Jane

Jane is the beautiful oldest daughter, in a less than fortunate family, who is blinded from the evils of others by her tremendous optimism.

            The two major qualities that Austen exerts on Jane are her beauty and her optimism. Jane’s beauty is even acknowledged by the critical Mr. Darcy: “You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room” (Austen 13). This was the only compliment that was made by Mr. Darcy the entire night. This shows that Jane is beautiful enough even to gain a compliment from the most pessimistic man in the room at the time. Darcy’s initial pessimism is greatly contrasted by Jane’s blind optimism. Jane, even after hearing about the dispute between Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy, refuses to believe in the evil of others. Even when Jane hears of what Mr. Wickham has done to Lydia, she is still able to find good in the situation: “But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart” (254). She is hopeful enough to think that since her family is not rich, Wickham must truly care for Lydia. Jane’s severe optimism is a dangerous flaw that could lead her into pain.

            Jane is a fawn, whose beauty is only surpassed by her innocence. Jane is raised in a society in which she must learn to protect herself from the dangers of others. Mr. Wickham could be considered a hunter, attracted by the beauty of the fawn, but once he realizes that the coat of this fawn is not as shiny as he wishes, he will move on to another. The fawn is only tamed by Bingley, the buck, whose good nature, and large dwelling are able to protect the fawn.

Jane’s optimism and beauty are to her what innocence and loveliness are to Snow White.