapter 34)
Sources:
: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pride/section2/
: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pride/full-text/chapter-8/
: https://www.123helpme.com/essay/How-Is-Jane-And-Binleys-Relationship-In-660934
: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pride/character/jane-bennet-and-charles-bingley/
: http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/78/
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