What Personality Type Is Elizabeth Bennet? (You Tell Us!)

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a classic novel in possession of a much-loved heroine, must be in want of personality typing.

Ah, Pride and Prejudice. Many of us read it to satisfy a course requirement, only to fall in love with the insight and sly humor that Jane Austen brings to her tale of courtship and social mores. (Well, some of us also fell in love with the proud, enigmatic Mr. Darcy, but that’s another story.)

Written in the early 19^th century, the novel centers on Elizabeth Bennet, a spirited twenty-year-old with strong ideals. Elizabeth is among the best-loved characters in literature because her personality – independent, principled, warm-hearted, and funny – leaps off the page.

Here at 16Personalities, we love to analyze the personality types of fictional characters. But this week, we’re turning the tables and asking you: What personality type do you think fits Elizabeth Bennet?

To help you with this mission, here are some of Elizabeth’s key traits.

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A Mind of Her Own

Even though she lives in a society that views a woman’s marriageability as her chief merit, Elizabeth isn’t desperate to become a wife. Resolved to stay true to herself, she plans to marry for love – or not at all – rather than accept a husband based on his wealth. This puts her out of step with the status quo – not to mention with her pushy, status-conscious mother.

When the eminently eligible (but insufferable) Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth, she immediately turns him down. “You could not make me happy,” Elizabeth says, “and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who would make you so.”

This sends her mother into quite a tizzy, and she warns Elizabeth, “But I tell you, Miss Lizzy – if you take it into your head to go on refusing every offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all.” Principled as ever, Elizabeth stays steadfast in her refusal.

“Conceited Independence”

Elizabeth’s feelings and principles guide her rather than reason or convention, and she isn’t afraid to appear a bit unladylike – particularly when it comes to helping those she loves. For example, when her sister falls ill, Elizabeth tramps through the muddy countryside to attend to her.

This earns Elizabeth the derision of other ladies, who make fun of her muddy petticoat and her “untidy,” “blowsy” hair. Trying to put down Elizabeth in front of some men, one of the ladies says, “To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence.”

Despite her confidence, Elizabeth is far from conceited. But this lady is correct in one respect: Elizabeth’s independent spirit is exactly why she holds a place in the hearts of so many 21^st-century readers.

Strong Impressions

Like anyone, Elizabeth has her weaknesses. In particular, she forms impressions of people quickly, and she’s slow to change these opinions. This is why she finds it so difficult to warm up to the seemingly aloof Mr. Darcy, who initially snubs her by refusing to ask her to dance.

At a later event, Mr. Darcy does ask Elizabeth to dance. She accepts but immediately regrets her decision. One friend tries to reassure her that speaking with Mr. Darcy might be agreeable after all. “Heaven forbid!” Elizabeth exclaims. “That would be the greatest misfortune of all! – To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! – Do not wish me such an evil.” Even though it’s tongue-in-cheek, this line of dialogue shows us how stubbornly Elizabeth clings to her negative opinion of Darcy.

By contrast, the charming, smooth-talking Mr. Wickham takes Elizabeth’s fancy. When Wickham tells an awful story that reflects badly on Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth is quick to believe him. Elizabeth’s sister Jane tries to give Darcy the benefit of the doubt, saying, “One does not know what to think.” Elizabeth, however, is adamant: “I beg your pardon; one knows exactly what to think.”

It’s not until much later that Elizabeth discovers her mistake: Wickham has lied to her, and Darcy is generous, principled, and loyal. In light of this, Elizabeth learns the importance of questioning her assumptions and keeping an open mind.

You Tell Us!

So, readers, does this sound like anyone you know? What personality type do you think fits Elizabeth Bennet best?

We’ll reveal our answer – and share some of your insights – next week.

(You can now find the follow-up article here.)

Comments

Please to join the discussion.

Viewing 1-5 of 42

No Excuses (Black Swan)

Advocate (INFJ-A)

totally ENFJ

Valley

Architect (INTJ-T)

I think it is likely that she is an ENTP or ENFP, but definitely not an XXSX

Anonymous

She's an obvious ENFP.

Architect (INTJ-A)

I think Elizabeth Bennet is an 18th century ENTJ! Women wouldn’t have been expected to express themselves with the words “I think” regarding virtually any subject; “I feel” and “my feelings” would’ve been the only acceptable and expected terms for expressing herself at the time(for both the readers of the book and the other characters in Pride and Prejudice’s world). Additionally, Elizabeth Bennet keeps her true feelings to herself throughout the entire novel folks! She also doesn’t readily know or understand her own feelings. And while she readily has feelings (Because even we ENTJs have feelings-very strong ones in fact) and shows partiality because of them, she’s never entirely closed off to changing her perceptions; more angry at the thought that she might be forced to(sounds pretty logical to me). The scene with Mr. Collins is a last resort to dealing with his feebleness that she takes little pleasure in but is satisfied that it’s what’s needed. As for turning down Mr. Darcy’s first proposal that was pure logic, who would ever expect a yes after examining the evidence of his condescension in that proposal? And of course it made her angry-ENTJs are human beings. She waits to express most of her feelings in private (and very strongly) or bottles up and explodes as mentioned above regarding Mr. Darcy. She expresses her very muddled feelings humorously and very vaguely to either Jane, Charlotte or her Aunt Gardener. She doesn’t even fully express her feelings in great detail to Mr. Darcy in the end, she only indicates they have changed; that the well of feeling runs deep within her is implied. And no I don’t just think this is about these people being British and upper class! She has little desire for societal conventions that don’t suit her so if she was a true ENFJ we’d see that reflected in the manner of her expression of love. ENFJs are comfortable expressing their feelings and with appearing to be a little unglued or unhinged. Elizabeth Bennett is horrified by that thought in the book(when Mr. Darcy sees her break down regarding Lydia). I agree regarding being taken in by Mr. Wickham without the normal skepticism of an ENTJ but she’s only 20 in the novel and one could argue she’s a turbulent ENTJ and as well.

she's not an ENTJ lol. doesn't even behave like one.