Today, while stuck on the couch, I finally finished part two of Pride and Prejudice. The more and more I read, the more I like. In this part, Mr. Darcy acts most strangely. He goes out of his way to visit Elizabeth. Although she was at her cousins residence which is across the street from his Aunt's estate, this was a big deal for him. He spent much time with her, even if it was in silence, until the day he asked for her hand. You would think that, because of this, he has been humbled a great deal, but...no. He began his proposal by stating that he is loves her against his better judgement and his friends' wills. And the fact that her family, not including Elizabeth and the eldest sister, are quite foolish and their monetary status is considered low for him. Man, he was so close. Elizabeth, no stranger to pride and prejudice herself, practically yells at him for his proposal and is quite distraught because of this.
The day after this scene, Mr. Darcy writes Lizzie a letter, explaining two situations which have made him seem more proud and apologizing for his proposal. Elizabeth rejected his proposal not only because of the manner he presented it with, but also because he ruined her sister's chance at being happy and marrying his friend Mr. Bingley. He believed that it was a terrible match and that she did not love him. Again, letting his pride and prejudice of her family get in the way of letting his friend be truely happy. The second situation, however, proves him not to be as proud as thought, but misunderstood and hurt. His good childhood friend, Mr. Wickham, was to inherit some of Mr. Darcy's father's money, for he looked after both boys. Mr. Wickham, however, was foolish and greedy and wanted more. Darcy would not give him any. Therefore, Wickham propsed to his younger sister, who at the time was only 15, because he heard she was to have a 30,000 pound inheritance. When he heard he would get nothing of it, he fled. (Elizabeth had been under the impression that Wickham was the one harmed here, for he is just a foot soldier and very poor.)
My prediction for the last part is quite similar to the first. I believe that, especially since Lizzie refused Darcy and "put him in his place", that he will really be humbled this time. BUT will Lizzie be able to look past his cold exterior and see who he really is?
I love this book! Haha his proposal was so funny. I remember the first time I read it I was like, "Uh, seriously? Idiot." I don't know if you've finished it yet or not, but it gets even better. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you're looking for something to read next, you should try The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Brontë. I'm not very far into it, but so far it complements Pride and Prejudice pretty nicely even though it's not exactly the same story.