I think Susan Fraiman makes an interesting point in saying that Mr. Bennet holds some power over the suspense in the novel. He has a lot of power in making the choices and, like Susan said, withholds plenty of information, like when we see his thoughts on Elizabeth's rejection of Mr. Collins' proposal. Elizabeth is assumed to be Mr. Bennet's favorite as he sides with her on the proposal and is relieved when she returns home. I agree that Elizabeth seems almost like a "son" to him- but in female form, of course. The son he never had. But I don't think that Elizabeth is so manly as the author claims but that her character traits that she shows in the book-her refusal to marry Mr. Collins and Darcy and her speaking her honest opinion quite frequently-are things that were more associated with the men of that time than of the women who were supposed to be quiet, agreeable wives.
Before the letter from Darcy, Elizabeth was suspicious or opposed to most of the men in the novel, but reading the letter and realizing Darcy wasn't so evil changed her perspective on everything and almost changes her entirely.
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