“Obstinate, headstrong girl!”

“Obstinate, headstrong girl!”

• Jan 29, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/Top Ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists!

As you know if you read my post yesterday, I'm spending all week celebrating the 200th birthday of my very favorite book. Lucky for me, today's Top Ten Tuesday topic worked perfect with a little Pride and Prejudice twist!

Top Ten Most Frustrating Characters Ever In Pride and Prejudice

* Photos from 2005 adaptation (even though the BBC mini-series is much better) because the images were a higher quality

1. Mr. Bennet - While he utters some of the novel's funniest lines, it's hard to deny that he's incredibly frustrating as a husband and father. Yes, Mrs. Bennet can be a total pain but it's kind of sad to see his complete lack of respect for his wife. He mocks her at every turn - taking great delight in finding new ways to joke at her expense. He retreats to his study in solitude and doesn't take an active role in parenting his children. He publicly humiliates one, lets another run wild... and basically shows no concern for the fate of his daughters. I may love to laugh at the things he says, but he frustrates me to no end for being so detached from his family.

2. Mrs. Bennet - On one hand, she just wants to know that her daughters will be taken care of when their father dies. So, yes, all of her meddling is rooted in a desire to provide for her children which equals marriage in that day and age. However, she's so single-minded in her focus and cares for little else. Can you even imagine how frustrating she'd be as your mother? Not to mention how embarrassing it is when she starts gossiping about your love life with everyone she meets! Oh, Mrs. Bennet... you could just shake her sometimes!

3. Mr. Collins - You know those people who just love the sound of their own voice? And who constantly feel the need to jump in with their own opinions or stories? Well, Mr. Collins pretty much puts them all to shame. He attempts humility but can't hide his belief in his own self-importance. It provides a huge dose of comedic relief, but it's completely frustrating when he won't take no for an answer. What a party pooper!

4. Charlotte Lucas - While Charlotte's choices make sense in light of her age, situation in life and the time in which she lived, it's still hard not to be frustrated with her. At the end of the day, she is practical to the core. She makes the choice that she feels that she must - no matter the cost to her personal happiness. As much as I want to understand, it's still a frustrating decision because it seems so emotionless!

5. George Wickham - What a manipulator! Like Lizzie, you're drawn in by his charm and fooled by his lies. And then the truth comes out and you're ashamed that you ever fell for his game! He's frustrating because he never learned from his mistakes and continues to do exactly as he pleases with no thought or care as to how it will impact others. Gotta watch out for those smooth-talking pretty boys!

6. Lydia Bennet - ARGH! Lydia is certainly one of the more frustrating Bennets. She has no sense of propriety and almost ruins things for all of her sisters with her thoughtlessness. She doesn't understand the gravity of her actions, and it never seems as though she learns. She's so dang frustrating in her childishness!

7. Charles Bingley - I really love Bingley! He's amiable and predisposed to like people. While that may mean he doesn't have much sass, you're still rooting for him to succeed. Except for one frustrating thing that makes you want to yell, "DUDE! You're a grown man! Make your own decision, and don't let someone else have so much of an influence over your life!" Seriously, Bingley. You can't blame Darcy for every dumb thing you do.

8. Lady Catherine de Bourgh - Holy rich snob! Talk about pretentious pain in the ass. She's the woman who thinks that money entitles her to say anything that crosses her mind, even if it's incredibly rude. Her pompous behavior and pride are seriously frustrating... although you do have to love how her own actions backfire in the end!

9. Fitzwilliam Darcy - I'm so obsessed with Darcy, but it still has to be said. This is one frustrating man! He's proud, socially awkward and rude. Darcy is the epitome of the aloof, strong and silent type. He calls Lizzie tolerable and basically insults her whole family for goodness sake! He ends up redeeming himself a thousand times over, but I've still got to put him on the list for causing many frustrations early along in the novel.

10. Elizabeth Bennet - Finally, the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet herself makes the list. For all of her wit and sass, girl's a pretty bad judge of character. She's easily swayed by a first impression, perceives things incorrectly on numerous occasions and is just a little bit judgmental. Yes, even my favorite literary heroine has moments where she's frustrating! But then you just love her more because it makes her seem more realistic because aren't we all frustrating now and then?

Please Note: If you haven't read Pride and Prejudice, I hope you aren't now wondering why you'd ever read a book with so many frustrating characters. Well, you know how you love your family but they also can get on your nerves more than anyone else? And how your best friend rocks except sometimes you want to shake her a little bit? You have to interpret my use of the word frustrating in that sense. These characters "frustrate" me only because of my love for them! And yes, I know they aren't real. Sigh.