Jane Austen’s Portrayal of Darcy in Pride and Prejudice Essay
Mr Darcy is usually, in a single expression, our leading man. He is everything we should hate, in fact everything Lizzy will hate, although also everything we find irresistible.
He is both interesting and enigmatic and his appeal comes from the fact that to understand him you have to delve down deeper. Jane Austen’s success in portraying him well is a result of her design of writing. The girl teases, providing only snips of information. To construct a character you need to build up everything you know- which will isn’t much.
What is also engaging regarding her characterization of Darcy is that we initially just see him through Lizzy’s prejudiced eye. Darcy’s bad points are focused on and it’s only really on completion of the new that you appreciate he isn’t who he could be thought to be. This is clever about Jane Austen’s part because the reader is usually left looking more.
We are first introduced to Darcy in Chapter Three. Mr Bingley is first introduced- he is “good looking” and has “unaffected manners”. Also he offers fine siblings with a “decided air”.
However all this cannot help yet pale when compared to when his friend is brought to the interest of the space. He grabs attention with “his excellent, tall person, handsome features, noble mien”. It is also swiftly reported that he has ten 1, 000 a year- making him a very eligible catch for virtually any young female (especially some of the five Bennet girls). Yet , within the same praising section, another side is uncovered. People are disgusted with his good manners, “He was discovered to become proud, to be above his company, and above becoming pleased”.
Below Jane Austen is already doing what she does greatest. Darcy offers overshadowed his companions yet he isn’t allowed his glory because the follow up is less than satisfying. This leads us to think that Darcy is not blessed with his friends virtues- pleasantness and joy- yet is simple fact vain and arrogant. Her Austen starts off us down a particular way of thinking and I still find it a strategic attempt to trick us.
That makes Darcy’s true mother nature all the more amazing. Ten he is overheard to acquire called Lizzy “tolerable” the industry despicable offense as she’s our heroine and the one we feel closest to. Another clever move by simply Austen- first sight always previous.
Which is sarcastic because Darcy later speaks of how vulnerable his very good opinion is. What we know Darcy today will regularly affect what we later discover. In Chapter Five Darcy’s behaviour is brought up in Lizzy’s conversation with Charlotte Lucas. This can be most probably the main topic of conversation for every lady present at the ball and that shows that Darcy is definitely a guy to be brought up.. Only once we have formed a viewpoint of Darcy does Austin tx make it known that he locate something incredibly lovely in “the amazing expression of her darker eyes”.
On the other hand he sets down his feelings because she has not really the suitable methods to ever become anything to him. Once more Darcy’s pride and vanity outshines what could have already been a great virtue- affection intended for our heroine. It is apparent he enjoys her- this individual offer’s to dance with her even though he gets no pleasure out of it- but his reserve and satisfaction means his true, sensitive nature can be covered up. Also we must remember that her portrayal of Darcy may have been troubled by the period. Various criticise Darcy’s detachment by open feelings and his aloofness toward Lizzy but at this point formality was required of gentlemen.
Given that now that his attitude is rude and hostile although declarations of passion are not commonplace. Men of this time had to have overall self-control. Helping to make Bingley’s behaviour all the more satisfying and Darcy’s behaviour all the more surprising.
Bingley is not at all formal but good, open and very hospitable while Darcy, his closest companion, is still possessing back. This surprising the reader that some of Bingley’s attention hasn’t applied off upon Darcy. A thing that gives a sign of Darcy’s true nature is his attitude toward Miss Bingley. She has a similar social position as he which is the type of girl he was brought up to get married to. She is likewise aware of the very fact that Lizzy is, bluntly speaking, of a much lower cultural standing than he ought to marry.
However he is never drawn in to nastiness by her spoken attacks about others- “He listened to her with best indifference”. He lacks a cruel ability but is merely honest, in the event somewhat short of subtlety. What he doesn’t lack is definitely modesty- especially where Mr Wickham is involved. In Section Eighteen the pair party and they discuss Wickham in short ,. Darcy would have told Lizzy everything, recommending himself above Wickham and earning items.
