P + P Quote Log 7

“But why Mr. Darcy came so often to the parsonage it was more difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it seems the effect of necessity rather than of choice – a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself” (154).

            The once too haughty Mr. Darcy has been reduced to speaking to Elizabeth out of necessity. Similar to an awkward middle school boy seeking the attention of a girl, Mr. Darcy is speaking to Elizabeth just to speak to her without any reason. This could be an indication of him starting to fall in love with her. He is afraid to because of her low ranking in society and also that she is not into him. Elizabeth is seeking felicity. Darcy’s greatest attribute is his wealth so in order to get Elizabeth to marry him with alacrity he would need to get her to fall in love with him. This is problematic because of a very poor first impression he made when he refused to dance. Elizabeth clearly has not forgotten this because she brings it up earlier in the novel.

P + P Quote Log 4

“Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley’s regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham” (74).

            As the novel has developed is it clear that Elizabeth is the protagonist in which we are rooting for. Chapter seventeen outlines the first flaw we see in her which is her prejudice. Elizabeth has no problem questioning the veracity of Darcy due, probably in large part, to an awkward first encounter where he described her as “tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me”. On the other hand Elizabeth has no problem trusting Wickham who comes across as an affable gentleman. Wickham certainly has qualities that Elizabeth desires in a husband if she if willing to believe him even when her best friend and sister Jane tells her to question herself. Elizabeth gives Wickham the benefit of the doubt when it comes to probity which is a flaw that could lead to conflicts later on in the novel.

P + P Quote Log 1

“Mr. Darcy’s eyes were fixed on her. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man; and yet that he should look at her because he disliked her was still more strange” (45).

            As the novel develops Mr. Darcy finds himself in a curious predicament. He has come across as haughty and has yet to receive the approbation of Miss Elizabeth Bennett. Although Mr. Darcy knows marrying Elizabeth would lower his social standard he begins to feel compelled to do exactly that. As Mr. Darcy attempts to determine his feelings, Miss Bingley is trying to edge out the amiable Elizabeth. If indeed Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth express interest in one another it will contrast the proposed love marriage held by Mr. Bingley and Jane. Although a love marriage would be propitious for Elizabeth she may have to settle for a mercenary marriage if Mr. Darcy and his wealth continue to show interest.