Jane Austen’s Portrayal of Darcy in Pride and Prejudice Essay

Mr Darcy is, in a single word, our hero. He is everything we should hate, in particular everything Lizzy does hate, b arly to a fault everything we find irresistible. He is both interesting and enigmatic and his appeal stems from the item that to understand him you shake to delve down deeper. Jane Austens success in portraying him well is due to her style of writing. She teases, giving only nip of information. To beat to bring downher a character you must build up what you whop- which usu anyy isnt often. What is in addition engaging ab aside her portrayal of Darcy is that we ab initio only see him through Lizzys prejudiced eyes. Darcys damaging points are focused on and its only re entirelyy on completion of the novel that you realise he isnt who he is judgement to be. This is very clever on Jane Austens part as the lector is always left wanting more. We are premier introduced to Darcy in Chapter Three. Mr Bingley is first introduced- he is good looking and has un mod ify manners. Also he has fine sisters with a decided air.However solely this buttocks non serving but pale in comparison when his friend is brought to the attention of the room. He grabs attention with his fine, t in all person, handsome features, noble mien. It is also fleetly reported that he has ten thousand a year- making him a very eligible catch for whatsoever young woman ( specially any of the five Bennet girls). However, within the same praising paragraph, another face is exposed. People are disgusted with his manners, He was disc overed to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased. hither Jane Austen is already doing what she does high hat. Darcy has overshadowed his companions but he isnt allowed his glory as the follow up is less(prenominal) than pleasing. This leads us to believe that Darcy is not blessed with his friends virtues- pleasantness and joy- but is fact vain and arrogant. Jane Austen starts us down a particular way of thought process an d I believe it is a deliberate attempt to deceive us. It makes Darcys true temper all the more surprising.Ten he is overheard to vex called Lizzy tolerable which is a despicable crime as she is our heroine and the one we touch sensation closest to. Another shrewd move by Austen- first icon always last. Which is ironic because Darcy later talks of how fragile his good judicial decision is. What we know of Darcy now will constantly affect what we later discover. In Chapter Five Darcys behaviour is brought up in Lizzys talk with Charlotte Lucas. This is most probably the topic of conversation for every lady exemplify at the ball and it shows that Darcy is definitely a man to be talked about.. wholly once we have formed an opinion of Darcy does Austin make it cognise that he find something very lovely in the beautiful prospect of her dark eyes. However he puts down his faces because she has not the equal intend to ever be anything to him.Once more Darcys rob and vanity sur passes what could have been a great virtue- affection for our heroine. It is obvious he likes her- he suffers to dance with her although he gets no amusement out of it- but his reserve and pride means his true, sensitive nature is covered up. Also we must remember that her portrayal of Darcy would have been affected by the period. Many criticise Darcys detachment from open feelings and his withdrawnness toward Lizzy but at this time formality was required of gentlemen. It may front now that his attitude is rude and hostile but declarations of passion were not commonplace. Men of this time had to have absolute self-control. Which makes Bingleys behaviour all the more pleasing and Darcys behaviour all the more surprising. Bingley is not at all formal but generous, open and very genial whereas Darcy, his closest companion, is still holding back. It surprising the reader that some of Bingleys kindness hasnt rubbed off on Darcy.Something which gives a hint of Darcys true nature is h is attitude toward Miss Bingley. She has the same brotherly stand as he and is the type of woman he was brought up to marry. She is also aware of the fact that Lizzy is , bluntly speaking, of a much lower social standing than he should marry. However he is not at all drawn into nastiness by her verbal attacks on others- He listened to her with amend indifference. He lacks a cruel streak but is barely honest, if somewhat lacking in subtlety. What he doesnt lack is modesty- especially where Mr Wickham is concerned. In Chapter Eighteen the pair dance and they discuss Wickham briefly. Darcy could have told Lizzy everything, recommending himself over Wickham and earning points. However he didnt take advantage of the situation, preferring to wait until Chapter thirty S purge when he writes to Lizzy. His proposal could have been a very prosperous counterbalancet had his pride not stepped in and dwelt on the inferiority of her family. in that location was a sense that great passion an d feeling was behind the offer but again Austen degrades him using his incredible weakness- his pride. But even that doesnt cushion him from the wound of her rejection. We feel maybe Darcy is human after all. His garner is what clinches this suspicion. This is raw Darcy- but even this is restrained. It is also very open and could produce the whole plot around. The proud man at Netherfield, who could well conjure up Wickhams account of him, has not gone totally but is much reduced. He is still vaguely proud and reserved- I write without any intention of paining you or humbling myself- but he has lost the unavoidableness he felt to be discrete about Wickham. He feels at ease plenty with Lizzy to be honest. This firmly suggests that his feelings are true as we know how little he discloses to anyone.Even this letter ends with a blessing, so even after rejection he is not the ogre he appears to be. I hypothecate Jane Austen had him write the letter immediately after he is rejected to adjudicate that he has been humbled, looking at himself with the criticism Lizzy had of him. It makes us think rectify of him but we still struggle, as Lizzys does, with how he usually appears- so autocratic and conceited. Austen doesnt clear him of all charges which is clever as it adds more to the baloney if Darcy stays a little mysterious. Towards the end we are able to get a fuller picture of Darcy. When Lizzy goes to Pemberly with her aunt and uncle she gets her first, first-hand account of Darcy she has really had. His housekeeper, with no reason to lie, talks easily of his good-nature and thoughtfulness towards others.It surprises Lizzy but she doesnt go off the idea- the letter has rattled her- and the readers- firm opinion of his hateful character. When she meets Darcy out walking he leads on from this description by politely addressing her relatives., inviting her uncle to angle with him and of course asking, most humbly, if he may introduce his sister to Lizzy. Here he is in his own territory and has no need to put up a front so he relaxes and becomes very amiable. In the next chapter we meet his sister and we know at once that Wickham has been falsehood as she is shy, gentle and unassuming. I think at this point Lizzy is feeling real shame for her presumptions and maybe after seeing Pemberly and Georgiana, slight melancholy in her total dismissal of Darcy. He has done more than enough to clear his name.Despite this he is kinder still when he learns of Lizzys familys disgrace concerning Lydias elopement. Darcy could have turned away- it would have probably been in his best interests if he hadnt got involved but his love for our heroine means he will do whatever it takes to ease her suffering. And he even has the grace and modesty to let Mr Gardiner take the credit for the money he laid down for the marriage. Here Austen does nothing to make his good work bad- this time he is without fault She is allowing us to see Darcy in his just for m. And coupled with his active role in preventing Wickham from marrying Georgiana we see he is real a gentleman.His second proposal is certainly the best image we have of him- and rightly so. He is warm and compassionate, acknowledging his beastly behaviour, explaining it and apologising for it. I think Austen intends us to believe Lizzy is what Darcy needed to check his pride and overcome his shyness. Which makes the coupling all the more perfect. What is so good about Jane Austens portrayal of Darcy is that he is exactly what Lizzy needed in a husband. He is quick and can match her wit- smiling when she gets the better of him. They fit together perfectly, complementing all the best qualities in each other. Throughout the novel Jane Austen uses the character of Darcy and develops it in all the best ways. He maintains an air of mystery throughout until the end where we are all pleased with the result. Beautifully done.