How did you imagine the characters?

[Theodosia of the Fathomless Hall]

Through the endless grapevine that is the Jane Austen fandom, I've surmised that quite a few people, actually, didn't think much of the casting for the pre-eminent Pride and Prejudice adaptations. I did say "pre-eminent" referring to adaptations of a Regency.

So how did you imagine Elizabeth Bennet--Tall, short, slender, heavy, hazel-eyed, black-haired or blonde? How did you imagine Mr. Darcy, of course? (I never could agree with the 1995 or 2005 casting. To quote a review on a library: "That anyone could think he was capable of callousness is beyond me, since he looks ready to burst into tears half the time")

Doubtlessly many of you have inextricable connection between Darcy and Colin Firth, or Elizabeth Bennet as Keira Knightley, but in short, upon first reading it--or even reading it now--how did/do you envision the characters of one of the most renowned books in the literary canon?
*grandiose bow*.

[Megumi]

I saw the 1995 version before I read the book. It helped me with my imagination while reading (I wasn't too into Regency novels at the time.)
Because Elizabeth came from the upper country life style, I saw her with a build of muscle and meat on her. Almost solid. Not willowy and dainty in any sense of the word. I saw her as a contrast to her older sister (Jane I imagined as some version of Helen of Troy making), dark hair to her sisters light, hazel to brown eyes. And not too tall somewhere between 5" 3' and 5" 5'.

Darcy I most definitely saw some version of Colin Firth. Tall, dark hair, a slender muscular body from horse back riding and sports of the upper class.

But that's just me. ^-^

[Carolina]

Lizzie - not that beautiful, but attractive. Dark brown eyes, curly hair, proud face, a bit arrogant tone of voice.

Jane - all sweet, clear eyes, blonde hair, a pinky glow, soft voice, speaks slowly and low.

Darcy - tall, dark eyes, dark hair, a snubbish face, an annoyed tone of voice, a countryman.

[Anna]

I saw the 1995 version before reading the book, so I imagined the characters as portrayed in the miniseries. I completely agree with Megumi. (:

Oh, and Mr. Darcy looking ready to burst into tears? I never saw that in either portrayal. I wonder why one would feel that way.

[Theodosia of the Fathomless Hall]

I seem to be the exception when it comes to seeing the adaptations! Admittedly, I've seen none, and am currently torn between seeing Doctor Who and the 1995 Pride & Prejudice.
Thanks for commenting, you three! I always thought of Lizzie as light brown-haired, slender, straight-backed, with a rather haughty posture and an expressive but elegant-expressioned face.

Lady Catherine de Bough was large and with a youthful face, a big hat, and a very rapid and snobbish manner.

Mary--Bit like a wren. Small, quiet but personable. Curls up in chairs. How wrens do that, is beyond me. Lydia, Kitty--Kind of the same, cheery, small, excitable.

Jane--Carrie, you hit the nail right on the head!

And Darcy. . . Wait, lemme dig up the illustration. ;).

[Mitali]

I'd read P&P twice before watching the 1995 BBC adaptation, so my ideas of the characters had formed well before that. However, after watching (and re-watching, and re-re-watching ...) the adaptation, I can't think of Darcy as anyone other than Colin Firth - he was born for that role!

My idea of Elizabeth is somewhat different than in the adaptation. I think of her as somewhat younger than Jennifer Ehle in that (she's supposed to be only about 20 years old - Ehle looked several years older). I picture her as dark-haired and dark-eyed - as a contrast to Jane's fair beauty. I think she wouldn't be exactly pretty, but with her laughing eyes and a ready smile, she would seem pretty nonetheless. Jane would a more classic beauty with a serene smile. Jane would probably be a little taller than Lizzy, and have a better figure (at least in terms of the standards of the early 19th century).

[Brandie]

I forget if I saw the 1995 series before I read the book. But when I read the book I only see the characters as they look in that series. I HATE the Kiera Knightley movie. They left stuff out and no way in hell does Kiera Knightley have the look of a healthy woman from those days. Colin Firth is Darcy. Jennifer Ehle may have looked older than she should but she embodied the character. I loved the whole cast.

[Aurora Borealis]

I always imagined Elizabeth with dark brown/black, curly hair and big brown eyes. She shouldn't be very tall, since both Caroline Bingley and Georgianna are described taller. I thought her figure as neither too full or too skinny, somewhere in the middle, slim but curvy.

I imagined all the Bennet sisters having all different shades of brown hair and brown or hazel eyes. Jane is the only one with honey blonde hair, but still she has hazel eyes.

Mr.Darcy is described as tall and handsome. I always imagined him with dark hair and really dark blue eyes (almost black).

I don't see why some people think Lizzy is not pretty enough. Well, she isn't as beautiful as Jane, but all the Bennet sisters are described as pretty apart from Mary.

[Alexis]

I've always imagined both of them with dark hair. Elizabeth has always had dark eyes for me, because of that one comment in the book, so I've never been able to shake that. Darcy had dark eyes at one point, and then I changed them to pale because on the reread I did immediately after finishing I began to see myself in him and my eyes are pale for my coloring and nationality.