Ahhh. Jane and Bingley. Of all the characters in Pride and Prejudice these two deserve to be together — and deserve a happy ending — the most. If Austen had been a lesser writer I think Jane and Bingley would have been the main characters in the novel. Pride and Prejudice would have been a more straightforward romance of two beautiful nice people meeting, falling in love, being separated by circumstance and malevolent people, but coming together at the end and, against all odds, getting that happy ending. Not a bad story. A charming story, no doubt, but not one, perhaps, that we’d still be re-reading 200 years later. (And one, no doubt, that would have had a different title.)
Suzannah Harker in the 1995 series.
I have absolutely nothing critical to say about Jane. And I am sure she would have absolutely nothing bad to say about me. She is beautiful, shy, kind, reserved, humble and believes the very best in everybody. She is a most loving sister and devoted daughter. We all deserve at least one Jane Bennet in our lives. (And maybe we should all strive to be a little more Jane like — how’s that for a New Year’s resolution?)
Rosamund Pike in the 2005 movie
Bingley is a pretty wonderful guy too. Charming, handsome, rich — everything a gentleman ought to be. He shoots, he rides and I know not what.
![Crispin Bonham-Carter played Bingley in the 1995 series [Image courtesy BBC Home.]](https://ritalovestowrite.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/new_mr_bingley124_124x69.jpg)
Crispin Bonham-Carter played Bingley in the 1995 series [Image courtesy BBC Home.]
Simon Woods is funny and charming in the 2005 and in Cranford. If you want to see the other side of Simon check out his performance as Octavian Caesar in ROME.
Mr. Bennet sums up the couple towards the end of the book with…
“I have not a doubt of your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income.”
Naveen Andrews and Namrata Shirod Karar as Balraj and Jaya (Bingley and Jane) in Bride and Prejudice
The adorable Cristopher Sean and Laura Spencer as Bing Lee and Jane in the Lizzie Bennet Diaries
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Blogger’s note: Hey how are your liking these P&P character studies? Drop me a line and let me know. Tomorrow is Darcy and Lizzie and Monday — on the big anniversary we’ll discuss various adaptions of the novel. So please weigh in!
And don’t forget to send in your entry to the Jane Austen “Essay” Contest for everybody. (Deadline is also on Monday.)
Cheers, Rita
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- Men of Austen Week: Bingley Stylin’ (vmmvblog.wordpress.com)
- Pride and Prejudice at 200: looking afresh at Austen’s classic (guardian.co.uk)
- Pride and Prejudice characters: Charlotte and Mr. Collins (ritalovestowrite.com)
- Pride and Prejudice characters: Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (ritalovestowrite.com)
ritaLOVEStoWRITE 
January 28th, 2015 at 2:39 am
Reblogged this on ritaLOVEStoWRITE and commented:
We are in the home stretch with these character bios… Here are Jane and Bingley