Title: MLA FORMAT
Author: Bailey Wilkins
Last saved by: Bob Baker

Baylee Wilkins

Mrs. Rutan

Creative Writing

3 December 2013
Pride and Predjudice Response

Elizabeth Bennet was the main protagonist in Pride and Prejudice. She is independent, strong willed, and very loyal. I think every woman desires to be independent; I myself do. Elizabeth wasn't independent in a way that she wouldn't except help for little things, like getting into a carriage, but in a way that she didn't think about having a man at her side every second of her day. Austen did a powerful juxtaposition by having Elizabeth's younger sister Lydia pine for a wealthy man almost every time she spoke. This was also comical, because Lydia was younger than Elizabeth; therefore, we assume she is more naive, which makes Elizabeth in contrast, even smarter. Elizabeth is very poised, also compared to her younger sisters. However, Elizabeth’s other sister, Jane, is shyer than Elizabeth, so that makes Elizabeth stand out more. According to her mother, Elizabeth was not as pretty as Jane, so we see her as plain. So when Mr. Darcy, a wealthy, handsome, man, takes interest in Elizabeth it's a feeling of optimism. I think many of us see ourselves as plain until we are told otherwise. Mr. Darcy states that Elizabeth is indeed not the prettiest woman he could find, but later he admits that he loves her anyway. He loves her even though she is not the common woman who draws and plays piano. She is outspoken, opinionated, and ordinary looking. I think that is what pulls the reader, or watcher, in. He has everything and expects everything, but instead falls in love with something completely the opposite. I also like the love between Jane and Mr. Bingley. I think their names are interesting. It's funny that Austen chose a rather ordinary name in our time for someone so beautiful and eye-catching. However, Mr. Bingley is an almost comical name in itself, and the character follows suit. A quirky, odd man loves a shy, beautiful woman. Their characters are odd for each other, which again makes us feel optimistic. They are separated at first by no means of Mr. Bingley, and yet he apologizes. I think that that shows how sincere he is; how madly in love he is with Jane. She balances him with her regality, and he balances her with his humor. The two eldest sisters are in contrast with about half of their family, half can't wait to be married; they are loud and obnoxious, half are observant and patient. The characters are all very different, with different personalities, and I think—even now—that each of them is still relatable. For example, I see my father in Mr. Bennet’s character. Mr. Bennet loves his daughters, but is very nonchalant about most things. Lydia, the young flirtatious sister, I see in many “boy-crazy” girls I know. I see my shy friend in Jane; I see myself in Elizabeth. Though the book was written very long ago, the characters are still relatable even today.
The characters also influence the setting. The settings, or places, Austen created are perfect for each scene. One of the most memorable scenes for me was the fight between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The scene is very ironic—there is a storm (rain) while they are fighting. Storms and rain are usually very dramatic and set a “dark” mood on things. I also find irony in the fact that it was cloudy during their fight, much like Elizabeth’s clouded vision of Mr., Darcy. However, at the end when Mr. Darcy walks through fog to Elizabeth, planning to propose to her again, her vision of him is no longer obscured or foggy. It is perfectly clear. It is clear that she loves him, and he loves her, and they had both been wrong about the other… and then the sun comes up. It was kind of like shining new light on the situation between them. I also like the atmosphere in the house; it was always very loud and playful. I think that that showed how close the family was to each other. When the house was quiet, something was always wrong or about to happen. Or the rest of the family was eavesdropping behind the door.
Elizabeth’s struggle was I think one many people have had. Why does she like him? Why, even though he has hurt her sister and he acts so proud of himself, is she attracted to him? She says at the end, that they are both so similar. They are both prideful, he has money and is proud, and she does not and is proud. They are opinionated, strong, and smart. Mr. Darcy has equally pressing questions. Why does he love an ordinary, plain girl with a poor, crazy family? He realizes that while he was expecting to find someone beautiful, with a passion for drawing and playing piano, those things are in fact ordinary. Drawing and playing to him, are normal, so when he meets someone who doesn’t care for those things, she is interesting. I think their love is hopeful; you want them to be together, they want to be together. Their love is optimistic, even though they are so prejudice about one another at the start. 
	The three sisters all find love that is very different from the other. Lydia finds what she thinks is love, but actually isn’t. Lydia thinks Mr. Witcomb is in love with her, but he really just married for money. Jane finds love that is her opposite. Mr. Bingley is funny, odd, and outgoing, while Jane is shy and poised. Elizabeth finds love that is like her. She and Mr. Darcy are proud, stubborn, and prejudice against the other—until they see that those differences don’t matter.

Love is love,
wherever you find it.