How does Austen make Elizabeth Bennet such an appealing and lively character? Support your ideas with details from the writing.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2010). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. The challenge of this task is twofold. It is to respond to the character's vivacity and energy as the words appealing and lively make plain, as well as engaging with the ways in which Austen's writing makes it so.
2. Examiners should not give even adequate reward to answers which in effect do no more than record the character's features.
3. Conversely look out for those who relish her delightful personality and who are able to support their argument with pertinent detail.
4. Of course, the latter will differ from answer to answer and examiners should not become prescriptive in their expectations as to which details should appear in an answer.