I recently found this drawing on DeviantART and thought that it would be appropriate to post it now as it directly relates to our next reading, Pride and Predjuice.
When I first saw this I instantly feel in love with it, mainly because I also often found myself somewhat frustrated with Elizabeth’s behaviour throughout the novel. It would have been quite amusing if Mr. Darcy had of reacted like this and it defiantly would have saved them alot of time and trouble.
The full title for this image is: “How Mr. Darcy Could Have Ended Pride and Prejudice Whilst in the Midst of Volume II” and the artist believe that instead the proposal should have ended like this:
“And this,” Darcy said quietly, as he walked towards Elizabeth, “is your opinion of me? This is the estimation in which you hold me?” He was now standing quite close to her, she stared up into his eyes, suddenly forgetting everything she had meant to say. “I thank you for explaining it so fully,” he continued, then added, “Please hold my hat for me a moment, will you?”
Her eyes were still fixed on his as she absentmindedly reached for his hat. Then she turned away in an abrupt manner that betrayed her agitation, and tried to collect her thoughts as she focused on finding a place for his hat, when suddenly…
At the moment illustrated above he is saying, “You take eager interest in THAT gentleman’s concerns!”
During his actual proposal however, he admits that he was surprised that he had fallen in love with her and stated that because of this he is willing to damage his social status by marrying her. Even though he’s harsh words do come across as insulting towards herself and her family, we must remember that it was a different time, different place.
During this period, people were locked within social classes and convention. He’s somewhat emotionless proposal was so blunt because he did not have the expressive capabilities to soften the truth. This probably would have been a normal reaction for a man of his social standing, who was proposing to a woman of lower class and rank. His marriage to her would bring himself and his family no social or financial gain. This was a different time in which women and men usually married for these two reasons. Darcy’s bluntness on this topic, although quite startling to us now (in a world where most people in the Western world marry for love and not money), this would not have been that shocking to a girl in those times.
From what I have read, a marriage between two such people would have been viewed as quite outrageous and Darcy would not have been oblivious to this. He and his family were both full of pride, and this difference in status would have weighed heavily on his mind. I do not believe that he told all of this to Elizabeth just to insult her, however believed that he thought that he was showing his respect for her by proposing to her, which would have been viewed as a great honor to a woman during this period.
In his mind he ignorantly seemed to believe that his status and wealth would be enough to entice her, and that she would respect his honesty regarding her sister and Mr. Bingley. However, he was too blinded to see that Elizabeth was a women who longed for more in life, and wasn’t going to be persuaded by such material things.
This picture I think encapsulates his frustrations perfectly, and is able to show his emotions much more clearly than he was verbally able to at the time.
What are everyone else’s opinions on his proposal or even the picture?
This picture can be found at:
http://dr-mabuse.deviantart.com/art/How-Mr-Darcy-Could-Have-80114946#
Kellie.
I think a related discussion on this point was held at The Other Blog some time ago, and I don’t remember there being too much disagreement on the view, expressed by some blackguard or other, that Lizzie could have used (and maybe enjoyed) some rougher than usual handling. The kicking up of the heel in the drawing suggests the drawer might agree.
What I find interesting about the drawing is the (un?)conscious focus yet again on the heroine, with Darcy as enigma wrapped in a riddle yada yada. That is, you don’t see his face, and he’s practically all shadow compared to the illumination of Liz, in colour. I say “yet again”, because it plays up to the critique that Austen writes her male characters as bidimensional cyphers, or mere catalysts for the progression of her female characters.
/bait
By: Fyodor on August 13, 2008
at 9:08 am
Hi Fydor,
I complete agree with you what you said, the female characters always seem to be the main focus right throughout the novels and in this picture. While the men are there as a stimulus to get the story going.
I’m just wondering in what other blog this was discussed? It wasn’t on our WebCT one. I would like to have a look at it.
Thanks
By: Kellie on August 13, 2008
at 9:19 am
Wow Kellie. That picture is a great find. It’s making me pull all sorts of faces which is a reliable sign that something’s struck a nerve – so to speak.
I like the way you unpacked how the picture expresses both Darcy’s frustration with Elizabeth and the reader’s.
I think it’s quite a sinister picture in some ways.
By: Laura (Admin) on August 13, 2008
at 9:54 am
Fyodor probably means the blog that I first encountered him on, one of many on the internet where people talk about Austen.
I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mean to imply your post is unoriginal or anything like that – rather to tie what you’ve said to general discussions people have about Pride and Prejudice.
I’m fairly sure I won’t be able to get that picture out of my head for a while…..
By: Laura (Admin) on August 13, 2008
at 10:00 am
Ah, excellent: it’s herself. Laura, may I ask your opinion on Kellie’s question re t’other blog?
By: Fyodor on August 13, 2008
at 10:06 am
It’s OK Fyodor, we’re all on the same page now.
As a general thing, on this site, which is new, and populated by people who don’t all know each other well, I think we should all try to avoid assuming everyone will know what’s being referred to. Links are helpful.
Now back to Kellie’s post.
By: Laura (Admin) on August 13, 2008
at 10:12 am
Exactly – sorry for any confusion.
By: Fyodor on August 13, 2008
at 10:41 am
Funny, during that scene I am usually thinking that Darcy is an ass and is pretty much pwn3d by Elizabeth. Of course she’s wrong about Wickham, but she’s pretty much right about everything else, including his incredibly arrogant proposal of marriage. “My family is going to hate me for this, but you’re irresistibly hot, so the heck with convention, let’s get married. I know you’re going to say yes, because I am rich and and can give you a social position your uncle in trade will never be able to, so let’s get on with it.” Elizabeth gave him a well-deserved verbal spanking, IMO.
You can tell I’m not down with Team Shy!Darcy.
By: Mags on August 15, 2008
at 1:51 pm
True. Definite pwnage. All your Pemberley are belong to us, etc.
By: Fyodor on August 15, 2008
at 3:58 pm
I can’t help but agree with Mags. Although I think the picture in its self is a lovely interpretation, I think that context of time hardly excuses Darcy behaviour. I think that Austen is not having a dig at what he says but rather at how he says it. Darcy bluntly points out her inferiority to himself in every sense and expects Elizabeth to be inspired by his proposal. I think that also it must be considered that Jane Austen is a women of that time writing about that time, and is hardly convinced her self in this scene that his behaviour is acceptable.
By: Ignite_hardcore on August 21, 2008
at 10:01 am
….however imagining Darcy ubruptly bending E over his knee and giving her a good smack in the original makes me giggle
By: Ignite_hardcore on August 21, 2008
at 10:05 am
“and it defiantly would have saved them alot of time and trouble”
best.typo.evah
By: Zoe on September 6, 2008
at 7:12 pm