I have been reading Pride and Prejudice but have halted with some dissatisfaction at the chapter in which Mr Darcy makes his proposal of marriage to Elizabeth. He tells her that he has no regrets about breaking up the romantic liaison between Mr Bingley and Elizabeth's sister, owing to her sister's low social status. This is by implication a social reflexion on Elizabeth herself. And this he admits and expresses himself surprised that he has fallen in love with her and is willing to damage his social status by marrying her. I cannot believe that anybody would have the crass insensitivity to expect such a proposal to be accepted. It's not psychologically plausible without assuming a truly pathological degree of conceit that goes far beyond the plain and everyday 'Pride' that the title suggests. I greatly admire Jane's psychological insight and social commentary but Darcy's proposal is psychologically incredible. Or am I being imperceptive and obtuse ? Or just misreading the text ?
2007-10-12 09:02:13 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
smsm223 : Thanks for the comment. Truly. I have got past the chapter and realise the mutual misunderstandings. But I don't think this is germane to my question. Is it psychologically credible that anyone not in a clinical condition could expect the proposal to be accepted on the terms in which Darcy makes it ? Later developments in the story don't affect this query so far as I can see.
2007-10-12 09:16:01 · update #1
No, you've nailed it actually.
That's what makes Jane Austen the kind of writer that is still read and studied today; the very fact that she had that kind of insight. It made her known in her own time as well although some were quick to dismiss her as simply 'a writer of women's things'.
In the text, for Mr Darcy to be so crass and callous in his proposal...it's no wonder Elizabeth turned him down! I went to an all-girls high school and when we read that in class...well, it turned into a 'men are pigs' session that our (unmarried) English teacher was happy to support! Good memories.
Anyhoo, the point is that you have a firm grasp of what is happening and are on the right track. Happy reading!
2007-10-12 09:11:38 · answer #1 · answered by Nika 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, Mr. Darcy's proposal is not psychologically incredible. If you transferred him into today's world, you may have a point.
In the early 1800s (and before and for some time afterward), this would have been a normal feeling for a man that is of the upperclass who is proposing to a woman that (in today's world) would be considered middle class and would bring no worldly good to a marriage, either in family connections or money or property. Generally the man would have done one of two things: not proposed at all or kept his hesitation and debate to himself while proposing.
Quite frankly, a marriage between these two would have been considered nearly scandalous because of the disparity in their social positions. Darcy was well aware of this. It was a more powerful influence on his thoughts and feelings because of his pride. He also thought it due to his pride to explain the struggles he felt; remember, he called them natural and just. In his mind, he was conferring on Elizabeth a great honor by proposing. He believed Elizabeth would consider it an honor and be overawed; that alone should have been enough for her to accept him (or so he thought). His pride led him to believe that he didn't have to PLEASE Elizabeth. He even believed she would not only welcome the proposal, but expected it.
However, the real problem Darcy saw was the silly, inappropriate and unacceptable behavior of Elizabeth's mother, her younger sisters and even (sometimes) her father. He didn't express these sentiments when saying he rejoiced in his success at breaking up Jane and Bingley. He had other motives for his actions there; he didn't think Jane truly loved Bingley & he secretly wished Bingley to get together with Georgiana.
2007-10-12 09:48:25 · answer #2 · answered by ck1 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the implication in the scene is that Darcy is *so* prideful that he cannot believe that Lizzie - being of such a low social status and from such a financially needy family - would not accept his proposal, no matter how incredibly insensitive and badly phrased it is. He believes that, in telling her his honest opinion, that he is being open and forthright and does not consider that his words will be hurtful, rather that Lizzie will appreciate his honesty.
I also think that, while interpreting the character's motives in this scene, you have to remember that this was a different time in which women and men usually married for convenience and financial gain. Darcy's bluntness on this topic, although horrifying to us in the 12st century, would have been far less surprising to a girl of that period.
2007-10-12 09:21:13 · answer #3 · answered by †®€Åç∫€ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pride And Prejudice Marriage Analysis
2016-11-06 21:28:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different time, different place.
People who lived then were rigidly locked into social class and convention. It is a mistake to read Jane Austen in view of today's social norms.
It was the blunt expression of a man who did not have the expressive capabilities to sugar-coat the truth.
By the way, the distaste was not for Elisabeth's sister Jane, but with her less presentable Mother and other sisters.
2007-10-12 09:15:01 · answer #5 · answered by oohhbother 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In Jane Austins corset
2016-04-08 05:41:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love this book and this story/plot!
Basically, he is being upfront and honest. They both have some serious misunderstanding which they make it past later in the story...
When you get there then you will say "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh..."
2007-10-12 09:08:22 · answer #7 · answered by smsm223 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