Mr. Darcy Character Analysis

Introduction and Role in the Text

Fitzwilliam Darcy is a central male protagonist in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. He is a wealthy landowner with an annual income of ten thousand pounds. Darcy initially embodies the titular ‘pride’ that must be overcome for love.

His social standing and reserved demeanour drive much of the novel’s conflict. He represents the aristocratic class and its associated prejudices. His journey is integral to the novel’s exploration of societal expectations and personal growth.

Character Traits with Supporting Evidence

Initial Traits: Pride and Haughtiness

• Arrogance: Darcy’s first appearance at the Meryton assembly reveals his disdain. He refuses to dance, stating Elizabeth is “tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me”. This immediately establishes his proud nature.
• Reserved Demeanour: He is often silent and appears aloof, leading others to misinterpret him. His quietness is mistaken for conceit by many.
• Class Consciousness: Darcy believes in the superiority of his social class. He separates Bingley from Jane Bennet due to her family’s perceived inferiority.

Later Traits: Benevolence and Integrity

• Generosity: His secret intervention in the Lydia and Wickham affair demonstrates his intrinsic goodness. He pays Wickham’s debts and ensures their marriage.
• Honour: Darcy feels a strong sense of responsibility towards his family and friends. This motivates his actions, even when misunderstood.
• Self-Awareness: Following Elizabeth’s rejection, he reflects deeply on his own behaviour. He admits to his “arrogance, my conceit, and my selfish disdain”.

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Character Development Arc

Darcy begins as a proud and prejudiced man, dismissive of those beneath him. His initial proposal to Elizabeth highlights his condescension, focusing on her family’s “inferiority” and his own “condescension”.

Elizabeth’s spirited rejection and accusations force him to confront his flaws. He undergoes a significant internal transformation. By the novel’s end, he is humbled and capable of genuine affection, valuing character over social standing. His second proposal is humble and sincere.

Key Relationships and How They Shape the Character

• Elizabeth Bennet: Their dynamic relationship is central to his change. Elizabeth’s intelligence and refusal to be intimidated challenge his pride. She forces him to see his own faults.
• Georgiana Darcy: His deep affection and protective nature towards his sister reveal a softer side. Her vulnerability after Wickham’s attempt to elope with her highlights his protective instinct.
• Charles Bingley: Darcy’s friendship with Bingley shows his loyalty, albeit a misguided one initially. His attempts to protect Bingley from what he considered an unsuitable match reveal his concern.
• Lady Catherine de Bourgh: His aunt represents the extreme of aristocratic pride. Her attempts to control him ironically solidify his resolve to marry Elizabeth.

Significance to Major Themes

• Pride and Prejudice: Darcy embodies ‘pride’ in his social standing and ‘prejudice’ against the Bennets. His overcoming these flaws is central to the theme.
• Social Class: He highlights the rigid class structures of the era. His eventual marriage to Elizabeth challenges these boundaries, suggesting love can transcend social divides.
• First Impressions: Darcy’s initial negative impression is gradually dismantled. This reinforces the novel’s message about judging people too quickly.

Memorable Quotes from or About This Character

• Elizabeth describes him as possessing “an arrogant, disagreeable manner”. This captures his initial public perception.
• He confesses to Elizabeth, “I was spoiled by my parents, who, though good themselves, allowed me too much indulgence”. This shows his self-awareness.
• Elizabeth, reflecting on his character, states, “He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman’s daughter”. This acknowledges his inherent goodness despite his flaws.

Exam Tips: How to Use This Character in Answers

• Analyse Darcy as a dynamic character, charting his progression from pride to humility.
• Discuss his role in exploring themes like class, love, and first impressions.
• Use his relationships, especially with Elizabeth, to illustrate his transformation.
• Refer to specific incidents, such as his first proposal or his intervention for Lydia, to support points.

Motivations, Conflicts, and Changes Throughout the Text

Darcy is initially motivated by family pride and social propriety. His conflict arises from his attraction to Elizabeth despite her lower social standing. This internal struggle is evident in his first, ill-judged proposal.

The external conflict with Elizabeth, particularly her spirited rejection, forces him to re-evaluate his values. He changes from a man governed by pride to one driven by genuine affection and humility. His actions concerning Lydia’s elopement demonstrate his moral growth and benevolence.

Related Pages

• Pride and Prejudice Study Guide
• Pride and Prejudice Summary
• Themes in Pride and Prejudice
• Key Moments in Pride and Prejudice
• Key Quotes in Pride and Prejudice
• Elizabeth Bennet Character Analysis