Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
In this section of Section 2, dreams have been dashed. Although Lizzy was the one to dash Mr. Collins' plans to marry her, Jane was on the other side with Mr. Bingley. The Bingley's left Longbourn and declared that they would not return. The theories Elizabeth and Jane put forth as to why Bingley abandoned the country after being so enthralled by Jane reveal the two to be foil characters in regard to how they view others.
Upon reading the letter from Caroline, Jane did not assume that she had lost her potential fiancee. The family declared that they would not return for winter, but Miss Bingley did not declare that they would never return again. Jane detected no hostility from her potential sisters-in-law, so had no reason to believe that they had a role to play in detaining Charles. Even in the face of being torn from her love, Jane revealed herself to be utterly trusting of her friends.
In contrast, Elizabeth detected foul play. Because the Bingley sisters had not approved of her own decorum, Elizabeth held prejudices against their honesty and good will. She related to her sister that she believed Mr. Bingley to be kept in London intentionally by his sisters who wished to see him married to Miss Darcy. Jane conveys her opposition: "'If we thought alike of Miss Bingley,' replied Jane, 'your representation of all this might make me quite easy. But I know the foundation is unjust,'" (Austen, 95). Even in a time of stress and anger, Jane made sure not to pass blame onto others as Elizabeth had. Jane's devotion to her friend's honor contrasted with Elizabeth's stubborn prejudice predicts the difficulties she might face with Mr. Darcy whom she views as unbearably prideful even though he wishes to marry her.
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