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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1775-1817).
(With their ages, where known, as specified at the beginning of the story)
Father of the five daughters (shown below), who are destined to be spinsters unless he can marry them off. He loves his daughters and worries about who will provide for them after he dies. With his wife, there are six womenfolk for whom Mr Bennet must try to fulfil his role as patriarch.
The family tolerates Mrs Bennet's mild hypochondria. She is desperate to marry her daughters off and sometimes tries a little too hard to impress people.
At 22 years old, Jane is the oldest of the five sisters and described as the prettiest. She develops a fondness for Mr Bingley but his steady friend, Mr Darcy, feels Jane is not suitable for Mr Bingley and tries to derail the relationship. Elizabeth intervenes and eventually Jane does marry Mr Bingley.
Elizabeth (20) is the novel's female protagonist. She is the bright spark of the family but tends to be a bit hasty in judging people (the "prejudice" in the title). She falls in love with Mr Darcy, a proud man (the "pride" in the title) born with a bigger silver spoon in his mouth. When he overcomes his self-importance and Elizabeth overcomes her prejudices, the love blossoms.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, is not only relatively quiet in her nature but also has a minute appearance in the story.
Nicknamed "Kitty", Catherine is a rebellious and frivolous 17-year-old.
Lydia is, at 15 years old, the baby of the family and without doubt the least mature.
Mr Darcy (28) is the male protagonist of the novel. Perhaps if he were not so wealthy he wouldn't be so haughty (the "pride" of the title); yet his manners are tolerated and apparently admired by those who wish to take advantage of his position.
His younger sister, Georgiana (16), lives in his shadow. She warms to Elizabeth, her future sister-in-law.
Charles (23) is amiable and less charismatic than his long-time friend, Mr Darcy.
In contrast his sister, Caroline Bingley, is rather prissy in her attempts to divert Mr Darcy's attention from Elizabeth to herself.
George is another contender for Elizabeth's hand and attempts to sabotage her relationship by defaming Mr Darcy. He fails, and settles for the younger Lydia instead.
William (25) is yet another failed suitor of Elizabeth's hand, despite the wealth such a match would have brought to the Bennet family. Instead he marries Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth's friend
The story makes the point that Charlotte (27) marries William primarily for his money; the man's role in those days being seen as the provider for women.
Was it Austen's attempt to bring reality into the story by showing that not all marriages are between sweethearts? Or was this gold digging introduced to enhance the image of the marriages made for the right choices?
Lady Catherine is Mr Darcy's rich aunt. Mr Darcy becomes annoyed at her disdain for Elizabeth, and it might have been partly defiance that encouraged him to marry Elizabeth.
This aunt and uncle of the Bennet sisters deputise as their parents when marital advice and blessing is required.