Well, of course, my remark about pretedning to change was a joke. I realize the ramifications of lying. I'm definitely willing to accept them, but that is another issue entirely...
I'm sure Darcy's 'change' is sincere. However, there is definitely the implication that Darcy changes because, in at least some small part, due to the existence of Elizabeth. She doesn't ask him to change. But her mere existence (her beauty and perfection and whatever) force Darcy to realize his shortcomings. THIS is the ultimate female fantasy. The POWER of Elizabeth forces Darcy to change hiself. I guess he did this not simply to be with her, but because her awesomeness he knows he needs to change. Darcy corrects himself because of the mere existence of this woman, and that is the fantasy.
Note: Darcy and the whole set of P&P characters do not exist in the tanglible world. They exist in the realm of imagination where marriage does not lead directly to divorce. A realm of the imagination that forgets that 99.9% of women don't find a Darcy, and the other 0.1% divorces him. And I think we all take this way too seriously. I suggest you watch Wayne's World---> its good stuff.
ps: Does the world, does logic, provide us any reason to think we are inclined to be Liz or Darcy?
pps: I have been honest with myself AND the rest of the world for awhile.
Fini
posted by matthew @ 4:44 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
First of all, nobody ever calls Elizabeth "Liz." Just thought I'd let you know.
Secondly, it doesn't matter so much if YOU'VE been honest with yourself and the rest of the world because your character isnt based on sincerity (or lack thereof). I'm not saying that you arent sincere because as you've stated, you've been honest with yourself and the world for a long time. but if you look at Darcy, who prides himself on his impeccable judgement and blunt honesty, to see him submit himself to his own scrutiny and realize that he is not without fault is particularly powerful. That such a man is properly humbled--not by his love for Elizabeth (although she is a catalyst) but rather by the realization that comes from being honest with oneself.
And I, along with sonya, still disagree that Darcy changes for Elizabeth. I've always hated when people say that because its not like he was this horrible monster of a person before he met Lizzy, and then changed into this avenging angel. No, he's been the honourable gentleman throughout the entire book. Jane Austen is good enough to drop hints of his good character during his stay in Hertfordshire. Look at his friendship with Bingley. How do you suppose two people, who at first notice seem nothing alike, to be such good friends? Then there is his admirable and loving attitude towards his sister Geogiana. And even Wickham himself declares that Darcy is charming enough within his own circles. And its obvious that the cold manner that he showcases during the balls and society is not his usual character--both Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam comment on it. Lastly, let us not forget the overwhelming praise and testimony to his character by the housekeeper of Pemberley, Mrs. Reynolds.
He is not so mean, afterall. He is as good in the beginning and middle of the novel as he is during the end. The only difference is that he chooses to show her how good he is. And that's not the same as changing his character. His character was already in place, its merely a matter of looking at him differently--without prejudice. Besides, it wasn't as if marrying Elizabeth made him into this wonderful person who was agreeable to everyone.
In response to your comment that Darcy doesn't exist, I will only say that he does exist tangibly in the world. But I know, as well as you, that on this point it is useless to argue and therefore I say we agree to disagree.
Perhaps 'change' isn't an accurate description. Perhaps 'revealing his true self' is a more precise description of what Darcy does.
The truth, particularly in literature, does not exist. But the dissent is clearly more passionate than the assent, so the dissent shall have the last word.
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