How Austen Reveals Darcy's Character in Pride and Prejudice

Introduction: Austen's Approach to Character Revelation

Jane Austen allows her characters to reveal themselves naturalistically, through their words and actions. Rather than interfering with an overly strong narrative voice, the author prefers to enable the reader's engagement with characters like Darcy as if they were real-life acquaintances. Interestingly, though, Austen makes a small exception for Darcy, who, when he first appears in Chapter Three, is briefly described by the narrator. Austen's choice of introduction makes perfect sense, however, as the reader comes to know Darcy over time.

Darcy's arrogance and perceived shallowness make it highly appropriate that readers would first encounter him through his well-bred looks. Moreover, Darcy turns heads when he enters the room, and Austen's narrator is sure to point this out so that the reader's head can also symbolically turn to gaze upon the handsome yet cocky gentleman. The reader is encouraged to identify with Elizabeth Bennet so fully throughout Pride and Prejudice that it is primarily through Elizabeth's eyes that the reader comes to know Darcy. Her transformation therefore mirrors his.

First Impressions: Darcy's Introduction in Chapter Three

Darcy's introduction in Chapter Three leads the reader inside Elizabeth's head, complete with her prejudices against him as well as her inevitable attraction to him. Darcy "drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year" (Chapter 3, para. 5). The narrator briefly notes that the men admire Mr. Darcy for his social status and appearance, and that the ladies find him physically dashing.

Yet Darcy's personality leaves a lot to be desired. "He was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company" (Chapter 3, para. 5). The theme of pride in Pride and Prejudice is embodied by Darcy's perceived arrogance. By showing the reader how others perceive him, Austen elucidates his character. When Darcy expresses affection for Elizabeth, it is presumed that she will feel flattered. When she rebuffs him, Darcy remains interested — a response that demonstrates his loyalty and persistence, and that undermines his reputation for arrogance in a major way. It is ultimately Elizabeth who becomes prideful and full of prejudice, and both she and the reader must overcome those feelings.

Pride and Prejudice: The Bennets' View of Darcy

Throughout much of the novel, the Bennets, and especially Elizabeth, look unfavorably upon Darcy. Ironically, they seem more prejudiced against him than he is against them. Darcy does look down on families perceived to have less social status than his, but this is simply a matter of his upbringing and culture. Elizabeth and the Bennets make character judgments against a man who actually speaks far less than they do.

When Darcy does speak, however, he sometimes draws attention to how rude he can appear without intending to. For example, in Chapter Eight, Darcy speaks about what he calls "accomplished" women. Elizabeth is undoubtedly piqued by his description, which for the Victorian era actually represents a rather progressive outlook on Darcy's part. After all, Darcy claims that a truly accomplished woman would be well-read and well-versed in the arts. He notes that he despises false attempts at accomplishment — women who pretend to enjoy the arts only to appear more cultured. "There is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable," he says (Chapter 8, para. 3 from bottom).

Conclusion: Words, Actions, and Moral Ambiguity

The method by which Jane Austen chooses to reveal all her characters is through their actions and words. This allows Darcy, Elizabeth, and indeed all of the characters in Pride and Prejudice to come alive and seem like real people. The dialogue is natural, permitting insight into the moral ambiguities and realistic faults and foibles that all persons have. When the reader first meets Darcy, he seems full of himself, pompous, and classist. The reason the reader feels this way is not because Darcy necessarily acts this way, but because other people are prejudiced against him.

Certainly, some of what Darcy says sounds arrogant. His upbringing has thoroughly influenced his worldview, but not to the extent that he can ignore his feelings for Elizabeth. His courtship of the novel's protagonist allows Darcy to emerge as a loyal and likeable man who reveals his strengths through the actions that ultimately redeem his character.

Work Cited

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. E-text available: http://www.pemberley.com/etext/PandP/