I noticed a few comments from my classmates regarding
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, but I want to take a slightly different stand. Chloe
and I are constantly assuring one another that “we love Mr. Darcy” and that
Elizabeth is crazy for not accepting his proposal. However, is it really so
absurd that Elizabeth doesn’t jump into a marriage with a man who, upon first glance, sees her as
mediocre? Mr. Darcy describes Elizabeth as “‘tolerable,’” when he first sees her (9).
Elizabeth claims that she is not
affected by Mr. Darcy’s insult, but is she really? When Mr. Darcy proposes to
Elizabeth it is simple for Austen’s readers to forgive him and accept, but it
is not so easy for Elizabeth to do the same. After Elizabeth declines the
proposal Mr. Darcy makes several more entrances into the story and each time I
find myself drawn more to his character. I get rather frustrated with Elizabeth
when she continues to avoid him (and after reading a few comments, I find that
many classmates feel the same way). But is it really fair to get upset with
Elizabeth for declining the proposal so quickly when Mr. Darcy was so quick to
insult her? Isn’t Elizabeth being the smart
and rational woman who is thoughtful
in choosing a husband? Why then, do we as readers, expect her to be so
accepting to Mr. Darcy’s proposal?
Rachel, I completely agree with this statement. Elizabeth recently looked into the marriage of her parents, finally placing a fair amount of blame on her father for the dysfunction of her family, where as until this point the blame had been entirely on Mrs. Bennett. As Elizabeth looks closely into their marriage, she sees that her father holds no respect for her mother, as he married her on a whim without knowing, or liking, her character. Elizabeth knows that Mr. Darcy recently viewed her as "tolerable," and continues to view her sister Jane as below him and Mr. Bingley. If he continues to view her sister, whom Elizabeth looks highly upon, in such a negative way, isn't it likely that he still views Elizabeth as beneath him? Although he says he loves her, she has to consider his previous admittance of feelings for her, and wonder if they would return, leaving her in a marital situation similar to her parents'.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I completely agree with this statement. Elizabeth recently looked into the marriage of her parents, finally placing a fair amount of blame on her father for the dysfunction of her family, where as until this point the blame had been entirely on Mrs. Bennett. As Elizabeth looks closely into their marriage, she sees that her father holds no respect for her mother, as he married her on a whim without knowing, or liking, her character. Elizabeth knows that Mr. Darcy recently viewed her as "tolerable," and continues to view her sister Jane as below him and Mr. Bingley. If he continues to view her sister, whom Elizabeth looks highly upon, in such a negative way, isn't it likely that he still views Elizabeth as beneath him? Although he says he loves her, she has to consider his previous admittance of feelings for her, and wonder if they would return, leaving her in a marital situation similar to her parents'.
ReplyDeleteI think that the definition of smart and rational depends upon one's perspective. When the events in question are viewed through the lens of our own time and culture, I agree that Elizabeth's actions are rational and ethical. However, those same events viewed through from the temporal and cultural perspective of 1813, one might arrive at another conclusion. Of course, there are no absolutes. Everything is interpretation and everything is constantly evolving. I think that all of our perceptions are prejudiced in that they come from our own time period and our own culture. It is probably impossible to escape from that bias.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Charles has stated above. In today's society, I feel as if she was in this situation that she would be seen as "smart" because she stood up for herself and did not let a man belittle her, but during this time, I believe people would think otherwise. She is in a situation that she will have no where to go unless she is married, and Mr. Darcy is willing to marry her and give her this home. I believe that is why we, as readers, want her to jump on the marriage wagon without thinking twice about it.
ReplyDeleteDarcy's first proposal definitely came as a shock to myself, as I'm sure it was to Elizabeth. I believe a large reason for her declining his offer was due to the fact that she had so very recently learned of his part in Jane's situation with Bingley, so how could she view him as anything but unkind and hypocritical? At the same time, I wonder how believable it truly is for a woman of Elizabeth's circumstance to give up such an opportunity of stability, but it sure makes for a great story!
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