Fitzwilliam Darcy’s character analysis
Jane Austen in the writer of the novel “Pride and Prejudice”. The story reflects the common elements of Victorian literature, mainly frequent social gatherings, social hierarchy and scandals. It is a humorous novel about the trials of marrying well in the early eighteenth century, focusing mainly on the story of how he and Elizabeth Bennet overcome all obstacles to find romantic happiness.
Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy is the male lead and protagonist in the novel. Highly educated, with a lively wit and intelligence, Darcy proves to be an eligible partner to the bright and brilliant Elizabeth Bennet. Much of his intellect can be observed in his words rather than his behavior. The numerous verbal spars between Elizabeth and Darcy effectively reveals the sharpness and aptitude of either character.
“There is…in every disposition, a tendency to some particular evil…not which the best education can overcome.’
‘Your defect is a propensity to hate everybody’
‘And yours is willfully to misunderstand them’ he said with a smile”
They forcefully express their opinions, suggesting the strengths of their personalities. Indeed, both characters have strong natures. Jane Austen also conveys the underlining message that both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy are sharp and quick witted,
“…for I have seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds, we are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room…”
Bringing them together would result in intense quick discussions. Elizebeth is apt enough to push Darcy into awkward positions, and he too, is fast enough to reverse the situation right back on her.
Here though, Darcy is the symbol of pride. Being the master of Pemberly Place, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, he was raised like a prince, “I was spoiled by my parents, who though good themselves . . . allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing . . . to think meanly of all the rest of the world”.
One could hardly blame Mr Darcy for his behavior however, as Charlotte Lucas says, “One …with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself.” Darcy, like most other people of his status, is a quite class conscious and looks down on his social inferiors at the start. When he began to fall in love with Elizabeth Bennet, he frequently reminded himself that she was of inferior birth as a way of preventing himself from getting to serious with her.
His arrogant ways often makes him misunderstood. The first impression he gave to the people at the ball was that of a haughty and obnoxious man. His refusal to dance with the people he considered “of lower rank” earned him the contempt of Elizabeth and the rest of the Bennets. He too, has the tendency to make hasty and harsh judgments. This prevented him from learning more about Elizabeth Bennet, the girl who he initially critisised as “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me”.
However, Mr Darcy did find himself in love with Elizabeth, and this became a source of conflict for him between head and heart. He thought that he should not love her because of her lower social position and her crass family; but his heart is attracted to her beauty, her wit, her independence and her vivacity. When he finally mustered up the courage to propose to her, he believes that she would accept him due to his wealth, nobility and status.
It is not surprising that Elizabeth flatly turns down his first proposal, especially because his proposal is made in a haughty and condescending manner. He dwelt on how unsuitable a match they would make, rather than on her beauty and her capabilities.
“ …the avowal of all the he felt …immediately followed. He spoke well, but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed…His sense of her inferiority-of its being a degradation-of the family…were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due consequence he was wounding.”
Elizabeth’s refusal jolted him into realizing how his behavior is perceived by other people. In doing so, he reconsiders all, and commits to go out of his way to demonstrate his respect and devotion for her. The act of writing a letter to Elizabeth is a humbling process for him. Darcy’s humbling makes him more sensitive to what others feel.
During the course of events, Elizabeth visited Pemberly Place with the Gardiners. This serves as an opportunity for Mr Darcy to prove himself to Elizabeth, and opportunity he eagerly grasped. Elizabeth had been surprised to learn that Mr Darcy had been a wonderful and generous master to all the servants. Elizabeth reevaluated her feelings towards Mr Darcy.
When, Mr Darcy chanced to return a day earlier than expected, and encounters Elizabeth and the Gardiners, he took the pains to warmly welcome and entertain them. He also goes out of the way to do many things to demonstrate his respect and devotion to her. Among the many honorable deeds he done for Elizabeth, he had secretly helped to save her younger sister, Lydia from disgrace at the hands of his bitter enemy, Wickham. Mr Darcy had indeed done many things for Elizabeth to get her hand in marriage.
The second time he proposes to her, he had tempered his pride and became much more romantic. He went against the express wishes of his aunt to marry Elizabeth. In summary, Mr Darcy has become the perfect picture of the thoroughbred gentleman, and the ideal husband for Elizabeth.
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