liz and darcy (again)
I finished reading Pride and Prejudice yesterday morning. Re-reading, I should say. I read it maybe - did I read it in high school? I really can’t remember. I only remember that I read it on the Kindle. It could have been six years ago or three. The point is that in the interval, I’ve watched the movie about a dozen times. I also watched the TV series, which is notably closer to the book than the movie - but I still like the movie much better. The TV series (despite Colin Firth, I know) stresses me out, between Mrs. Bennett’s shrill voice, Mr. Collins’ creepy factor, and the idea in my head that Caroline Bingley looks excessively like the child-catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Brr.
Anyway. Not the point. The point of observation being that the book closely observes the transformation of both main characters. Mr. Darcy learns to break from his cold, proud reserve and let his amiability show beyond his family circle, while Elizabeth learns to take first impressions as soft molds rather than set. That is the short version, of course - there is much more to be taken here. My main idea is to take up Elizabeth’s surprise that the match should have made its way out despite everything working against it - that Darcy should have fallen in love with her at all, that she should accept his actions of repair with so much heart and gratitude as makes her fall equally in love with him. A good portion of this is because each is so thoughtful and reflective. If either had more diversions or less awareness of self, the match would not have been so fitting - and may not have occurred whatsoever.
Do I long for their powers of self-awareness? Probably not that alone - but their powers of self-reformation. Of course, they still admit in the end that they have still work to do on each other - Elizabeth is not quick to tease Darcy unnecessarily - and I don’t recall Elizabeth’s remaining fault - I admire her character too much. But what I wish to work on in myself based on their characters. I hope to emulate Elizabeth’s power of thought and the following reformation in reading Darcy’s letter. She reads it through once - and is ruled by her passions. She reads it through again, employing her reason along with her emotion, and is convinced by observation and logic that there must be truth in it, and she begins to be convinced of Darcy’s being in the right. And - even though she is passionate in all the right places, she is also able to retain civility in the appropriate measures. Her balance of cool-headed reason and heated passion are enviable.
Darcy’s move to action in order to prove his love for Elizabeth is certainly admirable; but I am presently wondering what would have caused him to move if Lydia had not been snagged by the perfidious Mr. Wickham, which brought Darcy to the belief of his guilt and necessary intervention. How would it have gone if that misfortune had not hit the Bennetts? It happened in the middle of Elizabeth’s trip with her aunt and uncle, where all were engaged at Pemberley by Darcy’s generous offers of hospitality for dinner and fishing. Already Elizabeth suspected that Darcy still had a regard for her based on those attentions; but at what point did Darcy realize that there was hope for a return of regard - or more to the point, at what point had he decided on bringing Mr. Bingley back to Netherfield for reunification with Jane? I would like to believe it was already in play based on the fact that Darcy wished to conceal his involvement in Lydia’s wedding - that he didn’t count that as a factor in capturing Elizabeth’s attraction.
This only proves that the novel has that tendency which novels do towards convenient happenings which make for a good story. It doesn’t change my admiration of the work - if anything, increasing it because such analysis is involved to break through the magic of story to wondering whether the plot is realistic. And, even with such potential plot ties, the lessons to learn - and more importantly, the magic of elevated feeling with each re-reading and re-watch - make P & P always a delicious treat.
Tell me what you think of P & P. I am sure there are those who dislike it. Is there another Austen you prefer? I enjoyed Sense & Sensibility but didn't care for Emma. Leave a note!
Anyway. Not the point. The point of observation being that the book closely observes the transformation of both main characters. Mr. Darcy learns to break from his cold, proud reserve and let his amiability show beyond his family circle, while Elizabeth learns to take first impressions as soft molds rather than set. That is the short version, of course - there is much more to be taken here. My main idea is to take up Elizabeth’s surprise that the match should have made its way out despite everything working against it - that Darcy should have fallen in love with her at all, that she should accept his actions of repair with so much heart and gratitude as makes her fall equally in love with him. A good portion of this is because each is so thoughtful and reflective. If either had more diversions or less awareness of self, the match would not have been so fitting - and may not have occurred whatsoever.
Do I long for their powers of self-awareness? Probably not that alone - but their powers of self-reformation. Of course, they still admit in the end that they have still work to do on each other - Elizabeth is not quick to tease Darcy unnecessarily - and I don’t recall Elizabeth’s remaining fault - I admire her character too much. But what I wish to work on in myself based on their characters. I hope to emulate Elizabeth’s power of thought and the following reformation in reading Darcy’s letter. She reads it through once - and is ruled by her passions. She reads it through again, employing her reason along with her emotion, and is convinced by observation and logic that there must be truth in it, and she begins to be convinced of Darcy’s being in the right. And - even though she is passionate in all the right places, she is also able to retain civility in the appropriate measures. Her balance of cool-headed reason and heated passion are enviable.
Darcy’s move to action in order to prove his love for Elizabeth is certainly admirable; but I am presently wondering what would have caused him to move if Lydia had not been snagged by the perfidious Mr. Wickham, which brought Darcy to the belief of his guilt and necessary intervention. How would it have gone if that misfortune had not hit the Bennetts? It happened in the middle of Elizabeth’s trip with her aunt and uncle, where all were engaged at Pemberley by Darcy’s generous offers of hospitality for dinner and fishing. Already Elizabeth suspected that Darcy still had a regard for her based on those attentions; but at what point did Darcy realize that there was hope for a return of regard - or more to the point, at what point had he decided on bringing Mr. Bingley back to Netherfield for reunification with Jane? I would like to believe it was already in play based on the fact that Darcy wished to conceal his involvement in Lydia’s wedding - that he didn’t count that as a factor in capturing Elizabeth’s attraction.
This only proves that the novel has that tendency which novels do towards convenient happenings which make for a good story. It doesn’t change my admiration of the work - if anything, increasing it because such analysis is involved to break through the magic of story to wondering whether the plot is realistic. And, even with such potential plot ties, the lessons to learn - and more importantly, the magic of elevated feeling with each re-reading and re-watch - make P & P always a delicious treat.
Tell me what you think of P & P. I am sure there are those who dislike it. Is there another Austen you prefer? I enjoyed Sense & Sensibility but didn't care for Emma. Leave a note!
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