He 'drew the
attention of the
room by his fine, tall
person, handsome
features, noble
mien: and the
report...of his
having ten thousand
a year.'
Darcy
commands
attention
with
his
good
looks,
distinguished
manner
and
wealth.
'the proudest,
most
disagreeable
man in the
world'.
His silence and
superior manner can
give offence
Elizabeth
'attracted him
more than he
liked'.
He is strongly attracted
to Elizabeth but aware
of the difference in
their social status.
'He is the best landlord, and the
best master...that ever lived...Some
people call him proud: but I am
sure I never saw anything of it.'
His housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds,
gives a different perspective on
her employer.
'His complexion
became pale with
anger, and the
disturbance of his
mind was visible in
every feature
Darcy is self controlled and often
silent. Austen frequently uses
description of body language to
suggest his hidden feelings.
ROLE IN THE NOVEL
Mr Darcy is a rich landowner who
has a higher social status than
any other character in the novel.
He is the nephew of Lady
Catherine de Bourgh and is the
novel's hero.
He first appears with
his friend Bingley at
a public ball in
Meryton.
He becomes
attached to
Elizabeth while
she is visiting
Jane at
Netherfield
He reappears when Elizabeth is
visiting her friend Charlotte in Kent;
asks Elizabeth to marry him but
rejects him.
He welcomes
Elizabeth and
the Gardiners at
his country
estate, Pemberly
He rescues Lydia from
disgrace by arranging a
regimental post for
Wickham and paying his
debts
He eventually returns
to Longbourn,
proposes to Elizabeth
again and is accepted.