I will admit, I have always lied about reading Pride & Prejudice. I am not usually someone to twist the truth, but I figured I had seen the movie adaptations enough times. I thought I didn’t really need to read it… yes, even though I know the book is always better. Well, after finally finishing it for English 199, I can say that I get it. I should have read it years ago, and like many readers, I walked away thinking about Mr. Darcy.
The name “Mr. Darcy” is now a stand-in for the ultimate fictional romantic interest. Why is Mr. Darcy considered the “greatest romance hero of all time”? Colin Firth aside, the tension that Austen builds between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy creates an energy between the characters that pulls the reader in. At the beginning of the novel, Mr. Darcy is depicted as arrogant and outright rude, saying within an earshot of Elizabeth after catching her eye, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.” It is impossible to ignore that Mr. Darcy has a superior attitude and that we, the reader, are all for Elizabeth to hate him.
As the novel goes on, we understand Mr. Darcy better. He is socially awkward, but still means well by his actions. Like Elizabeth, once I learned of Mr. Darcy’s secret actions to rescue Lydia and Wickham from social ruin, I was officially sitting myself down in “Mr. Darcy Camp.” Austen’s ability to gradually show the reader Mr. Darcy’s true character reminds us not to always trust our “first impressions” (Austen’s original title for the novel). The result of this transformation was a character that would set the bar for all romantic figures in literature (and later, movies). Is this romance with an aloof yet sensitive guy a realistic storyline though?
The Guardian points out, “The fact is that dark, smouldering, moody, charismatic, arrogant Darcy types, whom we
hate at first sight and then later find ourselves falling in love with, often – particularly
after we have married them – turn out to be rigid, dominating and controlling.”
Should we really be rooting for someone like Mr. Darcy? Is romanticizing this type of character setting ourselves up for unrealistic expectations and a lifetime of therapy? Or is this interpretation of a cold Mr. Darcy inaccurate because it is seen through Elizabeth’s eyes?
Mr. Darcy does show a clear sense of awareness of his impolite tendencies. He explains to Elizabeth, “Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle.”
Possibly, there is hope for Mr. Darcy to improve upon his social skills, particularly with a partner like Elizabeth who can draw him out when in group settings. If Mr. Darcy were to take one of today’s popular personality quizzes, it is said that he would be the “Assertive Logistician (ISTJ-A) personality type.” He is introverted, observant, thinking, judging and assertive. Mr. Darcy recognizes his faults and tries to correct them. He acts in a way he believes to be just, and when brought to his attention that it is not, he tries to correct his course, as seen in his involvement in the separation and then reunion of Bingley and Jane. And while Mr. Darcy is proud, he is not so proud as to let his ego stand in the way of rejection. His first proposal is turned down, and he is boldly rejected by Elizabeth. “You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it,” she declares. Still, he continues to look for clues as to whether she loves him and if he should propose one more final time.
Mr. Darcy is not perfect yet recognizes his need for self-improvement. I think Mr. Darcy’s imperfection is what makes readers ultimately love him more. Also, his self awareness makes the difference in my book. He appreciates Elizabeth’s intelligence and respects her opinions and strength of character. And while he may be awkward at a party, he has Elizabeth to counter that.
Is Mr. Darcy an overly romanticized character, or does he rightly claim the spot of literature’s most romantic hero?
(Photo credit: redlands.edu/Eymery)