However he didn’t use the situation, selecting to wait until Chapter 25 Seven when he writes to Lizzy. His proposal might have been a very good event had his take great pride in not stepped in and dwelt within the inferiority of her relatives. There was a sense that wonderful passion and feeling was behind the offer but again Austen degrades him using his outstanding weakness- his pride.
Yet even that doesn’t cushion him from your wound of her being rejected. We experience maybe Darcy is human being after all. His letter is actually clinches this kind of suspicion. This is certainly raw Darcy- but also this is controlled. It is also incredibly open and can turn the full plot about.
The happy man by Netherfield, who could well confirm Wickham’s bank account of him, has not gone totally but is much reduced. He is still vaguely proud and reserved- “I write with no intention of paining you or humbling myself”- although he features lost the requirement he sensed to be discrete about Wickham. He feels comfortable enough with Lizzy to be honest. This tightly suggests that his feelings are true to be sure how little he reveals to any individual.
Even this letter ends with a benefit, so also after rejection he is not the ogre he seems to be. I think Her Austen got him write the letter soon after he is refused to prove that he have been humbled, looking at himself while using criticism Lizzy had of him. That makes all of us think better of him but all of us still struggle, as Lizzys does, with how this individual usually appears- so haughty and conceited. Austen doesn’t clear him of all fees which is clever as it provides more for the story in the event that Darcy remains a little mystical. Towards the end we are able to obtain a fuller picture of Darcy.
When Lizzy goes to Pemberly with her aunt and uncle the lady gets her first, first hand account of Darcy she gets really experienced. His housekeeper, with no reason to lie, talks easily of his good-nature and thoughtfulness to others. It surprises Lizzy but she doesn’t write off the idea- the letter has rattled her- plus the reader’s- organization opinion of his hateful character. When ever she meets Darcy away walking this individual leads on from this description by pleasantly addressing her relatives., welcoming her granddad to seafood with him and of course requesting, most humbly, if he may introduce his sister to Lizzy.
Below he is in his own area and is without need to put up a front so this individual relaxes and becomes extremely amiable. In the next chapter all of us meet his sister and know simultaneously that Wickham has been resting as the girl with shy, soft and humble. I think now Lizzy is definitely feeling true shame for her presumptions and maybe after seeing Pemberly and Georgiana, slight repent in her total dismissal of Darcy.
He has been doing more than enough to clear his name. Despite this he is gentler still if he learns of Lizzy’s family’s disgrace concerning Lydia’s elopement. Darcy could have turned away- it would have probably been in his best interests if perhaps he hadn’t got involved but his love to get our heroine means he will probably do anything to ease her suffering. And he even has the grace and modesty to let Mr Gardiner take those credit for the money he set down to get the marriage.
Below Austen does nothing to produce his great deed bad- this time he’s without wrong doing She is permitting us to see Darcy in his rightful contact form. And coupled with his active role in preventing Wickham from marrying Georgiana we see he is the gentleman. His second pitch is certainly the best image we have of him- and deservingly so. He’s warm and compassionate, acknowledging his beastly behaviour, explaining it and apologising because of it. I think Austen intends us to believe Lizzy is what Darcy needed to check his pleasure and get over his apprehension.
Which makes the coupling all the more perfect. What is so good about Jane Austen’s portrayal of Darcy is the fact he is exactly what Lizzy necessary in a hubby. He is quick and can meet her wit- smiling once she has got the better of him. They can fit together flawlessly, complementing all the best qualities in each other.
Over the novel Her Austen uses the character of Darcy and develops it in all the most effective. He maintains an aura throughout until the end exactly where we are all thrilled with the result. Beautifully done.
- Category: Meals
- Words: 1654
- Pages: 6
- Project Type: Essay