In Jane Austen’s beloved novel Pride and Prejudice, the five Bennet sisters – Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia – are central characters. Each sister has her own unique personality and physical attributes. When it comes to evaluating beauty and prettiness, there are varying opinions on which Bennet sister stands out as the most attractive. By analyzing the descriptions given in the novel, the sisters’ traits and qualities, and looking at popularity among readers, we can attempt to answer the question: who is the prettiest Bennet sister?
What makes someone “pretty”?
Before determining who is the prettiest sister, it is worth considering: what makes someone pretty in the first place? Some key factors that contribute to prettiness include:
- Facial features – Do they have symmetrical, well-proportioned facial features?
- Complexion – Do they have clear skin and a vibrant, healthy glow?
- Hair – Do they have thick, shiny hair that frames their face in a flattering way?
- Eyes – Are their eyes bright, large and expressive?
- Smile – Do they have a warm, genuine smile that lights up their face?
- Body shape – Do they have a slim, feminine body shape?
- Fashion sense – Do they dress in a flattering, stylish manner?
- Confidence – Do they carry themselves with grace and self-assurance?
These are some of the qualities that factor into perceptions of prettiness. Keeping these in mind, let’s examine each Bennet sister.
Jane Bennet
As the eldest sister, Jane’s beauty is renowned throughout the village where the Bennets live. She is widely considered the most beautiful young lady around. Here is how Jane is described:
What the novel says
“Her heart was open to every body. Her beauty and her amiable qualities drew the regard of the whole neighbourhood.”
and…
“With such rivals for the notice of the fair, as Mr. Wickham and the officers, Mr. Collins seemed likely to sink into insignificance; to the young ladies he certainly was nothing; but he had still at intervals a kind listener in Mrs. Philips, and was, by her watchfulness, most abundantly supplied with coffee and muffin. When the card tables were placed, he had an opportunity of obliging her in return, by sitting down to whist.”
Jane’s most defining features are:
- Amiable personality – well-liked by all who know her
- Renowned beauty – considered the local beauty
- Open heart – warm, trusting, and kind
Her lovely disposition matches her external beauty. Overall, Jane seems to possess a classical, feminine beauty inside and out.
Popularity among readers
Jane is often a favorite character among readers. Her gentle spirit, optimism and good-hearted nature strike a chord. Readers admire her resilience dealing with disappointments in love. Jane represents the ideal of inner and outer beauty.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth Bennet is the second eldest sister, closest to Jane in age. She is considered a local beauty, though not as widely-known as Jane. Here is how Elizabeth is described:
What the novel says
“Elizabeth was now at her leisure to examine the real state of things. Jane was mistress of the subject, and Elizabeth saw nothing to censure in her.
Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed to hear; and was delighted with Mrs. Gardiner’s intelligence.”
Elizabeth’s notable traits include:
- Fine eyes – dark, sparkling and intelligent
- Pretty figure – slender and pleasing
- Lively, playful nature
- Quick wit – clever and humorous
Unlike Jane’s soft beauty, Elizabeth has more striking, sparkling features. Her eyes and lively personality give her a captivating charm.
Popularity among readers
As the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet is undoubtedly the most beloved character of the novel. Readers are drawn to her wit, independent spirit, and complexity. Her flaws make her human, while her growth empowers readers. Though her beauty may be more subtle than Jane’s, readers adore Lizzie’s vivacity and strength.
Mary Bennet
The middle sister, Mary is the plainest of the Bennet girls. She is bookish and pedantic, lacking the vivacity of her other sisters. Here is Mary described:
What the novel says
“Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.”
“Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.”
Key traits of Mary’s include:
- Plain looks
- Bookish personality
- Pedantic speaking style
- Conceited manner
With her average looks and tedious conversation style, Mary does not stand out for her beauty or charm.
Popularity among readers
Mary is not a favorite character for most readers. She comes across as vain despite her lack of beauty or wit. However, some readers appreciate her hard work ethic and dedication to self-improvement through academic study. Her pretentiousness can be comedic at times. Overall though, she is not considered one of the prettier sisters.
Kitty Bennet
The second youngest sister, Catherine “Kitty” Bennet is known for being flighty, immature and boy-crazy. She does not receive much individual description in the novel. Here is one quote about Kitty:
What the novel says
“Catherine was weak and irritable, and had been crying the whole morning.”
Some of Kitty’s traits are:
- Childish personality
- Easily influenced by others
- Prone to frequent tears
With little said about Kitty’s looks, we can deduce she is not considered a great beauty. Her silly behavior does not give the impression of someone graceful or charming.
Popularity among readers
Kitty tends to be overlooked as an individual. Readers may feel sympathy for how Lydia leads her astray. She is not anyone’s favorite sister, but is not hated either. Her immaturity provides some humorous moments. But overall, Kitty is generally seen as rather plain and unremarkable.
