Mr.+Darcy

Mr. Darcy

Rodger Bramley Allison Griesmer Dan Leahy



**Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: ** //The son of a wealthy, well-established family and the master of the great estate of Pemberley, Darcy is Elizabeth’s male counterpart. The narrator relates Elizabeth’s point of view of events more often than Darcy’s, so Elizabeth often seems a more sympathetic figure. The reader eventually realizes, however, that Darcy is her ideal match. Intelligent and forthright, he too has a tendency to judge too hastily and harshly, and his high birth and wealth make him overly proud and overly conscious of his social status. Indeed, his haughtiness makes him initially bungle his courtship. When he proposes to her, for instance, he dwells more on how unsuitable a match she is than on her charms, beauty, or anything else complimentary. Her rejection of his advances builds a kind of humility in him. Darcy demonstrates his continued devotion to Elizabeth, in spite of his distaste for her low connections, when he rescues Lydia and the entire Bennet family from disgrace, and when he goes against the wishes of his haughty aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by continuing to pursue Elizabeth. Darcy proves himself worthy of Elizabeth, and she ends up repenting her earlier, overly harsh judgment of him. // ** To Note on Darcy's Personality: ** //Mr. Darcy is a proud man who lets his views of social class superiority impede his judgement on the first impressions he receives of people. Whereas in today's society we might find certain characters likeable, for example Charlotte, Jane, Elizabeth, and more, Darcy finds them to be below himself due to his preconceived notions on the social classes.//

//"**She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me**; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your​ time with me." (Chapter 3) -// Darcy about Elizabeth

//Darcy's reaction to the suggestion that he dance with Elizabeth at the ball seems very haughty. He refuse's to dance with her because she is not "handsome" enough to be seen with him. This shows Darcy's pride and self love. By saying Elizabeth isn't good enough for him, he establishes a reputation around the community. This reputation is that of having pride in himself and his bad social manners. Socially, he feels superior to Elizabeth and this leaves a negative memory of him for Elizabeth.//
 * Explanation:**

//"//**//I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding— certainly too little for the convenience of the world.//** //I cannot forget the follies and vices of other so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost is lost forever." (Chapter 11) -//Darcy to Elizabeth

// Darcy is finally proving and showing that he is not all about himself. He is admitting that he is only a human being who has many flaws, and he is not the perfect being others thought he came off as. He says that his temper is one thing he cannot vouch for, meaning that he cannot control it. This temper makes him even more real and less superior than he wanted to be. By admitting his flaws to the one he truly loves, he is showing her a side that has rarely been revealed. //**
 * Explanation:

- - ** Mr. Darcy as Dr. Gregory House ** ** House's personality traits: ** House's character frequently shows his cunning and biting wit, his enjoyment at picking people apart, and how he often mocks peoples' weaknesses. House accurately deciphers people's motives and histories from aspects of their personality, appearance, and actions. House has what is called the "Rubik's complex." He needs to, so to speak, "solve the puzzle." House also typically waits as long as possible before meeting his patients. When he does, he shows an unorthodox bedside manner. However, he impresses with rapid and accurate diagnoses after seemingly not paying attention. This skill is demonstrated in a scene where House diagnoses an entire waiting room full of patients in little over one minute on his way out of the hospital clinic. Critics have described the character as "moody," "bitter," "antagonistic," "grumpy," "maverick," and "curmudgeon." ** Analysis: ** The traits above that describe House also apply in majority to the charactersics of our perception of Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Darcy is this antagonistic character because he does not carry admirable qualities. He refuses to dance with Elizabeth because she is not good enough for him, he breaks Jane and Mr. Bingley apart form being married based on the fact that Bingley would be "marrying down," and he also impresses upon Elizabeth how he is socially above her and basically how he'd be a good match for Elizabeth because she'd be "marrying up" in his proposal to her. Even so, we are drawn to Darcy and compelled to like him because he is ever changing. He is not staying the vain and stuck up prick we knew when we first met him. This is similar to House in that House is also an antagonistic character we are drawn to. We like House, even though he is a "moody" and "grumpy curmudgeon" because he saves peoples lives and is also ever changing in his character and ideals. Both Darcy and House are characters with flaws that make us know we shouldn't like them, and yet we are drawn to do so.

//Questions for Discussion//

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 * 1) Do you think pride is used by Mr. Darcy as a crutch?
 * 2) Why would Darcy condescend the Bennet's if he knew they were poor marriage prospects?
 * 3) What is it about Darcy's conflicted nature that makes him a magnetic character?