Being separately described as "plain?Jane in Jane Eyre and "tolerable but not handsome enough?Elizebath Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, we know they have distinct appearances from each other. Though both of them possess some similar qualities; nevertheless, as far as their backgrounds are concerned, they are totally different.
The similarities of Jane Eyre and Elizabeth Bennet can be found in their attitudes "seeking for equality and independence from men and the society. When Jane prepares to marry Rochester, some strong and complicated feeling occurs to her. The closer the wedding is coming, the more upset mind she has. Such an upset is arisen from the anxiety for losing freedom instead of the expectation of a sweet marriage. "I have as much soul as you,""and full as much heart!?ch. XXIII). "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.?(ch. XXXIII). From these quotations above, it is not hard to find how keenly she desires for equal and independence. She is afraid that she will be dominated by Rochester after marriage because at that time married women were commonly like dolls which were played by their husbands in the house. "Jane may also worry that the marriage will encroach upon her autonomy, and even enforce her submission to Rochester.?From website) However, Jane Eyre is not reconciled herself to be like that so as Rochester is found he still has a legal wife Jane leaves him determinedly. This also shows Jane's independence. Similar to Jane Eyre, Elizabeth is also quite independent and dying for an equal position between men and women. In Chapter VII, when Elizabeth's sister, Jane, is felt herself unwell when she is invited to dine at the Bingley's. Elizabeth insists to walk there by herself in a rainy day. "I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing when one has a motive; only three miles.
