Throughout all texts, the personality and development of the characters is an art created by the author. How the reader perceives the characters plays a large role in the readers understanding and connection to the text. In Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen’s development of many characters draws certain emotions from the reader. The personalities of many characters in Pride and Prejudice become infuriating and bothersome as the novel progresses. Austen’s creation of ridiculous and exaggerated characters such as Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, Miss Bingley, and Lady Catherine create negative reader bias towards the characters and their actions in the novel. The ridiculous behavior of Mrs. Bennet is introduced early in the novel and with her unpleasant manner she is soon viewed as wacky and overwhelming. The reader quickly becomes aware of Mrs. Bennet’s obsession as, “The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news” (7). This shortly becomes the extent and complete preoccupation of Mrs. Bennet throughout every activity, creating an overwhelmed and smothered feeling by the reader. As her daughters progress in society and marriage opportunity drift closer, Mrs. Bennet’s extremity increases, “Can I have the carriage?” “No, my dear, you out to go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay the night” (31)

After this conversation, Jane makes the trip and catches a bad cold; she is then forced by her mother to stay there in the hope of furthering her relationship with Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet’s excessive preoccupation begins to spark questioning in the reader such as; exactly what kind of mother is she? What mother would put her child’s health at risk in hopes of furthering her relationship with a man? The absurd vibe about Mrs. Bennet felt by the reader increases as her actions are proved