I think the answer that herappleness provides is very
complete in lots of ways and really helps us to identify some of the qualities of
"goodness" in Elizabeth Bennet. However, clearly, any definition of "good" must define
what "goodness" is. To me, "goodness" isn't just being nice to people who actually
probably deserve censure and scorn. Actually, "goodness" implies two things that we see
in Elizabeth's character: a determination to stand up for what you think is right and an
ability to identify where you went wrong and to learn from
that.
Consider how in Chapter 41 Lizzie, abiding by her
idea of what is approved conduct in her society, outspokenly challenges her father and
confronts him with certain realities about Lydia:
"Excuse me--for I must speak plainly. If you, my
dear father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and of
teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of her life, she will
soon be beyond the reach of amendment. Her character will be fixed, and she will, at
sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family
ridiculous."
Here we can see
that Lizzie is good because her values cause her to challenge her father's judgement
openly when it was not deemed proper for women to do such a
thing.
Likewise, at the end of the story, we see her
ability to reflect on her own prejudice and mistakes, and how she has learnt and grown
from those errors:
"We will not quarrel for the greater share of
blame annexed to that evening," said Elizabeth. "The conduct of neither, if strictly
examined, will be irreproachable; but since then, we have both, I hope, improved in
civility."
Note the
willingness with which Elizabeth admits that she was at fault. She says she has been
"heartily ashamed" of her behaviour, and her ability to honestly admit her mistakes and
to show that she has been able to overcome her prejudice marks her as a truly "good"
heroine.
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