Why Mrs Bennet Least Loves Elizabeth in Pride And Prejudice

In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth is the second eldest of the five Bennet sisters of the estate of Longbourn, situated near the fictional market village of Meryton in Hertfordshire, England. She is twenty years old at the beginning of the novel.

Elizabeth is portrayed as an intelligent young woman, with "a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in any thing ridiculous". She often presents a playful good natured impertinence, that does not offend. Early in the novel she is depicted as being personally proud of her mental quickness and her acuity in judging the social behaviour and intentions of others.

Of her family, Elizabeth is her father's favourite, described by him by having "something more of quickness than her sisters". In contrast, she is the least dear of her mother's children, especially after Elizabeth refuses a marriage proposal from the foolish and pompous Mr. Collins. Elizabeth is also often upset and embarrassed by the behaviour of her mother and of her younger sisters. Her father is a gentleman and a landowner, but his estate, Longbourn, is entailed away under English law from his children because he does not have a son, and upon his death, Longbourn will be inherited by his cousin Mr. Collins, a sycophantic and foolish clergyman.

Within her neighbourhood, Elizabeth is considered a beauty and a charming young woman, with "fine eyes", which is the first featureMr. Darcy is drawn to. He is later drawn more particularly to her "light and pleasing" figure, the "easy playfulness" of her manners, her mind and personality, and eventually considers her to be "one of the handsomest women" in his acquaintance.

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