Elizabeth Bennet’s personality in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is unconventional, independent, and somewhat cynical, in contrast to what was considered acceptable social behavior of women of her time. Elizabeth is extremely forthright, and though her honesty and lack of pretense is considered forward by some, her directness gives her a clear and often unflattering perception of others. She is critical of many social norms and conventions. Near the beginning of Chapter 23, Elizabeth says to her sister, Jane, “The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters and of little dependence that can placed on the appearance of either merit or sense.” Elizabeth believes that once someone makes a mistake, there is no going back. Elizabeth saw you can’t depend on the appearance of someone and their “rank” because she was shown that people aren’t what they seem to be. Elizabeth’s decision was influenced by certain experiences she had with different people, people who claim to be sophisticated and well-brought up but act rude and are quite the opposite of how they appear. Mr. Collins, for example, is an arrogant, conceited and overall pathetic man. Mr. Collins actions are almost comical because he thinks very highly of himself when everyone else takes him for a joke. With his mindset he also automatically assumes that he is more than compatible for the Bennet daughters. Elizabeth continuously rejects his proposals, but Mr. Collins is so full of himself he doesn’t believe she really means it. Mr. Collins insultingly misjudges Elizabeth as just another girl that would swoon over any marriage proposal
that was thrown in her direction. Ms. Bingley and Mr. Bingley are also both good examples. Ms. Bingley thoroughly expresses that she is brought up in money and higher class, she lives for all of the superficiality of the more sophisticated life. People