Character Analysis #2: Jane Bennet

Nathaniel Burns-Sarno
Advanced Placement English/Mr. George
November 30, 2009
Character Analysis: Jane Bennet
Jane Bennet is a beautiful, trusting individual with a shining personality who sees only the good qualities of those around her.
Jane Bennet, sister and best friend of the novel’s protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, is known for her beautiful appearance and agreeable personality. These qualities make her the favorite daughter of Mrs. Bennet, who wishes to see all her daughters married to wealthy gentlemen. Jane shows that she cares for others very much. She is always there to assist Elizabeth with her problems and expresses that she values the happiness of others over her own happiness. Jane is very cordial and polite to those around her, which sometimes causes trouble for her. An example of this is that both Caroline Bingley and Mr. Darcy argue that Jane’s behavior towards Mr. Bingley may not have anything to do with affection, but rather may have to do with the good manners Jane shows to everyone around her. However, Jane’s love for Bingley is genuine and she hopes that they will be together even after Bingley leaves town. Jane has an optimistic disposition that causes her to only see the good in other people, even when they are clearly attempting to tamper with her happiness. The greatest example of this is when Elizabeth insults the characteristics of Caroline Bingley, who does not approve of the relationship between her brother and Jane and attempts to prevent them from being together. Jane’s response to Elizabeth’s description of Caroline was, "'If we thought alike of Miss Bingley, your representation of all this, might make me quite easy But I know the foundation is unjust. Caroline is incapable of willfully deceiving any one; and all that I can hope in this case is, that she is deceived herself'"(Austen 91). This shows how unwilling Jane is to believe that some people may have erroneous qualities. Jane remains trustful throughout the novel, and her good nature is rewarded in the form of her marriage to Bingley and in finally seeing Elizabeth truly happy.
Jane is basically Mrs. Bennet’s prized show-dog, beauty and temperament beyond all of her sisters. Being so loyal and trusting, the show-dog will follow the influences of those around it, trusting that everyone has its best interest at heart. The show-dog is also shown around by its handler, who boasts to all around her of its elegance and good nature. The handler takes great care in showing off their show-dog to other handlers so that its superior breeding may be known by all. This is done in order to increase the chance that their show-dog will become part of a breeding pair with a show-dog of grand ancestry and fortune. However, even through the obsessive behavior of its handler, the show-dog will remain optimistic and trusting of those around it, thus keeping its true beauty in its loyalty and devotion.
A modern day Jane Bennet would be Princess Diana, who had a mother who wanted her married to a respectable man and many men in want of her hand. Diana also took special interest in the plight of others and sought to ease the pain of those in need, just as Jane offers her ear to those who are in need of sympathy.