Through a number of laudable qualities illustrated in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy proves himself to be complex, reserved and yet passionate, and loyal. And yes, proud, but for good reason.
Mr. Darcy’s Demeanour
“…but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year…and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.”
No one knows him, bothers to take the opportunity to talk with him, or even surmises that he might be shy. Most likely due to his large fortune, he is presumed proud and haughty, especially when he refuses to dance, leaving poor Elizabeth Bennet without a partner.
Yet something about this demeanour fascinates. He is a mysterious figure, in the background yet commanding attention.
- Negative attention renders him larger than life
- Proud and quiet, Mr. Darcy appears mysterious
- Richer than most, Mr. Darcy’s pride is secretly resented by those with less
Mr. Darcy's Pride is Deserved
Fitzwilliam Darcy may be said to be proud, but Jane Austen makes it clear that he has good reason to be.
On a tour of his home, Pemberley, Elizabeth is guided by the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, who praises Mr. Darcy nonstop.
“If I were to go through the world, I could not meet with a better (master)…he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world…(the) son will be just like (the father)–just as affable to the poor.”
- Mr. Darcy’s proud nature was a reflection of his family’s heritage as responsible landlords
- Mr. Darcy was loved and respected by those who knew him
- Mr. Darcy deserved respect for his generosity and kindness
Mr. Darcy’s Loyalty
Fitzwilliam Darcy was loyal and honest. He demonstrates these qualities when he proposes to Elizabeth a second time, after her harsh rebuff of his first proposal.
“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 for ever.”
- Despite Elizabeth’s harsh rebuff, Mr. Darcy never lost his love or respect for her
- Mr. Darcy stayed true to Elizabeth, despite attempts from other ladies to snare his affections
- Mr. Darcy did nothing for his own gain; in everything he did to help her family save face when Elizabeth’s thoughtless sister Lydia eloped, he thought only of Elizabeth’s peace
Mr. Darcy’s Willingness to Grow and Change
Mr. Darcy is open to growth and change in order to gain Elizabeth’s love. She is more important to him than his pride.
In this willingness to grow, Mr. Darcy proves himself more honorable than most of the characters in the novel.
“The recollection of what I then said–of my conduct, my manners, my expressions during the whole of it–is now, and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me. My object then…was to show you, by every civility in my power, that I hoped to obtain your forgiveness, to lesson your ill-opinion by letting you see that your reproofs had been attended to.”
- Mr. Darcy learned from Elizabeth’s words and decided that she was right
- Mr. Darcy was not ashamed to change and grow, and, in fact, wanted to show Elizabeth how much she had inspired him to change, in order to keep her love
- Mr. Darcy had a large enough character and sense of right to decide he wanted to grow and change and invite love and a new openness into his world
Jane Austen’s character of Fitzwilliam Darcy in the novel Pride and Prejudice still seems larger than life. He is the icon of misunderstood manhood, of a rich man who has almost everything, save the ability to share his internally warm nature with those he does not know well. He is proud, but with good reason. He is rich, but after reading the novel, one feels he deserves the riches he has.
Mr. Darcy is willing to grow and change to have love in his life. That is something that many people are unable or unwilling to do. Mr. Darcy admits that he found it hard, but made the changes because he valued love over his pride.
That, perhaps, is Mr. Darcy’s most endearing quality–at heart, he is a true romantic. Now who can resist that?
Source: Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. This edition: Doubleday, Doran and Company, Inc., 1945.
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