Pride and Prejudice - the 200th Anniversary Audio Edition characters

Appears from the start

The second of the five Bennet daughters, Elizabeth is intelligent, observant, and quick to find humor in the behavior of others. She is close to her elder sister Jane and less impressed than her mother by wealth or rank. Her confidence in her own judgment is one of her defining qualities.

Appears from the start

Elizabeth's elder sister, admired for her beauty and her consistently generous view of other people. Jane rarely assumes bad motives and shares her private feelings most readily with Elizabeth.

Appears from the start

The dryly witty owner of Longbourn and father of five daughters. Mr Bennet retreats from family commotion into his library and often responds to his wife's anxieties with teasing rather than practical action.

Appears from the start

The mother of the five Bennet daughters. Anxious about the estate passing away from her children and intensely interested in eligible men, she treats marrying off her daughters as the family's most urgent business.

First appears in chapter 2

The youngest Bennet daughter, lively, impulsive, and eager for amusement. She is especially excited by the arrival of militia officers near Meryton and has little patience for restraint.

First appears in chapter 3

A wealthy, good-tempered young man who rents Netherfield Park. Sociable and easily pleased, Bingley quickly enjoys the local company and shows marked admiration for Jane Bennet.

First appears in chapter 3

Bingley's wealthy friend and the owner of Pemberley in Derbyshire. Handsome but reserved, Darcy refuses to join much of the dancing at the Meryton assembly and strikes the local company, especially Elizabeth, as proud and disagreeable.

First appears in chapter 4

Bingley's unmarried sister, an elegant and socially assured member of the Netherfield party. She is attentive to Darcy and judges the manners and connections of the Bennet family harshly.

First appears in chapter 5

Elizabeth's sensible friend and the eldest daughter of Sir William Lucas. Charlotte is plain-spoken about the economic realities of marriage and is more pragmatic about courtship than Elizabeth.

First appears in chapter 13

Mr Bennet's cousin and the clergyman who will inherit Longbourn because the estate is entailed through the male line. Formal, self-important, and eager to display his humility, Collins depends upon the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and arrives intending to repair relations with the Bennets.

First appears in chapter 15

A personable militia officer newly arrived in Meryton. His easy manners immediately attract Elizabeth, while his visible discomfort on encountering Darcy suggests an unexplained history between them.

First appears in chapter 25

Mrs Bennet's intelligent and warm-hearted sister-in-law, who lives in London with her husband and children. Mrs Gardiner has known Derbyshire and becomes a trusted adult confidante to Elizabeth and Jane.

First appears in chapter 29

Darcy's wealthy and imperious aunt, mistress of Rosings Park and patroness of Mr Collins. Lady Catherine expects deference, questions visitors freely about their affairs, and gives advice whether it is wanted or not.

First appears in chapter 44

Darcy's younger sister, a shy, accomplished girl living under his guardianship. Elizabeth meets her at Pemberley and finds her reserved manner very different from the pride she had expected.