1.

The Proposal Scene

The proposal scene itself is one of Austens most striking depictions of the qualities
of the novels title: Darcys pride and Elizabeths prejudice.

Prior to Darcys proposal, Austen demonstrates the veracity of Darcys claim that
Elizabeths natural defect is to wilfully misunderstand people through
Elizabeths reaction to Colonel Fitzwilliams revelation, regarding Mr Darcys
intervention in the courtship of Jane and Bingley. Austen describes how Elizabeths
heart is swelling with indignation, and we see Elizabeth condemn Mr Darcys
apparent insensitivity and impute his actions to the worst kind of pride, as well as
describing his nearing departure as a consolation through which she may seek
some solace amongst her tumult of agitation and tears. Austen uses this to create
a sense of irony and tension as we realise that Darcy will profess his love at a time
when Elizabeths is most pre-disposed to dislike him.

The style of Mr Darcys proposal is a tool employed by Austen to convey Darcys

sense of self-importance. His pride is established through the first words of his
proposal in which he describes how he has struggled with his feelings and
repressed his love for Elizabeth in vain. The negative notion of these words
immediately implicates that he should not love Elizabeth; that she is objectionable
and undeserving of his love, which is further emphasised by Austens use of a
direct authorial in which she portrays how Darcy dwelt on Elizabeths inferiority
with a warmth.

Throughout the proposal scene, Austen invites the reader to compare Darcys
proposal with that of a battle; a battle between reason and emotion. This is
achieved through Austens use of language, for example, she describes how Darcy
has endeavoured to conquer his reservations and scruples about Elizabeths
family. Although an image of Darcy fighting his love for Elizabeth seems
unbecoming in a proposal which would normally be the epitome of romance,
Austen uses this imagery to encourage us to realise how extraordinary this
proposal is in, especially in the Regency Period and thus encourages us to
appreciate the extent to which Darcy is defying the stratification of classes that
was the social milieu in Regency England. This ironically portrays the depth of
passion that we know Darcy feels for Elizabeth.

2. Pemberley
Following Darcys proposal, Elizabeth condemns Darcy and his manner. She states
with great energy that he is the last man in the world whom she would choose to
marry due to his arrogance, conceit, abominable pride and selfish disdain of
the feelings of others which has founded her immoveable... dislike of him.
After receiving Mr Darcys letter: she reads the letter with a strong prejudice,
demonstrated by the fact that she instantly resolved that his explanation of his
role in intervening with the courtship between Jane and Bingley as false, and
Austen informs the reader that she believes his actions are evidence of his pride
and insolence. However, Darcys detailed account of his relationship with Wickham
causes her to begin to question her judgement: Elizabeth cannot recollect some
instance of goodness integrity or benevolence in Wickhams character; she is
at last struck with the impropriety inconsistency and indelicacy of Wickhams
 readiness to condemn Mr Darcy. She realises that she has acted despicably and
cries that she has courted prepossession
First impressions of Pemberley: E is delighted the building is large and
handsome but without any artificial appearance and is not falsely adorned-
implication that the style of the house is indicative of Darcys character. Elizabeth
has admiration of his taste and exclaims that to be mistress of Pemberley might
be something!
The housekeeper: describes Mr Darcy as a courteous and kind character she has
never had a cross word from him and could not meet with a better [master].
Contrasts with Elizabeths judgement thinks he is not a good tempered man. Mrs
Reynolds informs us that he is affable to the poor which suggests his generosity
extends beyond simply giving money. Her respect and admiration for him is evident
through her repetitive use of the superlative: sweetest-tempered, most generous
hearted, best landlord, best master. Like Elizabeth, Darcy feels great affection
for his sister there is nothing he would not do for her. This conveys his
selflessness and his capacity for love. Austen uses a direct authorial comment to
inform us of Elizabeths gradually increasing warmth towards Darcy: E feels a more
gentle sensation and deeper sentiment of gratitude use of comparative invites
the reader to acknowledge that Elizabeths esteem for Mr Darcy is increasing
Darcys behaviour towards her, her aunt and her uncle, and his alteration in
manner: Darcy speaks with perfect civility and such gentleness. Austen
describes how Elizabeth is amazed by the change in Darcys manner and knew
not what to think. Much to Elizabeths shock, Darcy describes being introduced to
her relations as an honour. We realise that she still bears her initial propensity to
misunderstand Darcy as Austen describes how Elizabeth expects Darcy to
decamp as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions and is astonished
by his readiness to enter into conversation with her uncle. Elizabeth could not but
triumph at this opportunity to display that she does have some relations for whom
there was no need to blush.
Meeting Miss Darcy and the perception of Mr Darcy amongst the locals: in contrary
to Elizabeths belief that it is impossible that Darcy still loves her, Mr and Mrs
Gardiner recognise that Darcy is overflowing with admiration. The Gardiners
Lambton friends believe he is a liberal man

To mark the climax of Elizabeths increasing affection for Mr Darcy and her awareness
of her poor judgement of him, Austen reverts back to her use of Elizabeth as the
centre of consciousness. The depth of Elizabeths respect of his behaviour is clear;
Austen describes how she feels a sense of gratitude for his ability to forgive all the
petulance and acrimony in her manner of refusing his proposal, and at last it seems
that her love is equal to his.

