Character Analysis #1: Darcy

Nathaniel Burns-Sarno
Advanced Placement English/Mr. George
November 30, 2009
Character Analysis: Mr. Darcy
Mr. Darcy is a man of few words who, through his quiet and observant behavior, gives others the impression that he is prideful and antisocial, but is in fact a kind and intellectual man who is able to recognize his flaws and seeks to correct them.
Mr. Darcy is a socially awkward man. This is clear from the beginning, as the first appearance of Darcy in the novel places him at a ball, where he only joins in a few dances and spends the rest of night in observance of the other guests, who in turn observe him. Since he shows little interest in anyone around him, the guests of the ball immediately deem him proud. The guest of the ball who believes this the most is Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the novel, who becomes intent on hating Darcy after he makes a less-than-flattering comment about her appearance. This begins an interesting relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth in which the two of them attempt to surpass each other in communication skills. It is in one such conversation that Darcy reveals his greatest flaw. "'I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful.-My good opinion once lost is lost forever.'"(Austen 43). This shows Darcy’s ability to identify his flaws and openly admit to them. In having so many heated debates with Elizabeth, Darcy gains an interest in her that later turns to love. It is after realizing his love for Elizabeth that Darcy takes great strides in improving his character, even building up enough confidence to propose to Elizabeth. During his proposal and Elizabeth’s rejection of him, Darcy reveals the great obstacles that he surpassed in order to love her. Darcy, the man originally thought to be proud and antisocial, overcame tremendous odds so that he may pursue the love of Elizabeth. It is after he is rejected by her that he overcomes the greatest odd of all; his personality. Through confronting every insult Elizabeth speaks to him, Darcy goes from being a quiet and antisocial man to being pleasant and agreeable.
Darcy’s personality is comparable to that of rogue lion’s. While lions are known for being sociable, there are cases in which a young male rejected by its pride will become quite solitary and hostile, keeping with them only one or two companions at the most. These solitary males tend to avoid social interaction with other members of their species and often observe the behavior of social groups. It is only after a rogue lion finds a favorable lioness that it will be able to overcome its hostility and enjoy the benefits of life in a pride.
A modern day Mr. Darcy would be John Lennon, who faced a situation similar to Darcy’s while pursuing his love, Yoko Ono. Yoko rejected Lennon many times because of his arrogance, causing Lennon to look within himself in order to rid himself of his flaws. Once Lennon overcame his pride, he was able to win the hand of Yoko Ono, just as Darcy earned the hand of Elizabeth.