Mr Darcy quotes + analysis

• "She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me"

  His language is infiltrated with extremely hurtful aloof scorn. "tolerable' objectifies Elizabeth suggesting her appearance is certainly not good enough for him and the implication that she must 'tempt' him acts to highlight a distastefully smug view of his own value and worth
• "my behaviour to you at that time had merited the severest reproof it was unpardonable I cannot think of it without abhorrence'

  The superlative 'severest' and subsequent simple sentences shows the extent to which Darcy condemns himself. 'Abhorrence' is a stronger word than hatred that incorporates an element of loathing to his own attitude's revealing his vulnerability and change in maturity
• "I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper.

  • Darcy's tone in this intimate conversation with Elizabeth is at times pained, honest and self-critical, in a similar vein to his letter in Volume Two
  • No other character is shown to be capable of such penetrating self-analysis.
  • Darcy is drawn to Bingley by the contrast in their personalities, and this also seems to be the attraction that Elizabeth presents – she can supply a cheerfulness and good nature that he knows himself to lack.
• "It is a truth...

  Austen reveals two of its primary themes: marriage and class. Individuals are defined by their marital opportunities and financial holdings. However, the irony in this line conceals an implicit criticism. The line's grammatical focus is on "a single man... in want of a wife", But Austen's Novel is centred on her female characters as they struggle to succeed within this oppressive patriarchy. Each Miss Bennet knows that without a husband of decent means and status, she risks living a life as a powerless and potentially destitute spinster.
• "He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world"

  • The combination of "proudest" and "most disagreeable" suggests a correlation between Mr. Darcy's pride and his disagreeable nature. His excessive pride likely contributes to his disagreeable behavior, as it leads him to act in ways that are dismissive, aloof, and insensitive towards others. The tone is critical and judgmental and reflects Austen's own opinions on Darcy. The use of "proudest' and 'disagreeable' employs superlatives, this emphasises the extremity of his character traits.