3. Lydia and Wickham

In contrast to Charlotte who marries Collins because of her prudent, steady character
and disinterested desire for an establishment, it is clear that Lydia has acted in
accordance to her wild and untamed instincts, and with no consideration of the
misery and humiliation that her marriage to Wickham will cause. Austen uses the
epistolary form to convey this in Lydias letter to her family in which Lydia exclaims her
elopement is a good joke and describes how she cannot help laughing. This is
perhaps indicative of her innate silliness, or perhaps a result of her lack of guidance
from her parents. Austen uses Elizabeth to remind us of the latter as Elizabeth states
that Lydia has never been taught to think on serious subjects and has, as a
consequence, learnt to value nothing other than love, flirtation and officers.
However, the real irony of the situation comes from Austens satirical depiction of Mrs
Bennets reaction to Lydias infamy. Austen characterises her response to convey Mrs
Bennets ignorance and self-interest by her constant use of the personal pronoun I,
such as what a dreadful state I am in, I am frightened out of my wits. In addition to
this, she blames the Forsters, claiming that this was the result of their great neglect
of Lydia as she ironically claims that Lydia is not the kind of girl to do such a thing
when in fact, throughout the novel, Austen repeatedly describes Lydia to have a wild
predisposition. However, possibly most alarming, is the fact that Mrs Bennet appears
to sympathise with Lydia, which is suggested through her repetitive use of referring to
Lydia as dear Lydia.

Nevertheless, Austen uses the relationship between Lydia and Wickham as another
exemplification of how ill-fated marriages can be. Elizabeth, unlike her mother who is
disturbed by no fear for Lydias felicity in the future, recognises that Lydias chance
of happiness in marriage is small because Wickhams affection for Lydia is clearly
not equal to Lydias for him. Much alike Mr and Mrs Bennet and Charlotte and Collins,
this is evidently another tragic example of inequality within a marriage, in terms of
intelligence and esteem in the Regency period.

4. Darcys behaviour in this section conveys his selflessness and true affection for
Elizabeth. As Elizabeth reveals the humiliation and the misery which Lydia
has brought about, Austen characterises Darcys response with a silent
acquiescence. Ironically Austen describes how Darcy made no answer to
Elizabeths distressed explanations, however, Darcy recognises that the most
effective form of comfort and help can be achieved through actions as opposed
to words. In earnest meditation Darcy paces up and down the room, and as he
does this, it seems he decides what he will do to reduce Elizabeths suffering.
Interestingly, Austen reveals the exact actions of Darcy indirectly through a
letter from Mrs Gardiner. This symbolically portrays Darcys desire to ensure his
role in resolving the social catastrophe created by Lydia is unknown to others.

Later in the novel, Darcy confesses that he thought of only [Elizabeth] and
thus underlines his devotion to Elizabeth and his disregard of gaining the glory
for his unexampled kindness, as well as his.

5. The formidable character of Lady Catherine makes her final appearance in the
novel as she arrives at Longbourn with a determination to assert her
disapproval and condemnation of any possible relationship between Darcy and
Elizabeth.

Lady Catherines behaviour in the scene makes Elizabeth finally appreciate the
disparity between Darcy and Lady Catherine, whom she once thought shared
the same characteristic of abominable pride. Austen indicates this through
Elizabeths use of a rhetorical question: how could I ever think her like her
nephew?. As Lady Catherine becomes increasingly hysterical and tyrannical,
even accusing Elizabeth of drawing him in and trying to ruin him with the
implication that she is a femme fatal, Elizabeth maintains her dignity and does
 not quail under Lady Catherines threats that she will be ostracised from society
and despised by everyone if she marries Darcy. Elizabeths innate spirit
prevails as she replies with composure that being the wife would give no woman
a cause to repine. Most significantly, Elizabeth refuses to promise that she will
decline any offer of marriage from Darcy, and it is this that proves crucial is
displaying to Darcy that Elizabeth truly loves him. Austen later emphasises this
by a direct authorial comment as she states the effect of Lady Catherines
dictatorial visit to Longbourn had been exactly contrariwise.

6. At the end of the novel, Austen conveys the notion that this is a relationship
between two equals who complement each other. Having witnessed numerous
unsuccessful marriages throughout the novel, Austen demonstrates how the
best marriages are between those who share an elevating passion, not one
based on gaining economic security or first impressions. Darcy emphasises this
through his revelation that Elizabeths accusation of his ungentleman like
behaviour tortured him because it made him recognise his propensity to think
meanly of others. Elizabeth mirrors this improvement in character by
suggesting that she too appreciates her wrong judgement of Darcy as she
describes how she is heartily ashamed of her ill founded condemnation of
Darcys actions.