Mr. Darcy
Extended Character Analysis
Fitzwilliam Darcy, or Mr. Darcy, is the shy, wealthy, and aristocratic landowner of Pemberley. He is a socially awkward character, which makes him initially come across as cold, haughty, and prideful. Mr. Darcy is judgmental towards those of a lower class than he is. When his good friend Mr. Bingley buys an estate in the countryside near Meryton, Mr. Darcy acts as though he can’t stand the local people; during a ball hosted by Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy claims “any savage can dance,” showing his contempt for the whole affair.
Mr. Darcy becomes attracted to Elizabeth Bennet in spite of her lower social position. He is repulsed by Elizabeth’s family and their ostentatious nature and tries to fight against his feelings for her. As a result, he behaves coldly and unkindly toward Elizabeth, which damages her opinion of him. Mr. Darcy convinces Mr. Bingley to leave the countryside and to stop courting Jane Bennet, as he feels it is a bad match. He also interprets Jane’s mild, reserved manner as a sign that she does not truly love Bingley. Mr. Darcy is also grateful to leave Netherfield, for he worries that spending any more time near Elizabeth would only cause him to like her more.
When Mr. Darcy sees Elizabeth again near Rosings, the estate of his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, he realizes he loves Elizabeth. He proposes marriage, but he does so in such a condescending manner—he insults her family and social status—that she instantly refuses. Elizabeth’s rejection stuns him; Mr. Darcy has not been challenged like this before, so he seeks to make amends and defend his character. He writes a letter to Elizabeth, hoping to convince her that most of his actions were valid. After several months, Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth again while she is viewing the grounds of his estate, Pemberley, in Derbyshire. He makes an effort to be kinder to Elizabeth and her relatives, hoping to make up for his previous behavior. He also introduces Elizabeth to his beloved younger sister, Georgiana, showcasing a more considerate and good-natured side of his personality.
When Lydia Bennet and Mr. Wickham elope, Mr. Darcy feels partly responsible and straightens out the unfortunate affair. As a result, Elizabeth comes to understand his true character, and when he proposes to her again, she accepts. Mr. Darcy, although representative of flaws relating to pride and ill judgement, is able to overcome his flaws and find love and a successful partner in Elizabeth Bennet. The two showcase the positive outcome of a marriage founded on mutual respect and affection.
Expert Q&A
In Pride and Prejudice, what character aspects make Mr. Darcy fall for Elizabeth?
In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy falls in love with Elizabeth Bennet because of her lively spirit and, in particular, because she stands up to him and refuses to flatter him. He also comes to find her attractive, especially her eyes, though at first he considered her not pretty enough to dance with. We can see this love beginning to emerge in chapter 6 and continuing in chapter 32, shortly before he proposes marriage.
How did Mr. Darcy propose to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice?
Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth in an insulting and arrogant manner, telling her that he will marry her despite her embarrassing family. He is surprised when she reacts with utter fury and turns him down. Darcy later apologizes for his pride and arrogance, and when he proposes to Elizabeth a second time, he is accepted.
Why did Mr. Darcy separate Jane and Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice?
Darcy broke up Jane and Bingley because Jane's reserved manner convinced him that she didn't feel any real affection for Bingley. Darcy also disapproved of the behavior of the Bennet family, which he considered improper. As Bingley's best friend, Darcy thought he had his best interests at heart, and he did not think Jane was a suitable match for Bingley.
When does Elizabeth start falling for Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice?
In Pride and Prejudice, the exact moment at which Elizabeth begins to fall in love with Mr. Darcy is somewhat difficult to pinpoint, although it is evident that a definite change in her feelings towards him begins to take shape during Elizabeth's visit to Pemberly, where Darcy's housekeeper speaks fondly of him, and the estate itself delights Lizzy, as it is without an "artificial appearance," reflecting another aspect of Darcy's character.
How does Pemberley symbolize Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice?
Pemberley symbolizes Mr. Darcy by reflecting his wealth, taste, and social standing. The estate’s grandeur and beauty mirror Darcy’s own physical attractiveness and aristocratic nature. Pemberley's order, harmony, and hospitality represent Darcy's generosity and fairness. Additionally, its long-standing family legacy underscores Darcy’s high social rank and traditional values. Overall, Pemberley serves as a metonymy, showcasing Darcy's admirable qualities and enhancing Elizabeth's perception of him.
Mr. Darcy's initial distaste and subsequent distancing from Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Darcy's initial distaste and subsequent distancing from Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice stem from his pride and social prejudices. He initially sees her as socially inferior and unworthy of his attention. However, as he spends more time around her, he begins to admire her intelligence and character, which eventually leads to his change of heart.
Why is Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice perceived as rude?
Mr. Darcy is rude primarily because his high social rank has left him with an overinflated sense of pride. This pride, combined with his naturally reserved personality and his social awkwardness, often makes him come across as arrogant and rude—particularly to those who don't know him well.
An analysis of Mr. Darcy's character traits, strengths, weaknesses, and overall effectiveness in Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Darcy's character in Pride and Prejudice is defined by his pride, reserve, and sense of social superiority, which initially come off as arrogance and prejudice. His strengths include intelligence, loyalty, and a strong sense of responsibility. However, his weaknesses are his initial aloofness and judgmental nature. Overall, he becomes an effective and admirable character as he learns humility and compassion, ultimately winning Elizabeth Bennet's love.
Mr. Darcy's transformation as reflected in his two marriage proposals in Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Darcy's transformation is evident in his two marriage proposals. In the first, he is arrogant and dismissive of Elizabeth's feelings, assuming she would accept due to his status. By the second proposal, he is humble and respectful, having learned to value Elizabeth’s perspective and feelings, demonstrating his personal growth and genuine love for her.
What does the statement "Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise" mean?
The statement "Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise" highlights Elizabeth Bennet's observation that Darcy is openly aware of his own perceived superiority and lack of tolerance for others' faults. Darcy admits to holding grudges and not easily forgiving others, which Elizabeth critiques as a character flaw. This exchange underscores their mutual recognition of each other's pride and prejudice, which they must overcome to understand one another better.
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