How does Jane Austen ensure that Lizzy and Darcy are the most attractive couple in the novel? Essay

We are introduced to the character of Lizzy early on, and in such away that we are immediately given a positive impression of her. We first hear of her in a conversation between Mr and Mrs Bennet when discussing the arrival of Mr Bingley. â€Å"I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy† Mr Bennet says, â€Å"Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters† This is the first impression that we have of Lizzy. To introduce her character in this way means that even before meeting her, we are already thinking of her character and already have an image of her in our minds. We see that Mr Bennet points out Lizzy’s ‘quickness’, showing that she is clever and not absent minded and dull. By hearing his praise of her, we can not dislike her unless we see something that we disapprove, which never occurs, as such. In order for Darcy and Elizabeth to be attractive as a couple, they also need to be attractive as individuals. Their attractiveness, not just of looks but of personality, are hinted to us throughout the novel. Lizzy is strong-willed, witty, bright and intelligent. â€Å"Really, ma’am, I think it would be very hard upon younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and amusement, because the elderly may not have the means or inclination to marry early. The last born has a good a right to the pleasures of youth as the first.† This is from the conversation between Lizzy and Lady Catherine about Lydia’s marriage, which shows how Lizzy is happy to speak her mind and show her point of view. To the reader this is admirable, perhaps especially at the time when in society she would have kept it to herself due to her age, position and feminism. We see also, that various people, like her father, have much more respect for her due to it. This leads to influence us to see her in the same way. Darcy originally appears to us in a different manner. While the first impression we get of Lizzy is positive, the impression we get of Darcy is soon considerably negative. However, Jane Austen does not immediately influence us to dislike him. â€Å"his friend Mr Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a-year.† The quote is taken from when Darcy first enters the story at the Meryton ball. He is talked of with much approval and very much admired. However, this view is soon altered when we witness his conversation with Bingley at the dance. Bingley is attempting to persuade Darcy to participate and to dance with Lizzy. â€Å"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.† This insults Lizzy, being in her earshot, and yet she can laugh at how ridiculous his manner was. His rudeness also influences the reader of how we perceive him. With additional incidents similar, we are for a long time under the impression that Darcy is a very proud and rude man and so it takes a long time to change our views. However, with the image of the very first description of Darcy, there is something slightly attractive in his character to grow on. It is interesting to note that although Darcy is handsome and very rich, we do not base his attractiveness individually on this. There are also other attractive features of Darcy that develop later on in the novel. This is interesting as it is opposite to an incident in the book concerning Wickham. â€Å"She could have added, â€Å"A young man, too, like you, whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable†.† Here Lizzy has mistaken the good looks of Wickham for goodness. While Wickham is attractive in the face, his personality is not so. We are not only drawn to Darcy for his looks, however, but also look for something more attractive than physical attraction and wealth. â€Å"He is the best landlord, and the best master,† she said, â€Å"that ever lived; not like the wild young men nowadays, who think nothing but themselves. There is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give him a good name.† This report of Darcy from his housekeeper demonstrates the character we see developing. By such information, it is suggested that what we originally presumed of him to be proud and rude, may actually, in some ways, be misunderstandings of his character, as we learn that he is merely the strong, silent type. The improvement of Darcy’s character, as well as the less obvious improvement of Elizabeth’s, is one of the attractive features of their partnership. The way that they work on their relationship is attractive because they do not just settle with an easy option but admit mistakes and amend problems. They both realise faults in themselves due to each other. Darcy’s pride and Lizzy’s prejudice. Darcy’s pride we have already seen at the ball. This is shown to us in an obvious manner and even stated and talked about. It is often Lizzy who complains about it and is the reason that she despises Darcy so much and for so long. This also demonstrates her prejudice. Although it is noticeable in many occasions, her prejudice is less public. However, she still learns from her mistakes. These two aspects of their characters do not mix and so is not until they can overcome them, that they realise how right they are for each other. The development of their partnership in this way is attractive, rising it above other couples in the novel. We can look at the marriage of Bingley and Jane, for instance, for comparison. Jane and Bingley’s marriage is the only other in the book that we are happy for, however, the marriage of Lizzy and Darcy still improves on it. While the former is very simple and ‘pretty’, the latter is a lot deeper, with the way it was developed forming interesting layers of characters. Other couples are a lot more obviously unsuited. Mr and Mrs Bennet are one such example. When their marriage took place, Mrs Bennet married up in society, while Mr Bennet married down. Mrs Bennet was attractive but vacuous and she didn’t improve in intelligence. We can presume that Mr Bennet regretted the marriage. We see an inclination of this when he is advising Lizzy on her marriage to Darcy. â€Å"My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life. You know not what you are about.† We can suggest from this that Mr Bennet is reflecting on himself, and the mistake that he carried out in marrying Mrs Bennet, as he appears to be talking from experience. We see many examples where he is not happy with his marriage and not happy with Mrs Bennet. â€Å"My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor† This is Mr Bennet’s reply to a conversation with Mrs Bennet about what would happen to their property when he died. We see how he has no respect for her as he is continually mocking her in this cruel way throughout the book. The amount of sarcasm and irony he uses suggests that he is merely taking it all as a joke, as if were he to take it seriously, he would not be able to handle it. We see also in the novel how, to get away from it, he spends a lot of his time by himself in his library where Mrs Bennet and the rest of the family can not disturb him. Lizzy and Darcy’s marriage however, already proves to be more successful. As a couple, they are good for each other. They can succeed in the development of each others character. They are both intelligent people, unlike Mrs Bennet, who can carry out intellectual conversations and discussions. We can see this in an earlier conversation. â€Å"To yield readily – easily – persuasion of a friend is no merit with you.† â€Å"To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either.† â€Å"You appear to me, Mr Darcy, to allow nothing for the influence of friendship and affection† This is one such example of Darcy and Lizzy exchanging and debating opinions. We can also compare this to the marriage of Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins. â€Å"When Mr Collins could be forgotten, there was a great air of comfort throughout, and by Charlotte’s evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must often be forgotten.† This was taken from Lizzy’s visit to Hunsford to visit Mr and Mrs Collins. It shows how happier Charlotte is when her husband isn’t there, and that this is often the case. Lizzy and Darcy however, enjoy each other’s company immensely and do not tire of it. We see that the Collins’ marriage is a marriage of convenience. It is stable, they have money and their own space from each other, but there is no love. They would never sit and enjoy a conversation but would much rather be separate from each other, similarly to Mr and Mrs Bennet, but right from the start of their marriage. Darcy and Lizzy as a couple are attractive because they are so meant to be. Jane Austen has written us a Romantic novel where the well matched always end up living happily ever after. They are not bad like Lydia and Wickham and so we feel a great love for them and believe that they deserve to be happy together. By being able to compare them to many other couples in the book we see even more clearly how they, as a couple, are the most attractive.