Elizabeth breaks conventional notions of women in her refusal to sacrifice her happiness and marry for security. When Collins proposes, she instantly rejects him because she knows that he will not make her happy. When he continuously ignores her refusal, she is forced to show her position as different to "those young ladieswho are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time" (105). She likewise refuses Darcy's first proposal because, at that time, she views him as arrogant and proud, and believes him to have not only prevented Jane and Bingley's union, but treated her acquaintance Mr Wickham unjustly. Therefore, he could not make her happy. .
Elizabeth's rejection of Collins and Darcy illuminates the fundamental issue of choice. By turning down both men, Lizzie suggests that happiness is more valuable than stability, and more importantly asserts that marriage is not just a man's choice, but a woman's, too. Mrs Bennet tells her husband that he must "come and make Lizzie marry Mr Collins," threatening Elizabeth's autonomy and thus, her happiness (109).7 When she refuses to change her mind despite her mother's insistence, Lizzie affirms her independence as a human being with the power to "make choices and to be governed by those choices alone."8 In doing so, she highlights the idea that women and men are essentially just humans, rather than 'female' and 'male,' and are thus fundamentally equal. The right to choose is inherent to human existence, and therefore both women and men should have the power to use it. .
Elizabeth's deconstruction of Regency England gender stereotypes positions her far from the normative 'ideal woman' model. Caroline Bingley's claim quoted at the beginning of this essay outlines the skills a woman must retain to be awarded the title of an 'accomplished woman' at this time.