First, consider this, if Lady Catherine De Bourgh merits the status of a noble ‘Lady’, and Darcy is indeed her nephew, why is our hero a Mr. and not a Lord? Lady Catherine has married an Earl, and it is suggested she was of a higher class herself, and thus merits the title of a Lady. Mr. Darcy was not born to a baron, marquess, duke, earl or viscount, and thus does not bare the title. Unlike Sir Lucas, Charlotte’s father, nor was Darcy knighted, and thus does not bare the title of ‘Sir’ either. Essentially, Darcy is a gentlemen based on his wealth and property owning. Owning such a large estate permits him not to work, and still continue to make a large fortune annually from the estate’s incomes. It also permits him to take part in the gentry class of landowners, which the Bennet’s also techincally belong to.

 

Class, particularly during the Regency, was heavily intertwined with wealth. Mr. Bingley, with his 4000 pounds a year, is also of a similar situation. The situation the Bingleys found themselves in was not uncommon for the time; their father had made a fortune in a trade of some sort. This was not uncommon for the time, but very uncommon for times before. This type of class change and climbing the social ladder indicates “the acquisition of industrial and trading fortunes must also have sharpened money consciousness- and consciousness of the relation between money, status, and power- by increasing the number of men who could actually acquire country estates and merge with the gentry” (Clark 121). Accordingly, wealthy as the Bingleys became, they were introduced into a higher social circle. Bingley searches for a home to buy, and settles in Derbyshire, in order to officially join Darcy’s social circle of the gentry class. It does not harm Mr. Bingley at all that his manners suit a perfect English gentleman, but essentially he is gossiped about with such enthusiasm among Merryton citizens due to his wealth. This period suggests “the value of people counted on the possession of a fortune” (Gao 385).

 

 

 

 

 

There were strict guidelines, as Lady Catherine continuously reminds the reader, between the classes. While the separation between the classes is evident throughout the novel in various instances, it is most particularly reflected in the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, and Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins. In reconsidering Mr. Darcy’s first proposal, I would like to examine the following passage:

Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority—of its being a degradation—of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favorable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said:

In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude, I would now thank you. But I cannot—I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation. (129)

Mr. Darcy’s proposal was prideful and arrogant in disrespecting Elizabeth as an inferior, and attempting to achieve her approval through his consistent reminder of his superior class. Sad thing is, in most cases and with most woman, Darcy’s arrogance would have most likely been merited. Elizabeth, however, was not similar to most women. She is “a woman worth pleasing” (Austen 238), and rejects Darcy. He is not angry or resentful, but rather bewildered. Upon learning that Darcy was responsible for Bingley’s departure from Netherfield and his leaving Jane, even Elizabeth automatically presumes the objections were based on her having one uncle who was a country attorney, and another who was in business in London.” (127). Darcy asks after her cold rejection if she expects him “to rejoice in her lack of connections” (Austen 130), and re-establishes his superiority over her as a wealthy gentleman. Class, as Darcy believes in his proposal, is his biggest advantage over Elizabeth, and proves to ultimately be his biggest downfall. It is that prideful arrogance that dissuades her good opinions from him. Elizabeth reagrds herself as his equal, and it is not until he accepts her as such that she is able to fall in love with him. The following dialogue with Lady Catherine evidences that:

“If you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere in which you have been brought up."
"In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter; so far we are equal."
"True. You are a gentleman's daughter. But who was your mother? Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their condition". (Austen 239)

Elizabeth claims to be equal in standing, and yet Lady Catherine discredites her statement by noting she has not the noble background Darcy does. It is evident that in this period, “social position tended to be established in terms of families, not individuals. The bourgeoisie and the proletariat were arising after Industry Revolution” (Gao 385). Mr. Collins’s proposal was of similar notions; he too referred to Elizabeth’s inferiority of birth and lack of connections. He comments that:

My situation in life, my connections with the family of de Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take it into further consideration, that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females." (19.17)

There are so many things awful about this sentence, but most notably Mr.Collins is suggesting that Lizzy’s lack of fortune and class will surely make her unable to reject him. He can offer her a comfortable living, and a respected social circle. Elizabeth rejects him too, on the grounds of being unable to live with such a ridiculous man. Charlotte Lucas does not, and jumps on the possibility to steal herself a husband in such comfortable social standing.