Pride and Prejudice "Fools"
Alison Steadman as Mrs. Bennet
Mrs. Bennet: The entire novel pokes fun at Mrs. Bennet every chance it gets. Right from the first page, she provides comical relief for readers. Her biggest concern in life is to get her daughters married off, however, with her lapses of social grace she in turn alienates the suitors she so desired to attract. Her biggest taunter is comically her husband to which she has no clue. In the first two chapters he acts like he is not going to introduce himself to the new tenant in the neighborhood who could be a potential suitor for one of their daughters, when in reality he just tells her this to get a rise out of her. It seems that any chance he gets, he makes a mockery of his wife. Judging from how she acts, it doesn’t seem that hard to poke fun at her expense. Mrs. Bennet seems to be the type of neighbor who knows everything about everyone. She keeps tabs on all of the gossip that goes on and tries to save it to use to her advantage, which always seems to backfire. Her character is a satire of the effects of lower breeding and unbecoming behavior.
Lydia Bennet: One of Elizabeth’s younger sisters. She is promiscuous and is more than excited when the naval party settles in town. She and her sister Kitty are constantly throwing themselves at the officers. Little does she know, or care, that this disgrace on her part in turn threatens the entire Bennet family. She eventually runs off with one of the seamen, Wickham—yes, Darcy’s nemesis, and lives with him out of wedlock, imposing more shame on the family. Her character portrays the idea that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. If her mother had instilled a better sense of values she may have not turned out like this. Also, she ends up miserable in the end, showcasing that bad decisions will eventually catch up with you.
Mary Bennet: The middle Bennet sister; readers cannot help but feel sorry for Mary. She seems to be that girl in school who thinks she has a great voice, when in reality she sounds like an alley cat dying. Mary probably receives the least amount of attention from her parents and is easily pacified. She would rather be off reading than participating in family activities. However, when she wants people to notice her she will make sure that they do, even if it means playing the pianoforte way off key. Overall, Mary is not included in the novel a great deal, but when she is, it is to provide comic relief as the misfit sister.
Mr. Collins: The inheritor to the Bennet household since they have five daughters and property is not passed on to a female heir. He is "not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society." Mr. Collins is a pompous man who lacks common sense. Sure that she will say yes to benefit her family, Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth. Upon rejection Elizabeth categorizes him as “a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man". Within a few days he becomes engaged to Elizabeth’s best friend, Charlotte. Mr. Collins values rank and wealth over intelligence and does not see the flaws in Lady Catherine’s speeches and actions. He is also incessantly bowing to people which gets on everyone's nerves. In general, Mr. Collins is an ignorant man who lacks the judgment to know when he is not welcome, imposing on the Bennets at his leisure. Even his new wife suggests he spend more time gardening as to avoid interaction with him.
Miss Bingley: Mr. Bingley’s sister. Throughout the novel she rides around on her high horse passing judgment on those whom she encounters, having a strong disdain for the middle class. She finds great amusement in the Bennet family, seeing them as inferior and disgraceful. Though she longs to become Mrs. Darcy, it is through her attempts at dissuading Mr. Darcy in his attempts to woo Elizabeth that in turn push him even more in her favor.
Lydia Bennet: One of Elizabeth’s younger sisters. She is promiscuous and is more than excited when the naval party settles in town. She and her sister Kitty are constantly throwing themselves at the officers. Little does she know, or care, that this disgrace on her part in turn threatens the entire Bennet family. She eventually runs off with one of the seamen, Wickham—yes, Darcy’s nemesis, and lives with him out of wedlock, imposing more shame on the family. Her character portrays the idea that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. If her mother had instilled a better sense of values she may have not turned out like this. Also, she ends up miserable in the end, showcasing that bad decisions will eventually catch up with you.
Mary Bennet: The middle Bennet sister; readers cannot help but feel sorry for Mary. She seems to be that girl in school who thinks she has a great voice, when in reality she sounds like an alley cat dying. Mary probably receives the least amount of attention from her parents and is easily pacified. She would rather be off reading than participating in family activities. However, when she wants people to notice her she will make sure that they do, even if it means playing the pianoforte way off key. Overall, Mary is not included in the novel a great deal, but when she is, it is to provide comic relief as the misfit sister.
Mr. Collins: The inheritor to the Bennet household since they have five daughters and property is not passed on to a female heir. He is "not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society." Mr. Collins is a pompous man who lacks common sense. Sure that she will say yes to benefit her family, Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth. Upon rejection Elizabeth categorizes him as “a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man". Within a few days he becomes engaged to Elizabeth’s best friend, Charlotte. Mr. Collins values rank and wealth over intelligence and does not see the flaws in Lady Catherine’s speeches and actions. He is also incessantly bowing to people which gets on everyone's nerves. In general, Mr. Collins is an ignorant man who lacks the judgment to know when he is not welcome, imposing on the Bennets at his leisure. Even his new wife suggests he spend more time gardening as to avoid interaction with him.
Miss Bingley: Mr. Bingley’s sister. Throughout the novel she rides around on her high horse passing judgment on those whom she encounters, having a strong disdain for the middle class. She finds great amusement in the Bennet family, seeing them as inferior and disgraceful. Though she longs to become Mrs. Darcy, it is through her attempts at dissuading Mr. Darcy in his attempts to woo Elizabeth that in turn push him even more in her favor.