Not Just a "Chick Book"

Of Jane Austen's six novels, Pride and Prejudice is arguably the most beloved.  Main character Elizabeth Bennet has long been held up as an ideal for many a young woman.  But what really makes Austen's stories special is her sharp and witty insight into the natures of both women and men.  This shines through especially in her collection of characters in Pride and Prejudice.  While famous for her lovable heroines, Austen gives us equally entertaining male leads.  The most emotion arousing ones are found in Mr. Darcy, Mr. Collins, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Wickham.  These four men present a wide spectrum of personalities leaving plenty of room for male readers to relate to some degree.  Austen paints Mr. Darcy with the most depth out of them all.  He is at first odious, then mysterious, then intriguing, and finally passionate and lovable.  Darcy alone is reason enough to pick up the book.  Mr. Collins is a rather humorous character in a creepy annoying sort of way.  He is funny in his severe lack of charm and unusual devotedness to Lady Catherine, his benefactor.  Throughout the story you have simultaneous impulses to punch him and invite him to your next social function.  The father figure, Mr. Bennet, is relatively quiet but his down to earth nature and tenderness give him an endearing quality.  He is, perhaps, the most sympathetic character in that he is trapped in a house full of women with large personalities.  Despite the fact that his is mostly silent, his few words are full of wisdom and love leaving you eager to turn the next few pages to hear what he has to say next.  What Austen story would be complete without a man of questionable intention?  Mr. Wickam is charming, friendly, personable, and talented, yet you are never entirely settled about him.  Austen does an excellent job of peeling back the layers to expose all of his good and bad qualities while also using him to shed light on others around him.  With all of these round characters, audiences of both sexes can be sure of a good read.