Austens Worldview Through Elizabeths Eyes Essay

John Locke once said, â€Å"I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts,† and this statement couldn’t be truer. In her novels, Jane Austen uses a similar technique to bring her characters to life and make them more relatable to her readers; thus providing a window into the characters’ inner ideals. In one of her masterpieces, Pride and Prejudice, we especially see Austen’s brilliant characterizations into play that speak volumes of insight into society and human nature. More specifically, Austen ingeniously uses Elizabeth Bennet’s actions, her words, her outlook on others, and her comparison with other characters to display Austen’s own innate ideologies. We first see Austen’s mastery at play in providing†¦show more content†¦Firstly, Mrs. Bennet warns Elizabeth against going because she would not look presentable upon her arrival (Austen 23). Secondly, when Elizabeth does arrive at Netherf ield â€Å"her appearance create[s] a great deal of surprise. That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt for it† (Austen 24). What Austen is trying to communicate through Elizabeth’s seemingly simple act of walking to Netherfield by herself is, first of all, Elizabeth’s character and then subtly, she begins to make her point. Austen shows Elizabeth’s selflessness, her bravery, her genuine care for her sister’s wellbeing, and her indifference to what the Bingleys or Darcy would think of her. Even though Elizabeth knew that her traipse would be physically exhausting, would leave her with a bedraggled appearance, and could put her at risk, she decides not to wait for the carriage and goes to see Jane immediately. Along with displaying these positive attributes of Elizabeth, Austen man ages to show readers how proud and self-dependent Elizabeth actually is. The bigger picture Austen is trying to get at is that at times a choice must be made between blindly following the rules of society or doing what seems to be more significant. Although she regards â€Å"propriety†Show MoreRelatedThe Strong Characters In Jane Austens Pride And Prejudice1092 Words   |  5 PagesJane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, follows Elizabeth Bennet and her transition into the world of marriage and suitors. Elizabeth, after reading Mr. Darcy’s letter, has a pivotal shift in her character that carries on throughout the rest of the novel. Although this shift from making judgments to being shaped by them might make her appear weak, the letter is the point in which she begins to mature into a rational young woman. Some scholars pose the argument that Elizabeth becomes a weaker