Jane Austen discussion
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Pride and Prejudice
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Should Elizabeth have accepted Darcy's first proposal?
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Laforesta wrote: "It's beautiful to think that their love wasn’t born from idealization, but from personal growth. I especially like the idea that Elizabeth, by standing up to Darcy, helped him become a true gentleman, and at the same time, Darcy, through his letter, gave Elizabeth the chance to see beyond her first impressions. Their story is, at its heart, a journey of mutual transformation.."That is a beautiful way of looking at it.
Here were are 212 years later and we're still discussing and debating the story which means Jane did an incredible job of writing characters we care about and a story that still holds up! That sets her apart from many of her contemporaries.
Such a legacy! No biological children, but so many literary children. Film makers, fan fiction writers, re-enactors, society members, scholars, you tubers, bloggers, and most of all, readers.
And of course, her true literary children, her characters, the good, the bad. Without Wickham, P & P would be merely a fluffy romance with a rich, good-looking man.
Jan wrote: "Such a legacy! No biological children, but so many literary children. Film makers, fan fiction writers, re-enactors, society members, scholars, you tubers, bloggers, and most of all, readers."Yes and I think she's smiling away and grinning at that! She didn't seek out fame in her lifetime but I think the afterlife fame would tickle her. She'd take secret delight in all our debates about what the characters would have/should have said/done and what she meant by this line or that. I think she wouldn't tell us and just sit back and watch us debate and discuss.
Between the very interesting analysis in your blog, Victoria, and so many insightful comments, this feels educational! I vote No. She didn’t really know him and didn’t like him at all. He hadn’t given her any reason to like him; just the opposite. That said, refusing a wealthy suitor in those times, especially in her situation would have been much scarier. She would surely have felt the weight of her own, as well as her sisters’ futures sitting on her shoulders.
What might have happened if, instead of the immediate angry refusal to his insulting way of proposing, she had said that she wanted time to think it over more calmly (“I can’t stand him, but my sisters need me to be smart! Could there be more to him? Is it worthwhile to try to find out? Our marriage would surely mean that Jane and Bingley would spend more time together…” etc.)? Could she have suggested that they get to know each other better, just in case there was a possibility things could work out?
The book would have been different (and a lot less fun!)if she had, but maybe they eventually could have grown and found their way to each other. Or maybe she would have just ended up punching him.
That said, I wouldn’t change a word of Pride and Prejudice!
I have the annotated Pride and Prejudice by David M. Shapard. I think it's very good! I do not really remember what he said about Lizzie's approval of the natural beauty of the groun..."
I really enjoyed your reflection. I completely agree that Pemberley’s style reflects Darcy’s character, and that Lizzy, noticing it, would naturally feel surprised and pleased. It’s such a lovely detail that can be missed on a first reading. I also think annotated editions and JASNA articles add so much depth and offer wonderful insights. Thank you for sharing your perspective!