Austen vs. Hemingway: Character Development

I personally loved both books we've read so far, especially with the way each author handles the development of the protagonist in regards to relationships. Each author has a very different view of relationships, and they show this difference in some great sections:

First, Hemingway seems to take a very realistic, almost cynical, approach to his relationships. He characterizes Jake as being unable to break free from Brett's spell until the very last line when Jake comes to the conclusion that he may only be in love with the idea of having Brett: 

“Oh, Jake,” Brett said, “we could have had such a damned good time together.”
Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly pressing Brett against me.
“Yes,” I said. “Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

With this quote, Jake seems to finally be free of his obsession, giving him power and progression of character. I think this is one of the best ending quotes ever, and i love that although there is no happy ending, Jake seems to have 'grown up'. He finally understands that he and Brett cannot be together and he seems to have come to terms with this.

On the other hand, Austen lives on happy endings. Lizzie realizes that she loves Darcy and wants to marry him after all:

 "Elizabeth was much too embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.” Elizabeth feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand, that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure, his present assurances."

 This is different than Hemingway in that it comes in the middle of the novel, but it still shows how a hard-headed character like Lizzie can be softened and can change her mind about another person. 

In both of these novels, the author shows how a character can be changed by love or lack thereof and can progress character-wise. It is so interesting to read each author's perspective on loving and spurning, and see how the author transforms his/her favorite characters throughout the course of a novel.  Overall, some great interactions between lovers in these novels, and both very appropriate for the time and personality of the author.