Prince-Charming Hero
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." (128)
What makes him prince charming? learning...
The novel’s hero begins the story on a rather different note than he ends it in. Of course, this may be attributed to the rising action of the novel, and the fact the Narrator consistently shares Elizabeth’s opinions on events, and as she is bound to dislike him, so is the reader. Darcy is often regarded as the ‘pride’ of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth the ‘prejudice’. While both characters could represent aspects of both terms, but Darcy did begin the journey rather prideful. It is only after his explanation letter to Elizabeth that the reader begins to rethink and reconsider several of his attributes, and consequently, being prideful can be considered misunderstood shyness and even insecurity. Yes, it is not possible to argue Darcy was full of pride in his first proposal to Elizabeth, and he evidently “dwells more on how unsuitable such a match is… spend[ing] more time emphasizing Elizabeth’s lower rank than actually asking her to marry him” (Gao 387). However, to twist this statement, I would like to consider the possibility of Darcy being intimidated and put in a situation he was uncomfortable in. He does indeed find himself superior to Elizabeth, but of course the reader knows him to be smarter than to admit it to her as reasoning for his acceptance. It hardly encourages Elizabeth to accept him, needless to say. Why would he bring it up then? Perhaps he thought it to be his biggest advantage point in asking Elizabeth to marry him, which is rather sad, considering he is “the supreme bourgeois female fantasy and the most desirable man in fiction and film” (Fullerton 65). Of course, this is crucial for the plot of the novel. Elizabeth teaches him to be humble, and in winning her heart, it can be presumed he felt accomplished pleasing “a woman worthy of being pleased” (Austen 248).
There are several other indications that can lead the reader to reconsider Darcy’s seemingly prideful behavior. When Elizabeth confronts him for his antisocial behavior at the Netherfield ball, Darcy admits he had not “the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond [his] party” and that he “should have judged better, had [he] sought an introduction; but [he is] ill-qualified to recommend [him]self to strangers” (Austen 119). Fair enough… Indeed, though Darcy is “intelligent and forthright", he 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” (Yu 680). Even so, he too seems uncomfortable with his aunt’s distinction and constant separation of the classes. Upon his behavior to Charlotte, Collins, and Elizabeth, “Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding, and made no answer" (Austen 116). He does acknowledges his superiority, and yet this behavior is deemed rude to him. Darcy is not rude, and civility is important to him. His initial seeming pride is almost completely excused by his letter to Elizabeth, and his change of behavior following. As the heroine falls in love with him due to his actions, the reader is expected to do the same. His maid’s regcognition of his gentlemently persona is also indicative of his being misunderstood. It changes Elizabeth and the reader’s views of him drastically. The maid describes Darcy to be humble, and “the best landlord, and the best master" (Austen 166). She also credits her opinion by mentioning she has “never known a cross word from him in my life, and [she] have known him ever since he was four years old” (Austen 166). Darcy is portrayed as such a superior and righteous individual here, that the maid even comments she does “not know who is good enough for him" (Austen 166). Of course the maid says this to Elizabeth, who will ironically become Mrs. Darcy by the end of the novel.
Clearly, Darcy must be intelligent, for “only a young man of intelligence could do all this so well” (Fullerton 67). He is modest, and appears distressed at learning Elizabeth becomes aware of his part in Lydia’s marriage to Wickham. Lydia herself admits I promised them so faithfully!” not to tell of Darcy’s part in her marriage (Austen 213). This does not seem to be one of those things the hero does in order to gain attention or recognition; he simply does it for Elizabeth. Even when Elizabeth thanks him on the behalf of her family, Darcy says her “family owe[s] [him] nothing. Much as [he] respect them, [he] believe[s] [he] thought only of [her]" (246). The journey Darcy travels to win Elizabeth’s respect and admiration, and it is a noteworthy journey, is precisely what makes him the ultimate prince charming figure. Elizabeth would be far less interested in him, as we would be in the story, if their journey was not about mutual learning and acceptance. Through this, Darcy becomes ““Darcy is the archetype, the model that other romance writers have imitated or had in mind as the ultimate romantic hero” (Fullerton 73). He is the ultimate hero, and he proves that as much as he deserves Elizabeth, she deserves him.
How are our hero and heroine compatable?
I admit, the hero and heroine might have one or two potential arguments in the course of their marriage. The respect and esteem in which they hold each other, however, is rare and undeniable. It becomes the basis for love in the novel. The learning involved in their love story is crucial. Darcy’s unable to "the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. [He] was in the middle before [he] knew that [he] had begun" (256). It was not love at first sight, and not at all the awe experience of Jane and Bingley, but based on mutual respect and a love that is founded on the heart and not of choice. Upon angrily claiming Darcy "could not have made the offer of [his] hand in any possible way that would have tempted [her] to accept it", Darcy is described to be astonished and “he looked at her with an expression of mingled incredulity and mortification” (Austen 130). From hereforth the fact each party learns of the other humbles both sides. Charmingly, Darcing admits that he was “properly humbled” by Elizabeth, though he “came to [her] without a doubt of [his] reception. [She] showed [him] how insufficient were all [his] pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased” (248). Aside from knowing exactly what to say and how to say it, Darcy expresses full awareness of the influence Elizabeth and her boldness has played on him. This mutual humbling is the foundation of their mutual respect for each other.
The mother of all love scenes... at last, they learn.
Both characters are highly intelligent, far more than most of the other characters in the novel. It is apparent that “Darcy’s function as the character most difficult for the heroine to interpret and yet most necessary for her to interpret if she is to make a proper decision in the only area of choice her society leaves open” (Morrison 74). They are difficult for each other to read, which offer a sense of challenge from the rest of society. The fact that they are both intellectually superior, singularizes them from society. They are both stubborn, and brave about upholding their opinion, difficult and untamed as it may be. While Elizabeth does express constant courage in standing up against social norms, “Darcy’s transition is longer and more challenging than hers. He must cross social distances” (Fullerton 69). Lady Catherine is quick and frequent to remind Elizabeth of Darcy’s engagement to her daughter since infancy; this seems to bother Darcy very little. If anything, his aunt’s rude confrontation of both himself and Elizabeth only “taught [him] to hope” knowing enough of Elizabeth’s “disposition to be certain that, had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and openly" (Austen 247). He goes against society, his family, birthrights, and social expectations by proposing to Elizabeth, particularly for a second time. He spitefully replies to Miss Bingley’s rude remarks about Elizabeth that for a long time he considered Elizabeth “as one of the handsomest women of [his] acquaintance" (182). Aside from being awe inspiring, moments like these express that while Elizabeth considers Darcy superior in character, he considers her superior. Perhaps this is what is so charming and amiable about their relationship.
Bingley and Darcy
As Elizabeth is constantly put next to Lydia, Charlotte, and Jane, it seems “the reader is continually forced to compare Darcy with his friend Bingley” (Fullerton 50). Though Mr. Bingely is perfectly amiable, a charming young fellow, Austen makes it very clear who the hero of this love story is. Jane and Bingley fall miles short from Elizabeth and Darcy; the foundation and depth of their love is unequal. Bingley is sweet, but he is a follower, not a leader. He continuously looks to Darcy for direction, even in his love life. Ultimately, through a misconception, it is by Darcy’s that recommendation that Bingley leaves Jane. A hero cannot be dependent, or a follower, and this contrast establishes Darcy as a hero in retrospect to his amiable friend.
This song makes me think of how everyone regards regards Darcy before they know him. Indeed "he is misunderstood', but when Elizabeth misunderstands him it "cuts like a knife"