Pride and Prejudice1

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the story of an English family in the early 1800's. The central theme in the story is the necessity of making a good marriage for each of the five daughters in the Bennet family. Elizabeth Bennet is the central character in the novel and the second oldest daughter. The role of her sisters' characters influence Elizabeth's thoughts about her own romantic interest, Fitzwilliam Darcy, throughout the novel. Lydia Bennet, …

…to marry. Lydia is a minor character in the story in comparison to her older sister, Elizabeth, but she plays a major role in the marriage of her sister and Darcy. It is Lydia's improper behavior (elopement) that opens Elizabeth's eyes to Darcy's true goodness and affection, allowing her to admit her love for him. Both central characters are able overcome their pride and prejudice, admit their own faults, and build a stable, happy marriage.