Lydia Bennet
The youngest Bennet, Lydia is vivacious but vain, self-absorbed and lacking in morals. Here is how Lydia is described:
What the novel says
“Lydia was a stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humoured countenance; a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age… [she had] high animal spirits…
“[Lydia] saw that there was not a genteel face amongst the whole group; nothing but…wild, noisy girls.”
Some of Lydia’s notable traits are:
- Fine complexion
- Good-humored expression
- High energy
- Wild and loud
Lydia’s decent looks and lively energy make her stand out from her sisters. However, her wildness and lack of grace detract from perceptions of beauty. Her self-absorption makes her charm only superficial.
Popularity among readers
Lydia is one of the least liked sisters among readers. Her reckless behavior, vanity and selfishness frustrate many. However, some readers may find her high-spirited nature provides comic moments, even if her morals are questionable. Her actions drive the plot, so she is an impactful character for better or worse.
Conclusion
And the prettiest sister is…
After analyzing the descriptions, traits, and reader opinions about each Bennet sister, the sister who seems to edge out as the prettiest is Jane. Her classical beauty both inside and out makes her a true darling. Elizabeth’s charm and wit make her captivating in her own right as well. Lydia’s vitality give her a certain magnetism if not true prettiness. While plainer sisters like Mary and Kitty fade into the background.
So in the question of who is the prettiest sister in Pride and Prejudice, the honor seems to belong to the beloved elder sister, Jane Bennet. What do you think – who is your pick for prettiest Bennet sister and why? The debate continues!
Discussion Questions
Here are some questions for further discussion on the prettiest Bennet sister:
- Do you agree that Jane is the prettiest sister, or do you think another sister is more beautiful? Why?
- Is prettiness limited to just physical looks? What about inner beauty and personality?
- Does Lydia’s lively energy make up for her lack of morals when considering her beauty?
- Do you think Mary’s plainness is a fair assessment, or is she underestimated?
- Does Kitty’s immaturity and impressionability detract from her looks?
- Should factors like intelligence, wit, and confidence play a role in evaluating beauty?
- Do you think the sisters’ beauty or lack thereof affects their outcomes in the novel?
- Does society today judge beauty by standards different from those in Jane Austen’s time? How so?
What makes someone truly beautiful is highly subjective. When analyzing the prettiest Bennet sister, there are many perspectives from which to consider the question. While Jane seems to take the title, good arguments could be made for the radiant inner beauty of Lizzie or the youthful vigor of Lydia. The debate over who is the fairest Bennet will continue for ages to come!
The Bennet Sisters Beauty Ranked in a Table
| Rank | Sister | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jane | Classical beauty, inside and out |
| 2 | Elizabeth | Captivating eyes and wit |
| 3 | Lydia | Lively energy, but lacks grace |
| 4 | Mary | Plain and pedantic |
| 5 | Kitty | Immature, not remarkable |
This table ranks the Bennet sisters from most beautiful to least, providing a brief description for each.
The Role of Beauty in Pride and Prejudice
While discussing which Bennet sister is the prettiest provides an intriguing debate, we should also consider: how important is beauty in Pride and Prejudice overall? Here are some perspectives:
- Jane’s beauty initially attracts Bingley’s eye, but he comes to truly love her gentle spirit.
- Elizabeth’s charm wins Darcy over as he sees beyond her lower class and average looks.
- Beauty fades – the sisters must rely on other virtues to secure happy futures.
- Beauty can conceal flaws – Lydia’s good looks hide her lack of morals.
- Overemphasizing beauty leads Mrs. Bennet to push her daughters into hasty, poor matches.
So while beauty plays a role in first impressions, lasting love and happiness require deeper connections. The sisters’ virtues outweigh their outward appearances in determining their futures.
Beauty Standards in Jane Austen’s Time
Austen’s novel also gives us insights into beauty standards for the late 18th/early 19th century:
- Fair complexions were prized as it meant women did not have to labor outdoors.
- Blushing and clear skin were seen as youthful and innocent.
- Liveliness and energy in younger girls was desirable.
- Style centered around Empire waist dresses made of fine muslin or linen.
- Accessories like bonnets, gloves, and parasols protected fair complexions.
- Accomplishments like singing, drawing, or speaking French polished a lady’s charms.
These ideals emphasized a feminine, refined and modest beauty – principles the Bennet sisters’ embodied to varying degrees.
Conclusion
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice features the five Bennet sisters as central characters, each with her own brand of beauty. By analyzing the descriptions of the sisters in the novel, their portrayed traits, and their popularity among readers, eldest sister Jane seems to rise as the prettiest. Her classically feminine looks and kind heart resonate widely. However, Lizzie’s captivating wit and Lydia’s high energy have their own charm. Judgments of beauty are inherently subjective, shaped by cultural standards of the time. Regardless of who is deemed the prettiest, the novel ultimately shows that inner virtue matters most when it comes to lasting relationships. The debate over who is the fairest Bennet will continue, but their worth lies in far more than superficial beauty.