Analysis of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet's Relationship in 'Pride and Prejudice'

“We read fiction because it pleases us, is beautiful.” What do you consituties this “beauty” in a work of prose fiction and to what extent and by what means have at least two of the authors you have studied created “beautiful” works?”

In reading prose, authors’ writings often draw from personal elements based on their experiences in life. As such, the complexity of characters assisting in molding the relationships in a novel. What constitutes these beauties are of those elements which further enrich adversities faced by a character such as holding integrity in a society that promotes facades. Based in a wealth oriented society, where social pressure of the hierarchy pressures forces those such as Charlotte Lucas to marry Mr. Collins sacrificed her own true happiness solely to secure stable incomes and a home as she didn’t believe love was essential for a successful marriage. Mr. Darcy from the novel Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austin depicts Mr. Darcy chases for the hand of Elizabeth Bennet, finding that his conspicuous pride based on societal norms interferes with his relationship with Elizabeth. 

Mr. Darcy tarnished his reputation as a suitor through his indiscretions in courtesy, and generosity, standard virtues abided by gentleman such as Mr. Bingle. “Disguise of every sort is my abhorrence”, was a quotation that emphasized how Mr. Darcy would never be ungenuine, finding there would be no need to be anyone other than himself. This places a great attentiveness to Mr. Darcy’s character as he is one of the few that possesses these virtues. Contrary, characters such as Mrs. Bingley or Mr. Bingley’s sisters’ lack of sincerity comes from the “universally acknowledged truth” where “reality” is based on procuring stable financial considerations and achieving a higher social class. Speaking what she believes to be her truths, Elizabeth challenges Mr. Darcy’s standards of what makes an accomplished woman. In doing so, Elizabeth, like Mr. Darcy, displayed sincerity and integrity by not conforming to societal gender expectations which was what attracted Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth. 

Though he denounced Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball, he became infatuated with her, “ ... meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow”. Despite this, Mr. Darcy’s prejudices formulated by societal norms, obscures a progressive relationship with Elizabeth. By overcoming his own prejudices, which Elizabeth sees as anything but proper and desirable, can he then achieve his happiness. An obstacle for Mr. Darcy was that he didn’t stop to consider whether he loved Elizabeth in the ways she wanted to be loved. He conveyed his affection by the only means he knew how, through his conceitful perception expecting his love to be reciprocated in the same way. 

Austen emphasizes that by holding one’s own integrity in place of a persona, individuals can find true happiness in a society influenced by its pressures. This is precedent with Charlotte Lucas’s marriage to Mr. Collins, where she sacrifices her own true happiness solely to secure a stable income and a home from a marriage that likely isn’t based on true love.

Eloquently spoken, Mr. Darcy’s undoubtful feeling of pride and confidence in his outcome of the proposal allowed him to speak outspokenly. “His sense of her inferiority of its being a degradation of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.” refers to the insult he hurdles towards Elizabeth regarding her family status and how in marrying someone that is socially beneath him he is degraded, decreasing the outcome of his hope. Elizabeth doesn’t take kindly to his words, in fact has Elizabeth cling further onto Mr. Darcy being “the proudest, most disagreeable man” for his insensibility. 'People themselves alter so much that there is something new to be observed in them forever.' was a quote stated by Elizabeth, which when applied to her impressions of Mr. Darcy led her to believe Mr. Darcy would never change. Referring once more to Elizabeth’s statement, Mr. Darcy was determined to win Elizabeth’s heart as he questioned and worked to improve himself after his rejection. Written in his letter sent to Elizabeth, “My conduct, my manners, my expressions during the whole of it, is now, and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me… I shall never forget: 'had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner” he addresses his conspicuous flaws in pride, acknowledging his mannerism to be anything but what a gentleman should be like. Likewise with Elizabeth, she admits to her wrongs, in line 'I, who have prided myself on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities! … How humiliating is this discovery! Yet, how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly.” 

Mr. Darcy’s successful proposal to Elizabeth, was only made possible by recognizing one’s own flaws and misjudgments which help develop newfound understanding for the characters. Rather than being tied down to a label, both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth get to experience each other's thoughts differently, especially when prejudices are dropped. “The happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before, and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do.” In having genuine feelings reciprocated, individuals are able to see past their prejudices as did Elizabeth in seeing past her prejudices or Mr. Darcy with his pride enables one to see a different side of the individual. 'I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit...”. Through improving and adapting it shows that people can change for the better through their mishaps through Eliazbeth’s acceptance of Mr. Darcy’s proposal.