In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast, or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. There are many relationships in Jane Austen’s early nineteenth-century novel Pride and Prejudice—ones that are hoped for, developing, and those that have already developed. These relationships can be foils, referring to characters in a relationship in which their attributes contrast one another. The novel is set in during the Georgian era in England. Mr. Bennet, an English gentleman, lives in the Longbourn Estate with his overbearing wife. As Charles Bingley, a rich single man, moves to the Netherfield estate, the residents of Hertfordshire, especially Mrs. Bennet are overjoyed, as she is hoping to marry one of her five daughters to him. …show more content…
On the other hand, they are unimpressed by Bingley's friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, the aristocratic owner of the Pemberley Estate, who is too proud to speak to any of the locals, including Elizabeth Bennet. Over time, the prejudice of Elizabeth Bennet against the evident arrogance of her future courter, Fitzwilliam Darcy lessens, and both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are successful in overcoming their pride, allowing them to fall in love. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen explores the varying social strata in England through individual and couple foils in a way that shows that Elizabeth Bennet’s foil is Charlotte Lucas, her best friend, Mr. Darcy’s foil is his adversary, George Wickham, and as a couple, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam’s foil is Jane Bennet and Charles