In 'Pride and Prejudice', what is the name of Elizabeth's eldest sister?

The story behind the answer

In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s eldest sister is Jane Bennet. Jane is the oldest of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s five daughters and is portrayed as beautiful, gentle, and unusually inclined to think well of other people.

Jane’s principal romantic storyline concerns Charles Bingley, the wealthy young man who rents Netherfield Park near the Bennet family home at Longbourn. Jane and Bingley are attracted to each other, but their relationship is interrupted when Bingley leaves Hertfordshire. Darcy later admits that he helped separate them because he believed Jane’s feelings were not strong and was concerned about the Bennet family’s behaviour.

Jane’s temperament contrasts with Elizabeth’s. Elizabeth is witty, energetic, and quick to form judgments, while Jane is quieter and more charitable. Their relationship is affectionate, but Elizabeth sometimes worries that Jane’s goodness makes her too ready to excuse other people’s faults.

The remaining Bennet sisters are Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine—usually called Kitty—and Lydia. Elizabeth is the second eldest, so Jane is the only sister older than the novel’s protagonist. Jane eventually marries Bingley.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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