Jane Austen's Classic: Pride and Prejudice characters

Appears from the start

The quick-witted second Bennet daughter, who is observant, independent-minded, and ready to laugh at foolishness. Her father's affection and her own confidence in her judgment set her apart within the family, though her first impressions can harden before she has all the facts.

Appears from the start

The sardonic head of the Bennet household, whose estate is entailed away from his daughters. He retreats from domestic disorder into his library and entertains himself by teasing his wife, often seeing family absurdities clearly without taking enough responsibility for correcting them.

Appears from the start

The anxious, talkative mother of five unmarried daughters. Because the family estate will pass to a male cousin, she treats every eligible wealthy newcomer as a possible safeguard against her daughters' uncertain future and pursues marriages with little concern for discretion.

Appears from the start

The eldest Bennet daughter, admired for her beauty and gentle temper. She habitually assumes the best of other people and is reluctant to admit that anyone has acted from malice, a generosity that Elizabeth both loves and sometimes questions.

First appears in chapter 2

The youngest Bennet daughter, lively, impulsive, and absorbed in officers, dances, and amusement. Her parents provide little effective restraint, and Mrs Bennet encourages the bold manners that her older sisters find embarrassing.

First appears in chapter 3

A wealthy, sociable young man who leases Netherfield Park. He is open in his enjoyment of local company and quickly admires Jane Bennet, contrasting with the reserve and sharper standards of his friend Darcy.

Also known as Mr Darcy

First appears in chapter 3

Bingley's wealthy friend and the owner of Pemberley. His handsome appearance and fortune initially attract notice at the Meryton assembly, but his proud reserve and refusal to dance offend the neighborhood, especially Elizabeth, whom he dismisses within her hearing.

First appears in chapter 4

Bingley's fashionable unmarried sister, who keeps house for him at Netherfield. Polished and socially confident, she befriends Jane while making plain that she considers the Bennet family's connections and behavior beneath her own circle.

First appears in chapter 5

Elizabeth's sensible, composed friend and the eldest Lucas daughter. At twenty-seven and without much fortune, she views marriage in practical terms and does not expect the romantic happiness that Jane or Elizabeth hopes to find.

First appears in chapter 13

Mr Bennet's cousin and heir to the entailed Longbourn estate. A pompous clergyman, he mixes elaborate humility with self-importance and constantly cites the approval of his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Also known as Mr Wickham

First appears in chapter 15

A handsome, engaging officer newly attached to the militia near Meryton. His easy manners win immediate favor with Elizabeth and the neighborhood, while a tense chance meeting shows that he and Darcy already know and dislike one another.

First appears in chapter 25

Mrs Bennet's intelligent and good-humored sister-in-law, visiting Longbourn with her husband from London. Elizabeth values her judgment and trusts her enough to discuss Jane's disappointment and her own interest in Wickham.

First appears in chapter 29

Darcy's formidable aunt and the owner of Rosings Park. Conscious of rank and accustomed to directing everyone around her, she questions Elizabeth freely, dispenses unasked-for advice, and expects deference from her household and neighbors.

First appears in chapter 30

Darcy's amiable cousin, an army colonel and the younger son of an earl. He meets Elizabeth at Rosings, enjoys her company, and speaks with greater ease than Darcy, though his lack of an eldest son's fortune limits his freedom to marry without financial consideration.